· Visnu and Krsna bhakti

[Guest guest]

> What is the use of a philosophy with no connection to our reality? When I

> say, "We have no interest in Vishnu bhakti...", it is a lie.

 

Then don't say it. If it has no connection for you, feel free to neglect it.

 

 

> But our personal

> situation and their situation is different. It is illusion to fool

> ourselves into thinking we have gone beyond Vaikuntha, while still

> maintaining material attachments.

 

Should everyone here go by your standard?

 

 

> Thus the attempt to discourage Vishnu bhakti in those who have not

> developed true transcendental attachment to Krishna is counter productive

> to their spiritual advancement.

 

Krishna certainly has more power to attract the conditioned soul; that is

why he is called Krishna, the all-attractive. He has these special qualities

that even Vishnu does not possess -- lila-madhuri, rupa-madhuri,

venu-madhuri and prema-madhuri -- or the sweetness of His pastimes, the

sweetness of His form, the sweetness of His flute, and the sweetness of the

love exhibited by His associates.

 

Consequently the advice to especially concentrate on thinking of Krishna is

the most productive of all advices for spiritual advancement. It is not that

we discourage Vishnu-bhakti; we especially encourage Krishna-bhakti. And

instead of discussing Vishnu-katha, we prefer to discuss Krishna-katha.

 

 

> Remember that this discussion began about a practical application of

> prayer in regards to ourselves, not the liberated acharyas. Thus it is

> pointless to speak from the liberated emotional perspective they were in,

> while applying it on ourselves.

 

Yes, and the discussion evolved to many beautiful and sophisticated points

of philosophy. If you do not wish to discuss the points being discussed

here, then please don't, but please also refrain from objecting to others'

discussing it. We have every good reason on earth (and in heavens) to

discuss them.

 

Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami writes in his Caitanya Caritamrta:

 

siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa

iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa

 

"A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions,

considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind.

Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Sri Krishna."

 

(Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-lila, 2.117)

 

Please note that he makes this point after discussing the relative positions

of Krishna, Vishnu and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Furthermore, He says:

 

caitanya-mahima jani e saba siddhante

citta drdha hana lage mahima-jnana haite

 

"By such conclusive studies I know the glories of Lord Caitanya. Only by

knowing these glories can one become strong and fixed in attachment to Him."

 

Let us not be opposed to conclusive studies on the nature of Vishnu-bhakti,

Krishna-bhakti and their respective positions.