Puru Das Adhikari

http://www.bvml.org/ The Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library (BVML) website is a reference library of articles and some on line books, about Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta and tattva,based on the teachings of predecessor acaryas and their contemporary disciples The BVML is dedicated to all the Bhaktivedantas of our guru-parampara. A compilation of articles by: Srila Sanatana Goswami, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Sri Gaudiya Kanthahara, Srila Bhakti Prajnan Kesava Maharaha, Srila Hrydaya Bon Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj, Srila Dayita Madhava Maharaja, Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa Maharja( soon to be added) Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami, Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja, Srila B.B. Bhodayan Maharaj (soon to be added) as well as several other Vaisnavas, and their contemporary disciples. [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 07-20-2002).]

Darwin Prabhu, Greetings.Ultimately our mental quantum will only be at peace or undisturbed when we come to realize our true self. Until then you may have to take other measures to help you to engage nicely in devotional service. The four regulative principles of freedom, and the regulated practices of vaidhi bhakti will all assist anyone who is struggling with the mind. It is very clear from the Bg. that Krsna's instructions to Arjuna concerning control of his mind are meant for us. However if we are not on the liberated platform this can be theory, only jnana and not vijnana. Therefore if you have a broken bone yo go the the orthopedist, a cavity you go t othe dentist. If you have sever mental imbalance you may simply need to go to a professional to get correct medication to help you keep balance. Disease, means dis ease. Not at ease, due to some problem in the air, bile or mucus of the body. Mental illness is can be a result of chemical imbalance in the brain or bad circultion of life air in the head. Why not take assitance from some of the many "new age" groups around and see if they can reccomend any therapist or psychiatrist who is sensitive to the religious practices of others, and not just a pill pusher for the chemical companies. Good luck to you. In the meantime, these forums are certainly good group therapy, and I am sure you will get many positive suggestions from the assembled devotees, how you can get help for solving your problem, immediate and ultimtely eternal. ys unclepuru

You can also read some of his writing here: http://bvml.org/SBSST/index.html Here is a short biographical sketch: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was born in the holy pilgrimage place of Jagannatha Puri to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a great Vaisnava acarya in the line of succession coming from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Although employed as a government magistrate, Srila Bhaktivinoda worked tirelessly to establish the teachings of Lord Chaitanya in India. He envisioned a worldwide spiritual movement and prayed for a son to help him achieve his dream. On February 6, 1874, in the sacred pilgrimage town of Jagannath Puri, where Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura served as superintendent of the famous Jagannatha temple, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta appeared in this world. He was given the name Bimala Prasada. At the age of seven, Bimala Prasada had memorized the more than seven hundred Sanskrit verses of the Bhagavad-gita and could speak illuminating commentaries upon them. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the author of many important books and other writings on Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy, trained his son in printing and proofreading. By the time he was twenty-five years old, Bimala Prasada had acquired an impressive reputation as a scholar of Sanskrit, mathematics, and astronomy. His astronomical treatise, Surya-siddhanta, won him the title Siddhanta Sarasvati in recognition of his immense learning. In 1905, following the advice of his father, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted spiritual initiation from Srila Gaurakishora dasa Babaji. Although Srila Gaurakishora dasa Babaji was illiterate, he was renowned throughout the continent as a great saint and Vaisnava acarya. Siddhanta Sarasvati, although a great scholar, exhibited humility and dedication in the presence of Srila Gaurakishora. Satisfied with such humility and dedication of his highly educated disciple, Srila Gaurakishora gave Siddhanta Sarasvati his full blessings and requested him to "preach the Absolute Truth and keep aside all other work." Upon the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in 1914, Siddhanta Sarasvati became editor of his father's journal, Sajjana-tosani, and founded the Bhagawat Press for the publication of Gaudiya Vaisnava literature. In 1918 Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted the renounced order of spiritual life, assuming the title Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. For purposes of propagating Gaudiya Vaisnavism throughout India, he organized the Gaudiya Math, with sixty-four branches throughout the country. The headquarters of his mission, the Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, is located in Sridhama Mayapura, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta adjusted ancient traditions to conform with technological and social conditions of the twentieth century. He considered the printing press a most effective means of spreading this message throughout the world and was himself the author of many important translations, commentaries, and philosophical essays. He was the first spiritual teacher in this line to allow his renounced preachers (sannyasis) to wear Western clothes and travel in modern conveyances rather that on foot. Throughout the 1930s, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta expanded and increased his missionary work and succeeded in reestablishing Gaudiya Vaisnavism as the leading force in Indian spiritual life. On January 1, 1937, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura passed from this world.

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Krsna, a task which His followers have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are, in fact, the most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight verses, called Siksastaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein. 1 ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha--davagni-nirvapanam sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam Glory to the sri-krsna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. 2 namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krsna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them. 3 trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. 4 na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth. 5 ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram patitam mam visame bhavambudhau krpaya tava pada-pankaja- sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet. 6 nayanam galad-asru-dharaya vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira pulakair nicitam vapuh kada tava nama-grahane bhavisyati O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name? 7 yugayitam nimesena caksusa pravrsayitam sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me O Govinda! Feeling Your separations I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence. 8 aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam adarsanan marma-hatam karotu va yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah I know no one but Krsna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally. Siksastakam [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-12-2002).]

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Krsna, a task which His followers have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are, in fact, the most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight verses, called Siksastaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein. 1 ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha--davagni-nirvapanam sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam Glory to the sri-krsna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. 2 namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krsna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them. 3 trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. 4 na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth. 5 ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram patitam mam visame bhavambudhau krpaya tava pada-pankaja- sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet. 6 nayanam galad-asru-dharaya vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira pulakair nicitam vapuh kada tava nama-grahane bhavisyati O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name? 7 yugayitam nimesena caksusa pravrsayitam sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me O Govinda! Feeling Your separations I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence. 8 aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam adarsanan marma-hatam karotu va yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah I know no one but Krsna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally. Siksastakam [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-12-2002).]

God is one, guru is one and religion is one. Simply there are different manifestations of the same according to time and circumstance, and according to the capacity of the audience to receive the divine message and the method of approaching the divine couple. In the introduction to his Sri Krsna Samhita,(which I posted a segment of) Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains in some detail how the theological history of the planet culminated in the appearnce of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Pure devotees see events of this world from the eternal perspective, and the Thakura is giving an overview which includes the different sectarian faiths that have also manifest over time, and how they connect to the 5 rasas of the spiritual realm,goloka vrndavana. While there is no specific reference as to how the Manu Samhita and the Koran are connected, we can understand that the Koran was written by Mohammed in his samadhi bhasya. He was illiterate otherwise, yet he offered this scripture for his followers to adhere to ,to make gradual progress towards bhakti. Lord Jesus did the same thing in his sermons. Such shyaktavesa avataras are directly empowered by the Supreme Lord to preach according to time and circumstance and often give the masses of people sub religious principles ( a sin Lord Buddha's case), mode of goodness instructions (as in Lord Jesus' preaching) or religiosity of some kind (Mohammed taught basic morality) so that they can progress toward a sinless life and in future come in contact with bhakti. The Thakura also writes in one of his essays, Non Sectarian Vaisnava Dharma, http://bvml.org/SBTP/nsvd.html that as vaisnavas, or aspiring devotees, we should not criticise or reject other religious practices. That these practices are there by the will of the Supreme Lord so that jiva souls can make gradual progress towards him. He says in this article: Actually religious principles followed by people in general are different only due to the different qualifications of the practitioners, but the constitutional religious principles of all living entities are one. It is not proper for swanlike persons to reject the religious principles that people in general follow according to their situation." If you read his entire piece, Non Sectarian Vaisnava Dharma, http://bvml.org/SBTP/nsvd.html you will get a god feeling for his broad minded approach to religion, even though he was an eternally liberated nitya-siddha manjari himself, Kamala manjari. Actualy in hs Sri Krsna samhita introduction [ Sri Krsna Samhita is SBT's commentary on what he considered the most important slokas of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It is one of his earlier books] the Thakura explains how the conflict between the demons and the daivas (devotees) started with the sacrifice of Daksa and his conflict with Lord Siva and has manifested in other way afterward to diminish the influence of the demigods on this planet. This is all part of the Lords grand plan for kali yuga. Krsna has His grand plan to deliver all the jiva souls and ultimately for this age He wanted to offer the world the highest understanding of Radha and Krsna thorugh the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the same way that there are so many preliminary events in the Mahabharata leading up to the 5th chapter, all took place so that Lord Krsna could enact his plan to give the Bhagavad-gita. In the same way so many events (explained in SBT's introduction to Sri Krsna Samhita) are explained in connection to the ultimate appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the offering to the jiva's of his Sikshastakam, which embody the highest understanding eternal. So the connection of the Koran to the Manu Samhita must be there in a subtle if not gross way, as Mohammed is part of Krsna's plan as was Manu. That is how I see it, since you asked. I'll post the shikastakam if you like and you can refer to them. [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-12-2002).]

God is one, guru is one and religion is one. Simply there are different manifestations of the same according to time and circumstance, and according to the capacity of the audience to receive the divine message and the method of approaching the divine couple. In the introduction to his Sri Krsna Samhita,(which I posted a segment of) Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains in some detail how the theological history of the planet culminated in the appearnce of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Pure devotees see events of this world from the eternal perspective, and the Thakura is giving an overview which includes the different sectarian faiths that have also manifest over time, and how they connect to the 5 rasas of the spiritual realm,goloka vrndavana. While there is no specific reference as to how the Manu Samhita and the Koran are connected, we can understand that the Koran was written by Mohammed in his samadhi bhasya. He was illiterate otherwise, yet he offered this scripture for his followers to adhere to ,to make gradual progress towards bhakti. Lord Jesus did the same thing in his sermons. Such shyaktavesa avataras are directly empowered by the Supreme Lord to preach according to time and circumstance and often give the masses of people sub religious principles ( a sin Lord Buddha's case), mode of goodness instructions (as in Lord Jesus' preaching) or religiosity of some kind (Mohammed taught basic morality) so that they can progress toward a sinless life and in future come in contact with bhakti. The Thakura also writes in one of his essays, Non Sectarian Vaisnava Dharma, http://bvml.org/SBTP/nsvd.html that as vaisnavas, or aspiring devotees, we should not criticise or reject other religious practices. That these practices are there by the will of the Supreme Lord so that jiva souls can make gradual progress towards him. He says in this article: Actually religious principles followed by people in general are different only due to the different qualifications of the practitioners, but the constitutional religious principles of all living entities are one. It is not proper for swanlike persons to reject the religious principles that people in general follow according to their situation." If you read his entire piece, Non Sectarian Vaisnava Dharma, http://bvml.org/SBTP/nsvd.html you will get a god feeling for his broad minded approach to religion, even though he was an eternally liberated nitya-siddha manjari himself, Kamala manjari. Actualy in hs Sri Krsna samhita introduction [ Sri Krsna Samhita is SBT's commentary on what he considered the most important slokas of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It is one of his earlier books] the Thakura explains how the conflict between the demons and the daivas (devotees) started with the sacrifice of Daksa and his conflict with Lord Siva and has manifested in other way afterward to diminish the influence of the demigods on this planet. This is all part of the Lords grand plan for kali yuga. Krsna has His grand plan to deliver all the jiva souls and ultimately for this age He wanted to offer the world the highest understanding of Radha and Krsna thorugh the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the same way that there are so many preliminary events in the Mahabharata leading up to the 5th chapter, all took place so that Lord Krsna could enact his plan to give the Bhagavad-gita. In the same way so many events (explained in SBT's introduction to Sri Krsna Samhita) are explained in connection to the ultimate appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the offering to the jiva's of his Sikshastakam, which embody the highest understanding eternal. So the connection of the Koran to the Manu Samhita must be there in a subtle if not gross way, as Mohammed is part of Krsna's plan as was Manu. That is how I see it, since you asked. I'll post the shikastakam if you like and you can refer to them. [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-12-2002).]

From Moses to Mahaprabhu by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura http://bvml.org/SBTP/fmtm.html "If the reader carefully considers, it will be found that the spiritual science gradually evolved from ancient times and became more simple, more clear and more condensed. The more impurities arising from time and place are removed, the more the beauties of the spiritual science brightly shine before us. This spiritual science took birth in the land of kusha grass on the banks of the Sarasvati river in Brahmavarta. As it gradually gained strength, this spiritual science spent its childhood in the abode of Badarikashram, which is covered with snow. It spent its boyhood in Naimisharanya on the banks of the Gomati river and its youth on the beautiful banks of the Kaveri river in the province of Dravida. The spiritual science ayyained maturity in Navadvip, on the banks of the Ganges, which purifies the universe. By studying the history of the world, it is found that the spiritual science reached its peak in Navadvip. The Supreme Absolute Truth is the only object of love for the living entities. Unless one worhips Him with attachment, however, the living entity can never attain Him. Even if a person gives up all affection for this world and thinks of the Supreme Lord, He is still not easily achieved. He is controlled and attained by transcendental mellows alone. These mellows are of five types - shanta, dasya, sakya, vatsalya and madhurya. The first mellow, shanta, is the stage in which the living entity surpasses the pains of material existence and situates himself in transcendence. In that state there is a little happiness, but no feeling of independence. At that time the relationship between the practitioner and the Lord is not yet established. Dasya rasa is the second mellow. It contains all the ingradients of shanta rasa as well as affection. "The Lord is my master, and I am His eternal servant". This type of relationship is found in dasya rasa. No one cares much for any of the best things of this world unless they are connected with affection. Therefore dasya rasa is superior to shanta rasa in many ways. Sakya is superior to dasya. In dasya rasa there is a thorn in the form of awe and reverence, but the main ornament in sakya rasa is the feeling of friendship in equality. Among the servants, one who is a friend is superior. There is no doubt about it. In sakya rasa all the wealth of shanta and dasya is included. It is easy to understand that vatsalya is superior to sakya. A son gives more affection and happiness than any friend. Therefore in vatsalya rasa we find the wealth of four rasas. Although vatsalya rasa is superior to these other rasas, it appears insgnificant before madhurya rasa. There may be many secrets unknown between father and son, but this not the case between husband and wife. Therefore, if we deeply consider, it will be seen that all the above-mentioned rasas attain perfection within madhurya rasa. If we go through the histories of these five rasas, it is clearly understood that shanta rasa was seen in the beginning days of India. When the soul was not satisfied after performing sacrifices with material ingredients, then transcendentalists like Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanat-kumara, Sananda, Narada and Lord Shiva all became detached from the material world, situated in transcendence and realized shanta rasa. Much later, dasya rasa manifested in Hanuman, the servant of Sri Ramachandra. That same dasya rasa gradually expanded in the northwest and manifested in a great personality named Moses. In the age of Dvapara, Uddhava and Arjuna became the qualified authorities of sakhya rasa. They preached this rasa throughout the world. Gradually tha rasa expanded up to the Arabian countries and touched the heart of Mohammed, the knower of religious principles. Vatsalya rasa manifested throughout India in different forms at different times. Among the different forms, vatsalya mixed with opulence crossed India and appeared in a great personality named Jesus Christ, who was a preacher of Jewish religious principles. Madhurya rasa first shone brightly in Braj. It is extremely rare for this rasa to enter the hearts of conditioned souls, because this rasa tends to remain with qualified, pure living entities. This confidential rasa was preached by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the moon of Navadvipa, along with His followers. Till now, this rasa has not crossed beyond India. Recently a scholar from England named Newman realized something about this rasa and wrote a book about it. The people of Europe and America have not been satisfied with vatsalya rasa mixed with opulence as preached by Jesus Christ. I hope, by the grace of the Lord, in a very short time they will become attached to drinking the intoxicating nectar of madhurya rasa. It has been seen tha any rasa that appears in India eventually spreads to the western countries, therefore madhurya rasa will soon be preached throughout the world. Just as the sun rises first in India and gradually spreads its lights to the West, the matchless splendor of spiritual truth appears first in India and gradually spreads to the Western countries." Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

From Moses to Mahaprabhu by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura http://bvml.org/SBTP/fmtm.html "If the reader carefully considers, it will be found that the spiritual science gradually evolved from ancient times and became more simple, more clear and more condensed. The more impurities arising from time and place are removed, the more the beauties of the spiritual science brightly shine before us. This spiritual science took birth in the land of kusha grass on the banks of the Sarasvati river in Brahmavarta. As it gradually gained strength, this spiritual science spent its childhood in the abode of Badarikashram, which is covered with snow. It spent its boyhood in Naimisharanya on the banks of the Gomati river and its youth on the beautiful banks of the Kaveri river in the province of Dravida. The spiritual science ayyained maturity in Navadvip, on the banks of the Ganges, which purifies the universe. By studying the history of the world, it is found that the spiritual science reached its peak in Navadvip. The Supreme Absolute Truth is the only object of love for the living entities. Unless one worhips Him with attachment, however, the living entity can never attain Him. Even if a person gives up all affection for this world and thinks of the Supreme Lord, He is still not easily achieved. He is controlled and attained by transcendental mellows alone. These mellows are of five types - shanta, dasya, sakya, vatsalya and madhurya. The first mellow, shanta, is the stage in which the living entity surpasses the pains of material existence and situates himself in transcendence. In that state there is a little happiness, but no feeling of independence. At that time the relationship between the practitioner and the Lord is not yet established. Dasya rasa is the second mellow. It contains all the ingradients of shanta rasa as well as affection. "The Lord is my master, and I am His eternal servant". This type of relationship is found in dasya rasa. No one cares much for any of the best things of this world unless they are connected with affection. Therefore dasya rasa is superior to shanta rasa in many ways. Sakya is superior to dasya. In dasya rasa there is a thorn in the form of awe and reverence, but the main ornament in sakya rasa is the feeling of friendship in equality. Among the servants, one who is a friend is superior. There is no doubt about it. In sakya rasa all the wealth of shanta and dasya is included. It is easy to understand that vatsalya is superior to sakya. A son gives more affection and happiness than any friend. Therefore in vatsalya rasa we find the wealth of four rasas. Although vatsalya rasa is superior to these other rasas, it appears insgnificant before madhurya rasa. There may be many secrets unknown between father and son, but this not the case between husband and wife. Therefore, if we deeply consider, it will be seen that all the above-mentioned rasas attain perfection within madhurya rasa. If we go through the histories of these five rasas, it is clearly understood that shanta rasa was seen in the beginning days of India. When the soul was not satisfied after performing sacrifices with material ingredients, then transcendentalists like Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanat-kumara, Sananda, Narada and Lord Shiva all became detached from the material world, situated in transcendence and realized shanta rasa. Much later, dasya rasa manifested in Hanuman, the servant of Sri Ramachandra. That same dasya rasa gradually expanded in the northwest and manifested in a great personality named Moses. In the age of Dvapara, Uddhava and Arjuna became the qualified authorities of sakhya rasa. They preached this rasa throughout the world. Gradually tha rasa expanded up to the Arabian countries and touched the heart of Mohammed, the knower of religious principles. Vatsalya rasa manifested throughout India in different forms at different times. Among the different forms, vatsalya mixed with opulence crossed India and appeared in a great personality named Jesus Christ, who was a preacher of Jewish religious principles. Madhurya rasa first shone brightly in Braj. It is extremely rare for this rasa to enter the hearts of conditioned souls, because this rasa tends to remain with qualified, pure living entities. This confidential rasa was preached by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the moon of Navadvipa, along with His followers. Till now, this rasa has not crossed beyond India. Recently a scholar from England named Newman realized something about this rasa and wrote a book about it. The people of Europe and America have not been satisfied with vatsalya rasa mixed with opulence as preached by Jesus Christ. I hope, by the grace of the Lord, in a very short time they will become attached to drinking the intoxicating nectar of madhurya rasa. It has been seen tha any rasa that appears in India eventually spreads to the western countries, therefore madhurya rasa will soon be preached throughout the world. Just as the sun rises first in India and gradually spreads its lights to the West, the matchless splendor of spiritual truth appears first in India and gradually spreads to the Western countries." Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Prema Pradipa A Novel by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was translated by Subhag Swami Edited and Published by Pundarika Vidyanidhi Das Vrajraj Press c/o ISKCON Vrndavana It is likely to be available either from Krsna culture in Houston http://www.krishnaculture.com/cgi-bin/miva?Mer chantNew2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KC&Product_Code=PP&Category_Code=BVIN Krishna Culture P.O. Box 926337 Houston TX USA 7729 1-800-829-2579 (in the US) or or at the lohi bazaar from Rasbiharilal & Sons (end of bazaar on the right opposite Ganga Prasad cloth wallah) or at the Krsna Balarama book store in Raman Reti Vrndavan [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-07-2002).]

Maybe your eye sight is better than mine dasanudas, but I couldn't find a "Books by Previous Acharyas" section on this iskcon website from Belgium. Perhaps you can furnish the exact url for "Books by Previous Acharyas" so we can examine what is available. Srila Prabhupada has written in the Cc.Adi lila 1.117 in his purport: "/. . . False devotees, lacking the conclusion of transcendental knowledge, think that artificially shedding tears will deliver them. Similarly, other false devotees think that studying books of the previous acaryas is unadvisable, like studying dry empiric philosophies. But Srila Jiva Gosvami, following the previous acaryas, has inculcated the conclusions of the scriptures in the six theses called the Sat-sandarbhas.] False devotees who have very little knowledge of such conclusions fail to achieve pure devotion for want of zeal in accepting the favorable directions for devotional service given by self-realized devotees. Such false devotees are like impersonalists, who also consider devotional service no better than ordinary fruitive actions." Cc. Adi lila 1.117 So we are most anxious to obtain bona fide translations of our predecessor acaryas.

Jaiva Dharma is the most comprehensive summary of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. It is one of his last books. You can read the first two chapters of Srila Naryana Maharaj's translation here. He translated the orginal bengali of the Thakura 's book into Hindi and his disciples have rendered it into english under his guidance. http://www.bvml.org/SBNM/index.html [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 01-02-2002).]

Thank you very much for this nectar. Who did the translation of the article from the Gaudiya Patrika, and from where you obtained the articles of constitution?

Dandavats to one and all!!! All glories to Sri Guru and Gouranga. I have in my possession, in 5 jpeg files, an original article, originally published in the 23rd year of the Sri Caitanya Vani magazine, in bengali. This article is entitled: "Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati and Sri Prakasananda Sarsvati" Are Not the Same Person." It was authored by nitya lila pravistha om visnupada paramahamsa parivrajakacarya aaaottara sata sri Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Gosvami many years ago (more than 30). He lived in the Calcutta matha and his room there (his bhajan kutir) is still mantained by his disciples and the president acarya, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Gosvami Maharaj. I was fortunate to spend three days during durga puja this year, Nov. 23-25th, taking His Divine Grace's association and hearing his hari-katha, nightly. One devotee from the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti had some doubt about Srila Bhakti Ballabh tirtha Gosvami Maharaj's earlier discussed remarks concerning why Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura is not mentioned in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. So on his behalf and for my own education I inquired about the source of this information. His Divine Grace very kindly gave of his time and energy and researched the matter for me yet again. He read to me his orginal statement from his newly published book about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates. He again explained that Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura, out of humility, instructed his disciple Srila Gopal Bhatta Gosvami( not to mention him in any subsequent writing. This same instruction ws understood through the heart by Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami who wrote the Cc. Therefore this is one explanation why we do not read of Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura in the Cc. As I undertsand the matter this point does neither contradict or diminish other explanations of the same point by other gaudiya acaryas. There is more than one tika (commentary) on the Bhagavat gita. There is more than one explanation of any one fact concerning Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His eternal associates. Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura is accepted as Tungavidya manjari in Krsna lila and Gopala Bhatta Gosvami as Guna manjari. In fact when the brhat mrdunga of the Gaudiya Matha was at its pinnnacle (around 1935) Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was publishing over 79 titles in five different langagues. Sri Srila Prabhupada, Nitya lila pravistha om visnupada parmahamsa parivrajakacarya astottara sata Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsavti Thakura, used to publish (in their original language) the Bhagavad-gita and commentary of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti and also that of his siksa disciple Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana. It was Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana, (the defender of our sampradaya in Jaipura against the ramanandi's,) to whom my own beloved diksa guru, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, dedicated his own translation and commentary, The Bhagavad-gita As It Is. But back to the main point of my post:Later upon further inquiry by myself, Tamal Krsna das prabhu, Srla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Gosvami maharaj's private secretary explained that the source of his remarks in his book about the associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, concerning why Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura is not mentioned in Sri Caitanya Caritamra came from an article by nitya lila pravistha. . .Srila Promode Puri Gosami. An original copy of the article was then provided to me and it is now in my possession. Anyone who wants to examine it can write to me at unclepuru@hotmail.com and I will be happy to forward it to them] when I have time ( I hav ejust now returned from India and UK ont he 14th of Dec. and am flying to San Diego today) I will try to have this artricle translated by someone trsutworthy when I can and then put up in English on VNN and my website, The Bhaktivedanta Memorial Libray, bvml.org. asap. The Sri Caitanya Vani magazine was the regular publication of the Sri Caitanya Gaudiya matha in Calcutta for many years. nitya lila pravistha. . .Srila Promode Puri Gosvami lived and served there for alsmost 30 years. The matha archives contains the original articles of many exalted vaisnavas. your servant, puru das adhikari, das anudas n.b. Interestingly enough right next to the matha in Calcutta, for durga puja, the followers of Rabindra Tagore erected a replica of his house and the cue for this display was filled up every night till late in the early morning. One of SBSST's disciples, Srila Siddhanti Maharaj created a riot once in Bengal,when he called Tagore a donkey? Complaint was made about him to SBSST, who remarked, "finally I have a devotee who can preach." and he joined his disciple himself to add his transcendental support. That information is from Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaj, the vice president of the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, and my beloved siksa guru and eternal friend. [This message has been edited by Puru Das Adhikari (edited 12-17-2001).]

Dandavats to one and all. I have in my possession (in the original bengali), in 5 jpeg files and article written by nitya lila pravistha astottara sata sri Srila Promode Puri Gosvami Maharaj. Published in the 23rd year of the Sri Caitanya Vani magazine, from his bhajana kutir in Calcutta, at the Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Matha. this article is directly on this topic. It is the source information for remarks about Srila Prabhodananda Sarsvati, summarized by His Divine grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Gosvami, in his new book about the associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There is no doubt from this article that Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura are different personalities.