Guest guest Posted October 8, 2001 Report Share Posted October 8, 2001 > > Please define "sahajiya tendency". > > To concentrate on the highest topics without even be able to control the > senses and realizing that one is not the body. Right. The sahajiya tendency is then in the one who created the emphasis, namely the copy/paste wallah, and not in the original authors of the texts. > Practical topics how to perform spiritual life is needed. > If we can even walk how we can run? Both are needed in appropriate proportion. Practical instructions will help us in our current stage and esoteric writings will help us to remember the goal of our practice and to inspire us in approaching it through our current practices. Sadhana is defined in the following words: krti-sadhya bhavet sadhya-bhava sa sadhanabhidha nitya-siddhasya bhavasya prakatyam hrdi sadhyata "That activity which is executed through the function of the senses, and by which bhava-bhakti is awakened within the heart, is called sadhana-bhakti. The manifesting of the nitya-siddha-bhava within the heart is called sadhyata, or the potentiality of devotional service in practice." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, 1.2.2) To properly execute sadhana, it is imperative to know the meaning and the goal of sadhana. > It is easier to pose as a big devotee who doesn't > need to follow so strictly since is already a raganuga bhakta. This is very true. I am now presenting some very practical things from the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, from the second chapter of its first wave, which deals with devotional service in practice. Sri Rupa Gosvami has advised one and all in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.296): sravanotkirtanadini vaidha bhakty uditani tu yany angani ca tanyatra vijneyani manisibhih "In vaidhi-bhakti, one should practice the limbs of bhakti like sravana, kirtana, and so on according to one's qualification. Similarly, for raganuga-bhakti also, it has been advised by scholars who are well versed in the principles of bhakti to follow the same practices." There are but a few things to be neglected by the raganuga-sadhakas, as explained by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti in his Raga-vartma-candrika (1.12), and as summarized below: 1. Ahangrahopasana (considering oneself as nondifferent from the object of worship, 2. Nyasa (mudras and various elaborate practices for chanting mantras and doing arcana), 3. Dvaraka-dhyana (meditation on Dvaraka and worship of Rukmini and the mahisis of Dvaraka), We may pay attention to the fact that among neglectable limbs of bhakti, Srila Cakravartipada does not list: 1. Waking up early in the morning, 2. Chanting more than 16 rounds, 3. Engaging all of one's time in activities of devotion, 4. Giving up material attachments. Anyone who does not follow the instructions of Upadesamrta from the first verse to the seventh verse, yet considers himself fit for adopting the remaining four, may be considered a cheap imposter. However, for one who is serious in his practice, and who spends his days chanting harinama and doing various services, contemplation on subject matters beyond the basics is required if he desires to ever progress beyond the basics and attain the goal of life. It does not come about without conscious endeavor. As explained by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura in his Prema Bhakti Candrika (5.6): sadhane ye dhana cai, siddha dehe taha pai, pakkapakka matra se vicara apakke sadhana riti, pakile se prema-bhakti, bhakati laksana tattva sara "The treasure I desire as a practitioner I will get when I attain my spiritual body; it's just a question of being ripe or unripe. The ripe stage is the stage of pure loving devotion and the unripe stage is the stage of practise. That is the essential truth about devotional principles." Sri Rupa Gosvami further explains the process given by our acaryas (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, 1.2.295): seva sadhaka-rupena siddha-rupena catra hi tad-bhava-lipsuna karya vraja-lokanusaratah "In the transcendental realm of Vraja one should serve the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna, with a feeling similar to that of His associates, and one should place himself under the direct guidance of a particular associate of Krsna and should follow in his footsteps. This method is applicable both in the stage of sadhana [spiritual practices executed while in the stage of bondage] and in the stage of sadhya [God realization], when one is a siddha-purusa, or a spiritually perfect soul." (Translation by Srila Prabhupada, NOI 8, pp.) The words seva sadhaka-rupena indicate service executed within our present body in the footsteps of the six Gosvamis, and siddha-rupena indicates internal service in a body suited for service in the pastimes of Radha-Krishna in Vrindavana. This method is applicable both in the stage of bondage and in the stage of perfection. Therefore it is called raganuga-sadhana-bhakti. Raganuga-bhakti is not the perfection. It is a oath of sadhana, or practice. One does not have to be perfect to practice it. Practice yields perfection. Indeed, this is the path of our sampradaya, and the method endorsed by our acaryas. Let us try to practically follow this process and attain the ultimate perfection of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.