NoI 2 comments on prajalpa

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Dandavats. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

 

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote number of essays on these verses of

Upadeshamrta to clarify them for us. His essays were published by the

Gaudiya Matha during World War II, under the title "Bhakty-aloka." This

has been published for ISKCON devotees by Bhumipati and Pundarika

Vidyanidhi Prabhus (Vrindaban: Vrajraj Press, 1996), so I'll share some of

what I've read in their translation below.

 

"Prajalpa" is a major obstacle to devotional service. Bhaktivinoda

Thakura says that prajalpa includes needless talk, worldly talks,

arguments, gossip, debates, faultfinding, lying, and criticizing devotees

(16). Prajalpa relates to wasting time. Rupa Gosvami has described the

character of those who have awakened love of God, and the first symptom he

mentions is their concern not to waste any of their precious (and

irreplaceable) moments. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says (17) that those who

waste time will thus be unable to follow Krsna's instruction that we

always glorify Him (Gita 9.14). Prajalpa as needless talk, Bhaktivinoda

Thakura says, is extremely adverse to devotional service (18). He

particularly advises that we never talk about others without a reason

(19), and says that conversing with others practically *means* prajalpa,

for society has become so godless in this age (15).

 

In Harinama-cintamani, Haridasa Thakura discusses various instrumental

causes of offensive chanting. Laziness (jadya) is one of them; two others

are apathy (audasinya) and distraction (viksepa); it seems that these may

also cause needless talk--which is after all merely misplaced, improper

chanting. The cure for apathy and laziness is advanced association (which

is also encouraged in NoI text three); the cure for distraction is to

carefully follow the devotional practices such as those mentioned in the

Nectar of Devotion, in such association, especially participating in

vaishnava festivals such as Ekadasi and Janmastami, etc.

 

Prajalpa is born of a restless mind, and almost anyone who has grown up

with the uniquely passionate samskaras that result from associating with

televisions, computers, and video games will know the restless mind

intimately. However, by controlling the tongue with constant practice and

detachment, we can minimize the mind's demands. As Narada Muni taught

Vyasadeva (Bhagavatam, 1.5.14):

 

"Whatever you desire to describe that is separate in vision from the Lord

simply reacts, with different forms, names and results, to agitate the

mind as the wind agitates a boat which has no resting place."

 

Prajalpa is caused by--but in the above way also perpetuates--material

consciousness. The whole material world is created only out of sound

vibration. We can change the sounds we choose to associate with; human

life is meant for such responsible decisions, as hinted by Vyasadeva's

Vedanta-sutra (anavrttih sabdat). For one who does this, the raging mind

and senses become like de-fanged snakes, which can no longer harm their

caretaker.

 

Bhaktivinoda Thakura concludes his comments on prajalpa pointing out that

the urge to speak is the first thing addressed in the Upadeshamrta. He

astutely advises, "In order to pass one's life without sin, one should not

speak anything more than whatever little is necessary. One need discuss

only what is auspicious for oneself and others" (22). Krsna gives similar

advice in Gita 17.15, though those who are observant can also learn from

nature:

 

tavan maunena niyante kokilais caiva vasarah

yavat sarva-janananda-dayini vak pravartate

 

"The cuckoos pass their time in silence, until such time as their speech

gives happiness to everyone."

 

MDd