Category:Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila Chapter 24 Purports - The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse
Pages in category "Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila Chapter 24 Purports - The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse"
The following 396 pages are in this category, out of 396 total.
A
- A brahmana is never supposed to engage in anyone’s service. Serving others for a livelihood (paricaryatmakam karma (BG 18.44)) is the business of sudras
- A disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple
- A guru is a brahmana by qualification, and he can turn others into brahmanas according to the sastric principles and brahminical qualifications. Brahmanism is not a question of heredity
- A liberated person who has no material body can go anywhere and everywhere; therefore a living entity is called sarva-ga, which indicates that he can go anywhere and everywhere
- A person can be relieved from his sinful activity if he surrenders to the lotus feet of a person who actually represents Narada Muni. Narada Muni gave instructions to the hunter after the hunter surrendered
- A person is eligible to return home, back to Godhead, if he perfectly understands Krsna and His appearance and disappearance. This is verified by Krsna Himself in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 4.9): tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ‘rjuna (BG 4.9)
- A person who worships the demigods and gives up Lord Vasudeva is like a man who gives up the protection of his mother for the shelter of a witch
- A pure devotee becomes attached to Krsna by hearing the Lord’s glories
- A pure devotee is never attracted by material opulence, for he understands that wasting time to acquire material opulence is a misuse of the gift of human life
- A pure devotee like Narada can give assurance to any sinful man because by the grace of the Lord such a devotee is empowered to deliver any sinful person if that person follows the principles set forth
- A pure devotee of Krsna can make the same demands that Narada Muni is making. He says, “If you follow my instructions, I shall take responsibility for your liberation”
- A pure Vaisnava believes in the statements of the sastras
- A pure Vaisnava has unflinching faith in the Lord, and he does not deviate at all. He is always engaged in perfect Deity worship
- A pure Vaisnava is one who has no ulterior motive. He has totally dedicated himself to the service of the Lord. He does not have material desires, and he is not interested in so-called learning and philanthropic work
- A religious person, a devotee of the Lord, must be nonviolent. Such is the nature of a religious person
- A serious disciple must be alert when selecting a bona fide spiritual master. He must be sure that the spiritual master can deliver all the transcendental necessities
- A small cottage can be constructed without any expenditure. Four logs serving as pillars can be secured by any man from the forest. The roof can be covered with leaves, and one can cleanse the inside. Thus one can live very peacefully
- A spiritual master should not be very anxious to accept a disciple because of his material opulences. Sometimes a big businessman or landlord may approach a spiritual master for initiation
- A temple should not be a place to eat and sleep. A temple manager should be very careful about these things
- A Vaisnava should be a touchstone so that he can convert others to Vaisnavism by his preaching, even though people may be fallen like the hunter
- A variety of flowers should be offered. (42) Another mangala-arati should be offered. (43) A mirror should be offered. (44) The Lord should be carried on a nice palanquin to the altar
- According to His (Caitanya's) own written verse, yugayitam nimesena. He says that for Him, “a moment seems to last twelve years.” Caksusa pravrsayitam: “My tears are flowing like torrents of rain”
- According to Narada Muni and Vedic culture, animal-killers are not even gentlemen, to say nothing of being religious men
- According to religious life, society is divided into four social divisions - brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra - and four spiritual divisions - brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa
- According to Vedic principles, only a brahmana who is fully engaged in his occupational duties can be initiated. Sudras and women are not admitted to a vaidika initiation
- Actually householders and vanaprasthas should bathe two times a day (pratar-madhyahnayoh snanam vanaprastha-grhasthayoh). A sannyasi should bathe three times daily, and a brahmacari may take only one bath a day
- Actually Sanatana Gosvami belonged to a very respectable brahmana family. Nonetheless, he submitted himself as a fallen, lowborn person because he had served in the Muslim government
- After enjoying householder life for some time, the husband and wife must leave home and distribute their riches to brahmanas and Vaisnavas
- After leaving householder life, one may go to a holy place, such as the bank of the Ganges or Yamuna, and erect a small cottage
- After mangala-arati, the Deity is supposed to wash His teeth by using a twig; therefore a twig must be offered. (7) Water must be offered for washing the Deity’s feet. (8) Arghya should be offered. (9) Water for acamana should be offered
- All the eatables offered to the Deities should be extraordinarily excellent
- All the members of the Kuru dynasty offered respects when Krsna was leaving Hastinapura after the Battle of Kuruksetra. Krsna was going to His own kingdom, and all the members of the Kuru dynasty were overwhelmed by His departure
- All the rsis assembled there (Naimisaranya) neglected to complete the ritualistic ceremonies because there was no positive assurance of the results. All the performers were coated with black ash due to the large amount of smoke coming from the fire
- All these honors (of worship) are offered to him (a spiritual master) because he strictly follows the brahminical principles and teaches these principles to his disciples
- All three types of jnanis are called moksakanksis, those desiring liberation. By associating with devotees, such people give up the mumuksu principle and render devotional service. The real cause for this change is the association of devotees
- All Vedic literatures maintain that Srimad-Bhagavatam has to be learned from the person bhagavata, and to understand it one has to engage in pure devotional service
- Although His (Krsna's) expansions are also called the Supreme Personality of Godhead, They are attained only by the execution of regulative devotional service
- Although the hunter Mrgari was uncivilized, he still had to suffer the results of his sinful activities
- Among animals there is no question of spiritual advancement
- An elephant takes a very good bath and cleanses its body very nicely, but as soon as it comes out of the water, it picks up some dust on the shore and throws it all over its body
- An unintelligent person cannot understand that only devotional service can elevate one to the transcendental position
- Anyone can see how the bona fide spiritual master accepts disciples from all over the world. The guru is a qualified brahmana; therefore he knows Brahman and Parabrahman. He thus devotes his life for the service of Parabrahman
- Apart from being the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is an acarya who exhibited love of God like a madman
- Arati should be offered to the Deities five times daily - early in the morning before sunrise, later in the morning, at noon, in the evening and at night. This means that there should be worship and a change of dress and flowers
- As bell metal can be turned into gold when treated with mercury, a disciple initiated by a bona fide guru immediately attains the position of a brahmana
- As far as eating is concerned, there is no problem. If Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, supplies everyone with eatables, why should He not supply His devotee
- As far as placing the Deity in the bed is concerned, if the Deity is large and heavy, it is not possible to move Him daily. It is better that a small Deity, which is also worshiped, be taken to the bed
- As far as the eatables are concerned, all items should be first-class preparations. There should be first-class rice, dhal, fruit, sweet rice, vegetables and a variety of foods to be sucked, drunk and chewed
- As far as the mutual testing of the spiritual master and disciple is concerned, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains that a bona fide disciple must be very inquisitive to understand the transcendental subject matter
- As far as the time of diksa (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the guru. As soon as a bona fide guru is received by chance or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation
- As followers of the Vedic principles, we accept the statements of Narada Muni in this regard. It is our duty to see that no one suffers due to sinful activities
- As for sodasopacara, the sixteen ingredients, one should (1) provide a sitting place (asana), (2) ask Krsna to sit down, (3) offer arghya, (4) offer water to wash the legs, (5) wash the mouth, (6) offer madhu-parka, (7) offer water for washing the mouth
- As for sodasopacara, the sixteen ingredients, one should (13) offer incense, (14) offer a lamp, (15) give good food, and (16) offer prayers
- As for sodasopacara, the sixteen ingredients, one should (8) bathe the Lord, (9) offer garments, (10) decorate the Lord’s body with ornaments, (11) offer sweet scents, (12) offer flowers with good fragrance, like the rose or campaka
- As Krsna wandered in the forest with Baladeva and the two of Them wonderfully played Their flutes, all the gopis became very much attracted. Thus they praised the Lord’s activities, describing how He was enthusing all the plants, birds, hills and water
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 5.6.18), muktim dadati karhicit. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami told Maharaja Pariksit that Krsna readily grants liberation but does not very readily grant perfection in devotional service
- At the present moment there are many so-called gentlemen who are expert in killing animals and birds. Nonetheless, these so-called gentlemen profess a type of religion that strictly prohibits killing
- At the present moment, so-called civilized men do not sacrifice animals to a deity in a religious or ritualistic way. They openly kill animals daily by the thousands for no purpose other than the satisfaction of the tongue
- Atonement may be carried out very nicely, but it will not help a person if he continues committing sins. Therefore the hunter first admitted his sinful activity before the saintly person Narada and then asked how he could be saved
B
- Balitvat krsna-mantranam samskarapeksanam na hi: “The Krsna mantra is so strong that there is no question of sodhana.” (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 1.235) As far as diksa is concerned, one should consult Madhya-lila 15.108
- Being the agent of Krsna, Narada Muni knew very well that the hunter would not suffer by breaking the bow. There was no doubt that Krsna would supply him food
- By chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from all contamination, especially contamination brought about by the killing of animals
- By killing animals, not only will we be bereft of the human form but we will have to take an animal form and somehow or other be killed by the same type of animal we have killed. This is the law of nature
- By the grace of Narada Muni, the hunter came to his good senses and immediately surrendered unto the saint’s lotus feet. This is the process. By associating with a saintly person, one is able to understand the reactions of his sinful life
D
- Demigod worship is meant for unintelligent men because the benefits derived from demigod worship are all material, temporary and retractable
- Demigods are also living entities and parts and parcels of Krsna. Therefore in one sense one worships Krsna when one worships the demigods, but not in the proper way
- Devotional service includes nine processes, beginning with hearing, chanting and remembering the activities of Lord Visnu
- Devotional service is so enchanting that even the first-class devotees (uttama-adhikaris) also come down to the second platform to preach and render service to the Lord for the benefit of the whole world
E
- Each and every mantra has its own spiritual significance. The spiritual master has to select a mantra for his disciple according to the disciple's ability to chant different mantras
- Even though a person is born in a brahminical family and is very expert in performing sacrifices, he cannot be accepted as a guru if he is not a strict Vaisnava
- Even though the worshiper of impersonal Brahman can be highly advanced, he cannot attain liberation without discharging devotional service. Anyone who has realized himself as spirit soul can engage in devotional service
- Every Vaisnava is a spiritual master, and a spiritual master is automatically expert in brahminical behavior. He also understands the Vedic sastras
- Every Vaisnava is dependent on Krsna, and Krsna is ready to supply all of life’s necessities, provided a Vaisnava follows the principles set forth by the spiritual master
- Everyone has a chance to become purified by associating with this Krsna consciousness movement and strictly following the rules and regulations
- Everyone is eligible to become Krsna’s devotee. One simply has to be trained according to the approved process. It is the work of Krsna’s confidential devotees to turn everyone into a Krsna bhakta
- Everyone is ready to give something to a Vaisnava, and if a Vaisnava is completely engaged in devotional service, he need not be anxious for his maintenance
- Everyone must engage in the service of the Lord. Taking the word api in the sense of ascertainment, there are, all together, sixty different meanings
- Everything had been arranged for her (Rukmini's) marriage to Sisupala; therefore she wrote a letter to Krsna, which she sent through a brahmana, and invited Him to kidnap her
F
- First-class garments should be offered. (38) A first-class helmet should be offered. (39) The garments should be scented. (40) There should be Kaustubha jewels and other ornaments offered
- Following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciplic succession, one can become a spiritual master, for the process is very easy. One can go everywhere and anywhere to preach the instructions of Krsna
- Foolish person always desires material opulence, which can be attained by karma, jnana & yoga. But when one is actually elevated to the devotional platform, he gives up all these desires. This is called anyabhilasita-sunya. Then one becomes a pure devotee
- Foolish rascals are described in the Bhagavad-gita as mayayapahrta-jnanah (BG 7.15), which indicates that although they are superficially educated, maya has taken their real knowledge away. Such people are presently leading human society
- For spiritual advancement one must have a bona fide spiritual master and follow his instructions in order to be assured of advancement
G
- Gaurangera bhakta-gane jane jane sakti dhare. The purport of this song is that the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very powerful, and each and every one of them can deliver the whole world. What, then, to speak of Narada Muni
- Giving all kinds of excuses, even the heads of religions indulge in killing animals while trying to pass as saintly persons. This mockery and hypocrisy in human society bring about unlimited calamities; therefore occasionally there are great wars
H
- He (disciple) should be interested only in understanding the science of God, and he should be ready to consider all points in this matter. He should no longer think, “I am this body,” or, “This thing belongs to me”
- He (hunter, murderer or killer) is advised not to die because his dying means that he immediately begins to endure more suffering. Therefore he is advised not to live and not to die
- He (Krsna) is also maintaining His spiritual planet, Goloka Vrndavana, by His conjugal love, and He is maintaining the Vaikunthalokas by His opulences
- He (Krsna) is maintaining His personal abode, Goloka Vrndavana, through His conjugal love, and He is maintaining the spiritual world containing the Vaikuntha planets by His opulences
- He (Krsna) maintains the material universes through His external energy. The material universes are perfectly situated because they are created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- He (maha-bhagavata) is also initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and is expert in worshiping the Deity, chanting mantras correctly, performing sacrifices, offering prayers to the Lord and performing sankirtana
- He (maha-bhagavata) knows how to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead and how to respect a Vaisnava
- Highly elevated Mayavadi sannyasis sometimes worship the Radha-Krsna Deity and discuss the pastimes of the Lord, but their purpose is not elevation to Goloka Vrndavana. They want to merge into the Lord’s effulgence
I
- If a civilized man kills animals regularly in a slaughterhouse to maintain his so-called civilization, using scientific methods and machines to kill animals, one cannot even estimate the suffering awaiting him
- If a devotee very strictly follows the methods of Deity worship, he will naturally and quickly become a pure Vaisnava
- If a guru is completely qualified as a Vaisnava, he must be accepted as a brahmana even if he is not born in a brahmana family
- If a so-called spiritual master accepts a disciple for his personal benefit or for material gain, the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple turns into a material affair, and the spiritual master becomes like a smarta-guru
- If by chance one gets a sad-guru, it doesn’t matter whether one is in the temple or the forest. If the sad-guru, the bona fide spiritual master, agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place
- If I become a brahmana and completely depend on Krsna, I do not conduct a business, but nonetheless my maintenance is supplied by Krsna
- If one actually wants to serve Krsna, it doesn’t matter whether one is a sudra, vaisya or even a woman
- If one continues committing sins after making some atonement, he will not be saved. In the sastras, such atonement is compared to an elephant’s bathing
- If one follows the instructions of Narada Muni, one can be delivered from any number of sinful reactions. This is the process
- If one has unflinching faith in Krsna and the spiritual master, the result is tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmanah: all the conclusions of the revealed scriptures will be open to such a person
- If one is highly qualified but is not a Vaisnava, he cannot be accepted as a guru. One cannot be a brahmana unless one is a Vaisnava. If one is a Vaisnava, he is already a brahmana
- If one is not a qualified brahmana, he is not expert in studying the Vedic literatures
- If one is sincerely eager to chant the Hare Krsna mantra or diksa-mantra, one is qualified to be initiated according to the pancaratrika process
- If one kills many thousands of animals in a professional way so that other people can purchase the meat to eat, one must be ready to be killed in a similar way in his next life and in life after life
- If the confidential devotees do not take up the task of elevating everyone to Krsna consciousness, then who will do it
- If the grhasthas are fully engaged in the Lord’s service according to the directions of the authorities, there is no harm in their living in a temple
- If we are intelligent enough, we shall engage in the loving service of the Lord. Then our lives will be successful, and we shall not have to suffer like the hunter life after life
- If we simply surrender unto Krsna’s lotus feet and take this Krsna consciousness movement seriously, we can be freed from the karma incurred by sin
- In any case, a devotee can follow the instructions of his spiritual master and engage in devotional service by watering the tulasi plant and chanting the Hare Krsna mantra
- In any condition, any man can live in a small cottage, plant a tulasi tree, water it in the morning, offer it prayers, and continuously chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Thus one can make vigorous spiritual advancement. This is not at all difficult
- In Europe and America there is presently no monetary scarcity. People are not poor, and if they follow these principles of Deity worship, they will advance in spiritual life
- In His gigantic form, Lord Krsna has covered the creation. He holds all the planetary systems and maintains them by His inconceivable potencies
- In India there are many so-called gurus, and they are limited to a certain district or a province. They do not even travel about India, yet they declare themselves to be jagad-guru, the guru of the whole world. Such cheating gurus should not be accepted
- In material consciousness, even one who is situated in the mode of goodness is susceptible to pollution by the modes of passion and ignorance
- In our Krsna consciousness movement, the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life - illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 7.11.35) Sri Narada Muni tells Maharaja Yudhisthira what a brahmana is. He states that if brahminical qualifications are observed in ksatriyas, vaisyas or even sudras, one should accept them as brahmanas
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam Narada Muni states that even if a brahmana is in a difficult position, he should not accept the occupation of a sudra. This means that he should not be engaged in service for another, for this is the business of dogs
- In the bali-dana sacrifice to a demigod, it is recommended to cut the throat of an animal with one slice. This should be done on a dark-moon night, & the painful noises expressed by the animal at the time of being slaughtered are not to be heard by anyone
- In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated, janma karma ca me divyam. Krsna’s appearance and disappearance are transcendental, not mundane
- In the eyes of a devotee, politicians, social workers, philanthropists, philosophers and humanitarians are simply wasting their time, for human society is not freed from the cycle of birth and death by their activity and propaganda
- In the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (11.127-140) there is a vivid description of what is required in Deity worship. There are sixty-four items mentioned
- In the Krsna consciousness movement there are many young couples engaged in the Lord's service. Eventually they are supposed to take vanaprastha, and after the vanaprastha stage the husband may take sannyasa in order to preach
- In the material condition, all living entities are engaged in sense gratification, but when they associate with devotees who follow the regulative principles, they become purified and awakened to their original consciousness
- In the material world every planet has a specific advantage (vibhuti-bhinna). In the spiritual world, however, all the planets and their inhabitants are composed of spiritual energy. Because there are no material impediments
- In the temple, worship should be so gorgeous that all sixty-four items should be available for the satisfaction of the Personality of Godhead
- In the Vedic civilization, meat-eaters are advised to kill an animal for the goddess Kali or a similar demigod. This is in order not to give the animal unnecessary pain, as slaughterhouses do
- In this verse Krsna says that people approach Him when in distress, in need of money or when actually inquisitive to understand the Supreme Being, or the original source of everything
- In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is given the name of a Vaisnava servant & initiated to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily
- It is advised that grhasthas should not live in the temple. They must live outside the temple and maintain themselves
- It is concluded that one has to learn about Krsna from Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita, and one has to follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- It is contradictory to be violent and at the same time call oneself a religious person. Such hypocrisy is not approved by Narada Muni and the disciplic succession
- It is here mentioned that every living entity is atmarama. Temporarily covered by the influence of maya, the living entity serves his senses, which are represented as kama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-matsarya - lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy
- It is not necessary for a Vaisnava to keep a stock of food for the next day. He should receive only sufficient grain to last one day. The next day, he must again depend on the Lord’s mercy. This is the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- It is not that a grhastha should live at home until he dies. Vanaprastha is preliminary to sannyasa
- It is said that a hunter, murderer or killer is advised not to live and not to die. If he lives, he accumulates even more sins, which bring about more suffering in a future life
- It is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s wish that everyone should become a Vaisnava and guru
- It is stated in the Upadesamrta of Rupa Gosvami that a guru is a gosvami, a controller of the senses and the mind. Such a guru can accept disciples from all over the world. Prthivim sa sisyat. This is the test of the guru
- It is the duty of the public to present a gift to a saintly person, Vaisnava or brahmana when going to see him
- It is understood that both Rama and Krsna are enjoying Their tour within the forest because it is said that both of Them enjoy wandering in the forest
K
- Kanistha-adhikari devotees cannot turn others into Vaisnavas, but a madhyama-adhikari Vaisnava can do so by preaching
- Krsna assures the devotee, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: (BG 18.66) "I will protect you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear"
- Krsna demands the surrender of a sinful man, and Krsna’s representative gives the same instructions
- Krsna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He is expanded as Balarama, Sankarsana, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Vasudeva
- Krsna says, yoga-ksemam vahamy aham: (BG 9.22) “I personally carry all necessities to My devotees.” Why should one be anxious about the necessities of life? The principle should be that one should not want more than what is absolutely necessary
- Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the origin of all other Personalities of Godhead
- Krsna, who is situated in everyone’s heart, says, “I personally carry all necessities to a Vaisnava.” He can order anyone to execute this
M
- Madhu-parka, a small bowl containing madhu (honey, a little ghee, a little water, a little sugar, yogurt and milk) should be offered. This is called madhu-parka-acamana. (11) One should place wooden slippers before the Lord
- Meat-eaters and animal-killers are advised not to purchase meat from the slaughterhouse. They can worship Kali once a month, kill some unimportant animal and eat it. Even by following this method, one is still an offender
N
- Narada Muni advises the hunter to accept only what is absolutely necessary for him and his wife. The devotee should always be alert to consume only those things that he absolutely requires and not create unnecessary needs
- Narada Muni asked the former hunter how he was being maintained, and he replied that everyone who came to see him brought him something for his maintenance
- Narada Muni herein (CC Madhya 24.250) says that animal-killing is offensive, especially when animals are given unnecessary pain
- Narada Muni is our original guru because he is the spiritual master of Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is the spiritual master of our disciplic succession; therefore we should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni and become pure Vaisnavas
- Narada Muni was speaking to Vyasadeva, who was morose even after he had compiled all the Vedic literatures. In this connection, Narada Muni advised Srila Vyasadeva to try to attain devotional service and nothing else
- Nicely scented oils like liquid sandalwood pulp should be smeared over the Lord’s body. (27) All kinds of ornaments and crowns should be placed on His body. (28) Then one should offer flower garlands and decorative flowers
- No one should present himself as a brahmana simply on the basis of being born in a brahminical family. One must be qualified by the brahminical qualities mentioned in the sastras
- Not knowing the real science of life, a foolish person engages in the temporary activities of this life and thus becomes further entangled in the cycle of birth and death
O
- On that platform (visuddha-sattva) one can then understand, aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is to be worshiped along with His transcendental abode, Vrndavana”
- On the whole, when a person is initiated according to the pancaratrika-vidhi, he has already attained the position of a brahmana
- One can keep his wife as an assistant in the vanaprastha stage. The idea is that the wife will assist the husband in spiritual advancement. Therefore Narada Muni advised the hunter to adopt the vanaprastha stage and leave home
- One can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam only by following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was mad for Krsna. We cannot, of course, imitate Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not possible
- One cannot write on spiritual matters without being blessed by Krsna and the disciplic succession of gurus. The blessings of the authorities are one’s power of attorney
- One has to gargle (acamana) and brush his teeth (danta-dhavana). He should do this either with twigs or a toothbrush - whatever is available. This will purify the mouth. Then one should take his bath
- One must follow the instructions of a spiritual master; then one will certainly be delivered from all sinful reactions. This is the secret of success
- One must love the spiritual master with unflinching faith, and one must be very steady and fixed
- One needs to be trained to become a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, just as one is trained to become an engineer, doctor or lawyer
- One should also note the specific offenses against Deity worship. These are mentioned in the Skanda Purana (Avanti-khanda), spoken by Vyasadeva himself. One should liquidate all kinds of offenses
- One should bathe the Lord with water in which nicely scented flowers have been soaking for some time. (16) After bathing the body of the Lord with water, one should bathe Him with milk. (17) Then one should bathe Him with yogurt
- One should burn incense. (30) Lamps should be offered. (31) Precautions should always be taken so that demons and atheists cannot harm the body of the Lord. (32) Food offerings should be placed before the Lord
- One should dance before the Deity. (53) One should circumambulate the Deity. (54) One should again offer obeisances. (55) One should offer different types of prayers and hymns at the Lord’s lotus feet
- One should dry the entire body of the Lord with a towel. (23) A new dress should be put on the Lord’s body. (24) A sacred thread should be placed on His body. (25) Water should be offered for cleansing His mouth (acamana)
- One should enter the temple after taking a bath. In other words, one should be very clean. (4) One should not offer obeisances to the Lord with one hand
- One should immediately offer obeisances to the Lord, falling down like a stick. (4) There must be regular mangala-arati in the temple during the early morning, an hour and a half before the sun rises
- One should massage the body of the Lord. (13) One should massage the body of the Lord with oil. (14) With a soft, wet sponge one should remove all the oil smeared over the Lord’s body
- One should not be proud to hear himself praised before the Deity. (29) One should not blaspheme the demigods. (30) One should not be unkind to others before the Deities
- One should not circumambulate demigods before the Deities. (6) One should not spread his legs before the Deity. (7) One should not sit down before the Deity with his legs crossed, nor should one touch his legs with his hands
- One should not cover himself with a blanket. (17) One should not talk enviously of others before the Deity. (18) One should not praise others before the Deity. (19) One should not use slang before the Deity
- One should not lie down before the Deity. (9) One should not eat before the Deity. (10) One should not speak lies before the Deity. (11) One should not speak very loudly before the Deity
- One should not neglect offering seasonal fruits as soon as they are available. (24) One should always offer fresh, untouched fruit to the Deity. (25) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity
- One should not offer obeisances to others before the Deity. (27) One should not sit near the Deity without taking the spiritual master’s permission
- One should not pass air before the Deity. (21) One should not neglect the sixty-four items of Deity worship. (22) One should not eat anything not offered to the Deity
- One should not talk nonsense before the Deity. (13) One should not cry before the Deity. (14) One should not deal with others before the Deity. (15) One should not utter harsh words before the Deity
- One should not try to write anything about Vaisnava behavior and activities without being authorized by superior authorities. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 4.2): evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh
- One should observe all festivals in the temple. (32) One should not fight or quarrel before the Deity
- One should offer one’s hand to the Lord. (62) One should take the Deity to His bed. (63) One should wash the feet of the Lord and then sit Him on the bed. (64) One should place the Lord on the bed and then massage His feet
- One should simply understand that Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana, the friend of the cowherd boys and lover of the gopis, is actually the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is attained by spontaneous love
- One should take the remnants of the Lord’s food. (59) One should sit before the Lord and think that he is massaging the Lord’s legs. (60) One should decorate the Lord’s bed with flowers before the Lord takes His rest
- One should touch the lotus feet of the Lord with one’s head. This may not be possible for everyone, but at least the pujari should do this. (57) The flowers offered on the previous day should touch one’s head
- One simply has to follow the instructions of the spiritual master strictly. Then everything will be successful in due course of time
- One who accepts a visayi disciple is not a bona fide spiritual master. Even if he is, his position may be damaged due to association with an unscrupulous visayi
- One who always meditates upon Krsna is mainly a devotee of Krsna engaged in His devotional service. Other atmaramas are subordinate in devotional service
- One who is inquisitive to understand the highest goal and benefit of life must approach a bona fide spiritual master and surrender unto him
- Only a pure devotee can convert others to pure devotional service. It is therefore important for all the preachers in our Krsna consciousness movement to first become pure devotees and follow the regulative principles
- Only one who has taken to devotional service can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the spotless Purana for a transcendentalist (paramahamsa). So-called commentaries are useless for this purpose
- Ordinary man cannot give his own opinion. His opinion must always correspond with the conclusion of the Vedas
- Others are inquisitive, like the great sages headed by Saunaka, and others need money, like Dhruva Maharaja. Sukadeva Gosvami approached the Lord when he pursued knowledge
- Our preachers who are preaching Krsna consciousness all over the world should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni and become purified by following the four principles and chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This will make them fit to become Vaisnavas
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- People at present are killing animals daily, because of this the entire world is suffering in so many ways. Politicians are unnecessarily declaring war, and according to the stringent laws of material nature, massacres are taking place between nations
- Personalities like Sri Ganga-narayana, Ramakrsna and many others, who were actually born in brahmana families, accepted Narottama dasa Thakura and Syamananda Gosvami as their spiritual masters
- Presently in India, so-called brahmanas are almost all engaged in some mundane service, and they do not understand the import of the Vedic sastras. Nonetheless, they are passing themselves off as brahmanas on the basis of birth
- Presently scientists are trying to go to other planets, but due to their material bodies, they are not free to move at will. However, when one is situated in his original spiritual body, he can move anywhere and everywhere without difficulty
- Presently they have discovered the atomic bomb, which is simply waiting to be used for wholesale destruction. If people want to be saved from the killing business life after life, they must take to Krsna consciousness and cease sinful activity
- Professional preachers cannot create pure devotees. There are many professional preachers of Srimad-Bhagavatam who read this work to earn their livelihood. However, they cannot convert materialistic people to devotional service
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- Regarding the variety of personalities known as Bhagavan, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that the Personality of Godhead known as Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that His expansions are also called the Personality of Godhead
- Rukmini had heard about Krsna’s qualities from different people, and after she heard about them, she decided to accept Krsna as her husband
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- Sanatana Gosvami declares that a brahmana cannot be engaged in anyone’s service if he wants to take a leading part in society
- Sanatana Gosvami felt unfit to write Vaisnava smrti about the behavior of Vaisnavas because he had fallen from the brahminical position. Thus Sanatana Gosvami clearly admits that the brahminical culture should be standardized
- Sanatana Gosvami felt very low because he had accepted a position of service in the Muslim government. The conclusion is that no one should claim to be a brahmana simply by birthright while engaging in someone else’s service
- Sanatana Gosvami was a pure devotee of Krsna. A pure devotee has no business other than serving Krsna; consequently Krsna is always ready to help him. This benediction was given by Sri Caitanya to Sanatana, who was authorized to write Vaisnava smrti
- Sanatana Gosvami was a pure devotee of the Lord, and through the blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he was able to write the book perfectly
- Simply by chanting the glories of Lord Visnu, one can cross the ocean of nescience, even though one may be lowborn
- Slaughter is allowed only once a month, and the killer of the animal has to suffer similar pains in his next life
- So-called civilized people consider themselves very advanced in education, but they do not know about the stringent laws of nature. According to nature’s law, it is a life for a life
- Some people approach Him (Krsna) in the pursuit of knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and others approach Him when they are distressed, like the devotee Gajendra
- Some slokas or prayers should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Krsna twenty-four hours daily
- Sometimes a devotee will not even bother to construct a cottage. He will simply go to live in a mountain cave. One may live in a cave, in a cottage beside a river, in a palace or in a big city like New York or London
- Sometimes it is impossible to get all sixty-four items; therefore we recommend that at least on the first day of installation all sixty-four items should be available
- Sometimes visayis pose as disciples of a reputed spiritual master just to cover their activities and advertise themselves as advanced in spiritual knowledge. In other words, they want to attain material success
- Speculative philosophers and mystic yogis also meditate upon the form of Krsna, but this form is not the form of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a Bhagavan is but a partial representation of the Lord’s full potency
- Spices for chewing should be offered. (34) Betel nuts should be offered. (35) At the proper time, there should be arrangements so that the Lord may take rest in bed. (36) The Lord’s hair should be combed and decorated
- Spiritual life can be attained by proper training-either by following the principles of varna and asrama or by being directly trained in the bhakti school by the methods of sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu plainly explains that Srimad-Bhagavatam cannot be understood by those who are materially situated. In other words, one has to become a madman like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu practiced devotional service and preached (apani acari’ bhakti karila pracara). If a preacher behaves properly in devotional service, he will be able to convert others. Otherwise, his preaching will have no effect
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to stress that even a hunter, the lowest of men, could become a topmost Vaisnava simply by associating with Narada Muni or a devotee in his bona fide disciplic succession
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura introduced the system of giving the sacred thread to a bona fide Vaisnava, and we are following in his footsteps
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks that Narottama dasa Thakura and Syamananda Gosvami, although not born in brahmana families, are accepted as bona fide spiritual masters because they were brahmanas by qualification
- Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is - that is, by seeing how many Vaisnavas he has made during his life
- Srila Rupa Gosvami and others were begging daily from door to door for their sustenance, and they never attempted to stock their asrama with food for the next day
- Srimad-Bhagavatam cannot be understood by so-called erudite scholars or grammarians. One who has developed pure Krsna consciousness and has served the pure devotee, the spiritual master, can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. Others cannot
- Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the full narration of Krsna’s transcendental activities. The first nine cantos explain who Krsna is, and the Lord’s birth and activities are narrated in the Tenth Canto
- Such a person (spiritual master who accepts disciples from all over the world) is called an acarya because he knows the principles of devotional service, he behaves in that way himself, and he teaches his disciples to follow in his footsteps
- Such a relationship (gosvamis who professionally create some disciples who do not care for them) is condemned by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who calls such spiritual masters and disciples a society of cheaters and cheated
- Sudras and women who are chaste and sincerely interested in understanding the Absolute Truth are qualified to be initiated with the pancaratrika-mantras
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- Taking the advice of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and our spiritual master, one can go to any part of the world and instruct people to become devotees by following the regulative principles, worshiping the tulasi plant and continuously chanting Hare Krsna
- The anvacaye meaning of the word ca indicates that between the two words compounded by the word ca, one is given more importance and the other is considered subordinate
- The Bhagavad-gita is Krsna’s instructions; therefore the duty of every Vaisnava is to travel and preach the Bhagavad-gita, either in his country or a foreign country. This is the test of sparsa-mani, following in the footsteps of Narada Muni
- The bona fide disciple should be inquisitive to understand transcendental subject matter. He must not search out faults among good qualities, and he should no longer be interested in material topics. His only interest should be Krsna
- The bona fide spiritual master who accepts disciples from all over the world is also worshiped all over the world because of his qualities. Lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih: the people of the world worship him just as they worship the SPG
- The brahmana is always independent and busy studying sastra and preaching sastra to subordinate social members such as ksatriyas and vaisyas
- The caste system method of distinguishing a brahmana by birth is not acceptable when applied to a bona fide spiritual master. A spiritual master is a qualified brahmana and acarya
- The Deity should be placed in bed with Srimati Radharani, and this should be indicated by bringing the wooden slippers from the altar to the bedside
- The devotee should always be very careful not to commit the ten offenses when chanting the Hare Krsna mantra
- The devotees of Krsna do not envy the demigods or their worshipers but peacefully render devotional service to the incarnations of Narayana instead
- The disciple must have the following qualifications. He must give up interest in the material bodily conception. He must give up material lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy
- The disciple must surrender to the spiritual master, the representative of Krsna. The spiritual master, being in the disciplic succession stemming from Narada Muni, is in the same category with Narada Muni
- The disciple must vow that he will no longer commit sinful activity - namely illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then the spiritual master takes care of him
- The disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master or his representative for at least six months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during which a sacred thread is offered
- The expansions of Krsna are thus compared to candles that have been lit from an original candle. All the secondary candles are equally powerful, but the original candle is that from which all the others have been lit
- The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. It is said, gurur nrnam. The word nrnam means “of all human beings.” The guru is not limited to a particular group
- The five ingredients for Deity worship are (1) very good scents, (2) very good flowers, (3) incense, (4) a lamp and (5) something edible
- The four basic sinful activities are summarized as illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating
- The four divisions of meanings of the word deha (“body”) are (1) aupadika-brahma-deha, the material body considered as Brahman with designations (vide verse 212)
- The four divisions of meanings of the word deha (“body”) are (2) karma-nistha yajnikera karma-deha, the body engaged in ritualistic ceremonies of the Vedic injunctions (vide verse 214)
- The four divisions of meanings of the word deha (“body”) are (3) tapo-deha, the body engaged in austerities and penances (vide verse 216), and (4) sarva-kama-deha, the body engaged for the satisfaction of all kinds of material desires (vide verse 218)
- The four Kumaras (Catuhsana), Sukadeva Gosvami and the nine Yogendras were absorbed in Brahman realization, and how they became devotees is described herein
- The four miserable conditions are due to the four kinds of sinful activities, known as (1) pataka, (2) uru-pataka, (3) maha-pataka and (4) ati-pataka - preliminary sin, very great sin, greater sin and topmost sin
- The four principles of material success are (1) religious performance, (2) economic development, (3) sense gratification and (4) liberation, or merging into the impersonal effulgence of Brahman. These things do not interest the devotee
- The great saint Narada is so liberated that he can go to the Vaikuntha planets to see Narayana and then immediately come to this planet in the material world and go to Prayaga to bathe in the confluence of three rivers
- The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class
- The hunter was disturbed about breaking his bow because he was worried about his income. Narada Muni assured the hunter because he knew that the hunter was not being maintained by the bow but by Krsna
- The impersonal worshipers of Brahman can again be divided into three categories - (1) sadhakas, those who are nearing perfect execution of the process of Brahman realization; (2) those who are fully absorbed in meditation on Brahman
- The International Society for Krishna Consciousness recommends that everyone abandon meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling. When one gives up these sinful activities, he can understand Krsna and take to this Krsna consciousness movement
- The Krsna consciousness movement is meant to attract all types of men, even those who desire things other than the Lord's devotional service. Through the association of devotees, they gradually begin to render devotional service
- The laws of prakrti (nature) are very stringent. No one should think that he has the freedom to kill animals and not suffer the consequences. One cannot be safe by doing this
- The Lord should be fanned with a camara fan, and an umbrella should be placed over His head. (50) The Hare Krsna mantra and approved songs should be sung. (51) Musical instruments should be played
- The Lord should be seated on the throne. (46) Again water should be given for the washing of His feet. (47) Something again should be offered for eating. (48) Evening arati should be offered
- The Lord's glories and the Lord Himself are identical. One has to be qualified to understand this absolute truth; therefore one should be given a chance to associate with a pure devotee. Our Krsna consciousness movement is meant for this purpose
- The maha-bhagavata is one who decorates his body with tilaka and whose name indicates him to be a servant of Krsna by the word dasa
- The nine varieties of prema-bhakti are rati, prema, sneha, mana, pranaya, raga, anuraga, bhava and mahabhava - attraction, love, affection, adverse feelings, intimacy, attachment, subattachment, ecstatic love and sublime ecstatic love
- The one Supreme Being, Krsna, maintains everyone. Our so-called source of income is our own choice only. If I wish to be a hunter, it will appear that hunting is the source of my maintenance
- The position of visuddha-sattva is the position of uncontaminated goodness
- The representative of Krsna never tells his disciple, “Surrender unto me.” Rather he says, “Surrender unto Krsna.” If the disciple accepts this principle and surrenders himself through the representative of Krsna, his life is saved
- The sagarbha and nigarbha yogis are further categorized: (1) sagarbha-yogaruruksu, (2) nigarbha-yogaruruksu, (3) sagarbha-yogarudha, (4) nigarbha-yogarudha, (5) sagarbha-prapta-siddhi and (6) nigarbha-prapta-siddhi
- The salagrama-sila should be worshiped with tulasi where a sufficient quantity of tulasi leaves are available. Worship of salagrama-sila should be introduced in all ISKCON temples. Salagrama-sila is the form of the Lord’s mercy
- The Sanskrit word mamsa means “meat.” It is said, mam sah khadati iti mamsah. That is, “I am now eating the flesh of an animal who will some day in the future be eating my flesh”
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (1) mental speculators (vide verse 165), (2) those engaged in different types of endeavor (vide verse 168), (3) those who are patient and sober
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (4) those who are intelligent and learned scholars (vide verse 187), (5) those who are intelligent but illiterate and foolish (vide verse 187)
- The six further meanings of the verse are based on the following meanings of the word atmarama: (6) those who are conscious of their eternal servitorship to Krsna (vide verse 201)
- The sixty-four items are as follows: (1) There must be a big bell hanging in front of the temple room so that whoever comes into the room can ring the bell. This item is called prabodhana, or offering oneself submissively to the Lord
- The so-called learned scholars and philanthropists are actually karmis and jnanis, and some are actually misers engaged in sinful activity. All are condemned because they are not devotees of Lord Krsna
- The source of our income is not actually the source of our maintenance. Every living being - from the great Brahma down to an insignificant ant - is being maintained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The spiritual master does not accept a materially opulent disciple just to advertise the fact that he has such a big disciple. He knows that by associating with such visayi disciples, he may fall down
- The spiritual master must observe how inquisitive the disciple is and how eager he is to understand the transcendental subject matter. The spiritual master should study the disciple’s inquisitiveness for no less than six months or a year
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervasive. Not only does He carry the three worlds by His inconceivable energy, but He maintains them also
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (1) sadhaka, the neophyte performer; (2) brahma-maya, one absorbed in the thought of impersonal Brahman
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (11) nigarbha-yogarudha, an impersonal yogi on the platform of perfection
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (12) sagarbha-prapta-siddhi, one who has attained the perfectional stage by meditating on the Visnu form
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (13) nigarbha-prapta-siddhi, one who has attained perfection by practicing impersonal meditation
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (3) prapta-brahma-laya, one who has actually attained Brahman perfection; (4) mumuksu, one who desires liberation
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (5) jivan-mukta, one who is liberated in this life; (6) prapta-svarupa, one who has attained his original constitutional position
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (7) nirgrantha-muni, a completely liberated saint
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (8) sagarbha-yogaruruksu, a yogi meditating upon the four-handed Visnu form and desiring yogic perfection
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: (9) nigarbha-yogaruruksu, one who is trying for perfection in impersonal meditation
- The thirteen meanings of the atmarama verse mentioned here are based on the following meanings for the word atmarama: sagarbha-yogarudha, one who has been elevated to the platform of yogic perfection by meditating on the Visnu form
- The three further meanings of the verse are understood when (1) the word ca is taken to mean “in due course,” (2) the word ca is taken to mean eva and the word api to mean “censure”
- The two gross meanings refer to regulative devotional service and spontaneous devotional service. There are also thirty-two subtle meanings
- The verb 'kurvanti' is formed according to whether something is done for one’s self-satisfaction or for another’s satisfaction
- The verb is formed as atmane-pada when the work is to be done for one’s own benefit, and when it is done for others, it is called parasmai-pada
- The visitor must chant “Jaya Sri Radha-Govinda!” or “Jaya Sri Radha-Madhava!” when he rings the bell. In either case, the word jaya must be uttered
- The wife may then (after the husband takes sannyasa) remain alone and serve the Deity or engage in other activities within the Krsna consciousness movement
- The word atma also includes all kinds of personalities known as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This means that Krsna has unlimited expansions
- The word atma refers to the living entity. From Lord Brahma down to an insignificant ant, everyone is considered a living entity
- The word danda means “rod,” and vat means “like.” To offer obeisances to the spiritual master, one must fall flat exactly as a rod falls on the ground. This is the meaning of the word dandavat
- The word pratah-krtya in the present verse of the Caitanya-caritamrta means that one should evacuate regularly in the morning and then cleanse himself by taking a bath
- The word sagarbha-yogi refers to a yogi who worships the Supersoul in the Visnu form. The nigarbha-yogi worships the Supersoul without form
- The word sarva-mantra-vicarana in the present verse of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta means “considering all different types of mantras.” There are different kinds of mantras for different kinds of devotees
- The word sarva-papebhyah indicates four kinds of sinful activities. As soon as the devotee surrenders unto Krsna’s lotus feet, he is certainly relieved from all sinful activities and their results
- The word sarva-samuccaye is significant here. It includes all classes of men - atmaramas, munis and nirgranthas
- The word tri-veni refers to a confluence of three rivers. This confluence is still visited by many hundreds of thousands of people who go there to bathe, especially during the Magha-mela, which occurs during the month of January
- The words sevya bhagavan in this verse of the Caitanya-caritamrta are important. Bhagavan indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu alone is worshipable. There is no need to worship demigods
- The writing of Vaisnava literatures is not a function for ordinary men. Vaisnava literatures are not mental concoctions. They are all authorized literatures meant to guide those who are going to be Vaisnavas
- Their (caste gosvamis who professionally create some disciples) aim is to make the connection between the spiritual master and the disciple into a very cheap thing. They are not serious in wanting to understand spiritual life
- Then one should bathe Him with ghee. (19) Then one should bathe Him with honey. (20) Then one should bathe Him with water in which sugar has been dissolved
- There are also thirty-two subtle meanings. Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (4) a personal beloved, (5) a servant elevated by spiritual cultivation
- There are certainly many householders in our Krsna consciousness movement
- There are innumerable incarnations and expansions who are also called Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- There are many caste gosvamis who professionally create some disciples who do not care for them or their instructions. Such spiritual masters are satisfied simply to get some material benefits from their disciples
- There are many rascals who violate their own religious principles. According to Judeo-Christian scriptures, it is clearly said, “Thou shalt not kill”
- There are many so-called advanced devotees who sit in a secluded place for their personal benefit. They do not go out to preach and convert others into Vaisnavas, and therefore they certainly cannot be called sparsa-mani, advanced devotees
- There are six kinds of atmaramas: one who desires to be liberated (mumuksu), one who is liberated even in this life (jivan-mukta), and one who is self-realized (prapta-svarupa)
- There are six kinds of atmaramas: the neophyte student (sadhaka), one who is absorbed in Brahman realization (brahma-maya), one who has already attained the Brahman position (prapta-brahma-laya)
- There are thirty-two offenses to the Deity that should be avoided. (1) One should not enter the temple in a vehicle. Shoes and slippers should be removed before entering the temple. (2) One should offer obeisances as soon as he sees the Deity
- There are three kinds of impersonalists - the mumuksu (those desiring liberation), the jivan-muktas (those liberated in this life) and the prapta-svarupas (those merged in Brahman realization)
- There are three modes of nature in the material world, but when one is situated spiritually, he is above the material modes, even though he lives in this material world
- There is a proper method to water a tree: one should water the root. But if one waters the leaves and branches instead, he is simply wasting his time. If one worships the demigods to the exclusion of Lord Visnu, his rewards will only be material
- There is sodhana, or purification of the mantra, but there is no such consideration for the Krsna mantra
- There is the mantra known as the dvadasaksara mantra, composed of twelve syllables, and there is the mantra composed of eighteen syllables. Similarly, there are the Narasimha mantra, the Rama mantra, the Gopala mantra and so on
- There must be an asana, a sitting place before the altar. This asana is for the spiritual master. The disciple brings everything before the spiritual master, and the spiritual master offers everything to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- These (mayayapahrta-jnanah) rascals are themselves blind, and yet they are leading others who are blind. When people follow such leaders, they suffer unlimited pains in the future. Despite so-called advancement, all this is happening
- These so-called philanthropists, politicians and philosophers have no knowledge because they do not know that there is life after death. Understanding that there is life after death is the beginning of spiritual knowledge
- They (pure devotees) should regularly chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra on their beads, follow the devotional process, rise early in the morning, attend mangala-arati and recite Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita regularly
- This (Krsna does not very readily grant perfection in devotional service) means that Krsna wants to see that a devotee is actually sincere and serious and that he does not have ulterior motives
- This confirms the statement in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 9.22) to the effect that the Lord carries all necessities to His Vaisnava devotee
- This is an authoritative statement given by the greatest authority, Narada Muni. If one gives another living entity unnecessary pain, one will certainly be punished by the laws of nature with a similar pain
- This is another good instruction to animal-killers. There are always animal-killers and animal-eaters in human society because less civilized people are accustomed to eating meat
- This mantra should be chanted: agaccha sayana-sthanam priyabhih saha kesava. “O Kesava, kindly come to Your bed along with Srimati Radharani”
- This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.18.12) was spoken to Suta Gosvami at the meeting of great sages at Naimisaranya. The great sages were headed by Saunaka, and Suta Gosvami was speaking of the glorious activities of the SPG at that meeting
- This verse refers to the association of pure devotees, the mercy of Krsna and the rendering of devotional service. All these help one give up the association of nondevotees and the material opulence awarded by the external energy, maya
- Those who actually want the highest perfection worship Lord Visnu in His different incarnations
- Those who are active in the Krsna consciousness movement should not remain in the neophyte stage but should rise to the platform of preachers, the second platform of devotional service
- Those who are attracted to the materialistic way of life and who are always agitated and full of anxiety worship demigods who appear fierce - demigods like goddess Kali and Kala-bhairava (Rudra)
- Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only Me, O son of Kunti, but they do so in a wrong way
- Those who are materially interested are called visayis (karmis), which indicates that they are very fond of sense gratification. Such visayis sometimes approach a famous guru and ask to become a disciple just as a matter of fashion
- Those who are properly trained can be considered human beings; if one is not trained socially and spiritually - that is, if one is uneducated and unregulated - his life is on the animal platform
- Those who claim to be devotees but do not engage in Krsna’s service to elevate all living creatures to Krsna consciousness are to be considered kanistha-adhikaris (people in the lowest stage of devotional service)
- Those who kill animals and give them unnecessary pain - as people do in slaughterhouses - will be killed in a similar way in the next life and in many lives to come. One can never be excused from such an offense
- Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures
- To attain the platform of pure devotional service, one has to become spiritually pure and attain the brahma-bhuta platform, which is beyond material anxiety and material discrimination
- To make a show of devotional service will not help one. One must be a pure devotee following the devotional process; then one can convert others to devotional service
- To worship the Deity with the sixty-four items mentioned may be a difficult job, but the Lord has become so small that anyone in any temple can carefully handle Deity worship simply by performing the same activities with the salagrama-sila
- Transcendentalists on the path of philosophical speculation can be divided into two categories - the pure worshipers of impersonal Brahman and those who wish to merge into the existence of impersonal Brahman
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- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (1) a servant of the Lord as His personal associate, (2) a personal friend, (3) personal parents or similar superiors
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (11) a mature devotee as a parent and superior, (12) a mature devotee as a wife and beloved
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (13) an immature devotee as a servant, (14) an immature devotee as a friend
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (15) an immature devotee as a father or superior, and (16) an immature devotee as a beloved
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (6) a friend by spiritual cultivation, (7) parents and superior devotees by cultivation of devotional service
- Under the heading of regulative devotional service, there are sixteen meanings based on understanding the word atmarama to mean (8) a beloved wife or female friend by cultivation of devotional service, (9) a mature devotee as a servant
- Under the heading of spontaneous devotion there are also sixteen various associates. Therefore the total number of devotees under the headings of regulated devotees and spontaneous devotees is thirty-two
- Unless one follows the regulative principles of religious life, human life is no different from animal life. Religious life means following the principles of varna and asrama
- Unless one is fit according to the estimation of the spiritual master, one cannot accept a mantra from the pancaratrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi
- Unless one is fully qualified in Vaisnava behavior and authorized by superior authority (the Supreme Personality of Godhead), one cannot write Vaisnava literatures or purports and commentaries on Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita
- Unless one is qualified with all these attributes (peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom & religiousness), he cannot be accepted as a brahmana. It is not a question of simply taking birth in a brahmana family
- Unless one is very serious about understanding Krsna, he cannot understand Srimad-Bhagavatam
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- We can hardly imagine the sufferings of one who maintains a slaughterhouse. He endures suffering not only in this life, but in his next life also
- We request everyone to abandon sinful activity and chant the Hare Krsna mantra. In this way people can save themselves from repeated birth and death and from being killed like the animals in slaughterhouse
- We should not materially calculate, thinking, “It is better to stock food for a week. Why give the Lord trouble by having Him bring food daily?” One should be convinced that the Lord will provide daily. There is no need to stock food for the next day
- We want to create pure devotees so that other people will benefit by their association. In this way the number of pure devotees increases
- When a person takes to Krsna consciousness, there is no need to care for material necessities
- When a touchstone touches iron, it turns the iron to gold. Parvata Muni called Narada Muni a touchstone because by his touch the hunter, who was the lowest among men, became an elevated and perfect Vaisnava
- When His personal servant Govinda sometimes kept a stock of haritaki (myrobalan), Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chastised him, saying, “Why did you keep a stock for the next day”
- When Lord Vamanadeva was offered three steps of land, He expanded His three steps by covering the entire universe. In this way the three worlds trembled, & therefore Sri Vamanadeva is referred to as Urukrama
- When one approaches pure devotional service after realizing Brahman, one becomes attracted by pure devotional service. At such a time, by rendering devotional service, one gets a spiritual body with purified senses
- When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru
- When one is completely free from the influence of all the modes of material nature, one becomes a pure Vaisnava on the devotional platform
- When one is fit to accept the mantra, one is initiated by the pancaratrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi. In any case, the result is the same
- When one is fully absorbed in the thought that one is not different from the Supreme Absolute Truth, one is said to be a worshiper of the impersonal Brahman
- When one is simply in the mode of ignorance, one becomes a devotee of Lord Siva because Lord Siva is the predominating deity of the mode of ignorance within this material world
- When one rises to the second platform of devotional service, his business is to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world
- When one voluntarily surrenders to a saintly person who is a representative of Krsna and follows his instructions, one can become freed from sinful reactions
- When one’s senses are pure, one can render loving devotional service to Krsna. A pure devotee can only remember Krsna’s transcendental qualities. Remembering them, he fully engages in the loving service of the Lord
- When the Deity is laid down, His legs should be massaged. Before laying the Deity down, a pot of milk and sugar should be offered to Him. After taking this thick milk, the Deity should lie down and should be offered betel nuts and spices to chew
- When the mode of goodness is mixed with the mode of passion, one worships the sun-god, Vivasvan. When the mode of goodness is mixed with the mode of ignorance, one worships Ganapati, or Ganesa
- When the mode of passion is mixed with the mode of ignorance, one worships Durga, or Kali, the external potency
- When the spiritual master comes to the residence of his disciples, the disciples should follow in the footsteps of the former hunter. It doesn’t matter what one was before initiation. After initiation, one must learn the etiquette mentioned herein
- When they (Vaisnavas) speak to sinful people about the teachings of this Krsna consciousness movement, people will be affected and take the instructions. We receive instructions in devotional service through the disciplic succession
- When things are done for one’s personal satisfaction, the form is called atmane-pada
- When things are done for others, the verb form changes to kurvanti. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami that in the atmarama verse the verb kurvanti means that things should be done only for the satisfaction of Krsna
- Whenever one is not able to bathe in water, he can bathe by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. One also has to perform his sandhyadi-vandana - that is, one has to chant his Gayatri mantra three times daily - morning, noon and evening
- While offering obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sukadeva Gosvami described the unlimited potencies of Lord Visnu, who can purify the lowborn creatures mentioned herein - CC Madhya 24.179
- Whoever thinks Lord Visnu and the demigods are on the same level is to be immediately considered a rogue as far as spiritual understanding is concerned
- Within this material world there is a planet called Siddhaloka, whose inhabitants can go from one planet to another without the aid of a machine or space rocket
- Without being trained, one cannot be sukrti, auspicious
- Without devotional service, other methods for self-realization and spiritual life are useless. Other methods cannot produce good results at any time, and therefore they are compared to the nipples on the neck of a goat