Sri Krishna Kathamrita

Tav k QaaMa*Ta& TaáJaqvNaMa( tava kathāmta tapta-jīvanam BBBiiinnndududu Issue No. 74 Fortnightly email mini-magazine from Gopal Jiu Publications 17 March 2004 Śrī Pāpamocani Ekādaśī, 11 Viu, 518 Gaurābda Circulation 1,449

• PRABHUPADA’S EXAMINATION SYSTEM

• THE LAST LIMIT OF BHAKTI Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja

• BEAUTIFUL GAURANGA-SUNDARA Highlights Highlights By Ray Shekhar PAGE ONE TOP COLLUMN TWO

PRABHUPADA’S EXAMINATION SYSTEM paperbacks, as well as Arcanā-paddhati (a book to be compiled by Nitai Prabhu based Dear Prabhus, on Hari-bhakti-vilāsa on Deity worship). Please accept my most humble obeisances. Bhakti-vaibhava — All of the above plus the Srila Prabhupada has requested me to write first six cantos of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. you in regard to the above examinations, Bhakti-vedānta — All of the above plus can- which he wishes to institute. Here tos 7 through 12 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. in India many persons often criti- Bhakti-sarvabhauma - All the above plus the cize our sannyāsīs and brāhmaas entire Caitanya-caritāmta. as being unqualified due to in- Anyone wishing to be initiated as a sufficient knowledge of the scrip- brāhmaa will have to pass the Bhakti-śāstrī tures. Factually, there are numer- exam, and anyone wishing to take sannyāsa ous instances when our sannyāsīs and will have to pass the Bhakti-vaibhava exami- brāhmaas have fallen down often due to in- nation as well. This will prevent our society sufficient understanding of the philosophy. from degrading to the level of so many other This should not be a point of criticism nor a institutions where, in order to maintain the reason for fall down, since Srila Prabhupada temple, they accept all third class men as has mercifully made the most essential scrip- brāhmaas. Any sannyāsīs or brāhmaas al- tures available to us in his books. The prob- ready initiated who fail to pass the exams will lem is that not all the devotees are carefully be considered low class or less qualified. Any- studying the books, the result being a fall one wishing to be second initiated will sit for down, or at least unsteadiness. examination once a year at Mayapur. An- His Divine Grace therefore wishes to insti- swers will be in essay form and authoritative tute examinations to be given to all prospec- quotations will be given a bigger score. Dur- tive candidates for sannyāsa and brāhmaa ini- ing the exams, books may not be consulted. tiation. In addition, he wishes that all present Srila Prabhupada wishes to begin this pro- sannyāsīs and brāhmaas also pass the exami- gram at this year’s Mayapur meeting. He re- nations. Awarding of these titles will be based quests that you all send your opinions and upon the following books: comments here immediately so that everything Bhakti-śāstrī — Bhagavad-gītā, Nectar of De- may be prepared in time. votion, Nectar of Instruction, Īśopaniad, Easy Hoping this meets you in the best of health Journey To Other Planets, and all other small and Krishna consciousness. next column Issue Seventy-four, Page — 2 é[q k* ZTamal Krishna Goswami, Personal Secretary Chaitanya one thing is added, and that is — Letter to all Governing Body Commissioners, Nellore, South India, bhakti-naipuya, the last limit of bhakti. When 6 January 1976. Krishna comes assuming the mood of a bhakta, He is Chaitanya. When He is without THE LAST LIMIT OF BHAKTI the mood of a bhakta, He is Krishna. So Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja Chaitanya means, caitanya bhakti-naipuya. In the ādi-līlā, tenth chapter, of Śrī Caitanya- Krishna is the absolute truth, advaya-jñāna- caritāmta, Srila Kaviraj Goswami has given a tattva, the supreme truth, parama-tattva. description of the many branches and sub- Chaitanya is also advaya-tattva, but one addi- branches of the Chaitanya tree. All of these tion is there, bhakti-naipuya, prema–bhakti. If very dear, intimate devotees of Sri Chaitanya prema–bhakti is added to Krishna, that is Mahaprabhu know Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Chaitanya. Therefore Sachinandana and they know Krishna. The Gaura-gaoddeśa- Gauranga is the Supreme Absolute Truth, dīpikā describes how most of them were also parama-tattva-bhagavān, but with bhakti- present in ka-līlā. In vraja-līlā most of them naipuya added. In the Gauranga form you will were sakhī-mañjarīs, and some were in sakhya- find two things combined together, sambhoga rasa, friendship, like Abhiram Thakur. They are and vipralambha, union and separation. These two things combined together are Gauranga, associates of both Krishna and Gaura. There bhakti-naipuya, the last limit of bhakti . is no difference between Gaura and Krishna. Krishna is Gaura and Gaura is Krishna. So Transcendental Flow ka-līlā is gaura-līlā and gaura-līlā is ka-līlā. The sādhya, goal, is prema, that is bhakti- In tattva they are the same. Only one differ- naipuya, prema-bhakti. If prema-bhakti is added ence is there — in gaura-līlā the two bodies of to Krishna, that is Gauranga. In that Radha and Krishna are combined together. Gauranga form you will find sambhoga and Caitanya-caritāmta (ādi 4.96 and 98) states: vipralambha, opposite things, placed together. rādhā — pūra-śakti, ka — pūra-śaktimān You will find this only in Gauranga, the com- dui vastu bheda nāi, śāstra-paramāa bined form of Radha and Krishna. Will you find these two things combined in Vraja? No. Sri Radha is the full power, and Krishna is the It is not at all possible, because in vraja-līlā two possessor of full power. The two are not differ- bodies are there, Krishna and Radha. In Vraja ent, as evidenced by the revealed scriptures. the flow of that līlā is like the flow of a river. rādhā-ka aiche sadā eka-i svarūpa As a river has two embankments, similarly the līlā-rasa āsvādite dhare dui-rūpa flow of vraja-līlā has two embankments, Thus Radha and Krishna are one, yet They have sambhoga and vipralambha, the embankment taken two forms to enjoy mellows of pastimes. of union and the embankment of separation. There is no difference between the energy and On the embankment of sambhoga, Radha and the energetic — śakti śaktimān abhinna — there- Krishna relish the mellow of union. On the em- fore there is no difference between Radha and bankment of vipralambha, Radha and Krishna Krishna. Radha is pūrna-śakti and Krishna is relish the mellow of separation. It is mentioned pūrna-śaktimān. There is no difference between in Srila Rupa Goswami’s Ujjvala-nīlamai that Them, but, līlā-rasa āsvādite dhare dui-rūpa — to on the embankment of separation the enjoyment of the mellow of viraha-rasa, separation, is of four relish the mellow of pastimes, two bodies are types, pūrva-rāga, māna, prema–vaicittya and there, Radha and Krishna. But Radha and pravāsa. For now, just hear the terms. When you Krishna are combined together in the form of come to read or hear Ujjvala-nīlamai you will Gauranga. Krishna appeared assuming the find that Rupapad has given elaborate explana- mood and complexion of Radharani, and that is tions for them. These four types of enjoyment Gauranga. This is the tattva, and it is a very deep are found in separation. Similarly, on the em- and confidential tattva. Narahari Sarkar has said, bankment of union there are also four types of caitanya bhakti-naipuya kas tu bhagavān śvaya enjoyment. They are known as sa kipta, sa kīra, tayo prakāśād ekatra ka-caitanya ucyate sampanna and samddhimān. TopSri leftKrishna-kathamrita 3 Bindu top right 3 Issue Seventy-four, Page — 3 The embankment of union is connected with temporary period, it is there. Rupapad has given the embankment of separation. First there is this in his Vidagdha-mādhava and Lalita-mādhava viraha, separation, and then milāna or sambhoga, dramas, and devotees can relish it. This is known union. Sa kipta is relished after the first type as prema-vaicittya — separation felt in union. of separation, pūrva-rāga. Similarly, sa kīra is I will give one example from the Vidagdha- relished after māna-viraha, sampanna is relished mādhava. Once Radha and Govinda were play- after prema–vaicittya-viraha, and samddhimān ing on the bank of the Yamuna. Vrindadevi is relished after pravāsa-viraha. I am mention- came and gave Krishna two lotuses to deco- ing this just to give you an idea of the four types rate Radharani’s ears. With a smiling face, and of enjoyment on each embankment. These two much pleasure, Krishna took them. He was opposite things, sambhoga and vipralambha, about to put them on Radharani’s ears when union and separation, are required, otherwise Radharani noticed a black bumblebee in the there is no question of the flow of transcenden- whorl of one of the lotus flowers. She said, “Hey tal loving conjugal pastimes. Separation and bumblebee, get out!” The bumblebee then came union are always there, and they are required. out of the lotus and, thinking that Radharani’s If they were not there, how would there be a face was another lotus, he went there. flow, how would there be movement? You have Radharani said, “Hey! Get out! Get out!” and two legs, a right leg and a left leg by which you began waving Her hand. The bumblebee then are moving, just as a bird uses a right wing and thought the palm of Radharani’s hand was an- left wing to fly. Similarly, in Vraja the two em- other lotus. Radharani then said, “This stupid bankments sambhoga and vipralambha are there bumblebee, shameless debauchee, is not going so that the līlā can flow. away. Get out, get out!” With the corner of Her On the embankment of sambhoga there is sari, She tried to drive him away. Seeing that he sukha, happiness. Union means happiness. On was not going, Radharani became frightened. the embankment of vipralambha, viraha, there Madhumangal then came, and with a stick is acute pain, the pangs of separation. Intense drove him out to a far distance. Madhumangal heat is there and vilāpa, crying, is also there. then came back and said, mahusu-ano takkāla These two separate things are eternally there jjebba tirohido — “Madhusudan is gone.” in Vraja. But they are not in one container, they [Vidagdha-mādhava 5.63f] are two separate embankments. However, in “Madhusudan” has two meanings. One navadvīpa-līlā, gaura-līlā, union and separation meaning is “bumblebee”, and the other mean- are contained in one pot. Gaura is the union ing is “Krishna”. Madhumangal was saying of Radha and Krishna, and at the same time that the bumblebee was gone, but Radharani He accepts vipralambha-bhāva and feels the thought he was saying that Krishna was gone. pangs of separation from Krishna. Two oppo- When Radharani heard this, She said, haddhī sites in one container. This is the tattva. haddhī kaha gado mahumuhao — “Alas, alas! In Vraja, Krishna is eternally the prīti-viaya, Where has Madhusudan, Krishna, gone?” object of love, and Radha is eternally the prīti- [Vidagdha-mādhava 5.64] āśraya, abode of love. Thus the flow of līlā is Krishna was there, but She started weep- going on. But in Gaura, āśraya and viaya are ing, “Oh! Has Madhusudan gone? Why has combined together. Two opposites, union and that lotus eyed Krishna left me alone here in separation are combined in one container. This the forest of Vrindavan on the bank of the is the tattva. It is acintya, inconceivable. Yamuna? Why did He do so? Alas!” The Bumblebee Then, sa jñayā sarvan nivārya smita karoti In vraja-līlā, generally union and separation — Krishna smilingly indicated that the oth- cannot be placed together. Usually they take ers should leave, and said, “O Radhe!” place separately. But in gaura-līlā you will always This prema-vaicittya-viraha is very wonder- find these two opposites together. This is won- ful. The lover and beloved are both there, but derful and very mysterious. Srila Rupa Goswami they are feeling the pangs of separation. says that in vraja-vilāsa these two are sometimes Wonderful and Mysterious together, but not always and not everywhere. In Instances of prema-vaicittya are found in vari- some special cases, for a fleeting moment, a ous literatures. In Lalita-mādhava, Rupapad has é[q k* ZBhubaneswar. 1994. sambhoga, two opposite things, placed in one BEAUTIFUL GAURANGA-SUNDARA container. That is Gaura. This is the very myste- rious and inconceivable tattva of gaura-līlā. No- By Ray Shekhar where else can you find these opposites together. For information about the poet Ray Shekhar, This gaura-tattva described in Caitanya- see Bindu issue 66. caritāmta is a very deep and confidential (Kāmoda-rāga) tattva. It is the highest, and is very, very confi- sundara sundara gaurā ga sundara, sundara sundara rūpa dential. It is said to be postgraduate study. Only sundara pirīti rājyera ye-mati sugha a sundara bhūpa students of postgraduate class can understand Beautiful, beautiful is Lord Gauranga- it. We are giving two lectures a week here on sundara. Beautiful, beautiful is His form. He Caitanya-caritāmta. Anyone can come and is the beautiful king of the beautiful realm of hear them, but if he is not a student of post- ecstatic spiritual love. graduate class he will not be able understand. sundara vadane sundara hāsani, sundara sundara śobhā Anyway, you just sit and let it touch your ears sundara nayāne sundara cāhani, sundara mānasa lobhā and you will be benefited. The time will come Beautiful is His face. Beautiful are His smiles that you will be able to understand it. In your and laughter. Beautiful, beautiful is His glory. heart you should cry for that day, kabe ha’be Beautiful are His eyes. Beautiful are His glances. bolo se-dina āmār — “When will that auspi- Beautiful are the spiritual longings in His heart. cious day come in my life that I can under- stand this thing, that I can relish it? At that sundara nāsāte sundara tilaka, sundara dekhite ati sundara śravae sundara kuntala, sundara tāhāra jyoti Beautiful is His nose. Beautiful is His tilaka. His is sublimely beautiful to see. Beau- SRI KRISHNA KATHAMRITA BINDU tiful are His ears. Beautiful is His hair. Beau- A free bi-monthly service provided by: tiful is His effulgence. Gopal Jiu Publications c/o Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir sundara mastake sundara kuntala, sundara meghera pārā National Highway No. 5, IRC Village sundara gīmete sundara dolaye, sundara kusuma-hārā Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, 751015 Beautiful is His head. Beautiful is His hair. Phone: (0674) 2553250, 2557026 He is like a beautiful cloud. Beautiful is the Email: [email protected] flower garland that beautifully sways to and Website: www.gopaljiu.org fro on His beautiful neck. Subscriptions: [email protected] sundara nadīyā-nagare bihāra, sundara caitanya-cānda Gopal Jiu Publications is a branch of the Inter- sundara līlāra saundarya nā bujhe, śekhara janama āndha national Society for Krishna Consciousness, Beautiful is Lord Chaitanya Chandra who Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. enjoys pastimes in beautiful Nadiya-nagara. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Not understanding the glorious grace of His Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of His beautiful pastimes, Shekhara Ray remains Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. All other mate- blind from birth. rials, unless specified, © ISKCON Bhubaneswar/Gopal Bibliography Jiu Publications. All rights reserved. Blanket permission is — Dasarath Suta Das. Radha Krishna Nectar. Nectar Books. Union City, Geor- given to redistribute Bindu in electronic or print form pro- gia. 1992. vided no changes are made to the contents. — Jagadbandhu Bhadra. Gaura-pada-tara ginī. Sri Gauranga Press. Calcutta. 1931.