CC Adi 10.15–16 – Sri Gadadhara Pandita

Giriraj Swami: Please repeat. We read from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Ten. This Chapter describes the branches of the tree named Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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.

COMMENT

Who’s Vrindavanesvari?

Devotee: Queen of Vrindavan.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, Vrindavanesvari, Queen of Vrindavan. Srimati Radharani.

PURPORT (continued)

“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.

COMMENT

Means beloved of Shyamasundara or again, Srimati Radharani.

PURPORT (continued)

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 Sri Gadadhara Pandita’s appearance day before, and in the past, I’ve always read from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, 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 have translated it, and throughout Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, the author, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, refers to Sri Caitanya-bhāgavata and praises it. 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 Sri Caitanya-bhāgavata.

There are many pastimes of Gadadhara Pandita in relation to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Sri 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 Gangadas 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 Pandita in kṛṣṇa-līlā is who? Please devotees, please, speak up.

Devotee: Srimati Radharani.

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

Devotee: Vrishbhanu Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, yes. And who is Vrishbhanu Maharaja in caitanya-līlā?

Devotee: Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

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

Devotee: Fourth.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. And when there was talks of Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became completely ecstatic. And sometimes he would say, “O, father!” because although Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna, He is in the mood of Srimati Radharani. So, on one occasion, there was talks of Pundarika Vidyanidhi, and the same thing happened, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became overwhelmed with transcendental love. “Talking about Pundarika Vidyanidhi caused. . .” I’m reading now.

READING continued

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

COMMENT

Incognito means?

Devotee: In 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 Cattagram, thus, He was well acquainted with Pundarika 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 person, 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 from Caitanya-bhāgavata

Mukunda told Gadadhara Pandita, who was 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 Pundarika 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 detached from family life. Externally, he has appeared as the son of Madhava Misra. He is fully absorbed in devotional service and associates only with devotees. When he heard about you, he was very anxious to meet you.”

Pundarika Vidyanidhi sat like a prince on his bed, which is 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’s forehead was decorated with tilak, as well as pots of sandalwood paste. His hair was well-groomed and shiny due to the use of perfumed oil. Behind him were two men fanning him with peacock feathers.

Due to living a life of pure devotional service, Pundarika 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, he became suspicious. Because Gadadhara Pandita was a fully renounced soul from his very childhood, it was natural that doubts regarding Pundarika 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 Pundarika’s real nature. In a very sweet voice, Mukunda began reciting a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that describes the glory of devotional service. Quote; “How shall I take one?”

COMMENT

Excuse me.

READING continued

“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, Pundarika Vidyanidhi’s 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, Pundarika said in a loud voice, “Speak! Speak!” and once again fell to the ground. Agitated with spiritual emotion, he kicked everything within reach so that all of the very valuable paraphernalia became smashed. The brass water pots, the spice containers, the pillows, sheets, and so on. Everything became a confused mess. Pundarika Vidyanidhi began to tear his fine clothes and his hair became disheveled as he rolled on the floor. He cried out hideously, “O Krishna, my very life and soul, I have been deprived of the Lord’s association and His most munificent incarnation!”

After standing up, Pundarika 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 Pundarika 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? Why did Gadadhara Pandita begin to worry?

Devotee: He felt like he committed an offense.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. Yes, he realized he’d committed an offense, so he became alarmed.

READING continued

Astonished at what he had witnessed, Gadadhara Pandita began to worry. Thinking, “What great misfortune had overcome me, so that I thought about this great personality 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, 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 of 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 future. And so, I have decided to accept Pundarika Vidyanidhi as my spiritual master. I’m confident that I can counteract all of my offenses by becoming a sincere disciple.”

Being very pleased with this decision, Mukunda patted Gadadhara 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 has repented 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 then 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 Pandita offered obeisances and then took leave of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Mukunda and Gadadhara went straight to see Lord Gauracandra, 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 Gauracandra’s house.

COMMENT

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

READING continued

Gadadhara Pandita took permission from Lord Vishvambhara, 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 Pandita and Nityananda Prabhu. And it took place later, in Jagannatha Puri.

READING continued

So, after Nityananda Prabhu arrived in Puri, He met Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and He went to the Jagannatha temple to see Lord Jagannatha, and thereafter He went to visit Gadadhara Pandita. Thereafter, Lord Nityananda went to meet Gadadhara Pandita at his residence. Gadadhara Pandita had a Deity of Gopinatha at his house, that was so charming, it appeared as if Vrajendra Kumara Himself was standing there.

COMMENT

Who is Vrajendra Kumara?

Devotee: The son of Nanda Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: And who is the son of Nanda Maharaja?

Devotee: Krishna.

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

READING continued

Gadadhara Pandita had a Deity of Gopinatha at his house, that was so charming, it appeared as if Vrajendra Kumara Himself was standing there. Lord Chaitanya had once embraced this Deity. Lord Nityananda shed incessant tears upon seeing the Gopinatha Deity. When Gadadhara Pandita learned of Nityananda Prabhu’s arrival, he immediately got up from his reading of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and hurried to greet Him. After embracing, the two offered obeisances to one another. Indeed, Gadadhara Pandita 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 an expression of love and affection. After calming themselves, Gadadhara Pandita and Nityananda Prabhu sat down. Gadadhara Pandita begged 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 Lakshmidevi 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 some 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 Pandita’s name and Gadadhara Pandita in turn offered prayers while 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 were ecstatic. Gadadhara Pandita brought a plate of prasāda and placed it before Lord Gauracandra, and the fine aroma could be perceived throughout the entire temple and garden. While 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, or most of the associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, 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’s cooking, “You must be a resident of Vaikuntha who has come to Earth to cook;” He knew very well that Gadadhara Pandita was 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, 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 Nilachal. . .

COMMENT

Where is Nilachal? Where is Nilachal?

Devotee: Jagannatha Puri.

Giriraj Swami: Jagannatha Puri, fantastic! I am so pleased.

READING from Caitanya-bhāgavata

At Nilachal, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda Prabhu, 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 reinitiated. He said, “I have revealed my ishta mantra, which I received from my guru to an undeserving person. Ever since that time, my mind has been disturbed. My Lord, kindly reinitiate me with the same ishta 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 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 Goswami, 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 in prema nidhi, an ocean of love for God. Lord Chaitanya firmly embraced Vidyanidhi while crying tears of joy and the devotees also began to weep.

In the Lord’s presence, Sri Vidyanidhi met his companion, Svarupa Damodara. Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Svarupa Damodara were extremely close, intimate friends. Desiring to take one another’s foot dust, they jostled and pushed each other down on the floor. Devotees 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 Nilachal for some time.” Hearing this, Pundarika Vidyanidhi became ecstatic. At this time, Gadadhara Pandita took advantage of the opportunity to be reinitiated into the chanting of his ishta mantra from his guru, Srila Vidyanidhi.

COMMENT

And this incident takes place very close to the end of 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: The associates of Mahaprabhu were from kṛṣṇa-līlā, in the caitanya-līlā are they fully cognizant or aware of their identity, or are they covered by yoga-māyā in such a way that it’s their ordinary, individual?

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? And 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.

And even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, although 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 of. . . because even an ordinary, not 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, so as devotees they are also aspiring to develop love for Krishna and enter into eternal service to Krishna. And 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 connections 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: We understand the words, Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya, that Lord Chaitanya is Radha-Krishna, I am confused how They go together?

Giriraj Swami: Yes, that’s a very good question, too. 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 astami, Janmashtami, and Srimati Radharani’s appearance day is fifteen days later, also on astami, Radhastami. But one astami was of the waxing moon and the other was of the waning moon, so they were 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 in His mood of Srimati Radharani. Yes?

Devotee: Thank you very much. So, this pastime illustrates how it’s very difficult to understand the position of the devotee.

Giriraj Swami: Maybe.

Devotee: The Nectar of Instruction talks about how we have to understand the devotee’s position in order to relate properly. So, the question is, what will be some points to understand what is the difference between a devotee who’s fallen and is addicted to the breaking regular principles verses someone who actually is a sahajiyā?  that does the same thing, but how do you distinguish the two? [Unintelligible 00:52:44]?

Giriraj Swami: So, I’m not exactly clear about what you said at the end, but in the case of Sri 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 just chant the holy name once 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.

And, Srila Prabhupada comments in the purport, that, how to apply the six-fold loving exchanges, how to intelligently apply the six-fold loving exchanges. This is explained, because the verse itself explains that if someone has chanted the holy name once or is just beginning to chant, one offers him respects within the mind. In other words, you don’t have to, I mean, this is not for a preacher, but just internally one, offers respects within the mind. In other words, no matter how advanced or not advanced a devotee is, means anyone who chants the holy name, one should offer respect.

But if the devotee is not particularly of good character one can offer respect within the mind, he still offers respect within the mind, in other words, you don’t necessarily have to engage with the person. But if someone is regularly chanting the holy name, has taken initiation, engaged in the service of the deity, then you should offer respectful obeisances. And you should faithfully serve that Vaishnava who’s always engaged in devotional service and is avoiding the propensity to criticize others.

As far as the last part of your question, I couldn’t quite understand the distinction. I mean, in relation to Pundarika Vidyanidhi, he didn’t break any regulative principles. He was just living in an opulent lifestyle, but yeah, I think those sahajiyās, 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: Sometimes when devotees are chanting and are also taking intoxication and don’t want to give it up – is that sahajiyāism? Or at some certain point you try to justify it philosophically. . .

Giriraj Swami: So, you are talking about devotees who chant Hare Krishna but they don’t follow the regulative principles strictly. So, what is their psychology or what is their mentality? Well, it would vary from case to case. I mean, 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’ve fallen, they are chanting and they want to be purified, and they realize that; They repent for their inability to follow the regulative principles properly, so that is the mood that a devotee should have.

And then there are others who, as you said, they try to justify it. “It’s not such a big thing, It’s 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’s 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 falldowns, 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, and 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, or it may be in a year or in ten years, it may be 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 this weakness. And so, he continues in a happy mood.

Any other questions or comments? Well, thank you very much. It’s a very auspicious day, and we’ll meet again in the evening. Not sure of the exact schedule, but I heard at six o’clock, H.G Svalpa Vilasa dasi, who arrived at. . . what time?

Devotee: 12:15.

Giriraj Swami: 12:15, but she is still here in the temple room for the morning program, so she’ll be getting second initiation. And she has been in, she lives in Parsons, Kansas. Have you ever heard of it? I’ve 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 Sakhi dasi. And so, they have been very major source of association and guidance and encouragement. So, they are also coming down from Kansas for this auspicious situation, So, I believe it will be at six in the evening. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gadadhara Pandit ki jaya!