Sri Gadadhara Pandita’s Appearance Day

Giriraj Swami: 

jaya jaya śrī-caitanya jaya nityānanda

jayādvaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

We read from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Ten. This Chapter describes “The Trunk, Branches and Subbranches of the Caitanya Tree.”

TEXT 15

baḍa śākhā, — gadādhara paṇḍita-gosāñi
teṅho lakṣmī-rūpā, tāṅra sama keha nāi

TRANSLATION

Gadādhara Paṇḍita, the fourth branch, is described as an incarnation of the pleasure potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. No one, therefore, can equal him.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (147–53) it is stated, “Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure potency, formerly known as Vṛndāvaneśvarī, is now personified in the form of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī has pointed out that in the shape of Lakṣmī, the pleasure potency of Kṛṣṇa, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Śyāmasundara-vallabhā. The same Śyāmasundara-vallabhā is now present in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes as Gadādhara Paṇḍita. Formerly, as Lalitā-sakhī, she was always devoted to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Thus Gadādhara Paṇḍita is simultaneously an incarnation of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Lalitā-sakhī.” In the twelfth chapter of this part of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta there is a description of the descendants or disciplic succession of Gadādhara Paṇḍita.

TEXT 16

tāṅra śiṣya-upaśiṣya, — tāṅra upaśākhā
eimata saba śākhā-upaśākhāra lekhā

TRANSLATION

His disciples and granddisciples are his subbranches. To describe them all would be difficult.

COMMENT

I have been in Dallas on the auspicious occasion of Gadadhara Pandita’s appearance day before, and in the past, I have always read from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta as like, but this morning I thought to read from Sri Caitanya-bhāgavata. It is a book that Srila Prabhupada did not translate personally, but some of his disciples had translated it. Throughout Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, the author, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, refers to Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata and praises it. And in cases where Caitanya-bhāgavata describes a pastime in detail, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami gives only a synopsis of it and he refers his readers to Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata. There are many pastimes of Gadadhara Pandita in relation to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, but I thought to read just two or three today, which are very instructive.

Gadadhara Pandita was a resident of Navadvipa and he was a fellow student with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at the Sanskrit school of Gangadasa Pandita, and they had many pastimes together as young students. But I will focus on some of the pastimes of Gadadhara Pandita in a more mature age, which will be perhaps more instructive for us. Now, Gadadhara in kṛṣṇa-līlā is who? Please devotees, speak up.

Devotee: Radharani.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, Srimati Radharani. And in kṛṣṇa-līlā, who is Srimati Radharani’s father?

Devotee: Vrishabhanu.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. And who is Vrishabhanu Maharaja in caitanya-līlā?

Devotee: Pundarik Vidyanidhi.

Giriraj Swami: Pundarik Vidyanidhi, right. Pundarik Vidyanidhi is the third branch. Which branch is Gadadhara Pandita?

Devotee: Fourth.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. And when there were talks with Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became completely ecstatic, and sometimes he would say, “Oh Father,” because although Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna He is in the mood of Srimati Radharani. So on one occasion, there were talks of Pundarik Vidyanidhi, and the same thing happened, overwhelmed with transcendental love.

READING from Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata Madhya-līlā, Chapter Seven

Talking about Pundarik Vidyanidhi caused Lord Chaitanya to become absorbed in ecstatic trance. While weeping, he cried out, “Oh my father, Pundarik!” When the Supreme Lord attracts His associate, there is no way that the associate cannot respond. Thus, Pundarik Vidyanidhi suddenly desired to go Navadvipa, traveling with many disciples, he arrived at Navadvipa but remained incognito there.

COMMENT

Incognito means?

Devotee: Disguise.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, in disguise, unknown. His actual identity was unknown.

READING (continued)

Because of this, everyone considered him to be a materialist, attached to a life of comfort and sense enjoyment. Only Mukunda, who is another associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa knew the truth because he was an Ayurvedic doctor from Chattogram. Thus, he was well acquainted with Pundarik Vidyanidhi. Still, Mukunda did not reveal his identity to anyone.

COMMENT

So this is also an instruction that we may not be able to accurately assess the spiritual position of a person based on the person’s appearance, and so we should be careful, not to make judgments that could be offensive. Of course, we do have the tendency to make judgments, but we should give the benefit of the doubt to the devotee, or to anyone generally.

READING (continued)

Mukunda told Gadadhara Pandita who is his constant companion, “A very great devotee has come to Navadvipa. You have been hankering for the association of a pure devotee, and now your desire will be fulfilled. I will take you to see this wonderful devotee, and in return, I simply ask that you think of me as your dear servant.

They found Pundarik Vidyanidhi comfortably seated at home, Gadadhara Pandita offered his obeisances and was respectfully given a seat. Vidyanidhi asked Mukunda, “What is his name, and from where does he come? His body is effulgent due to rendering devotional service to the Lord.” Mukunda replied, “His name is Gadadhara, and from his childhood, he has been absorbed in the Supreme Lord’s service. Externally, he has appeared as the son of Madhava Mishra. He is fully absorbed in devotional service and associates only with devotees. When he heard about you, he was very anxious to meet you.

Pundarik Vidyanidhi sat like a prince on his bed, which was made of wood and covered by intricately worked brass. Above his head were three tiers of ornamental canopy. He was seated upon a soft mattress, and supporting his back were silk pillows. Water pots were within reach, and on either side were large ornate mirrors, into which he frequently glanced. Pundarik Vidyanidhi’s forehead was decorated with tilak as well as spots of sandalwood paste. His hair was well groomed and shiny, due the result of perfumed oil. Behind him were two men fanning him with peacock feathers. Due to living a life of pure devotional service, Pundarik Vidyanidhi looked as charming as Cupid, although those who did not know him would assume that he was a man addicted to a comfortable life.

When Gadadhara Pandita saw this luxurious lifestyle, Gadadhara Pandita became suspicious because he was a fully renounced soul from his very childhood, so it was natural that doubts regarding Pundarik Vidyanidhi entered his heart. He thought, “What kind of Vaishnava is this who lives so lavishly? When I heard about his devotional mood, I felt great respect for him, but now, after seeing him, I feel differently.

Mukunda could understand Gadadhara’s mind, and so he took it upon himself to reveal Pundarik Vidyanidhi’s real nature. In a very sweet voice, Mukunda began reciting a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that describes the glory of devotional service: “How shall I take shelter of one more merciful than He who granted the position of mother to the she-demon, Putana? She was always hankering after the taste of children’s blood. With that desire, she smeared poison on her breast and offered it to Baby Krishna. Just by offering her breast in that way, Putana achieved such an exalted destination.

While listening to this verse, Pundarik Vidyanidhi eyes filled with tears of ecstatic love. Simultaneously, all the symptoms of ecstatic love manifested as he wept, trembled, rolled on the ground, and at last fell into an unconscious state. Suddenly, when he regained consciousness, Pundarik said in a loud voice, “Speak, speak!” And once again fell to the ground, agitated with spiritual emotion, he kept everything within reach, so that all the valuable paraphernalia became smashed: the brass water pots, the spice containers, the pillows, sheets, and so on. Everything became a confused mess. And then Pundarik Vidyanidhi began to tear his fine clothes, and his hair became disheveled as he rolled on the floor. He cried out hideously, “Oh Krishna, my very life and soul! I have been deprived of the Lord’s association in His most munificent incarnation!

After standing up, Pundarik Vidyanidhi suddenly crashed to the floor. Everyone thought that his bones would be broken. His body trembled so violently that three people could not hold him still. He kicked everything forcefully as his disciples stood by helplessly. In this way, the storm of ecstatic love continued until it finally abated so that Pundarik Vidyanidhi fell into a state of unconscious bliss. He lay down without breathing, totally submerged in an ocean of spiritual ecstasy.

Astonished at what he had witnessed, Gadadhara Pandita began to worry.

COMMENT

Why did Gadadhara begin to worry?

Devotee: Like committed the offense.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. He realized he had committed an offense, so he became alarmed.

READING (continued)

Astonished at what he had witnessed, Gadadhara began to worry, thinking, “What great misfortune has overcome me, so that I thought about these great personalities in such an offensive manner?

Gadadhara embraced Mukunda, being extremely pleased with him, drenching him with tears of love, he said, “Mukunda, you have acted like a true friend, for you have shown me a pure, unalloyed devotee of the Lord. It would be very difficult for me to find another devotee like him within the entire creation. Simply by seeing him, one can become totally purified. Mukunda, because of your presence, I have avoided a great catastrophe. When I saw his luxurious lifestyle, I became convinced that Pundarika Vidyanidhi is a materialistic devotee, inclined to enjoy sensual pleasures. You could understand my mind, and being very magnanimous, you showed me the extent of Pundarika Vidyanidhi’s love for God. My offense can be counteracted only by your mercy. Please be kind to me and purify my heart. All the devotees who are surrendering to the Lord by executing the process of devotional service have accepted the shelter of a spiritual master and act under his instruction. I do not have any such teacher, and so I have decided to accept Pundarika Vidyanidhi as my spiritual master. I am confident that I can counteract all of my offenses by becoming his sincere disciple.

Being very pleased with this decision, Mukunda patted Gadadhara Pandita on the back and said, “Very good, very good.” Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi was in an ecstatic trance for six hours, and then he gradually returned to his normal consciousness and sat down quietly. It was impossible for Gadadhara Pandita to control the tears of joy that profusely rolled down his cheeks and drenched his entire body. Seeing this, Pundarika Vidyanidhi happily embraced him.

Mukunda then spoke, revealing Gadadhara Pandita’s mind, “When he first saw your extravagant appearance and surroundings, Gadadhara doubted your sincerity as a devotee. Now he is repentant and wants to take initiation from you. Although he is a young man, he is renounced and very advanced in spiritual understanding. From his childhood, he has been attached to the Supreme Lord. I think that this is a very good match, an elevated spiritual master like Pundarika Vidyanidhi having an equally able disciple like Gadadhara Pandita. Please consider all this and choose an auspicious day to initiate him into the chanting of the dīkṣā mantra.”

Pundarika Vidyanidhi smiled and said, “Rest assured that I will do as you say. It is my great fortune to meet such a gem of a devotee as Gadadhara Pandita. It is the result of many lifetimes of pious activities that one may have such a disciple as he. The forthcoming twelfth day of the waxing moon is very auspicious. Come to meet me at that time.”

Being overjoyed, Gadadhara Pandit offered obeisances and then took leave of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Mukunda and Gadadhara went straight to see Lord Gaurachandra, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who happily received the news of Pundarika Vidyanidhi’s arrival. That night, without being seen by anyone, Pundarika left his associates and came to Lord Gaurachandra’s house.

COMMENT

And then there is a description of the meeting of the Lord Chaitanya and Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

READING (continued)

Gadadhara took permission from Lord Visvambhara Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to take initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi, saying, ‘I could not understand his uncommon behavior, and so I was disrespectful. To cleanse myself of this sin, I want to become his disciple, for certainly my spiritual master will forgive me.’ The Lord said, ‘Yes, take initiation as soon as possible.’

COMMENT

The next pastime focuses on the loving relationship between Gadadhara Pandit and Nityananda Prabhu, and it took place later in Jagannatha Puri. So, after Nityananda Prabhu arrived in Puri, He met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and went to Jagannatha temple to see Lord Jagannatha. And thereafter, he went to visit Gadadhara Pandit.

READING (continued)

Thereafter, Lord Nityananda went to meet Gadadhara Pandita at his residence. Gadadhara Pandit had a deity of Gopinatha at his house, that was so charming, it appeared as if Vrajendra Kumar himself was standing there.

Who is Vrajendra Kumar?

Devotee: Son of Nanda Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: And who is the son of Nanda?

Devotee: Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Krishna! What a brilliant assembly of devotees! I feel so much joy being with you. It is really wonderful.

READING (continued)

Gadadhara Pandit has his deity of Gopinatha at his house, that was so charming, it appeared as if Vrajendra Kumar himself was standing there. Lord Chaitanya had once embraced these deities. Lord Nityananda shed incessant tears by seeing the Gopinatha deity. When Gadadhara Pandita learned of Nityananda Prabhu’s arrival, he immediately got up from his reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and hurried to greet Him. After embracing, the two offered obeisances to one another.

Indeed, Gadadhara Pandit and Lord Nityananda completely forgot their external circumstances as they floated in the ocean of spiritual happiness. The devotees present were very moved to see such expression of love and affection. After calming themselves, Gadadhara Pandita and Nityananda Prabhu sat down. Gadadhara Pandita invited Nityananda Prabhu to stay for lunch. Unknown to him, Lord Nityananda had brought a large quantity of fine rice from Bengal to be offered to the Gopinatha deity, as well as some exquisite cloth.

Lord Nityananda said, “This rice is for offering to Gopinatha.” After inspecting it, Gadadhara Pandita exclaimed, “I have never before seen such fine rice as this! My Lord, did you bring this rice all the way from Vaikuntha for offering to Gopinatha? Only Lakshmi devi herself is qualified to cook such rice.”

Gadadhara Pandita took the beautiful cloth and used it to dress the Gopinatha deity. Then he began to arrange for the noon offering. He gathered spinach that was growing in his garden and took the leaves from a tamarind sapling to make chutney. After cooking the rice and vegetables, Gadadhara Pandita brought the offering plate before Lord Gopinatha. Just at that moment, Lord Chaitanya appeared there, smiling gloriously and chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Lord softly called out Gadadhara Pandit is name. And Gadadhara Pandit in turn, offered prayers, feeling intense ecstasy. The Lord smilingly said, “My dear Gadadhara, am I not invited to this feast? I am not a stranger. In fact, if you refuse, I will take the prasāda by force. I am not going to miss the opportunity of having prasāda that was brought by Nityananda, cooked by you, and offered to Lord Gopinatha.”

Both Nityananda Prabhu and Gadadhara Pandita was ecstatic, Gadadhara Pandit brought a plate of prasāda and placed it before Lord Gaurachandra. The fine aroma could be perceived throughout the entire temple and garden. After praising the rice, Lord Chaitanya instructed that the prasāda should be divided into three portions because He desired to eat along with Nityananda Prabhu and Gadadhara Pandita. After all were seated, Lord Chaitanya praised the cooking by saying, “Even the aroma of this rice is sure to award anyone with the priceless gem of bhakti. You are such an expert cook. I have never tasted such delectable spinach. I am convinced that you are a cook from Vaikuntha, now appearing on Earth. Because the truth is out, there is no need for you to hide any longer.”

COMMENT

So, all of the associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, most of the eternal associates, their identities in kṛṣṇa-līlā were known to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself did not reveal His own identity to others, and He similarly did not reveal the identity of His associates. But of course, he knew their identities, and therefore, when he praises Gadadhara Pandita’s cooking, that “You must be a resident of Vaikuntha who has come to Earth to cook,” he knew very well who Gadadhara Pandita is actually Srimati Radharani, who is the supreme cook.

READING (continued)

I am convinced that you are a cook from Vaikuntha, now appearing on Earth because the truth is out, and there is no need for you to hide any longer.” In this way, there was a jovial mood as the three had their meal. After the three had finished, the devotees who had been anxiously waiting pounced on the remnants with great delight. At Neelachal,

COMMENT

Where is Neelachal? What is Neelachal?

Devotee: Jagannatha Puri.

Giriraj Swami: Fantastic! I am so pleased.

READING (continued)

At Neelachal, Lord Nityananda and Gadadhara Pandita were always together. They went to the temple of Lord Jagannatha together and performed saṅkīrtana together, relishing the ecstasy of kṛṣṇa-prema in each other’s association. They were a most intimate group, bound by an unbreakable bond of transcendental love.

COMMENT

And I will conclude with one other pastime that, in a way, relates to the pastime of Gadadhara Pandita’s Initiation

READING (continued)

One day, Gadadhara Pandita revealed to the Lord, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, his desire to be re-initiated. He said, “I have revealed my iṣṭa-mantra, which I received from my guru, to an undeserving person. Ever since that time, my mind has been disturbed. My Lord, kindly re-initiate me with the same iṣṭa-mantra. Then my mind will become peaceful and satisfied again.”

Lord Chaitanya replied, “Be very careful that you do not commit an offense against your guru. As long as your mantra guru is present, you cannot go to anyone else, not even to me. This would jeopardize your spiritual life, as well as mine.”

Gadadhara Pandita replied, “At present, my guru is not here, so I request you to kindly do the needful.”

The Lord replied, “Your guru is Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Providence will arrange for you to meet him soon. In fact, he will soon come here to Jagannatha Puri. In about ten days, to see you. For the past few days, I have been thinking much about him, and now I understand that you are also pulling him in here like a magnet.”

Lord Gaurasundara spent much of his time with Gadadhara Pandita, listening to his readings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Lord heard the pastimes of Prahlada Maharaja and Dhruva Maharaja many hundreds of times, but every time He would listen with completely rapt attention. Lord Chaitanya heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Gadadhara Pandita alone. Similarly, he heard Krishna-guna-kirtan from Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, who sang as the Lord danced in ecstatic trance.

When Pundarika Vidyanidhi arrived at Jagannatha Puri, Lord Chaitanya immediately knew it. Soon by the Lord’s desire, Pundarika Vidyanidhi was drawn to the place where he was awaiting his arrival. Upon seeing Pundarika Vidyanidhi, the Lord, overjoyed, exclaimed, “My father has come!”

Sri Vidyanidhi experienced such ecstasy that he became prema-nidhi, an ocean of love for God. Lord Chaitanya firmly embraced Pundarika Vidyanidhi while crying tears of joy, and the devotees also began to weep. In the Lord’s presence, Sri Vidyanidhi meet his companion, Svarupa Damodara. Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami were extremely close friends. Desiring to take one another’s dust, they jostled and pushed each other down on the floor. But being equally matched, neither could gain the advantage. All the while, the Lord and His associates enjoyed the transcendental competition with laughter.

After a while, they settled down, and Lord Chaitanya said, “My dear Vidyanidhi, please stay with us at Nilacala for some time.” Hearing this, Pundarika Vidyanidhi became ecstatic. At this time, Gadadhara Pandita took advantage of the opportunity to be re-initiated into the chanting of his iṣṭa-mantra from his guru, Srila Vidyanidhi.

COMMENT

And this incident takes place very close to the end of the Sri Caitanya-bhāgavata, which actually ends with a further description of the pastimes of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

Hare Krishna. So, would any of you like to share any thoughts, comments, insights, or ask any questions? Yes.

Devotee: Do you know if the associates of Lord Chaitanya in caitanya-līlā, are they fully conscious of their real identities in both maya such a way ordinary individuals?

Giriraj Swami: That is a good question. He asked whether the eternal associates of Krishna, who appeared in caitanya-līlā, were aware of their identities in kṛṣṇa-līlā.

The general answer is no; they are not aware. They are covered by yoga-māyā, and they identify with themselves as they are in gaura-līlā. And so, they are not aware of their own identities, and they are not aware of each other’s identities. But they are all drawn to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s association and into each other’s association with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Although Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, He sometimes manifests awareness of His identity as Krishna, sometimes He forgets that He is Krishna and manifests the mood of a devotee of Krishna. So, you see contradictory behavior in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. At one moment, He can be asserting Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and at the next moment, He can be manifesting extreme humility as a devotee of the Lord. But they also do get inklings because even an ordinary sādhaka, an advanced sādhaka who is unaware of his eternal identity in devotional service, even an advanced sādhaka begins to get a sense of who he is or who she is in kṛṣṇa-līlā. So, because they were playing the parts of devotees, as devotees, they are also aspiring to develop love for Krishna and enter into eternal service to Krishna. So as aspiring devotees, they could get some sense of who they are, perhaps not the exact person, but as a cowherd boyfriend or as a gopī girlfriend, like that. But although they weren’t aware of their previous connection in kṛṣṇa-līlā, the same mood or the same affection would be manifest for each other, similar to their affection in kṛṣṇa-līlā. Yes.

Devotee: You said, Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya. Lord Chantaya is Radha and Krishna combined. As the same time, it appears that Gadadhara Pandita is Radharani, I am confused because at the same time. How to understand that?

Giriraj Swami: Yes, that is a very good question. Although Gadadhara Pandita is the incarnation of the pleasure potency of Krishna, Srimati Radharani, he completely subdues his nature as Srimati Radharani to support Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the mood of Srimati Radharani. There is a beautiful explanation of the appearance days of Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Gadadhara Pandita. Sri Krishna appeared on the Ashtami, Janmashtami, and Srimati Radharani’s appearance is fifteen days later, also on Ashtami, Radhastami. But one Ashtami was of the waxing moon, and the other was of the waning moon. So they were like two half moons, two different half moons. And then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on Purnima, Gaura-Purnima. So, the two half moons combined together and became a full moon. And Gadadhara Pandita appeared on Amavasya, which means “no moon,” because he was completely subduing his actual mood in order to be the humble servant of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and facilitate Him in His mood of Srimati Radharani. Yes.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja, so this pastime illustrates how it is very difficult to understand the position of the devotee.

Giriraj Swami: Maybe.

Devotee: The Nectar of Instruction talks about how we have to understand one’s position in order to relate properly. So the question is, what would be some points to understand what is the difference between a devotee who is fallen and is addicted to breaking the regulative principles versus someone who is actually sahajiyās, who take it very easy. [Unintelligible 00:50:50] someone who actually is advanced but does the same thing? But how do you distinguish? The students take it easy.

Giriraj Swami: Well, I am not exactly clear about what you said at the end, but in the case of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s instructions in the Nectar of Instruction, he first mentions the six exchanges of love, dadāti pratigṛhṇāti. And then he explains different classes of devotees: those who have just chanted the holy name once, who are just beginning; those who are regularly chanting the holy name and have taken initiation and are engaged in the service of the Lord; and then the highest, who are fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness and completely devoid of the tendency to criticize others.

Srila Prabhupada comments in the purport that how to apply the six-fold love exchanges should be intelligently applied. If someone chanted the holy name once or is just beginning to chant, one offers him respect within the mind. In other words, no matter how advanced or not advanced the devotee is, anyone who chants the holy name should be offered respect. But if the devotee is not particularly of good character, one can offer respect within the mind, meaning you don’t necessarily have to engage with the person. But if someone is regularly chanting the holy name, has taken initiation, and is engaged in devotional service of deity, you should offer respectful obeisances. And you should faithfully serve that Vaishnava who is always engaged in devotional service and one is devoid of the propensity to criticize others. As far as the last part of your question, I couldn’t quite understand the distinction. In relation to Pundarika vidyanidhi, he didn’t break any regulative principles; he was just living an opulence life style. I think those who like sahajiyas, they chant the holy name, but they are not of good character. So generally, that type of devotee would be in the category of someone we offer respects to within the mind, but we don’t associate with.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:57:25]

Giriraj Swami: So, you are talking about devotees who chant Hare Krishna but they don’t follow the regulative principles strictly, what is their psychology or what is their mentality?

Well, it would vary from case to case. Some could be sahajiyās who take things very cheaply, and they are not humble enough or aware enough to understand their fallen condition. And there may be others who are sober and humble, who recognize that they are fallen. They are chanting, and they want to be purified, and they realize that, and they repent for their inability to follow the regulative principles properly. So, that is the mood a devotee should have. And then there are others who, as you said, they try to justify it. “Oh, it is not such a big thing,” or “It is not practical, maybe for one in a million, but they make excuses.” But the real mood is described very nicely in the Eleventh Canto. The devotee is convinced that all sense gratification leads to misery, but even being convinced and wanting to give up sense gratification, he is unable to give it up. And so, the devotee, it is recommended that he continues in devotional service while sincerely repenting his activities, and he continues in a happy mood.

And it might sound contradictory that he is repenting for his fall downs but at the same time he is continuing in a happy mood. So, how is it that he is continuing in a happy mood? The answer is that he is in a thick relationship with the Lord, who is like his father, and he knows that his father will never reject him, that one day, his father will be merciful to him. He knows that he cannot give up his weaknesses on his own, that he needs help, and he is confident that the Lord, his Supreme father, will one day be merciful to him. It may be in this life, or it may be today or tomorrow, it may be in a year or in ten years, or maybe in this life or in ten lifetimes or a hundred lifetimes, but he is confident that one day his Lord will be merciful, and he will be able to give up his weakness, overcome his weakness, and so he continues in a happy mood.

Are there other questions or comments?

Alright, well, thank you very much. It is a very auspicious day, and we will meet again in the evening. I am not sure of the exact schedule, but I heard at six o’clock, Her Grace Swapna Vilas dasi, who arrived at 12:15. She is still here in the temple room for the morning program, so she will be getting second initiation. She has been in Kansas; she lives in Parsons, Kansas. Have you ever heard of it? I never heard of it. So, she lives in Parsons, Kansas, but there are two Prabhupada disciples who have a small temple and community in Kansas. In fact, that couple of Prabhupada disciples were in Dallas for a little while. His name is Indranuja dasa, and his wife’s name is Lalita Sahki dasi. So, they have been her very major source of association and guidance and encouragement. So, they are also coming down from Kansas for this auspicious occasion. So, I believe it will be at six again, at six in the evening. Thank you very much.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Sri Gadadhara Pandit ki jaya!