{"id":20637,"date":"2020-02-05T03:06:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-05T07:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/?p=20637"},"modified":"2022-02-09T01:56:54","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T06:56:54","slug":"teachings-of-lord-caitanya-chapter-eighteen-conversations-with-prakasananda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/teachings-of-lord-caitanya-chapter-eighteen-conversations-with-prakasananda\/","title":{"rendered":"Teachings of Lord Caitanya, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Conversations with Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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Conversations with Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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According to the principles of the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs,<\/i> singing, dancing and playing musical instruments are strictly prohibited, for they are considered to be sinful activities. The M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i> is simply supposed to engage in the study of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>. Therefore when the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> in Benares saw that Lord Caitanya was indulging in singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and always chanting Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare, they concluded that He was not educated and that, out of sentiment, He was misleading His followers. \u015aa\u1e45kar\u0101c\u0101rya\u2019s injunction was that a sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i> should always study the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> and that he should be satisfied by simply having one cloth and nothing more. Because Lord Caitanya neither studied the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>formally nor ceased from singing and dancing, He was criticized by all the sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> at Benares, as well as by their householder followers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When Lord Caitanya received news of this criticism from His students and disciples, He simply smiled and started for Mathur\u0101 and V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana. When He returned to Benares on His way from Mathur\u0101 to Jagann\u0101tha Pur\u012b, He stayed at the house of Candra\u015bekhara, who was considered a \u015b\u016bdra<\/i> because he was a clerk. In spite of this, Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu made His residence at his home. Lord Caitanya made no distinctions between br\u0101hma\u1e47as<\/i> and \u015b\u016bdras;<\/i> He accepted anyone who was devoted. Customarily, a sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i> is supposed to take shelter and eat in the home of a br\u0101hma\u1e47a,<\/i> but Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu, as the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead, used His own discretion and decided to stay at Candra\u015bekhara\u2019s house.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In those days, by misusing their brahminical heritage, the br\u0101hma\u1e47as<\/i> had created a law to the effect that anyone not born in a br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> family was to be considered a \u015b\u016bdra<\/i>. Thus even the k\u1e63atriyas<\/i> and vaidyas<\/i> were also considered \u015b\u016bdras<\/i>. Because the vaidyas<\/i> were said to be descendants of br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> fathers and \u015b\u016bdra<\/i> mothers, they were sometimes called \u015b\u016bdras<\/i>. Thus Candra\u015bekhara, although born in a vaidya<\/i> family, was called a \u015b\u016bdra<\/i> in Benares. As long as Lord Caitanya stayed in Benares, He remained at Candra\u015bekhara\u2019s home, and He took His food at the home of Tapana Mi\u015bra.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b met Lord Caitanya at Benares, he learned the process and principles of devotional service during two months of continual teaching. Lord Caitanya\u2019s instructions to San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b have been described in the first part of this book. After receiving these teachings, San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b was authorized to propagate the principles of devotional service and \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i>. It was during this time that both Tapana Mi\u015bra and Candra\u015bekhara were feeling very sorry about the strong criticism against Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu, and they came together and prayed for the Lord to meet the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have been mortified by hearing unfavorable criticisms from the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> against You,\u201d they informed Lord Caitanya. \u201cIndeed, it has become intolerable for us.\u201d They requested the Lord to do something so that these criticisms would be stopped. While they were discussing this subject, a br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> came to Lord Caitanya and invited Him to his home. All the sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> but Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu had been invited, and now the br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> came to invite Him. Knowing that the Lord did not mix with M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs,<\/i> the br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> fell down at Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu\u2019s feet and implored Him: \u201cAlthough I know that You do not accept invitations, I still implore You to come and take pras\u0101dam<\/i> at my home with the other sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>. If You accept this invitation, I will consider it a special favor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Lord took this opportunity and accepted the br\u0101hma\u1e47a\u2019s<\/i> invitation in order to meet the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>. Actually this was an arrangement made by the Lord Himself. Although the br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> who invited Him knew that the Lord did not accept any invitations, he was still very eager to invite Him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The next day Lord Caitanya went to the house of the br\u0101hma\u1e47a<\/i> and saw that all the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> were sitting there. He offered His respects to all the sanny\u0101s\u012bs,<\/i> as was customary, and then went to wash His feet. After washing, He sat down at that spot, a little distance from the other sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>. While He was sitting there, the sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> saw a glaring effulgence emanating from His body. Attracted by this glaring effulgence, all the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> stood up and showed Him their respects. Among them was a sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i> named Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b. He was the chief among the impersonalist sanny\u0101s\u012bs,<\/i> and he addressed Lord Caitanya with great humility, asking Him to come and sit among them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cMy dear Sir, why are You sitting in that filthy place?\u201d he asked. \u201cPlease come and sit with us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh, I belong to an inferior sect of sanny\u0101s\u012bs,<\/i>\u201d Lord Caitanya replied. \u201cTherefore I think that I should not sit with you. Let Me remain down here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda was surprised to hear such a thing from such a learned man, and he took the Lord\u2019s hand and requested Him to please come and sit with him and the other sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>. When Lord Caitanya was finally seated among them, Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b said, \u201cI think Your name is \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Caitanya, and because You have taken sanny\u0101sa<\/i> from Ke\u015bava Bh\u0101rat\u012b, who belongs to the \u015aa\u1e45kar\u0101c\u0101rya samprad\u0101ya, <\/i>I understand that You belong to our M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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According to the \u015aa\u1e45kara sect, there are ten different names for sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i>. Out of them, three names \u2013 T\u012brtha, \u0100\u015brama and Sarasvat\u012b \u2013 are given to the sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> considered to be the most enlightened and cultured. Since Lord Caitanya was a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava, He was naturally humble and meek, and He wanted to give the better sitting place to Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda, who belonged to the Sarasvat\u012b samprad\u0101ya<\/i>. According to \u015aa\u1e45kara\u2019s principles, a brahmac\u0101r\u012b<\/i> of the Bh\u0101rat\u012b school is called Caitanya. However, although \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu took sanny\u0101sa,<\/i> He kept His brahmac\u0101r\u012b<\/i> name and did not take up the title of Bh\u0101rat\u012b.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWell, Sir,\u201d Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b continued, \u201cYou belong to our \u015aa\u1e45kara sect, and You are living in Benares \u2013 so why don\u2019t You mix with us? What is the reason? Another thing: You are a sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i> and are supposed to engage simply in the study of the Ved\u0101nta,<\/i> but we see that instead You are always engaged in chanting and dancing and playing musical instruments. What is the reason? These are the activities of emotional and sentimental people. But You are a qualified sanny\u0101s\u012b<\/i>. Why not engage in the study of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>? By Your effulgence it appears to us that You are just like the Supreme N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, the Personality of Godhead, but by Your behavior You appear to be otherwise. So we are inquisitive to know why You act in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cMy dear sir,\u201d Lord Caitanya replied, \u201cMy spiritual master considered Me a great fool. Therefore he has more or less punished Me by saying that because I am such a fool I have no capacity to study the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>. So he kindly gave Me the chanting of Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. My spiritual master told Me, \u2018Just go on chanting this Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a mantra; it will make You all-perfect.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Actually, Lord Caitanya was neither foolish nor ignorant of the principles of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>. His purpose was to demonstrate to modern society that fools who have no history of penance and austerity should not try to study the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> just for some recreational purpose. In His \u015aik\u1e63\u0101\u1e63\u1e6daka,<\/i> Lord Caitanya said that one should be in a humble state of mind, should think himself lower than the grass on the street, should be more tolerant than a tree, and should be devoid of all sense of prestige and ready to offer all kinds of respects to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the Ved\u0101nta philosophy or the holy name of God constantly. The Lord also wanted to teach that a serious student of transcendental science should exactly follow the words of his spiritual master. According to the calculations of His spiritual master, Lord Caitanya appeared to be a fool; therefore he said that He should not indulge in the study of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> but should continue chanting the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a mantra. Lord Caitanya strictly obeyed this order. In other words, Lord Caitanya impressed on the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012bs that the words of a bona fide spiritual master must be strictly followed. One who does so becomes perfect in all respects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The word ved\u0101nta<\/i> means \u201cthe last word of Vedic knowledge,\u201d which is to understand K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. As Krsna states in the Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i> (15.15)<\/a>, vedai\u015b ca sarvair aham eva vedya\u1e25: <\/i>\u201cBy all the Vedas,<\/i> I am to be known.\u201d When one actually comes to understand the Ved\u0101nta,<\/i> he comes to know K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and his relationship with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. And one who understands K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a understands everything. Moreover, the knower of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is always engaged in His transcendental loving service. As the Lord states in the Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i> (10.8)<\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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aha\u1e41 sarvasya prabhavo
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>matta\u1e25 sarva\u1e41 pravartate
\niti matv\u0101 bhajante m\u0101\u1e41
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>budh\u0101 bh\u0101va-samanvit\u0101\u1e25<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI am the source of everything, and everything emanates from Me. One who perfectly knows this fully engages in My transcendental loving service.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A living entity is eternally related with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in the relationship of servant and master. Once that service is wanting \u2013 or, in other words, when one is not situated in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness \u2013 it is to be understood that his study of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> is insufficient. When one does not understand K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a or does not engage in His transcendental loving service, it is to be understood that he is averse to studying the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> and understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The path of Ved\u0101nta<\/i> study shown by Lord Caitanya should be followed by all. A person who is puffed up by so-called education has no humility and therefore does not seek the protection of a bona fide spiritual master. He thinks that he does not require a spiritual master and that he can achieve the highest perfection by his own efforts. Such persons are not eligible for studying the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i>. Those who are under the spell of the material energy do not follow the instructions of the disciplic succession but try to manufacture something on their own. In this way they step outside the sphere of Ved\u0101nta<\/i>study. A bona fide spiritual master must always condemn such independent mental speculators. If the bona fide spiritual master directly points out the foolishness of a disciple, it should not be taken wrongly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A person who is completely ignorant of the science of God cannot be considered learned. More or less, everyone who is not in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness is subject to foolishness. Sometimes we display our foolishness by accepting someone who is barely educated as a spiritual master. It is our duty to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose lotus feet are worshiped by all the Vedas<\/i>. One who does not understand Him and is proud of a false understanding of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> is actually a fool. Mundane attempts at academic knowledge are simply another type of foolishness. As long as one cannot understand the cosmic manifestation as a representation of the three modes of material nature, he must be considered to be in the darkness of inebriety and caught in the duality of this material world. A person who is in perfect knowledge of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> becomes a servitor of the Supreme Lord, who is the maintainer and sustainer of the whole cosmic manifestation. As long as one is not transcendental to the service of the limited, he cannot have knowledge of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As long as one is within the limited jurisdiction of fruitive activities or is involved in mental speculation, he may perhaps be eligible to study or teach theoretical knowledge of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra,<\/i> but he cannot understand the supreme, eternal, transcendental (completely liberated) vibration of Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. One who has achieved perfection in chanting this transcendental vibration does not have to separately learn the philosophy of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i>. According to the teachings of Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu, the bona fide spiritual master, those who do not understand that this transcendental vibration is nondifferent from the Supreme, yet who try to become M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b philosophers expert in the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra,<\/i> are all fools. Studying the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i> by one\u2019s own efforts (the ascending process of knowledge) is a sign of foolishness. On the other hand, he who has attained a taste for chanting this transcendental vibration has actually reached the conclusion of the Ved\u0101nta<\/i>. In this connection, there are two verses in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i> which are very instructive. The purport of the first is that if a person is chanting the transcendental vibration Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare, then even if he was born in the family of the lowest of human beings it is to be understood that in his previous lives he performed all types of renunciation, austerities and sacrifice and studied all the Brahma-s\u016btras<\/i>. The purport of the second verse is that one who chants the two syllables ha-ri<\/i> must be considered to have studied all the Vedas \u2013 <\/i>the \u1e5ag Veda, Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda<\/i> and S\u0101ma Veda<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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On the other hand, there are many so-called devotees who think the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> is not meant for devotees. Such people are ignorant of the fact that the Ved\u0101nta<\/i> is the only platform of pure devotees. Great \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/i> in all four Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava samprad\u0101yas<\/i>have made commentaries on the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra,<\/i> but the so-called devotees known as pr\u0101k\u1e5bta-sahajiy\u0101s<\/i> carefully avoid the study of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i>. The pr\u0101k\u1e5bta-sahajiy\u0101s<\/i> mistakenly take the pure devotees and Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/i> to be mental speculators or fruitive actors. Consequently they themselves become M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012bs and leave the service of the Supreme Lord.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Understanding the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i> by academic knowledge never enables one to understand the value of the transcendental vibration. People who are entangled in academic knowledge are conditioned souls who are confused about the facts of \u201cI\u201d- and-\u201cmine\u201d understanding. Consequently they are unable to detach their minds from the external energy. When a person actually attains transcendental knowledge, he becomes free from this duality and engages in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Lord. The Lord\u2019s service is the only means by which one can become detached from material activities. A person properly initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and engaged in chanting Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare gradually becomes freed from the conception of \u201cI\u201d and \u201cmine\u201d and becomes attached to the Lord\u2019s transcendental loving service in one of the five transcendental relationships. Such transcendental service is not a subject matter for gross and subtle bodies. Only when one can understand that there is no difference between the Supreme and His name can one be situated in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness. At such a time one no longer needs to make grammatical adjustments. Rather, one becomes more interested in petitioning the Lord: \u201cHare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a \u2013 O my Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lord Caitanya explained all this to Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b and told him that He had heard all this from His spiritual master. He further informed Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b that His spiritual master had taught Him that \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i> is the actual commentary on the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra,<\/i> as stated in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i> by Vy\u0101sadeva, the author of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A student\u2019s perfection is to understand the identity of the holy name and the Supreme Lord. Unless one is under the shelter of a realized spiritual master, his understanding of the Supreme is simply foolishness. However, one can fully understand the transcendental Lord by service and devotion. When Lord Caitanya offenselessly chanted the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a mantra, He declared that the mantra could at once deliver a conditioned soul from material contamination. In this Age of Kali there is no alternative to chanting this mah\u0101-mantra<\/i>. It is stated that the essence of all Vedic literature is the chanting of this holy name of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a: Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. Lord Caitanya also told Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b, \u201cIn order to convince Me about this essential fact of Vedic knowledge, My spiritual master has taught Me a verse from the B\u1e5bhan-n\u0101rad\u012bya Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/i> (38.126). Harer n\u0101ma harer n\u0101ma harer n\u0101maiva kevalam\/ kalau n\u0101sty eva n\u0101sty eva n\u0101sty eva gatir anyath\u0101:<\/i> \u201cIn this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In three out of the four millenniums (namely, Satya-yuga, Tret\u0101-yuga and Dv\u0101para-yuga) people had the honor to strive to understand transcendence through the path of disciplic succession. But in the present age, due to the influence of Kali, people have no interest in the disciplic succession. Instead, they have invented many paths of logic and argument. This individual attempt to understand the supreme transcendence (called the ascending process) is not the Vedic way. The Absolute Truth must descend from the absolute platform. He is not to be understood by the ascending process. The holy name of the Lord \u2013 Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare \u2013 is a transcendental vibration because it comes from the transcendental platform, the supreme abode of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. And because there is no difference between K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and His name, the holy name of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is as pure, perfect and liberated as K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Himself. Academic scholars, relying on logic and argument, have no entrance into the understanding of the transcendental nature of the holy name of God. The single path for understanding the transcendental nature of Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare is the chanting of these names with faith and adherence. Such chanting will release one from designated conditions arising from the gross and subtle bodies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In this age of logical argument and disagreement, the chanting of Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the only means for self-realization. And because this transcendental vibration alone can deliver the conditioned soul, it is the essence of the Ved\u0101nta-s\u016btra<\/i>. According to the material conception, there is a difference between a person himself and his name, form, qualities, emotions and activities, but as far as this transcendental vibration is concerned, there is no such limitation, for it descends from the spiritual world. In the spiritual world, unlike the material world, there is no difference between a person and his name and qualities. Because the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b philosophers cannot understand this, they cannot utter the transcendental vibration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lord Caitanya then told Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b that because He received the order from His spiritual master He was constantly chanting Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. \u201cAs a result of this chanting,\u201d the Lord said, \u201cI sometimes become very impatient and cannot restrain Myself from dancing and laughing or crying and singing. Indeed, I become just like a madman. When I first wondered whether I had become mad by chanting this Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare, I approached My spiritual master and informed him that I had gone mad by chanting Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. Thus I asked him what was My actual position.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the N\u0101rada Pa\u00f1car\u0101tra<\/i> it is stated:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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e\u1e63o ved\u0101\u1e25 \u1e63a\u1e0d-a\u1e45g\u0101ni
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>chand\u0101\u1e41si vividh\u0101\u1e25 sur\u0101\u1e25
\nsarvam a\u1e63\u1e6d\u0101k\u1e63ar\u0101nta\u1e25stha\u1e41
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>yac c\u0101nyad api v\u0101\u1e45-mayam
\nsarva-ved\u0101nta-s\u0101r\u0101rtha\u1e25
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>sa\u1e41s\u0101r\u0101r\u1e47ava-t\u0101ra\u1e47a\u1e25<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAll Vedic rituals, mantras and understanding are compressed into the eight words Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare.\u201d Similarly, in the Kali-santara\u1e47a Upani\u1e63ad<\/i> it is stated:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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hare k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a hare k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a hare hare
\nhare r\u0101ma hare r\u0101ma
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>r\u0101ma r\u0101ma hare hare<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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iti \u1e63o\u1e0da\u015baka\u1e41 n\u0101mn\u0101\u1e41
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>kali-kalma\u1e63a-n\u0101\u015banam
\nn\u0101ta\u1e25 paratarop\u0101ya\u1e25
\n\u2003\u2003<\/span>sarva-vede\u1e63u d\u1e5b\u015byate<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe sixteen words Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare are especially meant for counteracting the contaminations of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali, there is no alternative to the chanting of these sixteen words.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lord Caitanya informed Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda Sarasvat\u012b that when His spiritual master understood Him he said, \u201cIt is the transcendental nature of the holy names Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare to transport a man into spiritual madness. Anyone who sincerely chants this holy name is quickly elevated to the platform of love of God and becomes mad after God. This madness arising from love of God is the highest perfectional stage for a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Generally a human being is interested in religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. But love of God is above all these. A bona fide spiritual master chants the holy names Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare, and the transcendental sound vibration enters the ear of the disciple, and if the disciple follows in the footsteps of his spiritual master and chants the holy name with similar respect, this chanting constitutes worship of the transcendental name. When the transcendental name is worshiped by the devotee, the name Himself spreads His glories within the heart of the devotee. When the devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs, cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances in the path of the chanting of the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a mah\u0101-mantra,<\/i> but one who is situated on the platform of love of Godhead continues to chant the holy name loudly for the benefit of all concerned. As a result, everyone becomes initiated into the chanting of the holy names \u2013 Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, Hare Hare\/ Hare R\u0101ma, Hare R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma R\u0101ma, Hare Hare. By chanting and hearing the holy names of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, a person can remember the forms and qualities of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Conversations with Prak\u0101\u015b\u0101nanda According to the principles of the M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012bs, singing, dancing and playing musical instruments are strictly prohibited, for they are considered to be sinful activities. The M\u0101y\u0101v\u0101d\u012b sanny\u0101s\u012b is simply supposed … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-17 07:38:20","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20637\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}