Following in the Footsteps of Mahajanas - Part 1

Date: 2011-12-18 Author: Vishakhalila dasi

Dear Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.

Srimad Bhagavatam is all about the glorification of the Supreme Lord and His exalted devotees. As we progress in our Krishna consciousness, we have to inevitably face many obstacles and challenges in our path of devotional service. As a sadhaka, we often times feel morose and hopeless in such conditions. Srimad Bhagavatam provides an invigorating source of hope and light for sincere devotees. Our only hope is to follow in the footsteps of the great Mahajanas who are guiding all of us on our path back home, back to Godhead. As the shastras say, one should accept whatever progressive path the Mahajanas advocate. 'mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ' (CC Madhya 17.186). Mahajanas teach us how to surrender unto the Supreme Lord. We can achieve success in spiritual life by simply following great personalities. Only this will take us to the ultimate goal. We cannot understand transcendental subject matter simply by dry speculation and argument. The only way to understand these subject matters is by submissively following the bonafide authorities. In Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.20, Yamaraja quotes the twelve bonafide authorities who understand the transcendental religious principle.

svayambhūr nāradaḥ śambhuḥ kumāraḥ kapilo manuḥ prahlādo janako bhīṣmo balir vaiyāsakir vayam

dvādaśaite vijānīmo dharmaṁ bhāgavataṁ bhaṭāḥ guhyaṁ viśuddhaṁ durbodhaṁ yaṁ jñātvāmṛtam aśnute

Lord , Bhagavan , Lord , the , Lord [the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva , Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Grandfather , Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Goswami and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.

The glories of the Mahajanas are that they not only cross across the ocean of material existence but they are very merciful that they leave behind two things to help us cross across this ocean. They are

1. Vani (Instructions, books etc.) 2. Personal Example (Inspiring lives)

Srila Prabhupada says in the purport of SB 5.24.26, "It is said that for spiritual realization one must follow great personalities like Lord Brahma, Devarshi Narada, Lord Shiva and Prahlada Maharaja. The path of bhakti is not at all difficult if we follow in the footsteps of previous acaryas and authorities, but those who are too materially contaminated by the modes of material nature cannot follow them." As householders, often times we wonder how to balance our spiritual and family lives. As grhasthas, we are swamped with various responsibilities and duties and find it difficult to chant extra rounds and read the scriptures intensively. We start thinking that it will be easier to surrender if we are in the renounced order of life. Surprisingly, if we look at the Mahajanas, seven out of twelve are in the householder life and yet are pure devotees of the Lord. Therefore remembering these personalities and their activities and getting inspired by them is a very powerful method of remaining on the track on the royal road back to Goloka.

Following in the footsteps of the Mahajanas means to scrutinizingly study their lives and teachings and follow them sincerely. When we follow these great Mahajanas, Lord Krishna obliges to take us back. It is not because of our qualification but taking shelter of these great personalities, we get entrance into the spiritual world. It becomes hopeless otherwise.

Krishna willing, we will learn about the inspiring lives and the teachings of the twelve Mahajanas in the ensuing offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Vishakhalila devi dasi Seattle, US