TTT hhh eee HHH eee aaa rrr ttt ooo fff TTT rrr aaa nnn sss ccc eee nnn ddd eee nnn ttt aaa lll BB ooo ooo kkk DDD iii sss ttt rrr iii bbb uuu ttt ii ooo nnn (Experience Burns Brighter than Imagination) A Dialectic Synthesis of the Correlative Dynamics of Internal and External Pure Devotional Principles Aindra Dasa Dedication This disquisition is dedicated to my beloved spiritual master, Nitya-lila-pravista Oà Vinëupäda Paramahaàsa 108 Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedanta Swami Mahäräja Prabhupäda, and all the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas down to the present day who mercifully took the trouble to present volumes of both ancient and modern transcendental literatures aimed at inculcating upon a most degraded and suffering humanity the inestimable treasure of vraja-bhakti-rasa. 2 Acknowledgement Several years ago, upon completing a major part of this treatise, I decided that I had better shelve the thing, despite my deep conviction about the need for this dimension of open and frank dissertation in contemporary Vaishnava society. I was thinking that perhaps the best place for it would be in a grantha- samadhi. After all, Srila Prabhupada had requested me to write a book. He didn’t say anything about taking it to the press. I thought it better to safeguard the peaceful prosecution of my bhajana by avoiding the likelihood of provoking certain anticipated institutional and interpersonal hostilities toward myself. Perhaps after I’m dead and gone someone would unearth the manuscript and publish it as an assortment of novel Aindra-isms to be circulated among the curious. Otherwise, instead of shelving it, another idea was to author it incognito under a pen name. Subsequently, however, in a dream, I asked Srila Prabhupada whether he had any occasion to go through my book to which he replied, “We will see it when it is published.” This indicated to me his intention that the book should not only be written but published as well. I consider it Krishna’s kind arrangement that a number of sober-minded, pure-hearted Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis came forward to selflessly assist me in the endeavor to produce this work. I am ever grateful to these individuals who sacrificed so much of their time and energy to help me. I only regret that, in a devotional society meant to instill fearlessness and individual thoughtfulness in its members, the atmospheric conditions are such that devotees opt to remain anonymous so as to circumvent the risk of being barbarously burned at the stake by the institutional powers- that-be for exercising their God-given right to freedom of pure devotional expression. Anyway, Krishna knows who they are, and I pray for His unreserved blessings upon them. 3 Table of Contents Foreword Introduction First Heartfelt Effusion Second Heartfelt Effusion Third Heartfelt Effusion Fourth Heartfelt Effusion Glossary 4 Foreword Some transcendental literatures are meant to be loudly recited and discussed in the public forum. Although pointing to the highest plateau of spiritual realization while maintaining a continuity of consequence in the lives of the most elevated Vaishnavas, they basically provide an introductory course designed to instill a prerequisite foundational regard for topics of transcendence in the hearts of those yet to achieve a foothold on the path of unalloyed devotion. Vaishnava writings of a more intimate category, on the other hand, given the esoteric nature of their focus, are meant to be privately relished and discussed among more qualified individuals who have already developed a strong and determined appreciation for the true nature of Krishna as the supreme enjoyer. It would be inappropriate to acquaint people who have yet to be divested of their long- standing envy of the Lord with Radha-Krishna’s most intimate lilas without first philosophically establishing them in the principles of prema-dharma. That one should not cast one’s pearls before swine in no way suggests, however, that books of an esoteric nature should never be written and/or made available to benefit the faithful. Many authorized Vaishnavas such as Bilvamangala Thakura, Jayadeva Gosvami, Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Ramananda Raya, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Jiva Gosvami, Krishnadasa Kaviraja, Kavi- karNapura, Ramai Thakura, Dhyanacandra Gosvami, Narottama Dasa Thakura, Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, and more recently Bhaktivinoda Thakura and others have poetically penned numerous literary works divulging the intimate pastimes of the Lord of Vraja, their own sacred aspirations for divine loving service, and the sublime, confidential process of spontaneous devotional practice for the sake of posterity. In this morbid world, apparently on the verge of corporately imposed global tyranny, such literature affords to the serious student of 5 bhakti-yoga an immense shelter, a tremendous source of solace and spiritual inspiration. This piece, harmonious with the perfect conclusions of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas, should be sagaciously distinguished as belonging to the more intimate category of transcendental literature. Thus, reference to any part of it in the course of an open discussion would best be done with the reader’s mature discretion. The author of this book has ventured to present his own personal insights into the realm of the Absolute with a view to demonstrate for the benefit of the broad-minded individual the tangible tie between the practical performance of maha- mantra-sankirtana and the vital internal realization of one’s constitutional vraja-svarupa. Reading carefully, the sincere pure devotional candidate will clearly ascertain the true purpose of transcendental book distribution and will be favorably impelled to recognize the vigorous performance of the yuga-dharma as the only viable solution to the problems of life in a world fraught with tensions of every description. Wishing well to one and all, we pray the sober reader will gain great spiritual profit, redoubled inspiration, and the potency required for the effective practice and preaching of unadulterated Krishna consciousness. The Publishers 6 Introduction All glories to Shri Guru and Shri Gauranga! All glories to the thunderous congregational chanting of Radha-Krishna’s Holy Names! All glories to the swan-like pure devotees of the Lord! The great necessity in the forward march of any growing religio-cultural institution is to recognize, encourage, responsibly guide, and positively facilitate the inner spiritual development of the society’s progressive pure devotional aspirants. This treatise strives in its own unique way to inspire a revolution of understanding. It attempts to deepen the self- searching thoughtfulness essentially required to bridge the apparent dichotomy between a sadhaka’s inward bhajana and outward preaching by illustrating the relative importance of each, as well as their interrelation. Those fortunate souls who absorb intimately this message will find the pathway to the highest regions of Krishna-prema clearly open to them, whereas those unfortunates who turn from this message, preferring to attach themselves to shallow, self-aggrandizing materialistic modes of devotion will find their path plagued with obstruction. We sincerely hope to at least touch the hearts of a fortunate few. That alone would be the hallmark of our success and a source of immense satisfaction. This small volume will be well regarded by purified clear- headed individuals who are thoroughly honest. Narrow-souled superficialists or spiritually maladroit, externally oriented prakrita-bhaktas of meager metaphysical or internal devotional acumen will have to muster the requisite spiritual integrity to deeply enter into the spirit of this dissertation. The subject matter of this book, like the highly elevated topics revealed in the later cantos of Shrimad-Bhagavatam, should not be intruded upon by the ineligible, hypocritical, corrupt, or envious. If the boot in any way fits, promptly close the book. What need is there for any further introductory elaboration? It is as it is. Generously remitting the numerous literary imperfections herein, simply open your heart and allow 7 the substance of this presentation to transport your inner- dimensional quantum beyond the confines of vapid ecclesiastico-conservative conventionalism to a Krishna conscious paradigm of enriched profundity. Hare Krishna! 8 First Heartfelt Effusion My dear Lordships Shri Shri Radha-Shyamasundara! Crying at the lotus feet of Shri Guru, one very fallen and destitute soul humbly offers to You the following unrestrained stream of prayerful outpourings for Your kind and considerate audience. My dear beloved Lordships! Let me have not only this one body with only one head upon which are placed only two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and one mouth in which I find only this one pathetic tongue. Let me have not only this one dead body upon which I find only one clumsy cranium wherein we may assume there be at least one exiguous lump of dull brain stuff. Let me have not only this one frail figure from which extend only two sluggish legs and two feeble arms with no more than one leisurely hand on the end of each. Let me be not only this single insignificant someone with but this one heart, one life, and one sub-atomic soul to dedicate most inadequately to Your urgently required large-scale distribution of transcendental literatures. If You wish to offer me any benediction, then please let me have hundreds and thousands, nay, even millions and billions of stout and strong bodies, either all at once or one after another or both. On each body let me have hundreds, thousands, even millions of heads, each with hundreds of eyes and noses, thousands of ears, and millions of mouths, each endowed with billions of fabulously fortunate tongues. Moreover, let me have trillions of most capable brains and innumerable hale, hardy, and enthusiastic legs, arms, hands, hearts, and happy selves to fully dedicate to the earnest service of Your ministrative task of worldwide transcendental book distribution.