Preface - Sri Upadeshamrita

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna !!!

Please accept my humble obesiancesunto your lotus feet.

 

Here are few important points I picked up while reading the preface

by Srila Bhakti Vedanta Narayana Maharaja.

 

1) For benefit of all living beings Srila Rupa Goaswami churned the

ocean of Sriman Mahaprabhu's instructions and extracted the essesnce

in form of Sri Upadeshamrita.

 

2) These instructions are indispensable to the practitioners

[sadhakas] of devotional path [bhakti]. Without following them no one

can enter the realm of pure devotion and escpecially following the

intricate and elevated path of spontaneous devotion [ raganuga

bhakti ] is not only difficult but impossible.

 

3) From the very beginning it is compulsaory for the sadhakas

desirous of entering the realm of bhakti to renounce the activities

unfavorable for progress in spiritual life. These include - urges of

mind, speech, tongue stomach and genitals as well as avoiding

overeating, unnecccesary endeavours, useless conversation, improper

compliance with rules and regulations of devotion, bad association

and greed or the restlessness of mind to adopt worthless opinions.

 

4) Simultaneously it is imperavtive to adopt all those that nourishes

bhakti - enthusiasm, determination, patience, good behavior

associated with bhakti and ideals of devotions life that have been

established by pure devotees.

 

5) After progressing somewhat one should engage in the six kinds of

devotee association, give appropriate respect to three levels of

vaishnava and serve them accordingly.

 

6) Finally residing in Vraja either mentally of physically one must

follow in the footstep of those devotees who possess deep love for

krsna and who are adept in relishing the devotional mellows of Vraja

[ Vraja-rasa] one should constantly engage his tongue and mind in

chanting and remembering krsna's names, form, qualities, pastimes.

 

7) Just as Srimati Radharani is most dear to krsna so is her kund -

radha kund. Therefore the practitioners of bhakti must take shelter

of the embodiment of the ultimate devotional ecstasy [mahabhava]

Srimati Radhika and Her pond, Sri Radha Kunda.