Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 Acceptance of sannyasa by Sri Visvarupa & Srila Prabhupada - 21st Sept'2002 >From Caitanya-mangala by Srila Locana Dasa Thakura: 422. Now I will describe a conversation of Murari Gupta and Damodara Pandita. 423. Damodara Pandita asked Murari Gupta: I would like to ask one question I have long considered in my heart. 424. Dear Murari Gupta, this question I ask you: How did the Lord's brother, Visvarupa, leave home and accept sannyasa? 425. This question I respectfully ask about His qualities and pastimes." With a happy heart Murari Gupta replied: 426. Please listen. Listen, O Damodara, O best of the panditas, and I will tell whatever I know. 427. Visvarupa was Lord Visvambhara's elder brother. He was the abode of transcendental virtues. How can I describe all His virtues and pastimes? 428. In a short time He became learned in all the scriptures. He was devoted to duty and detached from matter. 429. He was happy at heart. He was devoted to His spiritual master, the Supreme Lord, and the brahmanas. He very affectionately served His mother and father. 430. He understood the conclusion of Vedanta. He knew the secret heart of all duties. He knew that no pious deed is separate from devotional service to Lord Visnu. 431. He was loved by everyone. He was very perfect. In his heart lived renunciation, spiritual knowledge, spiritual faith, and true intelligence. 432. One day as, a book in his left hand, he conversed with a fellow student as they walked on the royal path, Jagannatha Misra noticed Him. 433. Jagannatha Misra thought: "My son is 16 years old. Now, in the prime of his youth, he should be married." 434. Father Jagannatha Misra thought in his heart: "I should consider what girl will be suitable for Visvarupa." 435. Thinking and thinking, the brahmana Jagannatha Misra returned to his home. In his heart he was thinking of Visvarupa's marriage. 436. At that moment the brahmana Visvarupa also returned home. His father was surprised to see Him. Visvarupa knew what was in His father's heart. 437. Glancing at him, the great brahmana Visvarupa knew what His surprised father was planning. 438. In His heart Visvarupa thought: "He is thinking how to arrange My marriage. 439. "It is not right for Me to marry. But if I don't marry, mother will be very unhappy." 440. As He thought of all this, night turned to sunrise. Then, a book in His left hand, He left home. 441. Saintly Visvarupa crossed the Ganga and accepted sannyasa. Song 13 (Patha-manjari raga) 442. In their hearts Mother Saci and Father Jagannatha Misra thought: "Nine hours have passed. Why has our son not returned?" Jagannatha Misra searched for Him. He went to every house, but he did not find His son. 443. From person to person, from ear to ear, the news circulated: Visvarupa accepted sannyasa. The news went to you and also to me. Finally hearing it himself, Father Jagannatha Misra fell unconscious. 444. When Saci-devi heard it, she also fell unconscious to the ground. For them a blinding darkness covered the three worlds. "Visvarupa!", Saci called out. "Son, come back. We want to gaze on You. Why did You leave home and accept sannyasa? 445. "Your limbs are so beautiful! Your feet are so beautiful! How can You travel on long journeys, walking on the roads? You cannot let even three hours pass without eating. Now You will not find even a single sesame seed. Before whom will You place Your requests now? 446. "Now that my son has gone there is no peace in my heart. Moment after moment I yearn for His return. When I go to bathe, I am not peaceful. I think: My Visvarupa may return. 447. "When You call out, `Mother!', that sound is more dear to me than millions and millions of treasures. When i gaze at Your face I forget myself. What sufferings did You feel that now You throw fire at my face, that now You have become a poverty-stricken sannyasi? I do not know. 448. "O father of Visvarupa, wherever Visvarupa went, go there. Go and bring my son home. Let the people say whatever they say. Bring my son back. Again I will arrange for His sacred-thread ceremony." 449. Then Jagannatha Misra said: "O goddess, O queen Saci, please listen. Please be peaceful at heart. Don't lament any more. This whole material world is a lie. Visvarupa is a very exalted person. 450. "Good fortune has now come to our families. Visvarupa is a very good son. From childhood He was always a sannyasi in spirit. Please give Him your blessings. Bless Him that He will be always steady on the spiritual path, that He will easily maintain His vow of sannyasa. 451. "Listen. Don't think in terms of calamity or good fortune. Don't lament without reason. When a man accepts sannyasa he delivers ten million of his kinsmen. Visvarupa is a jewel among men." 452. Hearing Jagannatha Misra's words, Saci again said: "What did you say? Please say it again, O saintly one." Jagannatha Misra repeated: "When a man accepts sannyasa he delivers ten million of his family members. Therefore our son has done good." 453. In this way the two of them felt both grief and joy in their hearts. How can I describe their glories? Their good fortune has no end. They had Visvarupa as their son. 454. Murari Gupta then said to Damodara Pandita: Now you have heard the story of Visvarupa accepting sannyasa. Repeating the conversation of those two, Locana dasa sings this song glorifying Lord Visvarupa. 455. At that time Lord Visvambhara sat on His mother's lap. She gazed at her dear son's face. He said: "Where did My brother go? Listen. Listen, O mother and father. I will protect you." 456. Hearing these words, Jagannatha Misra and Saci-rani hugged their son. Gazing at Lord Visvambhara's face, they forgot all their sorrows. Locana dasa recounts this story. _________________________ >From Caitanya-bhagavata by Srila Vrindavana das Thakura Adi-khanda Chp 6: Text 67 In name only did Visvarupa go home. He quickly returned to Advaita's house. Text 68 Material happiness did not bring pleasure to Visvarupa's heart, where the bliss of Krsna-kirtana always stayed. Text 69 When He was home, Visvarupa stayed always in the room that was a Visnu temple. He hardly ever went to the other rooms. Text 70 When His parents began to make plans for His marriage, Visvarupa became very unhappy at heart. Text 71 "I must renounce the world", Visvarupa decided in His heart. "I must go to the forest", was the only thought in His heart. It kept Him awake at night. Text 72 Only the Supreme Personality of Godhead can truly understand the desires that stay in the Supreme Personality of Godhead's heart. After a few day Visvarupa accepted sannyasa. Text 73 In this world He was known by the name "Sankararanya". The best of the Vaisnavas, He walked on the path that leads to the limitless Supreme Person. Text 74 When saintly Visvarupa left, the hearts of Saci and Jagannatha Misra burst into flames. Text 75 The Lord and His parents loudly wept. Tormented by separation from His brother, Lord Caitanya fell unconscious. Text 76 I do not have the power to place on my mouth words that describe that torment of separation. Jagannatha Misra's home became filled with weeping. Text 77 Seeing that Visvarupa had accepted sannyasa, Advaita and the other Vaisnavas wept again and again. Text 78 When they heard this news, the upper-class and middle-class non-devotees did not respond in the same way. Hearing this news, they were not overcome with grief. Text 79 Their hearts broken, Saci and Jagannatha Misra cried, "Visvarupa! Visvarupa!" Text 80 Jagannatha Misra was overcome with grief for his son. His relatives and friends tried to console him. Text 81 They said, "O Jagannatha Misra, please be peaceful. Don't be unhappy at heart. Your son is a great soul who has brought liberation to His entire family. Text 82 "When a person accepts sannyasa, then sixty-million of His family members go to live in Vaikuntha. Text 83 "By acting in this way, your son has attained the perfection of knowledge. Text 84 "You should be very happy." Speaking these words, everyone grasped the hands and feet of Saci and Jagannatha Misra. Text 85 They said, "Your Visvambhara is the ornament of the family. This son will continue your dynasty. Text 86 "He will destroy all your sufferings. How can ten millions sons in compare this this son?" Text 87 All the relatives and friends explained the truth in this way. Still Jagannatha Misra's suffering did not break. Text 88 Thinking of these instructions, Jagannatha Misra became peaceful. Then, when he remembered Visvarupa's virtues, he forgot all about being peaceful. Text 89 Jagannatha Misra said, "In my heart I do not know whether this son will stay home. Text 90 "Lord Krsna gave me a son, and then Lord Krsna took Him away. Whatever Lord Krsnacandra wishes will certainly be. Text 91 "Independent of You, the individual soul has not even a half mustard seed's worth of power. O Lord Krsna, I dedicate my body and senses to You. I take shelter of You." Text 92 With this knowledge of jnana-yoga, little by little saintly Jagannatha Misra became peaceful and steady in his thoughts. Text 93 In this way Visvarupa left home. His form is not different from the form of Lord Nityananda. Text 94 Whoever hears this description of Lord Visvarupa's sannyasa attains Krsna-bhakti (devotional service to Lord Krsna). For him the noose of karma is cut. Text 95 When they heard of Visvarupa's sannyasa, the devotees felt both joy and sorrow at every moment. Text 96 They said, "Lord Krsna has taken from us a person who always spoke Krsna-katha (topics of Krsna). Text 97 "We should not stay here. We should go to the forest. Then we will not see the faces of these sinners. Text 98 "How many flames of the offender's words must we tolerate? Everyone is addicted to the path of sin. Text 99 "We do not hear holy names like "Krsna" on anyone's mouth. Drowning in material pleasures, the whole world is on the verge of death. Text 100 "If someone preaches the path that leads to Lord Krsna, no one accepts his words. The people misunderstand him, try to refute him, and mock him. Text 101 "They tell him, `How have you become happy by worshiping Krsna? Only after begging do you eat. Youe sufferings always increase.' " Text 102 Deciding that it was not right to stay among such people, the devotees declared, "We must go to the forest", and then sighed. Text 103 Saintly Advaita comforted everyone. He said, "You all will attain the highest bliss. That is certain. Text 104 "In My heart I feel great bliss. I think in this way: `Lord Krsnacandra is now manifest in this world.' Text 105 "Everyone happily chant, `Krsna!' In a few days we will see Lord Krsna here. Text 106 "Then Lord Krsna will enjoy pastimes with all of you. This this `Advaita' will become a pure servant of Lord Krsna. Text 107 "Then all you servants of the Lord will attain a great mercy that even Sukadeva and Prahlada could not attain." Text 108 Hearing Advaita's nectar words, all the devotees blissfully called out "Hari!" Text 109 All the devotees loudly called out "Hari!" Their hearts were filled with bliss. Text 110 As He was playing with the other boys, Lord Caitanya heard these calls of "Hari!" The Lord then went to Advaita's home. Text 111 "Why have You come, child? the devotees asked. The Lord replied, "Why did you call for Me?" Text 112 After speaking these words, the Lord ran off with the other boys. Bewildered by the Lord's Yogamaya potency, no one could understand what had happened. Text 113 After Visvarupa left home, the Lord became a little more peaceful and serious. Text 114 Now He always stayed near His father and mother. In this way He made them forget their grief. >From Prabhupada-lilamrita by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami SPL 9: One night Abhay had a striking dream, the same dream he had had several times before, during his days as a householder. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati appeared, just as Abhay had known him, the tall, scholarly sannyasi, coming directly from the spiritual world, from Krsna's personal entourage. He called to Abhay and indicated that he should follow. Repeatedly he called and motioned. He was asking Abhay to take sannyasa. Come, he urged, become a sannyasi. Abhay awoke in a state of wonder. He thought of this instruction as another feature of the original instruction Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had given him at their first meeting in Calcutta, the same instruction that his spiritual master had later solidified in a letter: become an English preacher and spread Krsna consciousness throughout the Western world. Sannyasa was for that end; otherwise, why would his spiritual master have asked him to accept it? Abhay reasoned that his spiritual master was saying, "Now take sannyasa and you will actually be able to accomplish this mission. Formerly the time was not right." Abhay deliberated cautiously. By accepting sannyasa, a Vaisnava dedicates his body, mind, and words totally to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, renouncing all other engagements. He was doing that already. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had offered sannyasa to his leading disciples so that they could continue his mission; they hadn't done it. Preaching in the West had proved perilous even for the Gaudiya Math's most recognized sannyasis. How could he, a mere householder, presume he could succeed where the others had failed? He was hesitant. The helpless, incapable feeling he had expressed in his "Viraha-astaka" was there. But now his spiritual master was beckoning him-over all other considerations, even over natural humility. Now, although he was elderly and alone, the desire to preach just as his spiritual master had preached remained within him, a fierce though sometimes quietly expressed determination. The Vedic standard and the example set by the previous acaryas was that if one wanted to lead a preaching movement, sannyasa was required. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had taken sannyasa to facilitate his missionary work. Lord Caitanya had taken sannyasa to further the sankirtana movement. Of course, Lord Caitanya was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but when His young students had been disrespectful towards Him, treating Him as an ordinary man, He had taken sannyasa. Because a sannyasi is automatically respected, Lord Caitanya's acceptance of sannyasa was a calculated tactic; as soon as He began traveling throughout India as a sannyasi, He immediately attracted thousands of followers to the sankirtana movement. Knowing that many cheaters would accept the saffron dress and abuse the respect given to sannyasis, Lord Caitanya had advised against accepting sannyasa in the Age of Kali. He knew that cheaters, in the guise of sadhus, would act immorally, accumulate funds for their own sense gratification, and make many followers simply to enhance their own prestige. Posing as swamis, they would cheat the public. Because the people in Kali-yuga are unable to follow the rules and regulations of sannyasa, Lord Caitanya had recommended that they simply chant Hare Krsna. However, if a person could actually follow the rules, and especially if he had to spread the sankirtana movement, sannyasa was necessary. Abhay first had to approach one of his Godbrothers for permission. He decided to turn to Bhaktivilasa Tirtha Maharaja(formerly Kunja vihari), the leader of the Caitanya Math in Calcutta. Abhay still thought of the Caitanya Math as the headquarters of his spiritual master's mission. During the heated legal disputes, the Caitanya Math had been the most prized acquisition, and since 1948 it had been under the legal ownership of Bhaktivilasa Tirtha Maharaja. Now, although each sannyasi had his own place or places, the Caitanya Math and Bhaktivilasa Tirtha Maharaja legally represented the Gaudiya Math entity. Abhay felt that if he were to take sannyasa and go preach in America, he should give the Caitanya Math the first opportunity to support his work. In April 1959, Abhay wrote to Tirtha Maharaja, inquiring about sannyasa as well as about the Caitanya Math's printing some of his manuscripts. And since no one was going abroad, he volunteered to do so on behalf of the Caitanya Math. Bhaktivilasa Tirtha Maharaja replied that Abhay should first join the Caitanya Math. He mentioned the strife that still lingered: "Those who are acting against Caitanya Math, they are motivated by their individual ambitions." Anyone who was against the Caitanya Math, he said, was acting illogically and against the instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. So according to Tirtha Maharaja, the thing for Abhay to do, the thing he had neglected to do for so many years, was to join the Caitanya Math and act under his direction. Tirtha Maharaja mentioned several members of the Caitanya Math who had recently accepted the sannyasa order, and he said that Abhay could also become one-in time. He invited Abhay to come reside at the Caitanya Math: "The houses that we have, there are rooms that are airy and well lit. We will treat you exclusively. There won't be any difficulty. We will take care that no inconveniences are caused." But as for printing books: We are eagerly awaiting to print the books like Satsandarbha, Vedanta, based on devotional service, and many other rare books by the goswamis. First we will print them. Books written by you will be checked by the editorial staff, and if the funds can be raised, then they can be printed according to priority. The books will be printed only if they are favorable for the service of the Caitanya Math. Therefore, if the fund is raised, then there is a plan to go abroad as well. Abhay was not encouraged. The main difficulty, he felt, was the Caitanya Math's shortage of funds. Srila Prabhupada: I was working with my broken typewriter. I went to our Tirtha Maharaja: "You give me a room and print my books. Give me some money. I will join you." I had thought, "This is Guru Maharaja's institution." He did not say no, but the printing of books was a difficult task for him. He had no money. He was hardly collecting for maintaining. Printing of books is a big job, and there is no guarantee of sale. Without printing books and going to the West, sannyasa did not have meaning for Abhay. And who knew when Tirtha Maharaja would sanction his taking sannyasa? There was no point in going to Calcutta just to reside in an airy, well-lit room; that he had already in Vrndavana. Abhay wrote back to Tirtha Maharaja, mentioning his direct order from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to preach to the English-speaking people. He wanted to go to the West right away, and he had thought the Caitanya Math would welcome his offer. Both Abhay and Tirtha Maharaja had their responsibilities, but perhaps they could work together to carry out the desire of their spiritual master. Abhay asked Tirtha Maharaja to reconsider. On May 7, 1959, Bhaktivilasa Tirtha Maharaja wrote back. My suggestion is don't make any hasty decisions. For the time being you stay with us and engage yourself in the service of the society and then accept tridanda [sannyasa]. The purpose of accepting tridanda is to serve the society. If that is your desire then Sri Caitanya Math will decide about your going to America to preach and make all the arrangements. It can never be the principle of the society to let one act according to his individual attempt or desire. The society will decide after consulting with the heads what is to be done by whom. This is what I want to say. First of all, it is necessary to identify oneself with the society. In order to preach in America or in other foreign countries, it is important to have a dignified organization in the background and secondly it is necessary to establish one's self in India before going to preach in the foreign countries. Now it is that there are no conferences or meetings in the West as before. Communication is done through the media of television. Abhay could understand the needs and priorities of the Caitanya Math, but he could not allow them to overrule what he considered the highest mandate: preaching as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had ordered. Abhay had offered his services to the leaders of the Caitanya Math, thinking they might also see things his way. He thought that with the world's crying need for Krsna consciousness staring them in the face, they might see that this Abhay Babu was convinced and enthusiastic and so should be sent right away with whatever he required. But they had other priorities. Abhay next turned to Kesava Maharaja in Mathura, and Kesava Maharaja told Abhay to take sannyasa immediately. After corresponding with Tirtha Maharaja, Abhay had felt some uncertainty about accepting sannyasa, and now that he was being encouraged so strongly, he resisted. But Kesava Maharaja was insistent. Srila Prabhupada: I was sitting alone in Vrndavana, writing. My God brother insisted to me, "Bhaktivedanta Prabhu, you must do it. Without accepting the renounced order of life, nobody can become a preacher." So he insisted. Not he insisted; practically my spiritual master insisted. He wanted me to become a preacher, so he forced me through this God brother: "You accept." So, unwillingly I accepted. * * * Kesavaji Gaudiya Math was located in the midst of one of Mathura's downtown bazaars. Its main entrance, an arched doorway, led into a courtyard, open to the sky through a metal grating above. The architecture was similar to that of the Vamsi-gopalaji temple. The atmosphere was secluded, as in a monastery. Abhay was a familiar, welcomed figure here. He had lived here, written and studied in the library here, edited the Gaudiya Patrika, and donated the Deity of Lord Caitanya who stood on the altar beside the Deities of Radha and Krsna (Sri Sri Radha Vinodavihariji). But his visit during September of 1959 was not an ordinary one. He entered the matha dressed in white, Abhay Babu, but he would soon be leaving dressed in saffron, a swami. Abhay had been living as a renunciant for nine years; there was no need for him to observe a ceremony or to proclaim himself a sadhu by changing to saffron dress. But it was the parampara system that a man take tridandi-sannyasa at the end of his life. He was aware of the cheating sannyasis; even in Vrndavana he had seen so-called sadhus who did not preach but simply spent their days hunting for capatis. Some "swamis" of Vrndavana even indulged illicitly in what they had supposedly come here to reject: sex life. Such persons were making a mockery of sannyasa. And there were the caste gosvamis also, who lived like ordinary householders, running temples as a business to support their families and accepting honor and donations from the public on the false basis of birth. Abhay knew of these abuses of sannyasa, but he also knew the real purpose of sannyasa. Sannyasa was for preaching. On the morning of September 17, 1959, in the fifty-by-twenty-five-foot Deity room on the second floor of the Kesavaji Math, a group of devotees sat before the Deities of Radha-Krsna and Lord Caitanya. The Deities were colorfully dressed in royal clothing and silver crowns. Radharani's right hand faced palm-forward in benediction for the worshiper; at Her side, Her left hand held a flower for Krsna. Krsna stood like a dancer, placing His right leg in a casual tiptoe pose before His left, playing His long silver flute, which He held gracefully to His red lips. His long black hair reached down past His shoulders, and the garland of marigolds around His neck reached down to His knees. On His right stood the Deity of Lord Caitanya, His right arm raised, left arm at His side, His body straight, feet together. He was a soft golden color, and He had large eyes, a well-formed red mouth, and straight black hair down to His shoulders. One level below the Deities were pictures of the spiritual masters in disciplic succession: Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Bhakti prajnana Kesava Maharaja. Abhay sat on a mat of kusa grass beside ninety-year-old Sanatana, also to receive sannyasa that day. Sitting opposite the two candidates, Narayana Maharaja, Kesava Maharaja's disciple, prepared to conduct the ceremony of mantras and offerings of grains and ghee into the fire. Akincana Krsnadasa Babaji, Abhay's Godbrother, known for sweet singing, played mrdanga and sang Vaisnava bhajanas. Sitting on a raised asana, His Holiness Kesava Maharaja presided. Since there had been no notices or invitations, only the matha's few residents attended. Narayana Maharaja chanted the required mantras and then sat back silently while Kesava Maharaja lectured. Then, to everyone's surprise, Kesava Maharaja asked Abhay to speak. Abhay had not expected this. As he looked around at the gathering of devotees, he understood that the common language was Hindi; only Kesava Maharaja and a few others spoke English. Yet he knew he must speak in English. After Abhay's speech, each initiate received his sannyasa-danda, the traditional head-high staff made of four bamboo rods bound together and completely enwrapped in saffron cloth. They were given their sannyasa garments: one piece of saffron cloth for a dhoti, one for a top piece, and two strips for underwear. They also received tulasi neck beads and the sannyasa-mantra. Kesava Maharaja said that Abhay would now be known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja and that Sanatana would be Muni Maharaja. After the ceremony, the two new sannyasis posed for a photo, standing on either side of their sannyasa-guru, who sat in a chair. Kesava Maharaja didn't impose any strictures on Abhay; he simply encouraged him to go on preaching. Yet Abhay knew that to become A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami did not mean merely that he was giving up family, home comforts, and business. That he had done five years ago. Changing from white cloth to saffron cloth, from Abhay Babu to Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, had a special significance: it was the mandate he had required, the irrevocable commitment. Now it was only a matter of time before Bhaktivedanta Swami would travel to the West as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had ordained. This was Bhaktivedanta Swami's realization of his new sannyasa status. The Gaudiya Patrika's account of the sannyasa initiation included a biographical sketch of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, listing the major events of his life. The article concluded: Seeing his enthusiasm and ability to write articles in Hindi, English, and Bengali, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja gave him the instruction to take tridandi-sannyasa. For nearly one year he had been ready to accept sannyasa. In the month of Bhadra, on the day on which Visvarupa accepted sannyasa, Bhaktivedanta Swami at the Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Math accepted sannyasa from the founder of the Vedanta Samiti, Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Maharaja. Seeing him accept his asrama of renunciation, seeing this pastime for accepting the renounced order of life, we have attained great affection and enthusiasm. http://www.vnn.org/authors/bhaktiratna_sadhu.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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