Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Lord Krishna thinks of me as a fool, I know this. I almost never keep my promises I say one thing and do another I talk behind peoples back I enjoy saying stuff, which I can't do. I am really unreliable. I am ugly I have no girl friends I read the krishna, but I still cannot fully apply everything, as I still ahve desires, to keep friends, relationships, etc. I still smoke ganja, but I truly wanne quiet. PLease help me and tell me what should I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hare Krishna I have to say truthfully that I am exactly the same as you, I can never keep my promises to Krishna, and I still smoke and drink alcohol, but the plus point is that I'v never gone below my minimum rounds of the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra, because if I did I know for a 100% fact I would flaw, so I've been chanting 16 rounds for 4 months now everyday, and just recently I find my self not wanting to be sinful!, without even trying, so I'd say just as Srila Prabhupada said chant 16 rounds everyday; and even if you don't want to, just do it anyway,but never ever ever ever go below your minimum rounds ever cause if you do it once you'll do it again and again, just like when you break a promice to Lord Krishna, if you continue to be sinfull even while chanting 16 rounds then so be it but eventually you will give up, and also pray to Sri Gaura-Nitai & Tulasi Devi and of course Srimati Radharani for their mercy and help, Hare Krishna my friend, Chant and be Happy...eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 good thing is that you know you are sining. so there is chance for progress. else there is no hope till one knows what is sin and what is not. now, how any advisor here know you will follow his/her advice? you know what krishna has said and you do not follow him. jai sri prabhupada! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hare Krishna Re: 'now, how any advisor here know you will follow his/her advice? you know what krishna has said and you do not follow him.' What do uou mean by this???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 SRILA SACCIDANANDA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA SRI SRI KALYAN KALPA-TARU (THE DESIRE - TREE OF AUSPICIOUSNESS) a songbook of 62 Bengali songs (Published in 1880) Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa published by SRI GAURANGA QUINCENTENNIAL SERIES THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C.BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA OUR SPIRITUAL MASTER WHO HAS SPREAD THE LIGHT OF THAKURA BHAKTIVINODA'S PURE KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS ALL OVER THE WORLDS IN FULFILLMENT OF THE THAKURA'S MOST ARDENT DESIRE SRI SRI KALYAN KALPA-TARU "THE DESIRE - TREE OF AUSPICIOUSNESS" TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2 Basic Outline fo Kalyan Kalpa-taru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Index of song topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6 VANDANAM (Introductory Prayers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13 MANGALACARANA (Auspicious Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16 1) FIRST BRANCH: UPADESA (Spiritual Advice) 19 songs, each treating a different subject of discussions . . . . . . . . . . . page 21 2) SECOND BRANCH"UPALABDHI (Attainment of Realization) I) Anutapa-laksana-upalabdhi (Attainment of the symptoms of heartfelt repentance) 5 songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 56 II) Nirveda-laksana-upalabdhi (Attainment of the symptom,s of despondent, disinterested callousness towards material worldly affairs) 5 songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 64 III) Sambandha-abhideya-prayojana upalabdhi vijnana (Attainment of the realization of one's relationship with the Lord, actions according to that final relationship, and realization of the final goal) 4 songs. . . . . . . . . . . page 74 3) THIRD BRANCH:UCCHVASA (Overflowing Spiritual Emotions) I) Prarthana dainya-mayi (Prayers of utter humility) 5 songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 84 II) Prarthana lalasa-mayi (Prayers of eager longing) 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 89 III) Vijnapti (Confidential confessions) 4 songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 104 IV) Ucchvasa kirtana (The chanting aloud of swelling and overflowing spiritual emotions) 8 songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 112 A) nama-kirtana (Chanting of the Lord's name) 2 songs B) rupa-kirtana (Chanting of the Lord's beauty) 1 song C) guna-kirtana (Chanting of the Lord's qualities) 2 songs D) lila-kirtana (Chanting of the Lord's pastimes) 2 songs E) rasa-kirtana (Chanting of the Lord's mellows) 1 song INTRODUCTION Fathomless eternal mercy of Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga has descended to enable the present publication of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's famous Bengali songbook, Kalyan Kalpa-taru, for the first time in the English language. Feeling great concern for the sufferings of the conditioned souls, Lord Caitanya's own close associate Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has brought Sri Kalyan Kalpa-taru from the forest of ultimate welfare in Vaikuntha down to this miserable desert-like material worlds, which is scorched by kali-yuga. From this special desire-tree, he has distributed the fruits of maha-kalyan (topmost spiritual welfare) to the fallen souls, a benefit which cannot possibly be described in the languages of this worlds. Even the hearts of the atheists, the sinners, the distracted sense-gratifiers and the puffed-up egoists can become soothed by the cooling shade offered by this merciful Kalyan Kalpa-taru, or Desire-tree of Auspiciousness. Thakura Bhaktivinoda states his purpose for bringing the tree in his original Bengali introduction, ". . . Those whose lives have been carried away by numerous problems such as useless arguments, idle gossip, sense-gratification, laziness and sleep will sometime get illumination in their lives by the rays offered by the glance of Bhaktidevi (the Goddess of Devotion), due to getting the systematic mercy of the sadhus and Lord Krsna. This illumination will flash in their lives exactly like a brilliant bolt of lightning darts across the cloud-darkened midnight sky, bathing the ground with its dazzling effulgence. Similarly, all the instructions and prayers to the lotus feet of the Lord which are meant for purifying the polluted mind have been compiled and published in this book, Kalyan Kalpa-taru. . ." In his original preface, the Thakura has revealed his own humble mood while presenting all these instructions, which are meant to educate the mass public, ". . . The real reason for publishing this book is as follows; If those Vaisnavas who are very fond of the lotus feet of Sri Hari will read this book and then cast their merciful glance in my direction, then without a doubt I will become,by their grace, a suitable recipient of the mercy of Nanda-nandana, Sri Krsna. And this most insignificant soul has no sustenance in life other than the said mercy of these Vaisnavas. . ." First published on June 14th, 1880 from Calcutta Hari-bhakti Pradayini Sabha, Kalyan Kalpa-taru was revised by Bhaktivedanta and saw its second edition published 17 years later in 1897. After Bhaktivinoda passed on in 1914, the book has been reprinted under the supervision of his son Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura up to the eight edition. He also published it in the Oriya script for distribution in Orissa. Afterwards, the disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati have continued further publications up to the 15th edition, adding an explanatory commentary for difficult words and phrases in 1941. Several songs originating in this book have already been presented in the ISKCON songbook, "The Songs of the Vaisnava Acharyas". They are 1) Vijnapti, popularly known as "Gopinatha" (3 III. 1-3) and 2) Nama-kirtana, popularly known as "Vibhavari-sesa" (3. IV. A. 2). Srila Prabhupada's own explanation of the latter song is also included herein. Also the well-known song "Durlabha manava janma" can be found originating from the 2nd chapter of Kalyan Kalpa-taru (2. II. 4). The book Kalyan Kalpa-taru is a description of one special desire-tree which has been brought from Vaikuntha. It has three branches called Upadesa (instructions), Upalabdhi (attainment), and Ucchvasa (overgushing). It bears fruits of special supreme auspiciousness. The three divisions present a systematic path of self-realization in the form of a tree for easy understanding. We pray that all the devotees, who are also like wish-fulfilling desire trees, will be pleased by our attempt at presenting Kalyan Kalpa-taru. If the honest readers will show their favor, then the grace of all the previous acaryas may descend again to allow future publications of their books. Gratitude is herein extended to all the well-wishing devotees who helped me to complete this book. This includes several who helped look after the English editing, and especially certain Bengali devotees, whose intimate familiarity with the ecstatic moods of Thakura Bhaktivinoda, coupled with utmost patience in conveying the same to me, is solely responsible for enabling my struggling attempt at translation to be completed. Hari-bol! Dasaratha-suta dasa September 19, 1988 Appearance day of Sri Radha Anyone desiring information about other nectar translations, please feel free to contact Dasaratha-suta dasa 4120 Stacks Road College Park, Georgia 30349 (404- 768-6672) BASIC OUTLINE OF THE DESIRE-TREE OF AUSPICIOUSNESS FIRST BRANCH (Advice) The first branch, Upadesa, contains the most basic,primary lessons of spiritual advice. Addressing his own mind, Thakura Bhaktivinoda gives the foundation of spiritual insight towards various problems which can deviate one in this world from the path of pure devotional service. Treating one specific problem in each of 19 songs, the Thakura expands the first branch of the Kalyan Kalpa-taru in various directions to cover most of the anarthas (or unnecessary distractions) which can hinder one who is on the path back to Godhead. Beginning with the first reason why the jiva soul has come into this world ---namely lust --- he branches out through numerous other materialistic topics until he finally ends up chastising those who have apparently taken to the devotional path but have fallen short of the mark --- due to the same lust all over again. With his sharp sword of pure transcendental knowledge, Bhaktivinoda cuts bare these final devotional impediments to prepare the reader for the next stage, presented in the following chapter --- assimilation and living realization of the advice. SECOND BRANCH (Attainment) Next, the second branch of the Kalyan Kalpa-taru, called Upalabdhi, spreads a purview of the platform of attainment, assimilation, realization and application of all the advice received from the first branch, Upadesa. This stage of Upalabdhi is further divided into three categories: 1) anutapa - repenting due to genuine realization; 2) nirveda - thorough detachment from material temptations due to genuine spiritual realization; 3) sambandha-abhidya-prayojana-vijnana - realization of practical action in accordance with that relationship, and realization of the final goal of life. All the preliminary realizations presented in this chapter prelude the outburst of gushing spiritual emotions which are to be revealed in the next chapter. THIRD BRANCH (Overgushing) The third and final branch presents various types of ecstatic Ucchvasa or outbursts of spiritual emotions which overflow and gush out of one's heart after he attains self-realization. This chapter is divided into four sections as 1) prarthana dainyamayi - prayers offered by a pure soul in genuine transcendental humility; 2) prarthana lalasamayi - prayers which express specific transcendental hankerings or longings for devotional service; 3) vijnapti - confessions of one's own mind accompanied by repeated pleading in order to petition the Lord; and 4) ucchvasa kirtana - those songs of worship and praise which express overflowing emotions saturated with pure progressive realization of the Lord's nama (name), rupa (beauty), guna (qualities), lila (pastimes), and finally rasa (mellows). All these features of the Lord's absolute existence are inseparable and identical, but they are progressively realized in these graduating levels as increasing manifestations of sweetness. In his book named Harinama-cintamani, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura presents a clear interrelation of these different aspects,which may be paraphrased here briefly: The Lord's nama or holy name, is just like the freshly sprouted bud of a flower. When the bud opens up slightly, then His rupa or beautiful form manifests. The fragrance of this slightly opened bud is His guna, or qualities. When the bud finally blooms fully and open wide, then His lila, or eternal daily pastimes are manifested. Thus, the internal spiritual advancement similarly develops for a fortunate soul who properly chants this third branch of Kalyan Kalpa-taru. Then, the final song entitled rasa-kirtana reveals the culmination of the spiritual life of the aspiring devotee --- in the perfect spiritual body of a gopi, one hears Krsna's flute calling and becomes stricken with anxiously frantic insanity. Then, due to the overwhelming transcendental desire to please Krsna with the whole of her existence, she madly rushes to the forest to meet Him for the rasa dance. Coming into the clearing and beholding Krsna in her mood of total self-surrender, the gopi. . . Just then Thakura Bhaktivinoda, fearing that the reading may not have the adhikara (qualification) to hear about what happens next, trows his pen down violently on the table and cries out in exasperation, "why in my pen so feeble? It cannot possibly express all these ecstatic pastimes with Krsna which are causing my heart to throb incessantly! Curses on this weak, useless pen! But maybe it's trying to tell me something. The persons who read this book may not be fit to hear the confidential pastimes that are enjoyed by meeting with Krsna and sporting in the forest with Him in thousands of different ecstatic lilas. So therefore, I better take heed of this message hinted to me by my crippled, impotent pen, thus end my kirtana here." Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda ends Kalyan Kalpa-taru, leaving those readers who do have the adhikara on the edge of their seats. . . INDEX OF SONGS TOPICS AUSPICIOUS INVOCATION and DESCRIPTION of the KALYAN KALPA-TARU FIRST BRANCH: "UPADESA" (Spiritual Advice) 1) The soul's Real Position 2) Mundane Lust vs. Spiritual Lust 3) Scientific Doubt Resolved 4) Demigods Worship Put Into Perspective 5) Impersonal Doubts vs. Personal Truth 6) Scholarly Logic Kicked out 7) Hatha-yoga is Unnecessary 8) Merging with Brahman is Foolish 9) Caste-Pride is False 10) Mundane Knowledge is Most Harmful 11) Bodily Beauty is Temporary 12) Madness for Wealth is Ridiculous 13) Sannyasa Not as Important as Devotion 14) Traveling on Pilgrimage Not Necessary 15) Austerities and Penance Defined 16) Cheating Devotees are Rejectable 17) Fault-Finders of the Disciplic Succession Rectified 18) Bogus Ecstatic Symptoms 19) Lust is Not Love SECOND BRANCH: "UPALABDHI" (Attainment of Realization) IANUTAPA (Repentance) 1) Whole Life Wasted 2) Bereft of Devotees'' Association 3) Time Wasted in Karma 4) Poisonous Mayavada Philosophy 5) Remedy for Mayavada and Misery II NIRVEDA (Despondency) 1) Material Life is Not Nice 2) How Material Hopes Increase 3) Bhukti & Mukti Rejected 4) Rare Human Birth Wasted 5) The Nature of the Misled Siddha-Deha IIISAMBANDHA-ABHIDEYA-PRAYOJANA-VIJNANA (Relationship, Action & the Goal) 1) Sambandha (Relationship with Krsna) 2) Vaisnava Truth 3) Imitation Vaikuntha 4) Worship Now, Not Later THIRD BRANCH: "UCCHVASA" (Overflowing Spiritual Emotions) IDAINYA-MAYI (Utter Humility) 1) Vaisnavas Can Give Krsna 2) Lord Caitanya is the Deliverer of the Fallen 3) The Ocean of Material Existence 4) A Prayer to Yoga-maya IILALASA-MAYI (Eager Longing) 1) Longing 2) Servant of the Servant 3) Give up Non-devotees 4) The Secret of Lord Caitanya's "Enemies" 5) How to take Shelter of Vrndavana 6) Favorable Practices 7) The Pure Devotee 8) Prayer to the Pure Devotee 9) My Worshipping-Cottage at Navadvipa 10) Prayer to Lord Caitanya in Navadvipa 11) The Splendor of Vrndavana at Navadvipa 12) Wandering Madly in Navadvipa IIIVIJNAPTI (Confidential Confessions) 1) Gopinatha 2) Gopinatha 3) Gopinatha 4) A Humble Petition for Service IVUCCHVASA KIRTANA (Overflowing Chanting) A) NAMA-KIRTANA (Chanting His Names) 1) Names of Lord Caitanya 2) Names of Lord Krsna B)RUPA-KIRTANA (Chanting His Beauty) 1) Description of Lord Krsna's beauty C)GUNA-KIRTANA (Chanting His Qualities) 1) Krsna's Quality of Mercy 2) Krsna's Unlimited Qualities D)LILA-KIRTANA (Chanting His Pastimes) 1) Krsna's Human-like Pastimes 2) Krsna's Pastimes with the Gopis E)RASA-KIRTANA (Chanting His ecstatic mellows) 1) Rendezvous: Called for the Rasa Dance INTRODUCTORY PRAYER by SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA (1) vande vrndatavi-candramradhikaksi-mahotsavam brahmatmananda-dhikkaripurnananda-rasalayam vande - I offer my respectful obeisances; vrnda-atavi - the forest of Vrndavana; candram - the moon; radhika - Srimati Radharani; aksi - eyes; maha-utsavam - grand festival; brahmatma-ananda - the bliss of merging into the Brahman effulgence; dikkari - puts to shame; purna-ananda - full in spiritual joy; rasa-alayam - the abode of transcendental mellows. Those aspirant practitioners who have first had profound meditation on the purport of great statements like "tattvamasi", etc., and who have attained unity with the bliss of merging into the Brahmana effulgence, themselves find that such so-called bliss is put to shame before the completely ecstatic spiritual relationship between the taster and tasted mellows. I offer my respectful obeisances unto that most astonishing abode of such totally blissful mellows, the very moon over Vrndavana: Sri Krsna, Who is the delightful festival for Sri Radhika's eyes. (2) caitanya-caranam vandekrsna-bhakta-janasrayam advaita-mata-dhaureyabharapanodanam param caitanya-caranam - the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya; vande - I offer my respectful obeisances; krsna-bhakta - the devotees of Lord Krsna; jana-asrayam - the refuge of such persons; advaita - undifferentiated monism; mata - the opinion; dhaureya - fit for a burden; bhara - the weight; apanodanam - throws away; param - the only. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, which are the only shelter for all of the greatly fortunate devotees of Lord Krsna. His lotus feet cast out to a distant place the unbearable burden of the doctrine of undifferentiated monism, as it was propounded by Sripada Sankaracarya. (3) gurum vande mahabhagamkrsnananda-svarupakam yan mude racayisyamikalyana-kalpa-padapam gurum - unto the spiritual master; vande - I offer my respectful obeisances; maha-bhagam - most worshipable; krsna - of Lord Krsna; ananda - bliss; svarupakam - the original form; yat-mude - the cause of the increase of whose bliss; racayisyami - I will write; kalyana-kalpa-padam - the book named Kalyan Kalpa-taru. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my most worshipable Gurudeva, who is the personified form of blissful Krsna consciousness. Jut to increase his transcendental happiness, I will compose the book known as "Kalyan Kalpa-taru". (4) aprakrta-rasanandena yasya kevala ratih tasyedam na samalocyampustakam prema-samputam aprakrta - transcendental; rasa-anande - in the bliss of transcendental mellow; na - not; yasya - whose; kevala - unalloyed; ratih - love; tasya - his; idam - this; na - not; samalocyam - subject to criticism; pustakam - the book; prema-samputam - a box for the safekeeping of the most extremely confidential jewels of ecstatic love. The aggregate of the following 24 elements i called "prakrti": the 5 gross elements, the 5 objects of the senses, the 5 working senses, the 5 knowledge-acquiring senses, mind, intelligence, ego, & mahattattva. The truth that is above and beyond all these is called "transcendental truth". That truth although being the original reservoir of all blissful spiritual mellows, is not appreciated by all persons, indeed, those who have not developed unalloyed love and attachment to this transcendental truth will not read this book, which is just like a small jewel box for guarding the most confidential gems of ecstatic love. Thus they simply remain attached to meditating on material bodily happiness, becoming completely submerged and drowned in the insignificant ocean of lust. (5) ayam kalpa-taror-namakalyana-padapah subhah vaikuntha-nilaye bhativane nihsreyasahvake ayam - this; kalpa-taror-nama - named "kalpa-taru"; kalyana-padapah - the desire-tree of auspiciousness; subhah - auspicious; vaikuntha-nilaye - in the abode of Vaikuntha; bhati - conspicuously present; vane - in the forest; nihsreyasa-ahvake - named the "ultimate welfare". In the abode of Vaikuntha, within the forest of ultimate good, there is one special wish-fulfilling desire tree of supreme auspiciousness, conspicuously present among all the others. (6) tasya skandha-trayamsuddham vartate vidusam mude upadesas thatha copalabdhistucchvasakah kila tasya - that tree; skandha - branch; trayam - three-fold; suddham - principle; vartate - is existing; vidusam - of learned men; mude - for the purpose of increasing the joy; upadesah - advice; tatha - that; ca - and; upalabdhih - attainment; tu - and; uchvasakah - overflowing emotions; kila - known as. This tree is divided into three principle branches known as "Upadesa" (spiritual advice), "Upalabdhi" (attainment of realization), and "Ucchvasa" (overflowing spiritual emotions), which increase the joy of all persons who are actually wise. (7) asritya padapam vidvankalyanam labhate phalam radha-krsna-vilasesudasyam vrndavane vane asritya - taking shelter; padapam - of the desire-tree; vidvan - most learned persons; kalyanam - in the form of auspiciousness; labhate - attaining; phalam - the fruit; radha-krsna-vilasesu - in the performance of Sri-Sri-Radha-Krsna's pastimes; vrndavane vane - within the transcendental forest called Vrndavana, beyond the abode of Vaikuntha. The shelter of this special desire-tree produces the attainment of fruits in the form of auspiciousness. This means eternal servitude to the performance ce of Sri-Sri-Radha-Krsna's pastimes in the realm of the transcendental fores named Vrndavana, within the innermost secret abobe of Vaikuntha. (8) sampujya vaisnavan vipransarva-jivamsca nityasah kirtayami vinito 'hamgitam vraja-rasasritam sampujya - fit for being worshipped; vaisnava - to all vaisnavas who are residents of Sri Navadvipa, Sri Ksetra, and Sri Vraja-dhama; vipran - to all the brahmnanas who are followers of the Vaisnavas; sarva-jivan ca - and also to all souls from Lord Brahma down to the untouchable outcastes and dogs; nityasah - always; kirtayami - I perform kirtana; vinitha - humbly; aham - I; gitam - songs; vraja-rasa - the mellow of Vraja; asritam - sheltered. I now humbly perform the chanting of all the songs which are sheltered under the mood of Vraja, just to worship all of Lord Krsna's jiva souls. This includes all the Vaisnava residents of Vraja-dhama, Ksetra-dhama, and Navadvipa-dhama, as well as all the brahmanas who are beyond fruitive activities and speculative knowledge, as well as all the souls from Lord Brahma down to the untouchable outcastes and dogs. NOTE: The word for word translations are fused on Bhaktivinoda's own Bengali translation of his Sanskrit verses. Therefore expanded explanation are evident. AUSPICIOUS INVOCATION and DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIRE-TREE OF AUSPICIOUSNESS (1) jaya jaya sri-caitanya patita-pavana jaya nityananda-prabhu anatha-tarana All glories, all glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the deliverer of all the fallen soul! All glories to Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the divine saviour of those who are lost and helpless in this world! (2) jaya jayadvaita-candra krpar-sagar jaya rupa-sanatana, jaya gadadhar All Glories to Srimad Advait Acarya, Who is just like an unfathomable ocean of causeless mercy! All glories to Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and to Sri Gadadhara Pandita! (3) sri-jiva gopala-bhatta raghunatha-dvoy jaya braja-dhamabasi baisnaba-nicoy All glories to all the multitudes of Vaisnavas who are residing in the holy abode of Vraja-dhama, headed by Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami! (4) jaya jaya navadvipa-basi bhakta-gana sabe mili' krpa more koro' bitarana All glories to all the devotes of The Lord who live in Sri Navadvipa-dhama! I beg all of you together to kindly bestow your combined mercy upon me. (5) nikhila baisnaba-jana doya prakasiya sri-jahnava-pade more rakhaha taniya I pray to all you assembled Vaisnavas throughout the entire universe to please show your compassion by attracting me to the shade of the lotus feet of Sri Jahnava Devi, my eternal shelter and the very pleasure potency of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. (6) ami to' durbhaga ati, baisnaba na cini more krpa koribena baisnaba apani I am certainly most unfortunate, for I cannot realize who is actually a Vaisnava. Therefore I beg that, if any real Vaisnavas hear my prayer, then please be merciful to me. (7) sri-guru-carane more bhakti koro' dana je carana-bale pai tattver sandhana Please bestow upon me devotional service to the lotus feet of Sri Gurudeva. Simply by the strength of those feet I can find a clue of the real transcendental truth. (8) brahmana sakala kori' krpa mor prati baisnaba-carane more deho drdhamati I pray to all of the bona-fide brahmanas to please show your favor to me by giving me firm devotional determination unto the lotus feet of Vaisnavas. (9) ucca nica sarva-jiba carane sarane loilama ami dina hina akincana Thus I have taken shelter at the feet of all the jiva souls, whether they are highly elevated or even if they are very low-born, for in truth I am actually the most fallen soul, very lowly and insignificant. (10) sakale koriya krpa deho' more bar baisnabe koruna ei granther adar All of you Vainsavas, being very merciful towards me, kindly bless me with the following boon: I pray that all of you will show your soft-hearted compassion by respecting and appreciating what this book has to say. (11) grantha-dvara baisnaba-janer krpa pai baisnaba-krpay krsna--labha hoy bhai If all the devotees thus appreciate this book, then I will receive the causeless mercy that they will shower upon me. Oh brothers! And by the mercy of all these Vaisnavas, I will attain devotion to the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna. (12) baisnaba-bimukha ja're, tahar jibana nirathaka jano' bhai, prasiddha bacana My dear friends! Know it for certain that the life of a person who is averse to any Vaisnava is lived meaninglessly, without any purpose at all. Indeed, this is known throughout all the land. (13) sri-baikuntha-dhame ache nihsreya bana tahe sobha pay kalpa-taru aganana In the transcendental realm of Sri Vaikuntha-dhama there is a forest of the supreme perfection of life. Existing beautifully within that transcendental forest are innumerable wish-fulfilling desire-trees. (14) taha-majhe e kalyan-kalpa-taru-raja nitya-kala nitya-dhame korena biraja Amongst all the desire-trees within this transcendental forest, there stands out one special tree, which is actually the King of them all. This one is named "the Desire-tree of Auspiciousness", and it conspicuously exists here within the eternal abode for all of time. (15) skhandha-troy ache ta'r apurva darsana upadesa, upalabdhi, ucchvasa ganana What a wonderful sight is this special desire-tree, as it stands with it' s three-fold trunk! These three divisions branch out as "Upadesa" (spiritual advice), "Upalabdhi" (attainment of realization) and "Ucchvasa" (overflowing spiritual emotions). (16) subhakti-prasuna tahe ati sobha pay `kalian' namaka phal aganana tay This tree is very beautifully decorated with flower blossoms of especially sweet devotional service. Plus there are innumerable fruits which are named `kalyan' (auspiciousness). (17) je sujana e bitapi korena asroy krsna-seva-su-kalyan-phal tanra hoy Any honest or noble person who sincerely takes shelter of this transcendental tree get to taste these fruits of special, supreme auspiciousness, which is devotional service to Lord Krsna. (18) sri-guru-carana-krpa-samarthya labhiya e-heno apurva brksa dilam aniya By utilizing the strength that I am obtaining from the mercy of the lotus feet of Sri Gurudeva, I have now brought this wonderful Desire-tree of Auspiciousness here. (19) taniya anite brksa e karkasa mana nasilo ihara sobha, suno, sadhu-jana Oh honest and noble persons! Please hear what has happened now. When I brought the tree here, I have pulled it forcibly and handled it very roughly due to my harsh mentality; therefore it has now lost it's original splendrous beauty. (20) tomara sakale hao e brkser mali sraddha-bari diya punah koro' rupasali Now I wish that all of you should become the gardeners of this transcendental tree and, by regularly watering it with your faith and devotion, make it beautiful again. (21) phalibe kalya-phal-jugala-sevana koribo sakale mili' taha asvadana By pouring the water of your faith, the fruits of asuspiciousness will fructify into eternal service to the Divine Couple Sri-Sri-Radha-Krsna, which all of us together will taste and relish. (22) nrtya kori' hari bolo', khao seva-phal bhakti-bale koro' dura kutarka-anal Just eat all these sweet fruits of conjugal service while dancing and chanting the holy names! And on the strength of this devotional service, please extinguish the blazing forest fire of all the useless arguments that I will now begin to describe one by one in the first chapter of this book. KALYAN KALPA-TARU (The Desire-tree of Auspiciousness) FIRST BRANCH: `UPADESA' (Advice) --- 19 songs --- Introduction: Siksa and Diksa Gurus (1) diksa-guru-krpa kori mantra-upadesa koriya dekhan krsna-tattver nirdesa The initiating spiritual master shows his causeless mercy by giving his disciples instructions in chanting the hari-nama mantra. By so doing he points the disciples towards the direction of the truths pertaining to the Supreme Lord Sri krsna. (2) siksa-guru-brnda krpa koriya apar sadhake sikhan sadhaner anga-sar But I consider the numerous instructing spiritual masters to be more important, for they show unlimitedly more mercy by training the neophyte devotees in all the essential aspects of practical, regulative devotional service (sadhana-bhakti). (3) siksa-guru-gana-pade koriya pranati upadesa-mala boli nija manah-prati Therefore, offering my prostrated obeisances unto the lotus feet of all instructing spiritual masters, I will now narrate this garland of different types of spiritual advice, which will all be directed towards my own mind. SONG 1 --- THE SOUL REAL POSITION (1) mana re, keno miche bhajicho asar? bhutha-maya e sansar,jiber paksete char, amangala-samudra apar Oh my dear mind, please tell me why you uselessly adore and worship such false things in this world? This material world is simply composed of five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air & ether, but the pure spirit soul somehow wants to keep himself in a most degraded condition of abject ruination by remaining within this unfathomable ocean of inauspiciousness. (2) bhutatita suddha-jiba,niranjana sadasiba, mayatita premer adhar taba suddha-satta tai,e jada-jagate bhai, keno mugdha hao bar bar? The spirit soul actually lives beyond these five gross elements, and he is always spotlessly pure, devoid of material designations, and abounds in auspicious spiritual happiness. He is certainly a fit receptacle for pure love of Godhead, which is beyond the range of maya's illusions. Oh my dear mind, my dear friend! You are meant to be situated in pure transcendental existence as pure spirit soul, so I ask you now - why do you become enchanted and captivated again and again within this dull material universe? (3) phire dekho eka-bara,atma amrter dharo, ta'te buddhi ucita tomar tumi atma-rupi ho'yesri-caitanya-samasraye, brndabane thako anibar Just become a little introspective for once, and try to keep in mind the fact that pure spirit soul is actually eternal and full of nectar. Such intelligent judgements are quite befitting you. Reassuming your real form as pure soul, just remain always in Vrndavana under the shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (4) nitya-kala sakhi-sange,parananda-seba-range, jugala-bhajana koro' sar e heno jugala-dhana,chare jei murkha jana, ta'ra gati nahi dekhi ar Make the worship of the Divine Couple your only object of pursuit. And in the company of Their most dear cowherd girlfriends and maidservants, just perform transcendentally joyful service unto Their pastimes for all of eternity. I am not able to predict the destination of those foolish souls who dare to neglect such a treasure as this conjugal service. SONG 2 --- MUNDANE LUST vs.SPIRITUAL LUST (1) mana, tumi bhalabasa kamer taranga jada-kama parihari',suddha-kama seba kori', bistaraho aprakrta ranga My dear mind, you are so fondly attached to rolling to and fro upon the waves of lust. Abandoning your sensual material lust, just render service in pure spiritual lust and thus extend yourself into the realm of transcendentally uncommon pastimes. (2) anitya jadiya kama,santi-hina abisrama, nahi tahe pipasar bhanga kamer samagri cao,tabu taha nahi pao, paileo chare taba sanga It is not possible to quench the thirst of this temporary mundane lust, for it's nature is to continuously create a disturbing situation. Although you desire the things associated with lust, still you can not always get them. And even if you do get the things you lust after, you cannot keep them, for such temporary things will give up your company very soon. (3) tumi seba koro' ja're,se toma' bhajite nare, dukha jwale binoder anga charo tabe micha-kama,hao tumi satya-kama, bhajo vrndavaner ananga janhar kusuma-sare,taba nitya-kalebare, byapt ha'be prema antaranga My dear mind, you faithfully render service to this mundane lust, but I see that it actually cannot give you anything substantial; rather, it simply burns my entire body with miserable dissatisfaction. So then just give up all your false material lust and just accept the true, spiritual lust by worshiping the Cupid of Vrndavana. The He will shoot your spiritual body full of His flower arrow, and you will thereby become filled to the brim with eternal ecstatic love for Him. SONG 3 --- SCIENTIFIC DOUBTS RESOLVED (1) mana re, tumi bara sandigdha-antar asiyacho e samsare,baddha ho'ye jaradhare, jarasakta ho'le nirantar My dear mind, you are most suspicious and doubtful at heart. Having come into this material world, and becoming conditioned within the prison cell of this dull material body, you have become stupefied by being attached continuously to temporary external matter. (2) bhuliya avakiya dhama,sebi' jaragata kama, jara bina na dekho apar tomar tumitva jini,acchadita ho'ye tini, lupta-praya deher bhitor Mind, you are forgetting your own eternal home, and you are rendering faithful service to dull material lust. Thus you cannot perceive anything beyond the gross inanimate objects which are directly contacted by your senses. Your true nature as pure spirit soul has become covered over and remains hidden inside your body. (3) tumi to' jariya jnana,sada koritecho dhyana, tahe srsti koro' caracar e duhkha kohibo ka're,nitya-pati-parihari' tuccha-tattve korile nirbhar Dear mind, according to your materialistic knowledge and feeble enlightenment, you always meditate on so-called scientific subject matters, but all of that is simply limited to all the moving and non-moving things which are confined within the jurisdiction of this temporarily created universe. To whom shall I tell the story of my anguish? I have abandoned my eternal Father simply to rely on such an unsubstantial and insignificant reality. (4) nahi dekho' atma-tattva,chari dile suddha-sattva, atma ho'te nile abasar atma ache ki na ache,sandeha tomar kache, krame krame pailo adar My dear mind, you are not seeing the truth of the nature of the soul, and thus you have given up the natural pure goodness of your heart. You have put a stop to all spiritual activity by taking yourself far away from the soul. You always maintain the doubt "does the soul exist or not?", and thus in you so-called scientific meditations you gradually become more and more fond of such doubting. (5) eirupe krame krame,pariya jarer bhrame, apana apani ho'le par ebe katha rakho mor,nahi hao atma-cor, sadhu-sanga koro' atahpar My dear mind,in this way you are falling into the illusory mistakes of the insensitive world of matter, and thus your own real self has become transformed into an entirely different, false personality. Now just take heed of my advice, dear friend, and don't cheat your own soul in this way any longer, but from now on please keep yourself in the company of the devotees of the Lord. (6) baisnaber krpa-bale,sandeha jaibe ca'le, tumi punah hoibe tomar pa'be brndabana-dhama,sevibe sri radha-syama pulakasru-moy kalebar bhaktibinoder dhana,radha-krsna-sri-carana tahe rati rahun nirantar By the power of the Vaisnavas' compassion, then all of your doubts will be long gone, and your soul will become yours once again. You will attain the transcendental abode of Vrndavana, my dear mind, and there you will wait upon Radha-Syama in your eternal spiritual body which abounds in ecstatic shivering and torrents of joyful tears. Thus the real wealth of Bhaktivinoda is to keep continuous, intense absorption in the beautiful lotus feet of Sri Radha-Krsna. SONG 4 --- DEMIGOD WORSHIP PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE (1) mana, tumi barai pamara tomar isvara hari,tanke keno parihari', kama-marge bhajo' debantara? My dear mind, you are certainly most vile and wicked. Your Lord is Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So then why are you abandoning Him to worship the various demigods, following the path of lust? (2) parabrahma ek tattva,tanhate sanpiya sattva, nista-gune koroho adar ara jata deba-gana,misra-sattva aganana, nija nija karyer iswar The Supreme Lord is one absolute truth, above and beyond the Brahman effulgence. Therefore honor Him only with resolute determination, and completely dedicate the whole of your life unto Him. As far as all the innumerable demigods are concerned, their power and authority compared to His is only partial, for they are each the absolute controller of only one specific type of work within this material world's administrative department. (3) se-sabe sammana kori'bhajo' ekamatra hari, jini sarva-iswar-iswar maya janra chaya-sakti,tante aikantiki bhakti, sadhi' kala kato' nirantar Maintaining polite respect for all these demigods, worship only Lord Hari, for He si the only Supreme Controller of all these other small controllers. Incessantly pass your time, my dear mind, by arduously endeavoring for intense, single-minded devotional service unto Him, Whose total potency of maya is simply His insignificant shadow reflection. (4) mulete sincile jala,sakha-pallaber bala, sire bari nahe karyakar hari-bhakti ache janra,sarva-deba bandhu tanra, bhakte sabe korena adar (5) binoda kohiche mana,radha-krsna-sri-carana, bhajo bhajo bhajo nirantar By pouring water on the root of the tree, all the branches and leaves become strong and healthy. It is useless to try to pour the water on the top part of the tree only. Similarly, all the demigods are the dear friend of one who has actual devotion to Hari. Indeed, they all show great honor and respect to the devotee of the Lord. Now Bhaktivinoda is telling you, dear mind, just worship always, just worship ceaselessly, just worship eternally the divine lotus feet of Radha and Krsna. SONG 5 --- IMPERSONAL DOUBTS vs PERSONAL TRUTH (1) mana, keno e samsaya jada-prati ghrna kori'bhajite premer hari, svarupa laksite koro' bhoy My dear mind, why do you have all these skeptical doubts? You despise the material world just to facilitate your merging into Brahman, but you are afraid to worship Hari, the Lord of ecstatic love, for fear of perceiving your own eternal, spiritual form. (2) svarupa korite dhyana,pache jada paya athana, ei bhoye bhava' brahma-moy nirakara niranjana,sarva-vyapi sanatana, asvarupa koricho niscoy This fear is due to your thinking that everything is made of Brahman. You imagine that if you were to meditate on your eternal spiritual form, that sometime later you may become influenced by forms made of the material energy. Therefore you are convinced that the Absolute is without any form, spotlessly pure, all-pervading, eternal and formless. (3) abhava-dharmer base,svabhava na citta pase, bhaver abhava tahe hoy tyaja ei tarka-pasa,parananda-parakasa, krsna-candra koroho asroy And now, swayed under the influence of this non-ecstatic philosophy, your actual blissful spiritual nature has not entered your heart. Therefore your so-called impersonal Brahman realization has actually short-changed you from your true ecstasy, and thus you simply remain in scarcity for want of true love. Renouncing this logical jugglery, just take shelter of beautiful moon-like Krsna, who is the ecstatic manifestation of supreme bliss. (4) sac-cit-ananda-moy,krsner svarupa hoy, sarvananda-madhurya niloy sarvatra sampurna-rupa,ei ek aparupa, sarva-byapi brahme taha noy In comparison to the impersonal Brahman, Lord Krsna's original personal form is composed of eternity, knowledge and bliss. He is the reservoir and source of pleasure and sweetness for all living entities. He is the complete form of beauty at all places and at all times. These are some of His special, wonderful characteristics. None of these wonderful qualities can be found in the impersonal Brahman. (5) ataeva brahma ta'r,anga-kanti suvistar, brhat boliya tanre kay brahma parabrahma jei,sri-krsna-svarupa sei, vinoder jahate pranay Therefore I now declare that the Brahman effulgence is actually the transcendental effulgence of Lord Krsna's body; ;it is His extremely vast ant estensive aura. He who is the Brahman, and above that, the Prabrahman, is the original form of Lord Sri Krsna, for whom Bhaktivinoda has love and affection. SONG 6 --- SCHOLARLY LOGIC KICKED OUT (1) mana, tumi parile ki char? nabadvipe patha kori',nyaya-ratna nama dhori', bheker kac kaci koile sar My dear mind, what kind of contemptible rubbish have you fallen into now? Studying intensely in the schools of Navadvipa[a, you have been awarded the distinguished title of "nyaya-ratna" (a jewel of a logician). Then, disguised as a Vaisnava, you indulge in long, dull arguments based on logic and reasoning, considering such logic to be your best object of pursuit. However, such time-wasting arguments are exactly like the meaningless croaking of a small frog in the wilderness. In other words, such a sound is simply an unnecessary disturbance to the ears. (2) dravyadi padartha-jnana,chaladi nigraha-sthana, samavaya korile bicar tarker carama phala,bhoyankara halahala, nahi bicarile durnibar To support your deceptive hoax and to get a firm footing on a bogus intellectual platform for oppressing and defeating others, you deliberate on an aggregate of materialistic subjects such as knowledge of intrinsic word meanings in relation to all the things which you can perceive within this universe. However, the ultimate result of all your logical arguments and your labeling of material objections simply like a dreadful poison, and you never considered that this poisonous influence is extremely difficult to check. (3) hrdoy kathina ho'lo,bhakti-bija na barilo. kise ho'be bhava-sindhu par? anumile je isvar, se kulala-cakradhar, sadhana kemone ho'be ta'r? Just see, dear mind, your heart has indeed become as hard as a rock, and the seed of the creeper of devotion cannot possibly grow in such a barren place. So then how will you cross over this vast ocean of material existence? In this position you can only guess about the nature of the Supreme Lord, just as a clay pot maker will observe the vast creation. When the simple-minded potter guesses about the Supreme, he thinks that the entire material creation is just like a larger version of his own simple potter's wheel, and that the Lord is the potter. In other words, by seeing a clay pot, you can guess that there must have been a potter to make it in the first place. This philosophy is very crude and contains no scope for developing love for the Supreme Lord. (4) sahaja-samadhi tyaji',anumiti mana bhaji, tarka-nistha hrdoy tomar se hrdoye krsna-dhana,nahi pana sukhasana, aho, dhik sei tarka char (5) anyaya nyayer mata,dura koro abirata, bhajo krsna-candra saratsar Renouncing your own natural samadhi, and practically worshiping that which you can prove by simply guessing (without actual realization), Your heart has become devoutly attached to arguing about such useless logic. Oh, to hell with all this rubbish logic! It has not made a comfortable seat in my heart for Lord Krsna to sit on. My dear mind, I advice you to constantly kick out such an unreasonable argumentative mentality, and just worship the moon-like Krsna-candra, the Topmost Truth. SONG 7 --- HATHA YOGA IS UNNECESSARY (1) mana, jogi ho'te tomar basana joga-sastra adhyayana,niyama-yama-sadhana, pranayama, asana-racana So, my dear mind, now you want to become a yogi. You read the various scriptures which describe different routines and techniques of sense control, breathing exercises and sitting postures. (2) pratyahara, dhyana, dhrti samadhite ho'le brati, phala kiba hoibe bolo na deho-mana suska kori',rohibe kumbhaka dhori, brahmatmata koribe bhavana For attaining ultimate samadhi you undertake many difficult practices like withdrawal of the senses, meditation and perseverance. Tell me, what wonderful result will be there in exchange for such endeavor? Minimizing your bodily and mental activities, and making the senses dull and dry, you live by holding the breath in suspension. Thus you practice the yoga process while contemplating on the soul's nature as Brahman. (3) astadasa siddhi pa'be,paramartha bhule ha'be, aisvaryadi koribe kamana sthula jara parihari',suksmete pravesa kori', punaraya bhugibe jatana You will get the eighteen mystic perfections and, mistaking them to be the greatest object of reality, you will entertain further wishes for still more wonderful opulences. Abandoning the plane of gross matter and entering into the subtle astral plane, you will simply undergo more troubles and tribulations all over again. (4) atma nitya suddha-dhanahari-dasa akincana, joge ta'r ki phala ghatana koro' bhakti-jogasroy,na thakibe kon bhoy, sahaja amrta sambhavana (5) binoder e minati,chari' anya joga-gati, koro' radha-krsna aradhana The eternally pure wealth of the spirit soul is simply to remain as the humble servant of Lord Hari. In comparison to this eternal wealth, what kind of spiritual result could possibly come from mundane so-called yoga practice? Just take refuge totally in the yoga of devotional service and you will become fearless, for then there is all likelihood of attaining you immortal nectar very easily. Bhaktivinoda's humble entreaty is that you just perform the blissful worship of Radha-Krsna, my dear mind , and immediately reject all other goals of so-called yoga practice. SONG 8 --- MERGING WITH BRAHMAN IS FOOLISH (1) ohe bhai, mana keno brahma ho'te cay ki ascarya ko'bo ka'ke,sadopasya bolo' ja'ke, ta'te keno apane misay Oh brothers! Why does my rascal mind desire to merge into the Brahman effulgence? How astonishing it is! And to whom shall I admit it? My dear mind, please tell me why you want to merge yourself wit that Supreme Brahman, considering it to be the most worshipable thing? (2) bindu nahi hoy sindhu,bamana na sparse indu, renu ki bhudhara-rupa pay? labha matra aparadha,paramartha hoy badha, sayujya-badhir hay hay A drop of water certainly has the qualities of the ocean, but is obviously not the ocean itself in quantity. A small dwarf cannot possibly touch the moon, despite his best intentions. And a handful of dust can never assume that it has become a mountain. Alas! Alas! Such a pitiful position is foolishly upheld by those who advocate the philosophy of merging into the Lord's bodily effulgence! The only profit from such doctrines is that it will make one become offensive towards the Lord, which will hinder one from attaining the supreme objective of devotion (3) e heno duranta buddhi,tyaji' koro' sattva-suddhi, anvesaha pritir upay 'sayujya'-'nirbana'-adi,sastre sabda dekho jadi, se-sabe bhaktir ange jay Renouncing this mischievous mentality of trying to artificially merge, my dear mind, just purify your existence and start searching for the process of getting real love for Krsna. If you would just try to understand the statements of the revealed scriptures, you will find that all the conceptions like sayujya (oneness with the Lord), and nirvana (the highest blissful absorption) are actually different features which are automatically achieved by devotion, fro these benefits are unconsciously following the process of service to the Lord. (4) krsna-priti phalamoy,'tattvamasi', adi hoy, sadhaka carame krsna pay akhanda anandamoy,brndabana krsnaloy, parabrahma-svarupa janay Statements like "tat tvam asi" (you belong to Krsna) are fully permeated with real tangible love for Krsna, and meditating on such Veda statements helps the aspiring devotee to ultimately attain the shelter of Krsna's lotus feet. Then one will gain residence in Krsna's transcendental abode of Vrndavana, which is completely pervaded with supreme, undivided bliss. Thus one will come to know the original personal form of Parabrahman, Who si situated far beyond the impersonal Brahman effulgence. (5) ta' ho'te kirana-jala,brahma-rupe sobhe bhalo, mayika jagat camatkar maya-baddha jiba tahe,nirbrta hoite cahe, suryabhave khadyoter praya The network of transcendental rays emanating from His body form the splendrous light known as the Brahman effulgence, which is powerful enough to amaze the entire collection of material universes. If any of the conditioned souls desire to become content by merging into that glowing light, then that would be just like being satisfied at night with the glow of lightning bugs in the absence of the sun. The insignificant light emitted by such insects will certainly never serve as a replacement for the radiant sun, and similarly the devotees of Krsna is never content to merge with the Brahman effulgence, which is very feeble in comparison to the Lord's original form of bliss. (6) jadi kabhu bhagyodoye,sadhu-guru-samasroye, brndabana sammukhete bhay krsnakrsta ho'ye tabe,ksudra-rasa-anubhave, brahma chari' parabrahme dhay (7) sukadira su-jibana,koro' bhai alocana, e dasa dhoriche taba pay If ever there is dawning of one's good fortune, then one will see Vrndavana shining gracefully before his very eyes due to taking complete shelter of the virtuous devotees and spiritual masters. Then, becoming irresistibly attracted by Krsna, one runs and chases after His (the Parabrahman). Thus he simply leaves aside the insignificant realization of merging with the Brahman effulgence, for gets completely overwhelmed by the slightest contact with Krsna's transcendental mellows. Discuss and deliberate on this, my friends, make your life successful just like the great sages like Sukadeva, Narada, Vyasa etc., who all gave up Brahman realization by becoming attracted by Krsna, and then this servant Bhaktivinoda will hold on to your feet. SONG NINE --- CASTE - PRIDE IS FALSE (1) mana re, keno ar barna abhiman, marile pataki ho'ye,jamadute ja'be lo'ye, na koribe jatir samman Oh my dear mind, why do you still have this vain egoistic pride due to your family caste? The fact is that when a sinful man dies, then no matter who he is the Yamadutas (the agents of Yamaraja, the demigod of death) will carry away without paying the slightest respect to his caste and family lineage. (2) jadi bhalo karma koro',svarga-bhoga atahpara, ta'te bipra candala saman narakeo dui jane,danda pa'be ek sane janmantare samana bidhan Even if one does good works and enjoys celestial pleasures in the heavenly planetary systems, he is still not safe, for after his good karma is exhausted he gets equal treatment along with brahmanas as well as dog-eating outcastes. In hell both persons will receive equal punishment in one place, and for their next birth, equal ruling is administered. (3) tabe keno abhiman,lo'ye tuccha barna-man, marana abadhi ja'r man ucca barna-. dhori'barnantare ghrna kori', naraker na koro' sandhan So then why do you maintain such false pride, dear mind? Your insignificant caste vanity lasts only to up to the time of your death, when it will be taken away along with your body. My advice to you is that, please don't despise any other caste if you have taken a so called high birth in this present life. Don't search for suffering in hell by unnecessarily scorning another's apparent low-class birth. (4) samajika man lo'ye,thako bhai bipra ho'ye, baisnabe na koro' apaman adara byapari ho'ye,bibada jahaja lo'ye, kabhu nahi hore, buddhiman If you have been born into a position of aristocratic social honor, then just live as a humble, learned brahmana, dear brother, but don't ever dare to abuse or insult any Vaisnava. For a caste brahmana to oppose or challenge a Vaisnava is just like the story of the poor ginger salesman who sells only a few paisa worth of ginger roots in the market every day. One day he saw a huge ship laden with very costly cargos moored on the river. He went over to the ship and started demanding information about the cargo, the price, the destination, the profit and so on. He is simply insignificant, but he wants to lord it over such huge business affairs of the sea-going vessel and after some time the ship's crew said, "Well, who are you anyway, that you are interrogating us so?" And he told them, "I just sell a little ginger in the bazaar." So if a brahmana tries to dishonor a bona fide Vaisnava, then he simply makes useless conflict, and he never becomes wise. (5) tabe jadi krsna-bhakti,sadha' tumi jathasakti, sonaya sohaga pa'be sthan sarthaka hoibe sutra,sarva-labha ihamutra, binoda koribe stuti-gan So if you would just combine devotion to Krsna with an effort to the best of your ability, my dear mind, then you will be situated in the perfect combination of spiritual activity. Then, whatever caste or material position you happen to be situated in, will become really successful, and you will attain all desirable things in this way. And Bhaktivinoda will sing the praises of your glories. SONG 10 --- MUNDANE KNOWLEDGE MOST HARMFUL (1) mana re, keno koro bidyar gauraba smrti-sastra, byakarana, nana-bhasa-alocana, brddhi kore' jaser saurabha Oh mind, why do you give such importance to mundane knowledge? Your discussion and deliberation on the smrti scriptures, various languages and grammar certainly increases the sweet fragrant aroma of your own material reputation, name and fame. (2) kintu dekho cinta kori'jadi na bhajile hari, bidya taba kevala rauraba krsna prati anurakti,sei bije janme bhakti, bidya ho'te taha asambhava But just look here and consider this for your judgement. If you have not worshiped Lord Hari, then all of you so-called knowledge is just like a vicious hell. True devotional service actually takes it's birth from the seed of attraction and affection for Krsna. Such a seed is impossible to get by the cultivation of ordinary worldly knowledge. (3) bidyar marjana ta'r,kabhu kabhu apakar, jagatete kori anubhava je bidyar alocane,krsna-rati sphure mane, tahari adara jano' saba I feel that the hair-splitting scrutiny of mundane knowledge is actually harmful. On the other hand, however, everyone will appreciate the cultivation of that transcendental knowledge which awakens love and attachment for Krsna within the mind. (4) bhakti badha jaha ho'te,se bidyar mastakete, padaghata koro' akaitaba sarasvati krsna-priya,krsna-bhakti ta'r hiya binoder sei se baibhava Among all the obstacles to devotion, this mundane knowledge is certainly the foremost. You mus sincerely kick it out, dear mind, for the real understanding is that Mother Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning, is very dear to Lord Krsna, and devotion to Him is her very heart. This very devotion is indeed the sanctifying grace of Bhaktivinoda. SONG 11 --- BODILY BEAUTY IS TEMPORARY (1) ruper gauraba keno bhai anitya e kalebar,kabhu nahe sthiratar, samana aile kichu nai e anga sitala ho'be,ankhi spanda-hina ro'be, citar agune ho'be chai Oh mind, my dear friend, why is your bodily beauty such an object of your proud vanity? This body is temporary, and there is no certainty whatsoever of permanence. After Yamaraja has paid his visit and taken your soul away, this body will then become cold. The eyes will remain motionless, and in the fiery funeral pyre it will simply turn into ashes. (2) je saundarya hero,darpanete nirantar, sva-sibar hoibe bhojana je bastre adara koro',jeba abarana para', kotha saba rohibe takhan? Mind, you repeatedly behold the lovely handsomeness of this face, which is your favorite object of constant vanity. It will simply become delicious food for dogs and jackals. At that time, where will you keep all the decorative ornaments and valuable clothes which you appreciate with such high esteem? (3) dara suta bandhu sabe,smasane tomare lo'be, dagdha kori' grhete asibe tumi ka'r, ke tomar,ebe bujhi 'dekho sar, deho-nasa abasya ghatibe Your beloved wife, sons and friends will take you to the crematorium, and after burning you they will simply return back to their homes. You belong to whom? And whom belongs to you? Now just try to grasp the essential significance of all this. That is, the destruction of this temporary body will definitely come to pass. (4) su-nitya-sambala cao,hari-guna sada gao, harinama japaha sadai ku-tarka chariya mana,koro' krsna aradhana, binoder asroy tahai My dear mind, if you really want the eternal, auspicious way of life, then just sing aloud the glories of the Lord always and everywhere. Also, one should certainly chant Harinama japa at all times. Abandoning all useless arguments, dear mind, just worship Krsna, for such worship is certainly the only shelter of Bhaktivinoda. SONG 12 --- MADNESS FOR WEALTH IS RIDICULOUS (1) mane re, dhana-mada nitanta asar dhana jana bitta jata,e deher anugata, deho gele se sakala char Oh my dear mind, you are greatly intoxicated by your wealth and possessions, but just let me tell you that this is completely useless. When this body is gone, your wealth, followers, property as well as everything else that depends on this body will be good for nothing at all. (2) bidyar jateka cesta,cikitsaka upadesta keho deho rakhibare nare ajapa hoile sesa,deha-matra abasesa, jiba nahi thakena adhare Despite all the vast medical knowledge and dexterous efforts of the advising physician, one will never be able to keep this temporary body. When the life airs expire, the only thing which will be left behind is the gross body, for the soul cannot remain trapped within such a dead container for very long. (3) dhane jadi prana dita,dhani raja na marita, dharamar hoit ravana dhane nahi rakhe deho,deho gele nahe keho, ataeva ki koribe dhana? If wealth had the power to prolong life, then a rich king would never have to die. The demon named Ravana also thought that he possessed deathlessness, until he was finally killed by Lord Rama. Thus we see that no one to date has ever been able to protect and keep his body with any amount of money, for no one can prevent his body from dying. Therefore what is the use of your riches? (4) jadi thake bahu dhana,nije ho'be akincana, baisnaber koro upakar jibe doya anuksana,radha-krsna-aradhana, koro sada ho'ye sadacar Dear mind, if you have any excess wealth, then just make yourself lowly and humble and use that wealth to do something beneficial for the service of the Vaisnavas. Constantly showing compassion to all souls, worship Radha-Krsna and always make your standard of behavior clean, saintly and virtuous. SONG 13 --- SANNYASA NOT AS IMPORTANT AS DEVOTION (1) mana, tumi sannyasi sajite keno cao? bahirer saja jata,antarete phanki tata, dambha puji' sarira nacao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingentity Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 my understanding of Madhav's question to you is; You already know that what you are doing is wrong because you know what krishna wants you to do and still you do not follow. Are the people who are giving you advice and trying to help you wasting their time? You do not listen to Lord Krsna - so why would you listen to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hare Krishna If thats what you're saying then what a . thing to say, I'm not the original person who posted the 'sinful' post I'm the one who chants 16 rounds a day, but my point is the first person was asking for help, and as SP said krishna helps from within and the spiritual master helps from the outside, so he's asking was good, your comment about not listening etc to krishna, well hasn't lust got to do with and ohh yeah I'm sure you are perfect in every way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingentity Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 read the post. It is what Mahav is saying. You asked what Mahav was trying to say. This is a prime example of not knowing which guest we are talking to. They get offended and upset but how are we to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hare Krishna Well ok I read the post of mahev and I didn't like it, and I think we should let this post Rest In Peace....... Hare Krishna and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gaura Nitai and the eternal consort ofLord Krishna under whom devotional service is achieved Sri Sri Radhamaa, please forgive for my offences and mke me your maid-servant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted May 26, 2003 Report Share Posted May 26, 2003 I liked the talk Sridhara Maharaja gave about these little sins we worry about. He compared them to mushrooms, mushrooms will no roots. These mushrooms grow in our material false identity. They have no roots in the real soil of the soul. They are not part of us, who we really are, that soul which is more powerful than the sun. Krsna will uproot these puny little mushrooms in time. It is not that God squeezes us into a bottle. No, He is kind and lets things evolve in perfect time. The mushrooms disappear when we really don't want them anymore. There is no pain or withdrawal. Start from where you are. Read. Listen. You have turned toward Krsna, the process has started, and will continue to perfection. He is in control; allow Him to do His thing. Live in the Bhagavad-gita. It is a process, not a book. These mushrooms are not part of your real self. They will fall away in time. Krsna promises in the Bhagavad-gita: "To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the intelligence by which they can come to Me." Good luck, gHari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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