Sri Sanmodana Bhasyam, Part 3

Sri Sanmodana Bhasyam, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Jun 20, 2010 — CANADA (SUN) — A commentary on Lord Caitanya’s ‘Siksastakam’ by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, with a Bengali song for each verse that expands upon Mahaprabhu’s devotional moods (Sanskrit, 1886).

 

Now, one final question may arise: isn’t the pursuit of happiness self motivated and hence contrary to the principles called unalloyed and transcendental? As the answer, Lord Caitanya uses the expression sarvatma-snapanam: the bliss of Krsna consciousness is completely pure, being wholly free of any desire for self-satisfaction. Specifically, this means that in the natural course of pure devotional service the devotee attains the form of a maid-servant of Srimati Radharani, who embodies the zenith of mahabhava, or divine ecstasy. In Her service, the devotee participates in conjugal pastimes with the Lord and experiences unlimited bliss.

 

This sublime mood of service is therefore untainted by even the slightest tinge of lust or self-indulgent craving. Sarvatmasnapanam also confirms that in this state of perfect bliss neither the contamination of sayujya-mukti (becoming one with the Lord’s impersonal aspect) nor the impurity of self-gratification can divert the devotee from his fixed position in pure Krsna consciousness.

 

May the chanting of the holy name of Krsna be ever victorious, for it is adorned with seven transcendental qualities; it is the form of eternality, knowledge, and the highest bliss, steeped in the wonderful and variegated amorous pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

 

Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Antya 20.11,13,14:

 

“Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krsna.

 

“By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service.

 

“The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Krsna and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Krsna and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.”

 

There are innumerable engagements in the execution of devotional service, and Srimad Bhagavatam and Haribhaktivilasa have described many of them. Broadly, sixty-four limbs of devotional service are considered as the main engagements of bhakti.

 

Vaidhibhakti (devotional service according to rules and regulations) and raganuga bhakti (spontaneous devotional service) are the two methods of executing these sixty-four principle engagements. In Srimad Bhagavatam Prahlada Maharaja glorifies pure and spontaneous devotional service as the best method; Lord Gaurasundara has identified the best engagement by saying, “The congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna is the most perfect form of devotional service.”

 

He defined the Supreme non-dual Substance as Brahman when it is preliminarily realized as eternity; when realized as eternity and knowledge, it is defined as Paramatma; when its transcendental nature of full knowledge, eternity and bliss is realized with all potencies, that Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Bhagavan.

 

That Supreme Personality of Godhead (Bhagavan) is called Vasudeva when He manifests His supreme opulence; when His opulence gives way to His loving conjugal mood, He is known as Krsna. As Narayana, He particularly reciprocates with His devotees in the rasas of santa and dasya; Lord Krsna is the worshipable object of all five rasas.

 

Lord Krsna’s vaibhavaprakasa expansion is Lord Balarama, who rules Vaikuntha in His eternal catur-vyuha forms.

 

         #Sri Sanmodana Bhasyam