searching for a quote - Seven categories of cultivation by BVT

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> > I am looking for a reference that I once read from BVT where he gave

> > some priorities for lifestyle: something like:

 

> Try the Sri Krsna Samhita. Somewhere near the end I think. I don't have

> the book with me.

 

>From Krsna Samhita:

 

This is the principle truth of sadhana on the path of raga. The whole life

of a sadhaka on the path of raga is dedicated to cultivating Krsna

consciousness. This cultivation is divided into seven categories; these

seven categories of cultivation are naturally reciprocal practices. If one

is unable to synthesis these practices, then one must take shelter of a

qualified acarya. One who has synthesized these practices in his behavior

leads the life of a Vaisnava, his family life is God-centered, and his

existence is godly. When one is liberated from material life, he begins to

practice unalloyed devotional service. Until one is liberated he should

cultivate all seven items mentioned on the following pages as follows:

 

(It is the duty of everyone to follow these seven categories of cultivation.

But all the descriptions are not to be performed by everyone, because there

is a need to consider one's qualification.)

 

Category Description

 

1. Spiritual cultivation- (1) Priti and (2) realization of

sambandha, abhidheya, and

prayojana.

 

2. Mental cultivation- (1) Remembrance, (2) thinking,

(3) meditation, (4) concentrated

meditation, (5) samadhi, (6)

consideration on the science of

sambandha, (7) repentance, (8)

yama, (Truthfulness, refraining from

theft, giving up bad association,

intelligence, not accumulating

more than necessary,

religiosity, celibacy, refraining from

unnecessary talk, steadiness,

forgiveness, and fearlessness.), and

(9) purification of the heart.

 

3. Bodily cultivation- (1) Niyamas (Cleanliness, japa,

austerity, sacrifice, faith,

hospitality, worship, pilgrimage,

welfare work, satisfaction,

proper behavior, and serving the

spiritual master.) (2) serving

others (3) seeing and touching the

devotees and the Srimad

Bhagavatam, (4) praying, (5)

hearing, (6) engaging the senses in

devotional service, (7)

transformations of ecsatic love, and

(8) developing the mood of

servitude to the Lord.

 

4. Cultivation of speech- (1) Chanting hymns, (2)

studying, (3) kirtana, (4)

teaching, (5) praying, and (6)

preaching.

 

5. Cultivation of one's relationship (1) santa, (2) dasya, (3)

sakhya, (4) vatsalya, and (5)

kanta. There are two types of

relationships- with the Lord and with

the Lord's associates.

 

6. Social cultivation- (1) Varna- brahmana, ksatriya,

vaishya, and sudra- their

occupations and positions are

divided according to people's

nature, (2) asrama- grhastha,

brahmacarya, vanaprastha, and

sannyasa- divided according to

peoples' social situation, (3)

assemblies, (4) general festivals, and

(5) activities like sacrifice.

 

7. Cultivation of sense objects- The following sense objects help

one in the development of Krsna

consciousness. (1) The objects for

the eyes are Deity, the

temple, the scriptures, the holy

places, spiritual dramas, and

spiritual festivals; (2) the objects for

the ears are the scriptures, songs,

lectures, and conversations; (3) the

objects for the nose are tulasi,

flowers, sandalwood, and other

fragrant items offered to the Lord; (4)

the objects for the tongue are kirtana

and taking a vow to accept only the

palatable foodstuffs and drinks that were

offered to the Lord; (5) the objects

for the touch are the air of holy

places, pure water, the body of a

Vaisnava, the soft bed offered to

Krsna, and association with a chaste

woman in order to propagate a

God-centered family; (6) the times like

Hari- vasara (Ekadasi) and festive

days; and (7) the places like

Vrndavana, Navadvipa, Jagannatha

Puri, and Naimisaranya.

 

Please bless me so that I can cultivate the categories appropriate to my

position.

 

Your servant,

Nayana-ranjana dasa