basics

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Since there have been some rather esoteric things posted lately I felt

inclined to take shelter of the Nectar of Devotion. So following is from

there.

Chapter 6

 

Srila Rupa Gosvami does not wish to enter into details here, but wants to

place before us only the principles.

He mentions the basic principles as follows: (1) accepting the shelter of

the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master, (2) becoming initiated by

the spiritual master and learning how to discharge devotional service from

him, (3) obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion,

(4) following in the footsteps of great acaryas (teachers) under the

direction of the spiritual master, (5) inquiring from the spiritual master

how to advance in Krsna consciousness, (6) being prepared to give up

anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, Sri Krsna (this means that when we are engaged in the devotional

service of Krsna, we must be prepared to give up something which we may not

like to give up, and also we have to accept something which we may not like

to accept), (7) residing in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvaraka or

Vrndavana, (8) accepting only what is necessary, or dealing with the

material world only as far as necessary, (9) observing the fasting day on

Ekadasi and (10) worshiping sacred trees like the banyan tree.

These ten items are preliminary necessities for beginning the discharge of

devotional service in regulative principles. In the beginning, if a neophyte

devotee observes the above-mentioned ten principles, surely he will quickly

make good advancement in Krsna consciousness.

The next set of instructions is listed as follows: (1) One should rigidly

give up the company of nondevotees. (2) One should not instruct a person who

is not desirous of accepting devotional service. (3) One should not be very

enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries. (4) One

should not try to read too many books, nor should one develop the idea of

earning his livelihood by lecturing on or professionally reciting

Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita. (5) One should not be neglectful in

ordinary dealings. (6) One should not be under the spell of lamentation in

loss or jubilation in gain. (7) One should not disrespect the demigods. (8)

One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity. (9) One should

carefully avoid the various offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord

or in worshiping the Deity in the temple. (10) One should be very intolerant

toward the blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, or His

devotees.

Without following the above-mentioned ten principles, one cannot properly

elevate himself to the platform of sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in

practice. Altogether, Srila Rupa Gosvami mentions twenty items, and all of

them are very important. Out of the twenty, the first three-namely accepting

the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, taking initiation from him and

serving him with respect and reverence-are the most important.

The next important items are as follows: (1) One should decorate the body

with tilaka, which is the sign of the Vaisnavas. (The idea is that as soon

as a person sees these marks on the body of the Vaisnava, he will

immediately remember Krsna. Lord Caitanya said that a Vaisnava is he who,

when seen, reminds one of Krsna. Therefore, it is essential that a Vaisnava

mark his body with tilaka to remind others of Krsna.) (2) In marking such

tilaka, sometimes one may write Hare Krsna on the body. (3) One should

accept flowers and garlands that have been offered to the Deity and the

spiritual master and put them on one's body. (4) One should learn to dance

before the Deity. (5) One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing

the Deity or the spiritual master. (6) As soon as one visits a temple of

Lord Krsna, one must stand up. (7) When the Deity is being borne for a

stroll in the street, a devotee should immediately follow the procession.

(In this connection it may be noted that in India, especially in Visnu

temples, the system is that apart from the big Deity who is permanently

situated in the main area of the temple, there is a set of smaller Deities

which are taken in procession in the evening. In some temples it is the

custom to hold a big procession in the evening with a band playing and a

nice big umbrella over the Deities, who sit on decorated thrones on the cart

or palanquin, which is carried by devotees. The Deities come out onto the

street and travel in the neighborhood while the people of the neighborhood

come out to offer prasada. The residents of the neighborhood all follow the

procession, so it is a very nice scene. When the Deity is coming out, the

servitors in the temple put forward the daily accounts before Them: so much

was the collection, so much was the expenditure. The whole idea is that the

Deity is considered to be the proprietor of the whole establishment, and all

the priests and other people taking care of the temple are considered to be

the servants of the Deity. This system is very, very old and is still

followed. So, therefore, it is mentioned here that when the Deity is on

stroll the people should follow behind.) (8) A devotee must visit a Visnu

temple at least once or twice every day, morning and evening. (In Vrndavana

this system is followed very strictly. All the devotees in town go every

morning and evening to visit different temples. Therefore during these times

there are considerable crowds all over the city. There are about five

thousand temples in Vrndavana city. Of course it is not possible to visit

all the temples, but there are at least one dozen very big and important

temples which were started by the Gosvamis and which should be visited.) (9)

One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times. (In every

temple there is an arrangement to go around the temple at least three times.

Some devotees go around more than three times-ten times, fifteen

times-according to their vows. The Gosvamis used to circumambulate

Govardhana Hill.) One should also circumambulate the whole Vrndavana area.

(10) One must worship the Deity in the temple according to the regulative

principles. (Offering arati and prasada, decorating the Deity, etc.-these

things must be observed regularly.) (11) One must render personal service to

the Deities. (12) One must sing. (13) One must perform sankirtana. (14) One

must chant. (15) One must offer prayers. (16) One must recite notable

prayers. (17) One must taste maha-prasada (food from the very plate offered

before the Deities). (18) One must drink caranamrta (water from the bathing

of the Deities, which is offered to guests). (19) One must smell the incense

and flowers offered to the Deity. (20) One must touch the lotus feet of the

Deity. (21) One must see the Deity with great devotion. (22) One must offer

arati (aratrika) at different times. (23) One must hear about the Lord and

His pastimes from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and similar books. (24)

One must pray to the Deity for His mercy. (25) One should remember the

Deity. (26) One should meditate upon the Deity. (27) One should render some

voluntary service. (28) One should think of the Lord as one's friend. (29)

One should offer everything to the Lord. (30) One should offer a favorite

article (such as food or a garment). (31) One should take all kinds of risks

and perform all endeavors for Krsna's benefit. (32) In every condition, one

should be a surrendered soul. (33) One should pour water on the tulasi tree.

(34) One should regularly hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and similar literature.

(35) One should live in a sacred place like Mathura, Vrndavana or Dvaraka.

(36) One should offer service to Vaisnavas (devotees). (37) One should

arrange one's devotional service according to one's means. (38) In the month

of Karttika (October and November), one should make arrangements for special

services. (39) During Janmastami (the time of Krsna's appearance in this

world) one should observe a special service. (40) One should do whatever is

done with great care and devotion for the Deity. (41) One should relish the

pleasure of Bhagavatam reading among devotees and not among outsiders. (42)

One should associate with devotees who are considered more advanced. (43)

One should chant the holy name of the Lord. (44) One should live in the

jurisdiction of Mathura.