Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 5

Vedic knowledge must be understood through disciplic succession

Brahma knew the perfect description of creation, as it was exactly apprised to him by the Supreme Lord Hari. Brahma, on being questioned by Narada, told Narada exactly what he had heard directly from the Lord. Narada again told exactly the same thing to Vyasa, and Vyasa also told Sukadeva exactly what he heard from Narada. And Sukadeva was going to repeat the same statements as he had heard them from Vyasa. That is the way of Vedic understanding. The language of the Vedas can be revealed only by the abovementioned disciplic succession, and not otherwise.

There is no use in theories. Knowledge must be factual. There are many things that are complicated, and one cannot understand them unless they are explained by one who knows. The Vedic knowledge is also very difficult to know and must be learned by the abovementioned system; otherwise it is not at all understood. Sukadeva Gosvami, therefore, prayed for the mercy of the Lord so that he might be able to repeat the very same message that was spoken directly by the Lord to Brahma, or what was directly spoken by Brahma to Narada.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.25

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Clearing debts

“One who has given up all material duties and taken full shelter at the lotus feet of Mukunda, who gives shelter to all, is not indebted to the demigods, great sages, ordinary living beings, relatives, friends, mankind or even one’s forefathers who have passed away.'” It is said:

adhyapanam brahma-yajnah
pitr-yajnas tu tarpanam
homo daivo balir bhauto
nr-yajno ‘tithi-pujanam

“By performing oblations with ghee, the demigods are satisfied. By studying the Vedas, brahma-yajna is performed, and by this the great sages are satisfied. Offering oblations of water before one’s forefathers is called pitr-yajna. By offering tabute, bhuta-yajna is performed. By properly receiving guests, nr-yajna is performed.”

There are five yajnas and five kinds of indebtedness-indebtedness to the demigods, great sages, forefathers, living entities and common men. Therefore one has to perform five kinds of yajnas, but when one takes to sankirtana-yajna (the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra) one doesn’t have to perform any other yajna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada Muni made a statement about the systematic performance of bhagavata-dharma in connection with statements previously made by the nine Yogendras before Maharaja Nimi. The sage Karabhajana Rsi explained the four incarnations of the four yugas, and at the end, in this verse (text 141), he explained the position of Krsna’s pure devotee and how he is absolved of all debts.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.141, Translation & purport by Srila Prabhupada

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Discourteous non-service & condemnable non-worship

One can avoid worshiping a respectable man or a demigod and may be called discourteous, but one cannot avoid serving the Supreme Lord without being thoroughly condemned.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Bg 6.47

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We don’t care for war

Do not worry, in spite of war, Srimad-Bhagavatam will be distributed. We don’t care for war. Our preaching business will go on.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Radhavallabha-New Delhi, 21 August, 1975

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SP pastimes: Dog as master of man

Walking on the beach in the park and they had these signs that had a picture of a dog passing stool and the man cleaning up behind it and it said, “stoop and scoop!” [laughter]. Brahmananda Maharaja got a kick out of it and started laughing and saying, “first they poop and then they scoop.” So [laughs] Prabhupada finally stopped and looked at the sign and he said, “what is this? What is this?” So then Brahmananda Maharaja explained that they would stop, and then the dog would pass stool and then the men would come and pick it up with their hands. Prabhupada was incredulous. He said, “this is not possible.” And [laughs] everyone was insisting “no they do it.” And so Prabhupada  said “They call man the master and dog the servant. When you go into the stool-room and pass your stool, he does not have to come inside. But when he passes his stool you have to stand there patiently waiting.” He says, “so who is really the master?”

Told by Adi-Kesava Prabhu

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No comparison to Srimad-Bhagavatam — distribute it

There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one’s hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, “Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.” If he reads one sloka, his life will be success. If he reads one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, “Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book.” A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community, this mrdanga.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.8 — January 5, 1974, Los Angeles

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Most important in gurukula curriculum

Most important is that the children be given the twofold program of education in Krsna consciousness, i.e. chanting and performing devotional activities on one hand, and some knowledge of our philosophy and other subjects on the other hand.

(Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Sriman Stoka Krsna dasa adhikari, dated June 20, 1972)

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Authorized spiritual masters are compassionate Vaisnavas

Vaisnavas, or devotees, are usually very compassionate upon conditioned souls. Without even being invited, a devotee will go from door to door to enlighten people and to bring them out of the darkness of nescience by injecting knowledge of the living entity’s constitutional position as a servant of Lord Krsna. Such devotees are empowered by the Lord to distribute devotional consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, to the people in general. They are known as authorized spiritual masters, and it is by their mercy that a conditioned soul gets the seed of devotional service.

From The Teachings of Lord Caitanya by Srila Prabhupada

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The ceremony called Vyasa-puja

There is no difference between hearing directly from Krsna and hearing directly from Krsna via a bona fide spiritual master like Vyasa. The spiritual master is the representative of Vyasadeva also. Therefore, according to the Vedic system, on the birthday of the spiritual master the disciples conduct the ceremony called Vyasa-puja.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Bg 18.75

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For Janmastami

Krsna is offering, by His descendance, that “If you want to enjoy like this in the society of beautiful young boys and girls, come to Me. Here it is, reality.”

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.5 — Los Angeles, January 2, 1974

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