Mother Durga

[Guest guest]

>This is a subtle point. To say that Krishna is the only bestower of

>liberation is supported in many places in sastra. However there are also

>ample examples in sastra of *how* Krishna has bestowed liberation through

>His various representatives (gurus) such as, Tulasi, The Ganga, Govardhana

>ect.

 

Moreover, Srila Visvanatha Cakravatri in his Madhurya Kadambini goes into

great details to explain that Krsna Himself gives bhakti very rarely, and

that the only means through which bhakti is introduced into this would is

through His devotees, who are taking the charge of preaching. Thus,

empowered by Him, they become repositories of Lord Krsna's bhakti-sakti, and

devotional service becomes their property they can easily endow others with,

whenever they wish:

 

šdi 11.59

 

anargala prema sab€ra, ce˜€ anargala

prema dite, kŠa dite dhare mah€bala

 

"All these devotees had unlimited strength to deliver unobstructed,

unceasing love of KŠa. By their own strength they could offer anyone KŠa

and love of KŠa."

 

PURPORT ®r…la Bhaktivinoda µh€kura has sung, kŠa se tom€ra, kŠa dite

p€ra, tom€ra akati €che. In this song, Bhaktivinoda µh€kura describes that

a pure VaiŠava, as the proprietor of KŠa and love of KŠa, can deliver

both to anyone and everyone he likes. Therefore to get KŠa and love of

KŠa one must seek the mercy of pure devotees. ®r…la Vivan€tha Cakravart…

µh€kura also says, yasya pras€d€d bhagavat-pras€do yasy€pras€d€n na gatiƒ

kuto ’pi: “By the mercy of the spiritual master one is blessed by the mercy

of KŠa. Without the grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any

advancement.” By the grace of a VaiŠava or bona fide spiritual master one

can get both love of Godhead, KŠa, and KŠa Himself.

 

and also:

 

SB 9.4.63

 

r…-bhagav€n uv€ca

ahaˆ bhakta-par€dh…no

hy asvatantra iva dvija

s€dhubhir grasta-hdayo

bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyaƒ

 

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the br€hmaŠa: I am completely

under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent.

Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only

within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those

who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me."

 

Your servant,

Madana-mohana das