{"id":37329,"date":"2020-02-09T01:49:03","date_gmt":"2020-02-09T06:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/?p=37329"},"modified":"2022-02-09T01:49:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T06:49:38","slug":"teachings-of-lord-caitanya-chapter-fourteen-the-ecstasy-of-the-lord-and-his-devotees-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/teachings-of-lord-caitanya-chapter-fourteen-the-ecstasy-of-the-lord-and-his-devotees-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Teachings of Lord Caitanya: CHAPTER FOURTEEN The Ecstasy of the Lord and His Devotees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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The Ecstasy of the Lord and His Devotees<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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The symptoms of highly developed devotional service for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, which are exhibited by the pure devotees, are sometimes imitated by those who are not actually pure devotees. This is described in the Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/i>. Without devotional service to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, such symptoms are artificial, not actual. Sometimes those who are not conversant with the science of devotional service are captivated by the exhibition of such symptoms, but learned devotees know that they are simply imitation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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According to the various divisions and gradations of devotees, permanent devotional attitudes can be divided into five categories: (1) peacefulness, (2) service to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, (3) friendship with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, (4) parental affection toward K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and (5) conjugal love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Each division has its own taste and relish, and a devotee situated in a particular division is happy in that position. Characteristic symptoms exhibited by a pure devotee are generally laughing and crying; when emotions are favorable, a pure devotee laughs, and when emotions are not favorable, he cries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Situated above these two emotions is permanent love, which is called sth\u0101yi-bh\u0101va<\/i>. In other words, when one\u2019s attachment to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is permanent, one is situated in sth\u0101yi-bh\u0101va<\/i>. That permanent loving attitude is sometimes mixed with different kinds of taste, called vibh\u0101va, anubh\u0101va<\/i> and vyabhic\u0101r\u012b<\/i>. Vibh\u0101va<\/i> is a particular taste or attachment for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and it can be divided into two further categories \u2013 \u0101lambana<\/i> and udd\u012bpana<\/i>. In the Agni Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/i> and other authoritative scriptures, that which increases one\u2019s love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is said to be vibh\u0101va,<\/i> and when K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the objective, vibh\u0101va<\/i> is described as \u0101lambana<\/i>. Udd\u012bpanas<\/i> include K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s transcendental qualities, His activities, His beautiful smiling face and the aroma of His body, the sounds of His flute, ankle bells, and conch shell, the marks on the soles of His feet, His dwelling place and His paraphernalia of devotional service (such as tulas\u012b<\/i> leaves, devotees, ceremonial performances and Ek\u0101da\u015b\u012b). Anubh\u0101va<\/i> occurs when feelings and emotions within oneself are exhibited. In the attitude of anubh\u0101va,<\/i> one dances and sometimes falls down, sometimes sings loudly, shows convulsions, yawns and sometimes breathes very heavily \u2013 all without concern for circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The external features exhibited on the bodies of devotees are called udbh\u0101svara<\/i>. The vyabhic\u0101r\u012b<\/i> symptoms are thirty-three in number, and they primarily involve words uttered by the devotee and various bodily features. Different bodily features \u2013 such as dancing, trembling and laughing \u2013 sometimes mix with the vyabhic\u0101r\u012b<\/i> symptoms, which are also called sa\u00f1c\u0101r\u012b<\/i>. When bh\u0101va, anubh\u0101va<\/i> and vyabhic\u0101r\u012b<\/i> symptoms are combined, they make the devotee dive into the ocean of immortality. That ocean is called the bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu,<\/i> the ocean of the pure nectar of devotional service, and one who is merged in that ocean is always rapt in transcendental pleasure on the waves and sounds of that ocean.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The particular rasas<\/i> (flavors or tastes) of the devotees who merge into that ocean of bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta<\/i> are known as neutrality, servitorship, friendship, parenthood and conjugal love. Conjugal love is very prominent, and it is symptomized by the devotee\u2019s decorating his body to attract K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. The flavor of servitorship increases to include affection, anger, fraternity and attachment. The flavor of friendship increases to include affection, anger, fraternity, attachment and devotion, and in parenthood the attachment also increases to include affection, anger, fraternity, attachment and devotion. There are also special flavors experienced in friendship with the Supreme Lord, and these are manifested by friends such as Subala, whose devotion increases up to the point of bh\u0101va<\/i>. The different rasas<\/i> are also divided into two kinds of ecstasy, called yoga<\/i> and viyoga,<\/i> or meeting and separation. In the rasas<\/i> of friendship and parenthood, the feelings of meeting and separation are various.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The situations known as r\u016b\u1e0dha<\/i> (advanced) and adhir\u016b\u1e0dha<\/i> (highly advanced) are possible only in the rasa<\/i> of conjugal love. Conjugal love exhibited by the queens at Dv\u0101rak\u0101 is called r\u016b\u1e0dha,<\/i> and conjugal love exhibited at V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana by the damsels of Vraja is called adhir\u016b\u1e0dha<\/i>. The highest perfections of adhir\u016b\u1e0dha<\/i> affection in conjugal love involve meeting (m\u0101dana<\/i>) and separation (mohana<\/i>). In the ecstasy of m\u0101dana<\/i> there is kissing, and in the ecstasy of mohana<\/i>there are udgh\u016br\u1e47\u0101<\/i> (unsteadiness) and citra-jalpa<\/i> (varieties of mad emotional talks). There are ten varieties of citra-jalpa,<\/i> examples of which are given in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> (10.47.12<\/a>\u201321), in a portion known as the Bhramara-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i>. Udgh\u016br\u1e47\u0101,<\/i> a symptom of separation is also a symptom of transcendental insanity. In that transcendental insanity one thinks that he himself has become the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In such an ecstasy, he imitates the symptoms of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in different ways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The two divisions of ecstasies experienced in the relationship of conjugal love are sambhoga<\/i> (meeting) and vipralambha<\/i> (separation). On the sambhoga<\/i> platform the ecstasies are unlimited, and on the vipralambha<\/i> platform they are four in number. The ecstasy exhibited before the lover and beloved meet, the ecstasy experienced between them after meeting, the state of mind experienced by not meeting, and the state of mind experienced after meeting but fearing separation are called vipralambha<\/i>. That vipralambha<\/i> serves as a nourishing element for future meetings. When the lover and beloved meet all of a sudden and embrace one another, they feel an ecstasy of happiness, and the state of mind they experience in that ecstasy is called sambhoga<\/i>. According to the situation, sambhoga<\/i> ecstasy is also known by four names: (1) sa\u1e45k\u1e63ipta,<\/i> (2) sa\u1e45k\u012br\u1e47a,<\/i> (3) sampanna<\/i> or (4) sam\u1e5bddhim\u0101n<\/i>. Such symptoms are also visible during dreams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The mental state experienced before meeting is called p\u016brva-r\u0101ga<\/i>. The obstacles that impede the meeting between the lover and beloved are called m\u0101na,<\/i> or anger. When the lover and beloved are separated, the mental state experienced is called prav\u0101sa<\/i>. Feelings of separation which are present under certain conditions even when the lovers meet are called love anxieties (prema-vaicittya<\/i>). Such love anxieties are exhibited in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> (10.90.15)<\/a> by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s queens, who kept awake nights and watched Him sleep. Afraid of being separated from K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, they talked among themselves about how they had been affected by His beautiful eyes and smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The supreme lover is K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, and the supreme beloved is R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a has sixty-four main qualities, and His devotee takes transcendental pleasure in hearing of them. As explained in the Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu,<\/i> the characteristics are as follows: (1) His body is well constructed; (2) His body is full of auspicious symptoms; (3) His body is beautiful; (4) He is very glorious; (5) He is very strong; (6) He always looks like a boy of sixteen; (7) He is well versed in various languages; (8) He is truthful; (9) He is decorated with pleasing words; (10) He is expert in speaking; (11) He is very learned; (12) He is very intelligent; (13) He is influential; (14) He is joyful; (15) He is cunning; (16) He is expert; (17) He is grateful; (18) He is firmly convinced; (19) He knows how to deal with different circumstances; (20) He is always conversant with scriptural injunctions; (21) He is clean; (22) He is controlled by His devotees; (23) He is steady; (24) He is self-controlled; (25) He is forgiving; (26) He is grave; (27) He is self-satisfied; (28) He is fair in His dealings; (29) He is magnanimous; (30) He is religious; (31) He is a great hero; (32) He is merciful; (33) He is respectful; (34) He is competent; (35) He is gentle; (36) He is modest; (37) He is the protector of the souls surrendered unto Him; (38) He is the deliverer; (39) He is the friend of the devotees; (40) He is submissive to love; (41) He is all-auspicious; (42) He is most powerful; (43) He is famous; (44) He is devoted to all living entities; (45) He is worshipable by everyone; (46) He is very attractive to all women; (47) He is partial to His devotees; (48) He is full of all opulence; (49) He is the supreme controller; (50) He possesses all honor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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These fifty qualities are fragmentally present in every living entity. When a human being is completely spiritually free and situated in his original condition, all these qualities can be perceived in him in minute quantity. In K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, however, they exist in totality. There are five other transcendental qualities (mentioned below), which can be seen in Vi\u1e63\u1e47u, the Supreme Lord, and partially in Lord \u015aiva also, but they are not visible in ordinary living entities. These qualities are as follows: (1) He is always situated in His original condition; (2) He is omniscient; (3) He is evergreen or always fresh; (4) He is eternally blissful; (5) He is the master of all perfection. Besides these five transcendental characteristics, there are five others which can be seen in the spiritual sky, especially in the Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha planets, where N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a is the predominating Deity. These are: (1) He has inconceivable potencies; (2) He is able to sustain innumerable universes; (3) He is the seed of all incarnations; (4) He grants the highest perfection to those enemies whom He kills; (5) He is attractive to self-realized persons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The above-mentioned sixty qualities are visible in N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a. But K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a has four special qualities, which are: (1) He is able to manifest wonderful pastimes; (2) He is expert at transcendental flute-playing; (3) He is surrounded by loving devotees; (4) He possesses unparalleled personal beauty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thus K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a has sixty-four transcendental qualities. \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b has twenty-five transcendental qualities, with which She can control even K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Her transcendental qualities are as follows: (1) She is sweetness personified; (2) She is a fresh young girl; (3) Her eyes are always moving; (4) She is always brightly smiling; (5) She possesses all auspicious marks on Her body; (6) She can agitate K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a by the aroma of Her person; (7) She is expert in the art of singing; (8) She speaks very nicely and sweetly; (9) She is expert in presenting feminine attractions; (10) She is modest and gentle; (11) She is always very merciful; (12) She is transcendentally cunning; (13) She knows how to dress nicely; (14) She is always shy; (15) She is always respectful; (16) She is always patient; (17) She is very grave; (18) She is enjoyed by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a; (19) She is always situated on the highest devotional platform; (20) She is the abode of love of the residents of Gokula; (21) She can give shelter to all kinds of devotees; (22) She is always affectionate to superiors and inferiors; (23) She is always obliged by the dealings of Her associates, (24) She is the greatest among K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s girlfriends; (25) She always keeps K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a under Her control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thus K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b are both transcendentally qualified, and They attract one another. But R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s transcendental attractiveness is greater than K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s, for Her attractiveness is the transcendental taste in conjugal love. Similarly, there are transcendental tastes in servitorship, friendship and other relationships with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. These can be described with reference to the context of the Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Persons who have been thoroughly cleansed by devotional service and are always joyful, being situated in elevated consciousness, who are very much attached to studying \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>,<\/i> who are always cheerful in the association of devotees, who have accepted the lotus feet of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a as the ultimate shelter of their lives, and who are pleased to perform all details of devotional service \u2013 such devotees have in their pure hearts the transcendental ecstasy of attachment, which has been developed through old and new reformatory practices. That ecstatic state of being, enriched with love of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and transcendental experience, gradually develops into the mature bliss of spiritual life. Tasting such spiritual bliss is not possible for those who are not situated in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and devotional service. This fact is further corroborated in the Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/i> (2.5.131), where it is said: \u201cIt is very difficult for the nondevotee to understand the taste of devotional service. Only one who has completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and whose life is merged in the ocean of devotional service can understand this transcendental pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Lord Caitanya thus briefly explained the transcendental situation, the spiritual relish of life, which He called the fifth stage of perfection. The first stage of perfection is to become a religious man in the ordinary sense, as known in the material world; the second stage of perfection is to become materially rich; the third stage of perfection is the attainment of complete sense enjoyment; and the fourth stage of perfection is liberation. But above liberation are those in the fifth stage of perfection, those who are established in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, or devotional service to the Lord. Already liberated, devotees who reach the highest perfection of devotional service in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness experience the taste of the ecstasy of spiritual relish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Lord then told San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b that He had previously taught his younger brother, R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b, at Pray\u0101ga (Allahabad). The Lord assured San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b that He had empowered R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b to spread the knowledge He had given him. The Lord then similarly ordered San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b to write books on the transcendental loving service of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and He authorized him to excavate the different sites of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s pastimes in the district of Mathur\u0101. San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b was also advised to construct temples in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana and to write books on the principles of Vai\u1e63\u1e47avism, as authorized by Lord Caitanya Himself. San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b executed all these desires of the Lord \u2013 he constructed the temple of Madana-mohana at V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, and he wrote books on the principles of devotional service, such as the Hari-bhakti-vil\u0101sa<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Lord Caitanya further taught San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b how one can live in the material world while being in a complete relationship with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and He also taught him that there is no necessity for dry renunciation. The purport of these instructions is that in the present age there are many persons who accept the renounced order of life (sanny\u0101sa<\/i>) but who are not spiritually advanced. Lord Caitanya did not approve of such sanny\u0101sa,<\/i> explaining that it is wrong to accept sanny\u0101sa<\/i> without having perfect knowledge of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness. Actually, we find that there are many so-called sanny\u0101s\u012bs<\/i> whose actions are below those of ordinary men but who pass themselves off as being in the renounced order of life. Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu did not accept such hypocrisy, and He instructed San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b to elaborate on this subject in his different books.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The perfectional stage of spiritual life, which one can experience even while being in the material world, is described by Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/a><\/i>. There it is said that one who is not envious of any living entity, who is friendly, merciful and detached from material possessions, who is situated in his pure identity, without any false conception of the body as the self, who is equipoised in both happiness and distress, who is forgiving, always satisfied, always engaged in devotional service, and always surrendered unto the Supreme Lord with his body and mind \u2013 such a devotee is very dear to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. A devotee who never gives trouble to any living entity, either by his body or his mind, who is never affected by material distress and happiness, and who is never angry or pleased with anything material is very dear to the Supreme Lord. He who is never dependent on anyone in this world, who is completely surrendered to the Supreme Lord, who is purified, expert, neutral, free of pain, and aloof from any material endeavor which requires too much attention \u2013 such a devotee is also very dear to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. A person who is never subjected to material happiness or hatred, lamentation or ambition, who is aloof from all materially auspicious and inauspicious activities, and who is fully devoted in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness \u2013 such a devotee is very dear to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. A devotee who treats equally a so-called enemy and a so-called friend in the material world, who is not disturbed by heat or cold, who is without any attachment, who is equally situated when respected or insulted, who is always grave, satisfied in any condition of life, without any fixed residence, and fixed in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness \u2013 such a devotee is very dear to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Even if one is not situated in the transcendental position, still, if he approves the transcendental life described here, he also becomes very dear to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/i> (2.2.5)<\/a> there is a very nice verse stating that a devotee should always remain dependent on the mercy of the Supreme Lord and that as far as his material necessities are concerned, he should be satisfied with whatever is obtained without endeavor. In this regard, \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b advised that a devotee should never approach a materialistic person for any kind of help. As far as one\u2019s bodily necessities are concerned, one can pick up torn clothing from the street, take fruits offered by trees, drink water from flowing rivers, and live in a mountain cave constructed by nature herself. Even if one is unable to do all these things, he should nonetheless completely depend on the Supreme Lord, understanding that since the Lord provides everyone with food and shelter, He will never fail to care for His devotees who are fully surrendered unto Him. In any case, the devotee is always protected, and therefore he should not be at all anxious for his maintenance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b thus inquired into all phases of devotional service, or K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, and Lord Caitanya taught him most confidentially from authoritative scriptures like \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i>. The Lord also referred to the Vedic literature known as Hari-va\u1e41\u015ba,<\/i> which gives information about the transcendental abode of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. This information was disclosed by Indra when he offered his prayers after being defeated upon challenging the potency of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. In the Hari-va\u1e41\u015ba<\/i> it is stated that although birds and airplanes can fly high in the sky above the earth, they cannot reach the higher planetary systems. The higher planetary systems extend upward from the sun planet, which is situated in the middle of the universe. Above the sun are planetary systems where persons who are elevated by great austerities and penances are situated. The whole material universe is called Dev\u012b-dh\u0101ma, and above it is \u015aiva-dh\u0101ma, where Lord \u015aiva and his wife P\u0101rvat\u012b eternally reside. Above that planetary system is the spiritual sky, where innumerable spiritual planets, known as Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dhas, are situated. And above these Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha planets is K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s planet, known as Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana. The word goloka<\/i> means \u201cplanet of the cows.\u201d Because K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is very fond of cows, His abode is known as Goloka. Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana is larger than all the material and spiritual planets put together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In his prayers in the Hari-va\u1e41\u015ba,<\/i> Indra admitted that he could not understand the situation of Goloka, even by asking Brahm\u0101. Devotees of the N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a expansion of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a attain the Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha planets, but it is very difficult to reach the Goloka planet. Indeed, that planet can be reached only by devotees of Lord Caitanya or Lord \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Indra then said to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a: \u201cYou have descended from that Goloka planet in the spiritual world, and the disturbance I created was all due to my foolishness.\u201d Therefore Indra begged Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to excuse him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The last phase of the pastimes of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is described in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/i> as mau\u1e63ala-l\u012bl\u0101<\/i>. This series of pastimes includes K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s mysterious disappearance from the material world. In that pastime the Lord played the part of being killed by a hunter. There are many improper explanations of scriptural passages describing the last portion of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s pastimes (such as the explanation of descriptions of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a as the incarnation of a hair), but Lord Caitanya properly explained these passages and gave them the right interpretation. As far as K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a being the incarnation of a hair is concerned, this is mentioned in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>,<\/i> the Vi\u1e63\u1e47u<\/i> Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/i> and the Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata<\/i>. In the Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata<\/i> it is stated that Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u snatched a gray hair and a black hair from His head and that these two hairs entered into the wombs of two queens of the Yadu dynasty, namely, Rohi\u1e47\u012b and Devak\u012b. It is also stated there that Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a descends to the material world in order to vanquish all the demons. Some say that K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the incarnation of Vi\u1e63\u1e47u who lies in the ocean of milk within this universe. \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b, in his Laghu-bh\u0101gavat\u0101m\u1e5bta,<\/i> along with his commentator, \u015ar\u012b Baladeva Vidy\u0101bh\u016b\u1e63a\u1e47a, have discussed these points fully and have established the exact truth. \u015ar\u012b J\u012bva Gosv\u0101m\u012b also discusses these points in the K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-sandarbha<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When Lord Caitanya finished His instructions to \u015ar\u012b San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b, San\u0101tana, being empowered and enlightened, was so transcendentally pleased that he at once fell at the feet of Lord Caitanya and said, \u201cI was born in a very low family, and I have always associated with lowly people; therefore I am the lowest of sinners. Yet You are so kind that You have taught me lessons which are not even understood by Lord Brahm\u0101, the greatest being in this universe. By Your grace I have appreciated the conclusions which You have taught me, but I am so low that I cannot even touch a drop of the ocean of Your instructions. Thus if You want me, who am nothing but a lame man, to dance, then please give me Your benediction by placing Your feet on my head.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thus San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b prayed for the Lord\u2019s confirmation that His teachings would actually evolve in his heart by His grace. Otherwise San\u0101tana knew that there was no possibility of his being able to describe the Lord\u2019s teachings. The purport of this is that the \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/i> (spiritual masters) are authorized by higher authorities. Instruction alone cannot make one an expert. Unless one is blessed by the spiritual master, or \u0101c\u0101rya,<\/i> such teachings cannot become fully manifested. Therefore one should seek the mercy of the spiritual master so that his instructions can develop within oneself. After receiving the prayers of San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b, Lord Caitanya placed His feet on San\u0101tana\u2019s head and gave him the benediction that all the Lord\u2019s instructions would fully develop within him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thus the Lord described the ultimate stage of love of Godhead. Lord Caitanya said that such a description cannot be given very elaborately but that He had informed San\u0101tana as far as possible. The author of \u015ar\u012b<\/i> Caitanya-carit\u0101m\u1e5bta<\/i>concludes this chapter by writing that anyone who attentively hears these instructions of Lord Caitanya to San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b very soon becomes situated in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and engages in pure devotional service to the Lord.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 CHAPTER FOURTEEN The Ecstasy of the Lord and His Devotees The symptoms of highly developed devotional service for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, which are exhibited by the pure devotees, are sometimes imitated by those who are not actually … 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-37329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-03 19:57:11","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\/37329","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=37329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37329\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}