CC Madhya 8.22–85

Giriraj Swami: Reading from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Twenty-two, “Process of Devotional Service,”

TEXT 83

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya ‘sādhu-saṅga’
kṛṣṇa-prema janme, teṅho punaḥ mukhya aṅga

TRANSLATION

“The root cause of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Kṛṣṇa awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.

COMMENT

It is awakened by association with advanced devotee, and even after kṛṣṇa-prema awakens, association with advanced devotees is still essential. For every stage, association of advanced devotees is recommended. Just like chanting, in the beginning we chant to attain love for Krishna, and in the end, after we obtain love for Krishna, we still chant. In one stage, we chant as a practice and in the later stage, we chant with love. Chanting and hearing, following the principle. Chanting and hearing especially means chanting and hearing in association of pure devotees. Chanting and hearing in association of pure devotees are essential in sadhana stage and in sādhya stage, in perfection. Since chanting and hearing continue until perfection, the association of devotees also continues.

We see the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan. Although they were always merged in the ocean of love of God, they were always meeting with each other, and hearing and chanting about Sri Krishna. The same symptoms are described in the Bhagavad-gītā, satataṁ kīrtayanto mām, that mahatmas or great souls always engage in hearing and chanting about Krishna. When we read about the residents of Vrindavan, we find that they are always engaged in chanting and hearing about Krishna and remembering the pastimes of Krishna. When the cowherd boys go into the fields with Krishna, they remember the pastime of Krishna and sing His glories. Devotees also, Mother Yasoda and the other gopīs, remember the pastime of Krishna and sing His glories. They are always engaged in chanting and hearing about Krishna. Association with devotees is so powerful that even if one is not very advanced, by associating with advanced devotees, one can make rapid progress.

TEXT 46

bhavāpavargo bhramato yadā bhavej
janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samāgamaḥ
sat-saṅgamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
parāvareśe tvayi jāyate ratiḥ

TRANSLATION

“‘O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead—the highest goal of the topmost devotees, and the Lord of the universe.’

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.51.53)

COMMENT

By the association of devotees, one becomes eligible for liberation. Here the word says that when one becomes eligible for liberation, he gets the association of the devotee. But in Sanskrit, when we ought to, once we identify the cause of the immediate cause of these effects, he may reverse the order and the causes is stated like the effect and the effect is stated like the cause. So here ii is said that when one becomes eligible for liberation, he gets the association of devotees, but actually the cause is the association of devotees. When one associate with devotee, he becomes eligible for liberation. Because by association of devotees, one develops the desires to perform devotional service, the determination to become Krishna conscious and then he becomes liberated.

Bilva Mangal Thakura says that previously when I was in [Unintelligible 00:08:56], I was chasing after mukti but now I have bhakti, is mukti chasing after me. For a bhakta, mukti is not the sādhya, mukti is inferior.

TEXT 85

ata ātyantikaṁ kṣemaṁ
pṛcchāmo bhavato ‘naghāḥ
saṁsāre ‘smin kṣaṇārdho ‘pi
sat-saṅgaḥ sevadhir nṛṇām

TRANSLATION

”‘O devotees! O you who are free from all sins! Let me inquire from you about that which is supremely auspicious for all living entities. Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material world is the greatest treasure for human society.’”

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.30).

COMMENT

This verse is spoken by Maharaja Nimi to the Navayogendras, who was performing religious activities for the benefit of others. So, immediately he asks, “Oh sinless one, what is the supreme benefit to be gained in the material world?” Someone may question that when the saintly person sin, he should have asked them about their welfare, “How are you?” But there was no need for him to inquire about their welfare because they are pure devotees. We don’t have ask about their welfare. Their only duty is to give welfare to everyone. Therefore, he did not ask even how are you. [Unintelligible 00:12:00]. Another reason why he did not inquire about their welfare, how are you, is because he did not know how long they would stay with him because the association of pure devotees is very rare and very difficult. So, Maharaja Nimi thought, I am just an ordinary person, and he did not know how long they would be pleased to stay with him. So I should not waste a moment inquiring about useless things or unnecessary things. He immediately bowed and inquired because if they left after one moment, if I got the answer to his question, it could change his life, and I could make advancement in the supreme welfare.

So here, the association of pure devotees is called sevadhi, which means great treasure. Just like a materialistic person who has the chance to claim a great treasure. He would not waste a half a moment but would immediately take advantage of the opportunity. Similarly, for an aspiring devotee, association of a pure devotee is just like a great treasure, so he does not hesitate to claim the treasure. If an ordinary person gets the treasure, he will become so happy. So similarly, aspiring devotees get the chance to associate with pure devotees, they will also feel happy. Ataḥ—therefore (due to the rarity of seeing pure devotees of the Lord); ātyantikam means supreme, beyond other benefits; kṣemam means benefit, auspiciousness. There are various conceptions of welfare among people. For example, for someone in the bodily concept of life, ministering to the needs of the body is welfare. But it is not the supreme welfare because benefits of the body are temporary. If someone says, “I am hungry,” and someone feeds them, their hunger will be satisfied for a few hours, but they will become hungry again. However, if someone gives them Krishna consciousness, all their problems will be solved permanently, including their hunger. When one becomes Krishna conscious, he gets Krishna, he gets a spiritual body, and then he has no problems at all. All problems are permanently solved. Material welfare activities may be auspicious for a body for a temporary period, but the supreme auspicious activity is Krishna consciousness.

So here, they don’t want to inquire about any sort of temporary benefit of body or mind. Ataḥ—therefore (due to the rarity of seeing pure devotees of the Lord); ātyantikam—supreme, kṣemam means benefit, auspiciousness. These are the duties of the disciple to inquire, he should be anxious to inquire about supreme good, tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. When one is anxious to know about supreme good or ultimate benefit then he can approach the spiritual master. śreya uttamam. There are two words in Sanskrit, śreyas and preyas; preyas means immediate benefits and śreyas means ultimate benefit. Just like a child. When he plays, he gets happiness. But that is not ultimate benefit. He may play but he does not go to school, he does not study, he does not do well and ultimately, he does not qualify. So, ultimate benefit is to go to school, study, and qualify for the better. So, one should inquire of a spiritual master about śreya uttamam, the highest benefit or ata ātyantikaṁ kṣemaṁ, the supreme welfare. That is Krishna consciousness. Pṛcchāmo bhavato ‘naghāḥ. Anaghāḥ means sinless, without sin. So, these are devotees who are sinless. There are pure devotees who don’t have sin. Yeṣām anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ, that when one is freed from sin, he can engage in devotional service. Or one who engages in devotional service becomes sinless. Anyone who takes to devotional service must become sinless. Saṁsāre ‘smin kṣaṇārdho ‘pi. Saṁsāre —in the material world; asmin—this; kṣaṇa-ardhaḥ—lasting half a moment; api—even; sat-saṅgaḥ—association with devotees; sevadhiḥ—a treasure; nṛṇām—for human society.

TEXT 86

satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati

TRANSLATION

“The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion.”

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25). For an explanation see Ādi-līlā 1.60.

COMMENT

So, we read in the beginning, that association with advanced devotees causes one to awaken to devotional service, and even after one awakens to pure love of Krishna, association with devotees is still essential. This fact also stated here that by hearing about kṛṣṇa-kathā in the association of pure devotees, śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati, śraddhā—firm faith in the process; ratiḥ—bhāva or transcendental attraction; bhaktiḥ—devotion; anukramiṣyati—will follow one after another. One can overcome all obstacles, just by associating with devotees and chanting and hearing glories of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada state, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter One, Text Sixty; same verse.

satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati

COMMENT

Bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ, hṛt—to the heart; karṇa—to the ear; rasa-ayanāḥ—source of sweetness. When we associate with devotees and hear about kṛṣṇa-kathā from them, it becomes so pleasing to the ear and the heart. rasa-ayanāḥ is also means medicine. So kṛṣṇa-kathā, in sat-saṅga is a medicine for ear and the heart. It clears the fear in the heart and give them opportunity to experience transcendental bless. Tat—of that; joṣaṇāt—by cultivation; āśu—quickly; apavarga—of liberation; vartmani—on the path. Devotees cultivate chanting and hearing in the association of other devotees, what happpend? Very quickly path for liberation opens. Not only liberation, śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati, all stages of bhakti, prema-bhakti, bhāva-bhakti, all opens by the association of pure devotees, who engages in discussing the powerful messages of Krishna.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

This verse appears in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25), where Kapiladeva replies to the questions of His mother, Devahūti, about the process of devotional service. As one advances in devotional activities, the process becomes progressively clearer and more encouraging.

COMMENT

In the beginning, we have so many anarthas, that are like cloud and mist. But as we engage in devotional service, anarthas get disappear, clouds become clear, mist becomes clear and therefore the process becomes progressively clearer and more encouraging. But when one clears cloud, he feels detached. He becomes encourage. So, by chanting and hearing the glories of Lord in association of pure devotee, the cloud begins to disappear. Heart becomes more clear. More one hear and chant, more he becomes encouraged.

PURPORT (continued)

Unless one gets this spiritual encouragement by following the instructions of the spiritual master, it is not possible to make advancement.

COMMENT

In other words, unless one becomes free from anarthas, we cannot make proper advancement. By following the instructions of the spiritual master, especially the instructions to chant the holy name and hear the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, which will cleanse the heart from dirty things.

PURPORT (continued)

Therefore, one’s development of a taste for executing these instructions is the test of one’s devotional service.

COMMENT

In other words, the spiritual master instructs one to chant and hear. And the taste the devotee develops by chanting and hearing or rendering any sort of service, it opens the path of liberation. we should have faith that we develop by chanting and hearing or rendering any service.

PURPORT (continued)

Initially, one must develop confidence by hearing the science of devotion from a qualified spiritual master.

COMMENT

Ādau śraddhā; first, one associates with the spiritual master, and by hearing from the spiritual master, one develops faith or confidence which is ādau śraddhā.

PURPORT (continued)

Then, as he associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life,

COMMENT

One should not only hear the discussion of some nice philosophy or some knowledge to be acquire to displayed to other but he should hear with the idea of applying it in one’s life. Then hearing the instruction of so much benefit.

PURPORT (continued)

Then, as he associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life, his misgivings and other obstacles are vanquished by his execution of devotional service. Strong attachment for the transcendental service of the Lord develops as he continues listening to the messages of Godhead, 

COMMENT

So, from the beginning, we listen. We get the association of the devotees, and from hearing from devotees, we get the desire ādau śraddhā. to associate more. We want to hear more about Krishna’s saṅga. Then we come again and again for association. Then, when one is sufficiently purified by associating with the devotees and sufficiently convinced about the process of devotional service, one will begin to apply the process to one life, and this is bhajana-kriyā. [Unintelligible 00:32:30] Then one develops strong attachment for the transcendental service of the Lord. That is āsakti or bhāva.

“and if he steadfastly proceeds in this way, he is certainly elevated to spontaneous love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

That is bhāva-bhakti or prema-bhakti.

So, time is almost finished. Any question?

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:33:30]

Giriraj Swami: Yes, by chanting Hare Krishna, we get rid of anarthas. Srila Prabhupada said, Krishna consciousness is the best method to make the family members happy. He said that the family members should meet every morning and evening and chant the holy name of the Lord. They should worship the deities, worship the Lord at home, offer their food to the Lord, and take the remnant, the prasādam. They should study his books, like Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Srila Prabhupada said, Krishna consciousness is the best method to make the family happy. If we do only four things: chanting Hare Krishna, reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, worshiping Krishna, and take kṛṣṇa-prasāda. We can easily become happy. So, if one adopts the process and family members cooperates, there will not any impediments to us.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:35:40]

Giriraj Swami: Everything we do in the temple can be done by you at home. We know that all cannot live in temple, very few who have faith in the process of devotional service and want to dedicate themselves to the mission of guru and Gauranga, they can do it in temple, they can be initiated but most people will not stay in temple but they can do the same things at home. They can come to temple sometimes in week. And whenever they get the chance, on weekends, on holidays, festival, whenever possible, they should come to the temple and associate with the devotees, [Unintelligible 00:36:40] and then one will get all of the benefits.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:37:14]

Giriraj Swami: There are different types of worship. When one engages in worshiping deities, so many offerings and so many āratis, so many service should be regularly. When we worshiping deities at home, we cannot worship like in temple. [Unintelligible 00:38:14]

If the family is broken, it becomes difficult. The west is offensive, and it should be avoided if possible. Then you will remember the earlier teachings. The natural consequences follow. The best friend of the Lord is the one who relieves the anxiety of the Lord, who is concerned about the fallen souls. The one who preaches the glory of the Lord encourages others to surrender everything, including their body and mind. After the North Carolina program, it was emphasized that the greatness of the Lord, the glory of the Lord, and His kindness should be remembered. One should also pray for one’s own lack of qualities and continue in devotional service. It is said that Krishna is the best way to make your family happy. However, if family life comes in the way of Krishna consciousness, one should be prepared to give it up, just like Arjuna was prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause of Krishna consciousness. At first, he didn’t want to kill his friends, relatives, and family members. But when he realized they came in the way of his realization of Krishna and his devotional service, he was prepared to act. If family life is not against Krishna consciousness, then there is no need to leave it. But if family life hinders Krishna consciousness, one should be prepared to give it up. Everything should be done carefully, but the principle is that we should be prepared to sacrifice everything for Krishna consciousness, including living with the devotees. We will continue on this path.