Vani and vapu

Expressions researched:
"Form is called vapu and teachings is called vani" |"vani and by vapu" |"vani and vapu" |"vani or vapu" |"vapu and vani" |"vapu or vani"

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Kṛṣṇa leaves behind Him His word. Vapu and vāṇī. Vāṇī means the words. That is also Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on SB 3.25.15 -- Bombay, November 15, 1974:

Kṛṣṇa comes to teach us. Kṛṣṇa is very, very anxious.

yadā yadā hi dharmasya

glānir bhavati bhārata

tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

(BG 4.7)

Kṛṣṇa comes Himself, Kṛṣṇa leaves behind Him His word. Vapu and vāṇī. Vāṇī means the words. That is also Kṛṣṇa. That is also... Just like we do not see Kṛṣṇa now. We can see Kṛṣṇa if we actually advance. Here is Kṛṣṇa. But they will say, "Oh, this is an idol. This is an idol. This is not Kṛṣṇa." But Kṛṣṇa, if you think that you have not seen Kṛṣṇa, so Kṛṣṇa is present by His word also, Bhagavad-gītā. That is vāṇī, kṛṣṇa-vāṇī.

So this, this stage can be achieved when one is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that Kṛṣṇa is present as the Deity, Kṛṣṇa is present by His words in Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa is present as the taste in the water, Kṛṣṇa is present as sunshine, Kṛṣṇa is present as moonshine, Kṛṣṇa is present in the sound. This potaka, He is also present there. Śabdaḥ khe. The śabda, or the sound, Kṛṣṇa says, that "I am the sound." So Kṛṣṇa is present everywhere. One has to gain the knowledge how to see Kṛṣṇa. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is mukti. If you remain always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that means you are on the liberated stage. And that is called bhakti-yoga.

General Lectures

Vāṇī and vapu, and vapu means the physical body, and vāṇī means the vibration. So we are not concerned about the physical body.

Lecture Excerpt -- Los Angeles, January 13, 1969:

Vāṇī and vapu, and vapu means the physical body, and vāṇī means the vibration. So we are not concerned about the physical body. Not concerned means... We are concerned, of course, because the spiritual master, those who are ācāryas, their body is not considered as materiel. Arcye śilā-dhīr guruṣu nara-matir. Just like the statue of Kṛṣṇa, to consider that "This is a stone..." Similarly, arcye śilā-dhīr guruṣu na... Guruṣu means those who are ācāryas, to accept their body as ordinary man's body, this is denied in the śāstras. So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living. You'll see in these pictures. This movement was started by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, and then it was entrusted to Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Then we are trying to serve his word, and many of my Godbrothers, they are also... (break—end)

1970 Correspondence

We are not separated actually. There are two—vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:

We are not separated actually. There are two—vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So Krsna when He was physically present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of Bhagavad-gita. So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual Master because I am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto. If you kindly try to fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our constant association.

1972 Correspondence

Form is called vapu and teachings is called vani. Both should be worshiped. Vani is more important than vapu.

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972:

Next you ask if I am present in my picture and form? Yes. In form as well as in teachings. To carry out the teachings of guru is more important than to worship the form, but none of them should be neglected. Form is called vapu and teachings is called vani. Both should be worshiped. Vani is more important than vapu.

1975 Correspondence

There are two ways of associating, by vani and by vapu. Vani means words and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not. Therefore we should take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence, because the vani continues to exist eternally.

Letter to Suci -- Bombay 4 November, 1975:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter as I was leaving the temple to come here to Bombay. You have rightly said that the best way to associate with the spiritual master is to follow his instructions. There are two ways of associating, by vani and by vapu. Vani means words and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not. Therefore we should take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence, because the vani continues to exist eternally. Bhagavad-gita for example is the vani of Lord Krishna. Although Krishna was personally present 5,000 years ago and is no longer present physically from the materialistic viewpoint, still Bhagavad-gita continues. So you have correctly concluded.