Sixth Theme: Entering Tattva Sandarbha

Now, having paid homage to the mantra-gurus, the tutors who illustrate the meaning of the Bhagavata, I wish to write the treatise called Bhagavata-sandarbha.

Seventh Theme: The Three Aspects of Absolute Truth

Srila Jiva Gosvami (verse eight) says: 

“May Sri Krishna, who is Bhagavan Himself, bestow the gift of prema on those who worship His lotus feet.”

Thus, what at first glance would seem to be only an invocation intended to obtain blessings, becomes a direct affirmation of what sadhya (or prayojana) is. Sadhya is the end of life, or what most deserves our effort, the ultimate goal of research, the only thing that deserves the effort of a trip. To an advanced spiritualist, this supreme goal is Sri Krishna prema and Jiva Gosvami describes it as prityatisayam, or boundless love. For all Gaudiya Vaishnavas, this is pancama-purusartha, the ultimate goal that is superior even to liberation itself from the pains of material existence. While the goal of all spiritualists is to return to the kingdom of God, thus fleeing from the “world of flames” (duspurenanalena), the pure devotee does not feel the need for this escape: he only wants to love Sri Krishna. This feeling is expressed in devotional service (prema-bhakti), that is, in the irresistible, enthusiastic, transcendental and exuberant desire to do something that makes you happy. This devotional service is both sadhya (the end) and sadhana (the useful means to the end).

Sri Jiva asks Lord Krishna to bless all devotees who worship His lotus feet.

This is a section of the book “Tattva Sandarbha”, in English.

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