Guest guest Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Samskaras-Hindu Rites of Passage Pancha-samskara The Process of Initiation The following discourse is a translation of an article written in Bengali, entitled Panca-samskara, by Kedarnath Datta Bhaktivinoda. The article was originally published in the journal, Sajjana Tosani, (vol. 2/1) in 1885. I have added portions, indicated by square brackets, from a supplementary article of the same title also from Sajjana Tosani (vol. 4/1) published in 1892. Translation by Shukavak N. Dasa It is said in the sastra that a person who receives panca-samskara can practice two kinds of devotion [1] and gain permanent happiness in the eternal abode of Sri Hari: avapta-panca-samskaro labdha-dvi-vidha-bhaktikah/ saksat krtya harim tasya dhamni nityam pramodate// [2] Persons who read this instruction with faith will want to understand the meaning of the expression panca-samskara. In order to help them, we will first explain the conventional understanding of the term and then give its deeper significance. The smrti-sastras explain panca-samskara in the following manner: tapah pundram tatha nama mantro yagas ca pancamah/ ami hi panca-samskarah paramaikanti-hetavah// "Tapa, pundra, nama, mantra, and yaga-these five items comprise panca-samskara. They are the cause of intense devotion to Lord Hari." [3] When a faithful person learns about panca-samskara, he approaches a religious teacher and humbly requests him for initiation, or diksa. After considering the student's sincerity, the teacher mercifully gives tapa and pundra to the student in order to sanctify his body. Some religious groups give tapa by marking the student's body in various places with the symbols of Sri Visnu's conch, disc, club and lotus using hot iron brands. Other religious groups imprint the name of Hari with clay using a sandalwood stamp. [in reference to tapa the smrti sastras further state: hari-namaksarair gatram ankayet candanadina/ sa loka-pavano bhutva tasya lokam avapnuyat// [4] "One who marks his body with the syllables of Hari's name using sandal paste purifies the world and after death attains the kingdom of God." [in the Sri Sampradaya of Ramanuja tapa is given by branding the body with the symbols of conch and disc, but Sri Caitanyadeva has instructed that we mark the body with Harinama using sandal paste etc. instead of brands. This rule is a blessing for the souls of kali-yuga.] Pundra, or tilaka marks, are vertical lines drawn on the body. The sastras interpret these vertical marks either as symbols representing the Temple of Hari, or as His footprints. Accordingly each religious group has its own prescription for pundra which is universally accepted within that particular group. [5] Nama or name is the third samskara. Mercifully the teacher utters the name of Hari into the ear of the faithful student. This name is to be recited daily by the student. [Receiving name means that one understands one's self to be a servant of Hari. During initiation the teacher also gives a personal name to the student which indicates devotion to Hari. In the Sri Sampradaya of Ramanuja, names like Rama Krsna Dasa, Narayana Dasa, Ramanuja Dasa, etc. are given. In the Gaudiya Sampradaya names such as Sri Govinda Dasa, Sri Nityananda Dasa, Sri Caitanya Dasa, etc. are used. Since the time of Srimad Mahaprabhu names like Ratnabahu, Kavikaranapura, Premanidhi, etc. have been used. Subsequently, even names such as Bhagavatabhusana, Gitabhusana, Bhaktibhusana, etc. are employed.] The fourth samskara is mantra. Out of his mercy the teacher gives an 18 syllable mantra to his beloved student. [Mantra is the recitation of a short prayer which corresponds to the particular deity one worships. In the worship of Krsna an 18 syllable mantra is given.] The fifth and final samskara is yaga or deity worship. Using the mantra which he has received from his teacher, the student begins the worship of salagrama sila or sri murti, the Deity of Visnu. This is known as yaga. By receiving panca-samskara, the five sacraments, a faithful person enters into bhajana-kriya or the personal worship of God, which eventually leads to pure love for Sri Hari. When we analyze the stages that lead to love of God, we understand that faith or sraddha is the first stage. Without sraddha, there is no way to obtain love of God. From faith, one seeks saintly association, called sadhu-sanga. This leads to shelter at the feet of a spiritual teacher. Thereafter, panca-samskara or initiation follows. Panca-samskara gives rise to bhajana-kriya or the personal worship of God. Bhajana-kriya leads to anartha-nivrtti, which is the stage where one clears up unwanted things from his heart. After anartha-nivrtti one's faith can develop and one enters the stage called nistha or mature faith. From nistha, taste or ruci develops. This leads to the stage called asakti or deep attachment. From asakti spiritual emotions called bhava spring forth. This eventually ripens into the stage called love of God, prema. Therefore, everyone should seek shelter at the feet of a spiritual teacher and receive panca-samskara, which is the source of bhajana. Without panca-samskara, bhajana is not spontaneous. Instead, it is performed with difficulty. Some people think that prema or love of God can be obtained without panca-samskara. This is incorrect. The conditioned soul in this world has become hostile to the Divine, and consequently his original spiritual nature has become distorted. As a result he must sanctify himself before his true spiritual nature can develop. And what is the means to attain this pure state? The best way is through samskara or sanctification. Without samskara how can his distorted nature be given up? If we see someone whose nature is not distorted then we think that in a previous birth, through the mercy of a spiritual teacher, he must have received samskara, and on the strength of that samskara he has attained his true spiritual nature wherein prema or love of God has arisen. Otherwise we think that this person has been imperceptibly sanctified by the inconceivable mercy of the Lord Himself. No matter how you look at it, samskara is always there. On the other hand, samskara is not necessary for liberated persons because their nature is not distorted. Distortion of the soul's original spiritual nature is the cause of his bondage in this world. For this reason, without samskara the life of the conditioned soul is impure. Even if a person has attained prema on account of previous samskara, still in his present life he again receives samskara in order set a proper example for the good of all. Samskara exists in all religions and in all countries. The purer a particular religion is, the more its samskaras are sacred and complete. Although we have not had the opportunity to thoroughly study the samskaras of all religions, we at least can say that the samskaras of the Aryan religion appear to be of a higher order than the samskaras of other religions. In particular, the samskaras of Vaisnava culture are the best part of the Aryan religion. No other practise is as sacred and complete. The question arises, "if the practise of samskara found in Vaisnava culture is so good, then why are those who practise it still bound by distorted natures?" The answer is that Vaisnava samskara is the best, but at the present time [6] it is practised in name only. Both the spiritual teacher and the student block their own spiritual advancement by being content with only the external aspects of samskara, as I've just described. Today, the deeper significance of samskara is not understood. When the student submits himself to the teacher, the teacher gives panca-samskara and then abondons him. What good can come from panca-samskara of this type? Externally the student looks good, but internally there is nothing. The symbols of divine conch, disc and the name of Hari mark the body. The tongue utters the name of Hari and worship of salagrama sila or sri-murti with mantra is performed, but the student is addicted to endless sinful practises. At night, he takes intoxicants and practises debauchery! Oh good teacher, how have you benefited your student? What is the difference in him before and after diksa? In fact, he is worse. He is a hypocrite. There is no remorse, "I am sinful. It is my fault. How can my sin be given up?" These days no one thinks like this when they take shelter of a spiritual teacher. Sinful activities are performed without the slightest concern. What misfortune! Why is this? The reason is that the wrong kind of relationship exists between teacher and student. The sastras give rules to guide this relationship, but they are not followed. The student who is burning in the fire of material life, who analyses his predicament and concludes, "My relationship with material nature is not permanent, therefore I must take shelter of a spiritual teacher in order to obtain the feet of God," has reached the stage of faith and is qualified to take shelter of a spiritual teacher. The teacher should study the student for one year and observe his atonement. This is called tapa. During this examination period the student is encouraged to atone even more and when the teacher is satisfied, he brands the student with the symbols of conch and disc. These marks are permanent and they symbolize the purity that the student must maintain for the rest of his life. This is tapa, the faithful soul's first samskara. In English we define the word tapa as "repentance, atonement, and the permanent impression of higher sentiment on the soul." Tapa applies not only to the body, but also to the mind and the soul. If it is only physical, in the form of branding or stamping, then tapa has not actually taken place and religious practise becomes hypocritical. At the present time this kind of hypocrisy has weakened Vaisnava culture. Without tapa or inner repentance, the soul cannot live as a Vaisnava. Without tapa the whole process becomes useless. Without tapa the heart remains impure. Therefore good friends, seek atonement without delay! When the teacher sees that the student has received tapa properly, (in other words, genuine atonement has occurred) then out of his mercy, the teacher gives him urdhva-pundra. What is urdhva-pundra? It is effulgence! It is also known as urdhva-gati, the path of advancement. After receiving tapa the student voluntarily accepts a suitable amount of renunciation from worldly activities. This is the path of advancement. However, if the student accepts no renunciation then his tapa or atonement, is useless. So much trouble! So much asceticism! So much renunciation of one's happiness! So much work to control lust, anger and greed, but it is all useless labor if one does not perform these austerities in order to obtain Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God. In other words, by taking shelter of Sat Cit Ananda Lord Hari, a soul follows the path of advancement, urdhva-gati. The illumination of the soul, the mind and the body is called urdhva-pundra. Aversion to material life and attachment to the Supreme Lord is called tapa, and pundra and these two ornaments are absolutely necessary for the conditioned soul. Without urdhva-pundra the body is as good as dead. Realizing this we must bathe in atonement. Without urdhva-pundra the mind drifts and becomes attached to lowly sense objects and then wastes its time discussing the lowest subjects. O repentant soul! Do not delay, mark the body, mind and soul with urdhva-pundra and follow the path of advancement which leads to the kingdom of God. Without urdhva-pundra the soul's real nature is extinguished. Therefore adopt urdhva-pundra. Seeing the beloved student shining with tapa and urdhva-pundra, the teacher gladly gives nama, the holy name of God that awakens the soul's eternal nature. The eternal nature of the soul is servitude to the Lord, and by tasting the nectar of the Lord's holy name the soul is carried to the supreme abode. Then he says, "I am Hari Dasa. I am not the enjoyer of this world. Even Maya herself is eternally connected to Krsna and I must utilize her in the service of Krsna." The eternal soul is then enchanted by singing the name of Hari. By taking shelter in the nectar of the Lord's holy name, the soul becomes aware of his own spiritual nature. Intelligent men, always sing the name of Hari! Let the mind always remember the name of Hari. May the soul always be adorned with the name of Hari. Out of affection, the teacher next gives a mantra that allows his student to easily experience the nectar of the Lord's holy name. A mantra is a kind of prayer that contains the name of God that is inflected grammatically in the dative case. [7] The mantra also includes certain adjectives that qualify the name of God and allows it to express a particular mood or taste. By giving a mantra the teacher helps his student taste the holy name by selecting a suitable "flavor" for him. When we say "namah", obeisance to Hari, we employ the 4th or the dative case ending. The dative case expresses the proper relationship between the worshipper, the worshiped and the worship that allows the taste of the holy name to be easily experienced. There is no end to the happiness of a person who has received a mantra. Those who analyze the meaning of the 18 syllable mantra, generally used in the worship of Sri Krsna, know that it is a condensed sampling of the taste available from the Lord. [8] The same also applies to the 24 syllable gayatri and other mantras that are often used to worship the Lord. [9] Those who have not received a mantra can only speculate about the taste of the holy name, but unfortunately most of their considerations are useless. Therefore you must receive a mantra. Those who have received it consider it to be a most important samskara. There are those who are aware of these principles and yet still are not on solid ground in the matter of worship because they have not received tapa, pundra, nama, and mantra from a qualified teacher. Every subject has its rules and regulations and those who reject the rules and regulations of worship often experience difficulty. Therefore it is said: sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina/ atyantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate// "Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." [10] Therefore my friends! With logic and pure reasoning receive tapa, pundra, nama and mantra from a qualified teacher. Not only will you become happy, but by establishing this divine link with God you will benefit all the people around you. Out of love the teacher next explains the procedure of yaga or Deity worship to his student. Without Deity worship the conditioned soul cannot advance properly. Even though one has received tapa, pundra, nama, and mantra the soul's material condition has not fully abated. Only when one has pleased Lord Hari is the soul freed from this material world at the time of death. Therefore, until the end of life, yaga is necessary even for those who have received mantra. Even though one lives in this world without attachment to matter, still there is danger from matter. Therefore, yaga, or the path of Deity worship, is the proper way to deal with matter. Yaga is the procedure of worshipping the Lord by employing all the physical and mental faculties of seeing, touching, smelling, tasting, thinking, discriminating and acting. Utilizing each of these faculties in the worship of salagrama, for example, is a good way to cultivate love of God. Service to Sri Vigraha, the Deity, is called Vaisnava yaga. No matter what our situation, we must live in this world by working. Therefore, a person who has received mantra has the duty to spend his life worshipping God with devotion following the rules of Deity worship. By teaching yaga the compassionate teacher rescues his student from the ocean of material existence. Yaga is the fifth and final samskara. A person without yaga has no life and he is forced to accept the results of his karma. Therefore, one should live in this world as a Vaisnava and engage in Deity worship. A detailed explanation of the principles of Deity worship is offered in the book Sri Caitanya-siksamrta in the discussion under vaidhi-bhakti. [11] I have now explained both the conventional understanding and the inner significance of the expression panca-samskara. But still one question arises. "Why do teachers not give this kind of instruction to their students today?" The answer is that due to the degenerative effects of time, man's understanding about the role of the spiritual teacher has become extremely corrupt. Today people take instruction from kula-gurus, hereditary family teachers or similar such persons, and therefore they are unable to take shelter of a qualified teacher. It is said in the sastras that the seriously inquisitive student must approach a spiritual teacher who has attained shelter and faith in the Vedas and God, and surrender to him. tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreya uttamam/ sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam// [12] When one surrenders in this way, the material ocean diminishes to the size of a calf's hoofprint. However, if that surrender is in name only, then it is pointless. At the present time most people do not want the shelter of a genuine teacher because very few want to solve the problems of life. However, it is the responsibility of the living soul in this world to search for a teacher and solve these problems. The Lord reveals Himself to the serious student as a teacher to rescue him. It is good to have a strong desire for a teacher, but it is wrong to accept just any person simply to satisfy one's desire. A genuine teacher will come to one who is sincerely searching, but before the student accepts the teacher he should also examine him for one year. Without examination the teacher-student relationship is only a disturbance. After close study we conclude that without proper acceptance of panca-samskara the conditioned soul cannot develop intense devotion to Sri Hari. Therefore panca-samskara is extremely necessary. Sanskrit Religions Institute 2003. All rights reserved. [1]. Devotion is of two kinds, namely viddhi-bhakti, devotional service performed according to rules and regulations and raganuga-bhakti, devotional service performed by following the moods of Krsna's Vrindavan associates. [2] .Prameya Ratnavali (by Baladeva Vidyabhusana) 8/5. [3] . Prameya Ratnavali 8/6. [4] . Prameya Ratnavali 8/6. [5]. For more information about tilaka see A. W. Entwistle's work, Vaisnava Tilakas, published in the International Association of the Vrindavan Reasearch Institute's bulletin, number 11 and 12 1981-2. [6]. The late 19th century, Bengal. [7]. Such as Krsnaya or Ramaya. [8]. The 18 syllable Gopala mantra is one example. [9]. The kama-gayatri, used by Gaudiyas, is one example. [10]. Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1/2/101. [11]. The original text of this article used the future tense, indicating that the book Sri Caitanya-siksamrta had not yet been published. [12]. Srimad-Bhagavatam 11/3/21 Translation by Shukavak N. Dasa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti-Fan Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 The question arises, "if the practise of samskara found in Vaisnava culture is so good, then why are those who practise it still bound by distorted natures?" Herein lies the essence of all doubts concerning diksa on this forum for donkey's years! The answer is that Vaisnava samskara is the best, but at the present time [6] it is practised in name only. Both the spiritual teacher and the student block their own spiritual advancement by being content with only the external aspects of samskara, as I've just described. Today, the deeper significance of samskara is not understood. When the student submits himself to the teacher, the teacher gives panca-samskara and then abondons him. What good can come from panca-samskara of this type? Externally the student looks good, but internally there is nothing. The symbols of divine conch, disc and the name of Hari mark the body. The tongue utters the name of Hari and worship of salagrama sila or sri-murti with mantra is performed, but the student is addicted to endless sinful practises. At night, he takes intoxicants and practises debauchery! Oh good teacher, how have you benefited your student? What is the difference in him before and after diksa? In fact, he is worse. He is a hypocrite. There is no remorse, "I am sinful. It is my fault. How can my sin be given up?" These days no one thinks like this when they take shelter of a spiritual teacher. Sinful activities are performed without the slightest concern. What misfortune! Why is this? The reason is that the wrong kind of relationship exists between teacher and student. The sastras give rules to guide this relationship, but they are not followed. The student who is burning in the fire of material life, who analyses his predicament and concludes, "My relationship with material nature is not permanent, therefore I must take shelter of a spiritual teacher in order to obtain the feet of God," has reached the stage of faith and is qualified to take shelter of a spiritual teacher. The teacher should study the student for one year and observe his atonement. This is called tapa. During this examination period the student is encouraged to atone even more and when the teacher is satisfied, he brands the student with the symbols of conch and disc. These marks are permanent and they symbolize the purity that the student must maintain for the rest of his life. This is tapa, the faithful soul's first samskara. In English we define the word tapa as "repentance, atonement, and the permanent impression of higher sentiment on the soul." Tapa applies not only to the body, but also to the mind and the soul. If it is only physical, in the form of branding or stamping, then tapa has not actually taken place and religious practise becomes hypocritical. At the present time this kind of hypocrisy has weakened Vaisnava culture. Without tapa or inner repentance, the soul cannot live as a Vaisnava. Without tapa the whole process becomes useless. Without tapa the heart remains impure. Therefore good friends, seek atonement without delay! When the teacher sees that the student has received tapa properly, (in other words, genuine atonement has occurred) then out of his mercy, the teacher gives him urdhva-pundra. What is urdhva-pundra? It is effulgence! It is also known as urdhva-gati, the path of advancement. After receiving tapa the student voluntarily accepts a suitable amount of renunciation from worldly activities. This is the path of advancement. However, if the student accepts no renunciation then his tapa or atonement, is useless. So much trouble! So much asceticism! So much renunciation of one's happiness! So much work to control lust, anger and greed, but it is all useless labor if one does not perform these austerities in order to obtain Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God. In other words, by taking shelter of Sat Cit Ananda Lord Hari, a soul follows the path of advancement, urdhva-gati. The illumination of the soul, the mind and the body is called urdhva-pundra. Aversion to material life and attachment to the Supreme Lord is called tapa, and pundra and these two ornaments are absolutely necessary for the conditioned soul. Without urdhva-pundra the body is as good as dead. Realizing this we must bathe in atonement. Without urdhva-pundra the mind drifts and becomes attached to lowly sense objects and then wastes its time discussing the lowest subjects. O repentant soul! Do not delay, mark the body, mind and soul with urdhva-pundra and follow the path of advancement which leads to the kingdom of God. Without urdhva-pundra the soul's real nature is extinguished. Therefore adopt urdhva-pundra. Seeing the beloved student shining with tapa and urdhva-pundra, the teacher gladly gives nama, the holy name of God that awakens the soul's eternal nature. The eternal nature of the soul is servitude to the Lord, and by tasting the nectar of the Lord's holy name the soul is carried to the supreme abode. Then he says, "I am Hari Dasa. I am not the enjoyer of this world. Even Maya herself is eternally connected to Krsna and I must utilize her in the service of Krsna." The eternal soul is then enchanted by singing the name of Hari. By taking shelter in the nectar of the Lord's holy name, the soul becomes aware of his own spiritual nature. Intelligent men, always sing the name of Hari! Let the mind always remember the name of Hari. May the soul always be adorned with the name of Hari. Out of affection, the teacher next gives a mantra that allows his student to easily experience the nectar of the Lord's holy name. A mantra is a kind of prayer that contains the name of God that is inflected grammatically in the dative case. [7] The mantra also includes certain adjectives that qualify the name of God and allows it to express a particular mood or taste. By giving a mantra the teacher helps his student taste the holy name by selecting a suitable "flavor" for him. When we say "namah", obeisance to Hari, we employ the 4th or the dative case ending. The dative case expresses the proper relationship between the worshipper, the worshiped and the worship that allows the taste of the holy name to be easily experienced. There is no end to the happiness of a person who has received a mantra. Those who analyze the meaning of the 18 syllable mantra, generally used in the worship of Sri Krsna, know that it is a condensed sampling of the taste available from the Lord. [8] The same also applies to the 24 syllable gayatri and other mantras that are often used to worship the Lord. [9] Those who have not received a mantra can only speculate about the taste of the holy name, but unfortunately most of their considerations are useless. Therefore you must receive a mantra. Those who have received it consider it to be a most important samskara. There are those who are aware of these principles and yet still are not on solid ground in the matter of worship because they have not received tapa, pundra, nama, and mantra from a qualified teacher. Every subject has its rules and regulations and those who reject the rules and regulations of worship often experience difficulty. Therefore it is said: sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina/ atyantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate// "Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." [10] Therefore my friends! With logic and pure reasoning receive tapa, pundra, nama and mantra from a qualified teacher. Not only will you become happy, but by establishing this divine link with God you will benefit all the people around you. Out of love the teacher next explains the procedure of yaga or Deity worship to his student. Without Deity worship the conditioned soul cannot advance properly. Even though one has received tapa, pundra, nama, and mantra the soul's material condition has not fully abated. Only when one has pleased Lord Hari is the soul freed from this material world at the time of death. Therefore, until the end of life, yaga is necessary even for those who have received mantra. Even though one lives in this world without attachment to matter, still there is danger from matter. Therefore, yaga, or the path of Deity worship, is the proper way to deal with matter. Yaga is the procedure of worshipping the Lord by employing all the physical and mental faculties of seeing, touching, smelling, tasting, thinking, discriminating and acting. Utilizing each of these faculties in the worship of salagrama, for example, is a good way to cultivate love of God. Service to Sri Vigraha, the Deity, is called Vaisnava yaga. No matter what our situation, we must live in this world by working. Therefore, a person who has received mantra has the duty to spend his life worshipping God with devotion following the rules of Deity worship. By teaching yaga the compassionate teacher rescues his student from the ocean of material existence. Yaga is the fifth and final samskara. A person without yaga has no life and he is forced to accept the results of his karma. Therefore, one should live in this world as a Vaisnava and engage in Deity worship. A detailed explanation of the principles of Deity worship is offered in the book Sri Caitanya-siksamrta in the discussion under vaidhi-bhakti. [11] I have now explained both the conventional understanding and the inner significance of the expression panca-samskara. But still one question arises. "Why do teachers not give this kind of instruction to their students today?" The answer is that due to the degenerative effects of time, man's understanding about the role of the spiritual teacher has become extremely corrupt. Today people take instruction from kula-gurus, hereditary family teachers or similar such persons, and therefore they are unable to take shelter of a qualified teacher. It is said in the sastras that the seriously inquisitive student must approach a spiritual teacher who has attained shelter and faith in the Vedas and God, and surrender to him. tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreya uttamam/ sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam// [12] When one surrenders in this way, the material ocean diminishes to the size of a calf's hoofprint. However, if that surrender is in name only, then it is pointless. At the present time most people do not want the shelter of a genuine teacher because very few want to solve the problems of life. However, it is the responsibility of the living soul in this world to search for a teacher and solve these problems. The Lord reveals Himself to the serious student as a teacher to rescue him. It is good to have a strong desire for a teacher, but it is wrong to accept just any person simply to satisfy one's desire. A genuine teacher will come to one who is sincerely searching, but before the student accepts the teacher he should also examine him for one year. Without examination the teacher-student relationship is only a disturbance. After close study we conclude that without proper acceptance of panca-samskara the conditioned soul cannot develop intense devotion to Sri Hari. Therefore panca-samskara is extremely necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guruvani Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 krsna-nama-maha-mantrera ei ta' svabhava yei jape, tara krsne upajaye bhava "It is the nature of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra (krsna-nama-maha-mantra) that anyone who chants it immediately develops his loving ecstasy for Krishna." (CC Adi-lila 7.83) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guruvani Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 diksa-purascarya-vidhi apeksa na kare jihva-sparse a-candala sabare uddhare "One does not have to undergo initiation or execute the activities required before initiation. One simply has to vibrate the holy name with his lips. Thus even a man in the lowest class (candala) can be delivered." (CC Madhya-lila, 15.108) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guruvani Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 yan-namadheya-sravananukirtanad yat-prahvanad yat-smaranad api kvacit svado 'pi sadyah savanaya kalpate kutah punas te bhagavan nu darsanat "To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.33.6) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchandra Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 yan-namadheya-sravananukirtanad yat-prahvanad yat-smaranad api kvacit svado 'pi sadyah savanaya kalpate kutah punas te bhagavan nu darsanat "To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.33.6) Greatest importance is given to not hook up to conditioning powers - "even you're in a difficult position", dont accept serving the sudras, this will cause "engaging in the business of dogs", remaining cut off from Lord Sri Caitanya's ocean of transcendental bliss. [...]Presently in India, so-called brāhmaṇas are almost all engaged in some mundane service, and they do not understand the import of the Vedic śāstras. Nonetheless, they are passing themselves off as brāhmaṇas on the basis of birth. In this connection, Sanātana Gosvāmī declares that a brāhmaṇa cannot be engaged in anyone's service if he wants to take a leading part in society. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Nārada Muni states that even if a brāhmaṇa is in a difficult position, he should not accept the occupation of a śūdra. This means that he should not be engaged in service for another, for this is the business of dogs. Under the circumstances, Sanātana Gosvāmī felt very low because he had accepted a position of service in the Muslim government. The conclusion is that no one should claim to be a brāhmaṇa simply by birthright while engaging in someone else's service. [...]( Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya 24.325) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Some people think that prema or love of God can be obtained without panca-samskara. This is incorrect. The conditioned soul in this world has become hostile to the Divine, and consequently his original spiritual nature has become distorted. As a result he must sanctify himself before his true spiritual nature can develop. And what is the means to attain this pure state? The best way is through samskara or sanctification. Without samskara how can his distorted nature be given up? If we see someone whose nature is not distorted then we think that in a previous birth, through the mercy of a spiritual teacher, he must have received samskara, and on the strength of that samskara he has attained his true spiritual nature wherein prema or love of God has arisen. Otherwise we think that this person has been imperceptibly sanctified by the inconceivable mercy of the Lord Himself. No matter how you look at it, samskara is always there. On the other hand, samskara is not necessary for liberated persons because their nature is not distorted. Distortion of the soul's original spiritual nature is the cause of his bondage in this world. For this reason, without samskara the life of the conditioned soul is impure. Even if a person has attained prema on account of previous samskara, still in his present life he again receives samskara in order set a proper example for the good of all. While reading through this article this paragraph really caught my attention with special emphasis on the underlined sentence. This "imperceptable santification" directly from the Lord Himself I see as the only hope for those of us living in present times, and especially those of us who live in the West. Along with the reception of the Name from the proper source this is complete as I see it. Pacha-samskara as described above is highly unlikely to catch on world wide. I am positive that in this birth I myself have ZERO chance of being sanctified from my past samskaras by this formal method. Right or wrong it is just a fact. No hope. However with the Name and Krsna's mercy in the form of "imperceptable sanctification" I have hope. This mercy is my sole spiritual focus having long ago seen the futility of my purification by the more formal path. It's Krpa siddha for me or endless entrapment in maya. For you all it may be possible so I don't decry the formal approach in the slightest. I do question the strong emphasis placed on it in present time place and circumstance though. Is the Holy Name alone insufficent in purifying the living being? CC Madhya 15.105: Upon hearing this, Satyaraja said, "How can I recognize a Vaishnava? Please let me know what a Vaishnava is. What are his common symptoms?" CC Madhya 15.106: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Whoever chants the holy name of Krishna just once is worshipable and is the topmost human being. CC Madhya 15.107: "Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna once, a person is relieved from all the reactions of a sinful life. One can complete the nine processes of devotional service simply by chanting the holy name. CC Madhya 15.108: "One does not have to undergo initiation or execute the activities required before initiation. One simply has to vibrate the holy name with his lips. Thus even a man in the lowest class [candala] can be delivered. CC Madhya 15.109: "By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one dissolves his entanglement in material activities. After this, one becomes very much attracted to Krishna, and thus dormant love for Krishna is awakened. CC Madhya 15.110: "'The holy name of Lord Krishna is an attractive feature for many saintly, liberal people. It is the annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that, save for the dumb who cannot chant it, it is readily available to everyone, including the lowest type of man, the candala. The holy name of Krishna is the controller of the opulence of liberation, and it is identical with Krishna. When a person simply chants the holy name with his tongue, immediate effects are produced. Chanting the holy name does not depend on initiation, pious activities or the purascarya regulative principles generally observed before initiation. The holy name does not wait for any of these activities. It is self-sufficient.'" CC Madhya 15.111: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then finally advised, "One who is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is understood to be a Vaishnava; therefore you should offer all respects to him." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guruvani Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 gues Greatest importance is given to not hook up to conditioning powers - "even you're in a difficult position", dont accept serving the sudras, this will cause "engaging in the business of dogs", remaining cut off from Lord Sri Caitanya's ocean of transcendental bliss. so, it's better to make your living by using the cult as a tax shelter and going out in the name of the temple and selling flowers to pay one's bills. I took off my brahman thread 20 years ago. I ain't pretending to be anything. I do dog work to support myself and my children. I am a dog no doubt. But, at least I am Prabhupada's dog. I prefer to be a dog than a charlatan Vaishnava. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchandra Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 gues so, it's better to make your living by using the cult as a tax shelter and going out in the name of the temple and selling flowers to pay one's bills. I took off my brahman thread 20 years ago. I ain't pretending to be anything. I do dog work to support myself and my children. I am a dog no doubt. But, at least I am Prabhupada's dog. I prefer to be a dog than a charlatan Vaishnava. Thats of course quick at repartee, but Prabhupada surely doesnt refer here how to position oneself with this or that designation, but to simply remove a tiny blockade for receiving the full mercy of serving Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan mission. <CENTER>ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau kripaya tava pada-pankaja- sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vichintaya O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.</CENTER> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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