Sanatan Dharma of hinDuS aS expounDeD by (15th Century)

Compiled By Dr. G.C .Dutt, IPS FD – 424, Salt Lake City Kolkata – 700106 M – 9735001819 Wapp – 9903807219 Introduction

There is no difference between the teachings of Lord Caitanya presented here and the teachings of Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita. The teachings of Lord Caitanya are practical demonstrations of Lord Krsna's teachings. Lord Krsna's ultimate instruction in the Bhagavad-gita is that everyone should surrender unto Him, Lord Krsna. Krsna promises to take immediate charge of such a surrendered soul.

On the basis of the sankhya philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, which maintains that the Supreme Lord is simultaneously one with and different from His creation. Lord Caitanya taught that the most practical way for the mass of people to practice sankhya –Yoga meditation is simply to chant the holy name of the Lord.

Yoga practice is essentially meant for controlling the senses. The central controlling factor of all the senses is the mind; therefore one first has to practice controlling the mind by engaging it in Krsna consciousness.

No one can bring the activities of the mind and senses to a stop, but one can purify these activities through a change in consciousness.

The intelligent man situated in Krsna consciousness does not try to forcibly stop his senses from acting. Rather he engages his senses in the service of Krsna.

How Chaitanya Mahaprabhu impacted all the luminaries of India:-

The life and past times of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu dates back 500 years back 1486 – 1534. He was the torch bearer for later revolutionary movements in India a. The non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi was earlier practiced by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu against Muslim rulers who disallowed Harinam Sankirtan. b. Sri Ramkrishna teachings as enumerated in Kathaamrita by Master outlines Chapter by Chapter How Lord Sri Ramkrishna was drawn to the worship of Hari & to Harinam Sankirtan. Girish Ghosh was a witness in Ramkrishna’s search for Hari’s transcendental Love. c. Swami Vivekanand address in Chicago addressed everyone as brother & sisters and his speech on Indians being “FROG IN THE WELL” was taken from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Bhagwat Dharma teachings to Brahman of Benaras. 1 d. Rabindra Nath Tagore writings on decadent Western Culture emphasized that & Buddhism could bring peace in the World. This led to birth of Brahmo Samaj. The concept of Asian Universalism was born out of his above convictions. e. Amartya Sen and Dalai Lama and Sufi Saints talked of revival of Brotherhood of man, Compassion, humility & tolerance which is deeply imbedded in the teachings of Siksastakam of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

First, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu established as to Who is Supreme Lord in Sanatan Dharma?

KRISHNA IS MENTIONED AS SUPREME LORD IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES:- Kali Santarana Upanisad from Yajur Veda, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Agni Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Upadeshmitra, Padma Purana, Ananta Samhita, Susloka Satakam, Chaitanya Bhagavata Madhya Kanda, Naradiya Purana, Skanda Purana, Visnu Dharma, Vaisnava cintamani, Brhan Naradiya Purana, Sandarbha, Brahma Yamala, Brahmanda Purana, Kali Santarana Upanisad.

These scriptures clearly state that in this evil iron age we should only participle in the which is Harinam Sankirtan to Krishna & his expansions only.

Sastra’s mention that Supreme Lord Krishna appeared as Lord Chaitanya.

That Govinda personally appears as Caitanya Gosani. No other Lord is as merciful in delivering the fallen souls.

The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrt a most emphatically stresses that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krsna Himself. He is not an expansion of the prakasa or vilasa forms of Sri Krsna; He is the svayam-rupa, Govinda. Apart from the relevant scriptural evidence forwarded by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, there are innumerable other scriptural statements regarding Lord Caitanya's being the Supreme Lord Himself. The following Sastras may be cited which mention Lord Chaitanya as Krsna himself.

Caitanya Upanisa d, Svetasvatara Upanisad (6.7 & 3.12), Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.3) , Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.33-34 and 7.9.38), Krsna-yamala-tantra, Vayu Purana , Brahma-yamala-tantra, Ananta-samhita.

2 Sanatan Dharma is based on four Sampradayas:

Brahma Sampradaya, Rudra Sampradaya, Sri Sampradaya & Kumar Sampraday.

Any or Sect Leader who does not belong to one of the four Sampradayas will mislead his followers as he has no parampara/ Disciple Succession knowledge.

Origin of Bhagwat Dharma Laid out By Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Propounds Bhagwat Dharma: - (This was taught to Brahmans of Banaras)

Caitanya also recommended Srimad-Bhagavatam as the spotless narration of transcendental knowledge, and He pointed out that the highest goal in human life is to develop unalloyed love for Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

1. How Jivas have to suffer from all four directions:- (Taught to Sanatan Goswami by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

3 Miseries (Klesha) - Mind & Body, 4 Distress – Birth, Disease, Old Age, Misery from others, Natural calamities Death Kaliyuga – Rulers, Character Loss, Karma – Vikarma, Akarma, Niskam Environmental destruction Karma Guna – Satvic, Rajsic, Tamsic

 All humans suffer 4 Klesha’s (Pain) all the time Adhidaivic, Adhibautic, Adyatmic.  All humans cannot change 4 distresses – Janma, Mrityu, Jara, Vaidya  All Humans since Mahabharat are suffering evil effects of Iron Age (Kaliyuga) which produces evil rulers, Character loss, and Environmental destruction.  There is only one bright spot in Kaliyuga. Humans can convert their Rajsic actions to Satvic & move towards Niskam Karma by Harinam Sankirtan (Yugadharma) & follow teaching of Gita & Bhagwat Purana which is taught only by Spiritual Master who comes down in Parampara through One of Four Sampradayas. Any other not having parampara will mislead common man.

2. Four Defects of humans:

3 1. The difference between a conditioned soul and a liberated soul is that the conditioned soul has four kinds of defects. The first defect is that he must commit mistakes.

2. Another defect: to be illusioned. Illusion means to accept something which is not: māyā.

3. The third defect is the cheating propensity. Everyone has the propensity to cheat others. Although a person is fool number one, he poses himself as very intelligent. Although it is already pointed out that he is in illusion and makes mistakes, he will theorize: "I think this is this, this is this."

4. Lastly, our senses are imperfect. We are very proud of our eyes. Often, someone will challenge, "Can you show me God?" But do you have the eyes to see God? You will never see if you haven't the eyes. If immediately the room becomes dark, you cannot even see your hands.

3. What is Sanatan Dharma or Bhagawat Dharma or Varnasram dharma.

A. 4 Principals of Religion (Canto 1 of Bhagwat Purana Parikshit and Kali) a) Austerity (Tapah) – Fasting, No intoxication, No Liquor, No Gambling, No Onion, No Garlic, No Tea Coffee, Wake up in Brahama Muharat. b) Cleanliness (Soucha) – No illegal Sex, Prostitution. c) Mercy (Daya) – No Meat Eating. d) Truthfulness (Satya) – Supreme Truth is to please lord by Harinam Sankirtan and 9 ddevotional services to get Lords protection & blessing.

B. By following above 4 principles, the Jiva will purify himself and will overcome all Karmic reactions and thus achieve happiness.

4. Prahlad’s Teachings (9 fold Devotional Service)

4 sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranaṁ pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam

a) Bhakti has three stages viz., Sadhan Bhakti, Bhav-Bhakti and Prem Bhakti. Sadhan Bhakti is that stage of culture when the feeling has not yet been roused. In Bhav Bhakti the feeling awakes and in Prem Bhakti the feeling is fully set to action. Sadhan Bhakti is of two sorts, one is called the Vaidhi- Sadhan Bhakti and the other is Raganuga Sadhan Bhakti.

b) By diverting all our senses towards Krsna consciousness by chanting, hearing lords glories remembering the lords activities, visiting Lors dham, Worshipping the deity by Sringar, Bhog, Serving the Lords pure devotees & offering one’s entire being to Lord Service, one can achieve Lords Protection & blessings.

c) Sadhna Bhakti - "'In the beginning there must be faith (Sradha). Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees (Sadhu Sangah). Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles (Bhajan Kriya) under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits (anartha nivriti) and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment (Nistha). This is the way of sadhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify (asaktih), and finally there is an awakening of love (Bhav/ Prem). This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Krsna consciousness.'

5. SIGNIFICANCE OF RATH MAHAUTSAV :-

There are four important dhams in India. The Lord performed His glorious pastimes in these four directions of India in four different yugas. In Badrinath He appeared as Lord Narayana in Satya-yuga. In Dwapara-yuga He appeared as Dwarakanath. In Tretaya-yuga the Lord performed His pastimes as Lord Ramachandra in Rameswar. In all of these yugas He appeared in human form. In this age of Kali the Lord has appeared as Jagannath, His deity form.

5.B) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the first person to guide all humanity towards worship of Supreme Lord in Jagannath deity form which was not known by masses.

The Only instructions left in writing by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Siksastaka Prayers:-

5 (1st Cleansing of the heart) 1st Sloka ceto-darpana -mārjanam bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpana m

"'Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krs n a , which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.'

3rd Sloka - Humility / Tolerance "'One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.'

4th Sloka - Vairagya/ Detachment "'O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.'

5th Sloka - Karmic Reaction "'O My Lord, O Krs n a , son of Mahārāja Nanda, I am Your eternal servant, but because of My own fruitive acts I have fallen into this horrible ocean of nescience. Now please be causelessly merciful to Me. Consider Me a particle of dust at Your lotus feet.'

8th Sloka - Lord’s Mercy "Let Krs n a tightly embrace this maidservant who has fallen at His lotus feet, or let Him trample Me or break My heart by never being visible to Me. He is a debauchee, after all, and can do whatever He likes, but He is still no one other than the worshipable Lord of My heart. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu outlines personal Love relationship with Supreme Lord

6 "According to the devotee, attachment falls within the five categories of ŚĀNTA-RATI, DĀSYA-RATI, SAKHYA-RATI, VĀTSALYA-RATI AND MADHURA- RATI. These five categories arise from devotees' different attachments to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The transcendental mellows derived from devotional service are also of five varieties.

The Process of Saranagati according to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Taught to Sanatan Goswami)

In the process of surrender (śaraṇāgati) there are six items. The first is 1. Humility (Dainaya) 2. Self Surrender (Atmanirdan) 3. Maintainer (Goptribhe baran) and that one should completely depend on Kṛṣṇa, and the next is that one should accept 4. everything favorable for Krsna’s service (anukulyasya saṅkalpaḥ). Ānukūlyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama: a symptom of first-class bhakti, devotional service, is that one accepts everything favorable for that service.

Another item of surrender is 5. pratikulyasya-vivarjanam, rejecting everything unfavorable to the procedures of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Sometimes the spiritual master says, “Don’t do this,” forbidding something unfavorable, and he also recommends that which is favorable: “Do this. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.” Full surrender, therefore, entails giving up unfavorable things and accepting that which is favorable (anukulyasya sankalpah prhtikulyayasya-vivarjanam). 6. Furthermore, one should believe with full faith, “Krsna will give me protection,” (Abasya Rakshibe Krisna Biswas – palan) and one should count oneself as one of the servants of Kṛṣṇa. These are some of the items of saranagati, full surrender.

The Mahamantra is the Yugadharma (Taught to Benaras Brahmins & Sarvabhauma Bhattacharyay)

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

1. The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is mentioned in various scriptures as the only means of deliverance in this age of Kali:

Hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare destroy all the inauspiciousness of the age of Kali. This is the conclusion of all the Vedas. (Kali-santarana Upanisad from Krishna Yajur Veda)

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