{"id":57782,"date":"2020-09-24T12:33:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T16:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/?p=57782"},"modified":"2023-09-24T12:36:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T16:36:06","slug":"nectar-of-devotion-chapter-twelve-further-aspects-of-transcendental-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/nectar-of-devotion-chapter-twelve-further-aspects-of-transcendental-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Nectar of Devotion &#8211; CHAPTER TWELVE:  &#8211;  Further Aspects of Transcendental Service"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: #800000;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"bb1206690\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206719\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206742\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206775\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206795\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206806\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206856\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206864\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206938\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206939\" class=\"r r-title-small r-chapter\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206961\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206962\" class=\"r r-title-small r-chapter\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206991\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"bb1206992\" class=\"r r-title-small r-chapter\">\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">CHAPTER TWELVE<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">Further Aspects of Transcendental Service<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206993\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-chapter-title r-title\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206994\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">HEARING THE REVEALED SCRIPTURES<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206995\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">According to \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b, any book that gives enlightenment in the matter of advancing in devotional service is considered to be revealed scripture. \u015ar\u012bla Madhv\u0101c\u0101rya has also defined <em>revealed scriptures<\/em> as referring to books such as the <em>R\u0101m\u0101ya\u1e47a, Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, Pur\u0101\u1e47as, Upani\u1e63ads, Ved\u0101nta\u00a0\u2013 <\/em>and any other literature written in pursuance of such revealed scriptures.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206996\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Skanda Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is this statement: \u201cA person who is constantly engaged in reading literature enunciating the cultivation of Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava devotional service is always glorious in human society, and certainly Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a becomes pleased with him. A person who very carefully keeps such literature at home and offers respectful obeisances to it becomes freed from all sinful reactions and ultimately becomes worshipable by the demigods.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206997\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">It is also said to N\u0101rada Muni, \u201cMy dear N\u0101rada, a person who writes Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava literature and keeps such literature at home has Lord N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a always residing in his house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206998\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>,<\/em> Twelfth Canto, thirteenth chapter, verse 15, it is stated, \u201c<em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> is the essence of all Ved\u0101nta philosophy. Any person who has become attached in some way or other to the reading of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em>cannot have any taste for reading any other literature. In other words, a person who has relished the transcendental bliss of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> cannot be satisfied with mundane writings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1206999\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">RESIDING IN MATHUR\u0100<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207000\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Var\u0101ha Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is a statement praising the residential quarters of Mathur\u0101. Lord Var\u0101ha tells the men of earth, \u201cAny person who becomes attracted to places other than Mathur\u0101 will certainly be captivated by the illusory energy.\u201d In the <em>Brahm\u0101\u1e47\u1e0da Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> it is said that all the results of traveling on all the pilgrimages within the three worlds can be achieved simply by touching the holy land of Mathur\u0101. In many <em>\u015b\u0101stras<\/em> (scriptures) it is said that simply by hearing, remembering, glorifying, desiring, seeing or touching the land of Mathur\u0101, one can achieve all desires.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207001\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">RENDERING SERVICE TO DEVOTEES<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207002\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a,<\/em> there is a nice statement praising the service of the Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas, or devotees. In that scripture Lord \u015aiva tells P\u0101rvat\u012b, \u201cMy dear P\u0101rvat\u012b, there are different methods of worship, and out of all such methods the worship of the Supreme Person is considered to be the highest. But even higher than the worship of the Lord is the worship of the Lord\u2019s devotees.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207003\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">A similar statement is in the Third Canto, seventh chapter, verse 19 of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>:<\/em> \u201cLet me become a sincere servant of the devotees, because by serving them one can achieve unalloyed devotional service unto the lotus feet of the Lord. The service of devotees diminishes all miserable material conditions and develops within one a deep devotional love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207004\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Skanda Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is a similar statement: \u201cPersons whose bodies are marked with <em>tilaka,<\/em> symbolizing the conch shell, wheel, club and lotus\u00a0\u2013 and who keep the leaves of <em>tulas\u012b<\/em> on their heads, and whose bodies are always decorated with <em>gop\u012b-candana\u00a0\u2013 <\/em>even seen once, can help the seer be relieved from all sinful activities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207005\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">A similar statement is found in the First Canto, nineteenth chapter, verse 33 of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>:<\/em> \u201cThere is no doubt about one\u2019s becoming freed from all reactions to sinful activities after visiting a devotee or touching his lotus feet or giving him a sitting place. Even by remembering the activities of such a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava, one becomes purified, along with one\u2019s whole family. And what, then, can be said of rendering direct service to him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207006\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>\u0100di Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is the following statement by Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Himself, addressed to Arjuna: \u201cMy dear P\u0101rtha, one who claims to be My devotee is not so. Only a person who claims to be the devotee of My devotee is actually My devotee.\u201d No one can approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly. One must approach Him through His pure devotees. Therefore, in the system of Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava activities, the first duty is to accept a devotee as spiritual master and then to render service unto him.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207007\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">\u015ar\u012b R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b affirms that all the quotations given in the <em>Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/em> from different scriptures are accepted by the great <em>\u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> and devotees of the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207008\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">SERVING THE LORD ACCORDING TO ONE\u2019S POSITION<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207009\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is a statement that one should perform the ceremonies for the Lord according to one\u2019s financial position. Everyone should observe the different ceremonies and celebrations of the Lord by all means.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207010\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">PERFORMING DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IN K\u0100RTTIKA<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207011\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">One of the most important of these ceremonial functions is called \u016arja-vrata. \u016arja-vrata is observed in the month of K\u0101rttika (October-November); especially in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, there is a specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His D\u0101modara form. \u201cD\u0101modara\u201d refers to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s being bound with rope by His mother, Ya\u015bod\u0101. It is said that just as Lord D\u0101modara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as D\u0101modara or K\u0101rttika is also very dear to them.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207012\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The execution of devotional service during \u016arja-vrata in the month of K\u0101rttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathur\u0101. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathur\u0101 or V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana and stay there during the month of K\u0101rttika specifically to perform devotional services during this period.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207013\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> it is said, \u201cThe Lord may offer liberation or material happiness to a devotee, but after some devotional service has been executed, particularly in Mathur\u0101 during the month of K\u0101rttika, the devotees want only to attain pure devotional service unto the Lord.\u201d The purport is that the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of K\u0101rttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathur\u0101 in India, are very easily awarded the Lord\u2019s personal service.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207014\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">OBSERVING FESTIVALS CELEBRATING THE LORD\u2019S ACTIVITIES<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207015\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Bhavi\u1e63ya Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is a statement about observing different ceremonies celebrating the Lord\u2019s appearance (birthday) and other transcendental activities. It is said, \u201cMy Lord Jan\u0101rdana [K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a], please let us know the date when Your mother Devak\u012b-dev\u012b gave birth to You. If You kindly inform us about this, then we shall observe a great celebration on this date. O killer of Ke\u015b\u012b, we are souls one hundred percent surrendered unto Your lotus feet, and we wish only to please You with our ceremonies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207016\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">This statement of the <em>Bhavi\u1e63ya Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> gives evidence that by observing different functions in relationship with the Lord one is sure to become pleasing to the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207017\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">SERVING THE DEITY WITH GREAT DEVOTION<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207018\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">It is said in the <em>\u0100di Pur\u0101\u1e47a,<\/em> \u201cA person who is constantly engaged in chanting the holy name and who feels transcendental pleasure, being engaged in devotional service, is certainly awarded the facilities of devotional service and is never given just <em>mukti<\/em> [liberation].\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207019\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><em>Mukti<\/em> means liberation from material contamination; when liberated, one does not have to take birth again in the material world. The impersonalists desire to merge into the spiritual existence to end their individual existence, but according to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>, mukti<\/em> is only the beginning of one\u2019s becoming situated in his normal condition. The normal condition of every living entity is to be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. From the statement of the <em>\u0100di Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> it appears that a devotee is satisfied simply with being engaged in devotional service. He does not aspire for any liberation from material, conditional life. In other words, anyone who is engaged in devotional service is not in the material condition of life, although he may appear so.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207020\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">RECITATION OF \u015aR\u012aMAD-BH\u0100GAVATAM AMONG DEVOTEES<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207021\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> is the desire tree of Vedic wisdom. <em>Veda<\/em> itself means \u201cthe aggregate of knowledge.\u201d And whatever knowledge is required for human society is perfectly presented in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>.<\/em> There are different branches of knowledge in the Vedic writings, including sociology, politics, medicine and military art. All these and other branches of knowledge are perfectly described in the <em>Vedas.<\/em> So, as far as spiritual knowledge is concerned, that is also perfectly described there, and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> is considered to be the ripened fruit of this desire-fulfilling tree of the <em>Vedas.<\/em> A tree is honored by the production of its fruit. For example, a mango tree is considered very valuable because it produces the king of all fruits, the mango. When the mango fruit becomes ripened it is the greatest gift of that tree, and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> is similarly held to be the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree. And as ripened fruit becomes more relishable when first touched by the beak of a parrot, or <em>\u015buka, <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> has become more relishable by being delivered through the transcendental mouth of \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207022\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> should be received in disciplic succession without any breakage. When a ripened fruit comes from the upper part of the tree onto the ground by the process of being handed down from a higher branch to a lower branch by persons in the tree, the fruit does not break. <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>,<\/em> when received in the <em>parampar\u0101<\/em> system, or disciplic succession, will likewise remain unbroken. It is stated in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/bg\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/a><\/em> that the disciplic succession, or <em>parampar\u0101,<\/em> is the way of receiving transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge must come down through the disciplic succession, through authorized persons who know the real purpose of the <em>\u015b\u0101stra.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207023\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">\u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu recommended that one learn <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> from the mouth of the self-realized person called <em>bh\u0101gavatam. Bh\u0101gavata<\/em> means \u201cin relationship with the Personality of Godhead [Bhagav\u0101n].\u201d So the devotee is sometimes called <em>bh\u0101gavatam,<\/em> and the book that is in relationship with devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also called <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em> \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu recommended that in order to relish the real taste of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> one should take instruction from the person <em>bh\u0101gavatam. <a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> is relishable even by a liberated person. \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b admitted that although he was liberated from within the very womb of his mother, it was only after relishing <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> that he became a great devotee. Thus one who is desirous of advancing in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness should relish the purport of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> through the discussions of authorized devotees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207024\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>,<\/em> Second Canto, first chapter, verse 9, \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b admits that although he was very much attracted by the impersonal Brahman, when he heard the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead from the mouth of his father, Vy\u0101sadeva, he became more attracted to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a>.<\/em> The idea is that Vy\u0101sadeva was also a self-realized soul, and his mature contribution of transcendental knowledge was delivered directly to \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b in the manner indicated.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207025\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">ASSOCIATING WITH ADVANCED DEVOTEES<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207026\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The importance of discussing <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> in the society of pure devotees was explained by \u015aaunaka Muni during the meeting at Naimi\u1e63\u0101ra\u1e47ya, in the presence of S\u016bta Gosv\u0101m\u012b. S\u016bta Gosv\u0101m\u012b confirmed that if someone is fortunate enough to associate with a pure devotee of the Lord even for a moment, that particular moment is so valuable that even those pious activities that can promote one to the heavenly planets or give liberation from material miseries cannot compare to it. In other words, those who are attached to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> do not care for any kind of benefit derived from elevation to the higher planetary kingdoms, or for the liberation which is conceived of by the impersonalists. As such, the association of pure devotees is so transcendentally valuable that no kind of material happiness can compare to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207027\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya<\/em> there is a conversation between Prahl\u0101da Mah\u0101r\u0101ja and his father, Hira\u1e47yaka\u015bipu, in which Hira\u1e47yaka\u015bipu addresses Prahl\u0101da in this way: \u201cMy dear son, association is very important. It acts just like a crystal stone, which will reflect anything which is put before it.\u201d Similarly, if we associate with the flowerlike devotees of the Lord, and if our hearts are crystal clear, then certainly the same action will be there. Another example given in this connection is that if a man is potent and if a woman is not diseased, then by their conjugation there will be conception. In the same way, if the recipient of spiritual knowledge and the deliverer of spiritual knowledge are sincere and bona fide, there will be good results.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207028\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207029\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The importance of 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 is very strongly stressed in the Second Canto, first chapter, verse 11 of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/vedabase.io\/en\/library\/sb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam<\/a><\/em> in the following way. \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b tells Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Par\u012bk\u1e63it, \u201cMy dear King, if one is spontaneously attached to the chanting of the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mah\u0101-mantra,<\/em> it is to be understood that he has attained the highest perfectional stage.\u201d It is specifically mentioned that the <em>karm\u012bs<\/em> who are aspiring after the fruitive results of their activities, the salvationists who are aspiring to become one with the Supreme Person, and the <em>yog\u012bs<\/em> who are aspiring after mystic perfections can achieve the results of all perfectional stages simply by chanting the <em>mah\u0101-mantra.<\/em> \u015aukadeva uses the word <em>nir\u1e47\u012btam,<\/em> which means \u201cit has already been decided.\u201d He was a liberated soul and therefore could not accept anything that was not conclusive. So \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b especially stresses that it has already been concluded that one who has come to the stage of chanting the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mantra<\/em> with determination and steadiness must be considered to have already passed the trials of fruitive activities, mental speculation and mystic <em>yoga.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207030\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">The same thing is confirmed in the <em>\u0100di Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. While addressing Arjuna He says, \u201cAnyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207031\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> it is also stated, \u201cThe chanting of the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mantra<\/em> is present only on the lips of a person who has for many births worshiped V\u0101sudeva.\u201d It is further said in the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a,<\/em> \u201cThere is no difference between the holy name of the Lord and the Lord Himself. As such, the holy name is as perfect as the Lord Himself in fullness, purity and eternity. The holy name is not a material sound vibration, nor has it any material contamination.\u201d The holy name cannot, therefore, be chanted offenselessly by one who has failed to purify his senses. In other words, materialistic senses cannot properly chant the holy names of the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mah\u0101-mantra.<\/em> But by adopting this chanting process, one is given a chance to actually purify himself, so that he may very soon chant offenselessly.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207032\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu has recommended that everyone chant the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mantra<\/em> just to cleanse the dust from the heart. If the dust of the heart is cleansed away, then one can actually understand the importance of the holy name. For persons who are not inclined to clean the dust from their hearts and who want to keep things as they are, it is not possible to derive the transcendental result of chanting the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mantra.<\/em> One should, therefore, be encouraged to develop his service attitude toward the Lord, because this will help him to chant without any offense. And so, under the guidance of a spiritual master, the disciple is trained to render service and at the same time chant the Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a <em>mantra.<\/em>As soon as one develops his spontaneous service attitude, he can immediately understand the transcendental nature of the holy names of the <em>mah\u0101-mantra.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207033\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-sub-chapter\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">LIVING IN MATHUR\u0100<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207034\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">In the <em>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> there is a statement about the importance of living at holy places like Mathur\u0101 or Dv\u0101rak\u0101. It is stated there, \u201cTo travel to different places of pilgrimage means to attain emancipation from material bondage. This emancipation, however, is not the highest perfectional stage. After attaining this liberated stage, one has to become engaged in devotional service to the Lord. After attainment of the <em>brahma-bh\u016bta <\/em>[liberation] stage, one can further advance to engagement in devotional service. So this attainment of transcendental loving devotional service to the Lord is the goal of life, and it can be achieved very easily for one who lives in Mathur\u0101-ma\u1e47\u1e0dala even for a few seconds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bb1207035\" class=\"r r-lang-en r-paragraph\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;\">It is further said, \u201cWho is that person who will not agree to worship the land of Mathur\u0101? Mathur\u0101 can deliver all the desires and ambitions of the fruitive workers and of the salvationists, who desire to become one with the Supreme Brahman. Certainly Mathur\u0101 will deliver the desires of the devotees, who simply aspire to be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord.\u201d In the Vedic literature it is also stated, \u201cHow wonderful it is that simply by residing in Mathur\u0101 even for one day, one can achieve a transcendental loving attitude toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead! This land of Mathur\u0101 must be more glorious than Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha-dh\u0101ma, the kingdom of God!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; \u00a0 \u00a0 CHAPTER TWELVE Further Aspects of Transcendental Service &nbsp; &nbsp; HEARING THE REVEALED SCRIPTURES According to \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b, any book that gives enlightenment in the matter of advancing in devotional service is considered &hellip; <a class=\"kt-excerpt-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/nectar-of-devotion-chapter-twelve-further-aspects-of-transcendental-service\/\" aria-label=\"Nectar of Devotion &#8211; CHAPTER TWELVE:  &#8211;  Further Aspects of Transcendental Service\">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-57782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-17 12:13:17","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\/57782","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=57782"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57782\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}