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Madhya 22-1975: The Process of Devotional Service

Chapter 22

The Process of Devotional Service

In this Twenty-second Chapter, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu describes the

process of devotional service. In the beginning He describes the truth

about the living entity and the superexcellence of devotional service.

He then describes the uselessness of mental speculation and mystic yoga.

In all circumstances the living entity is recommended to accept the path

of devotional service as personally explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The speculative method of the so-called jnanis is considered a waste of

time, and that is proved in this chapter. An intelligent person should

abandon the processes of karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and mystic yoga. One

should give up all these useless processes and take seriously to the

path of Krsna consciousness. In this way one's life will be successful.

If one takes to Krsna consciousness fully, even though he may sometimes

be agitated due to having previously practiced mental speculation and

yogic mysticism, he will be saved by Lord Krsna Himself. The fact is

that devotional service is bestowed by the blessings of a pure devotee (

sa mahatma sudurlabhah). A pure devotee is the supreme

transcendentalist, and one has to receive his mercy for one's dormant

Krsna consciousness to be awakened. One has to associate with pure

devotees. If one has firm faith in the words of a great soul, pure

devotional service will awaken.

In this chapter Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has differentiated

between a pure devotee and others. He also describes the characteristics

of a pure devotee. A devotee's most formidable enemy is association with

women in an enjoying spirit. Association with nondevotees is also

condemned because it is also a formidable enemy on the path of

devotional service. One has to fully surrender unto the lotus feet of

Krsna and give up attraction for women and nondevotees.

The six symptoms of fully surrendered souls are also described in this

chapter. Devotional service has been divided into two categories --

regulative devotional service and spontaneous love. There are sixty-four

items listed in regulative devotional service, and out of these sixty-

four the last five are considered very important. By practicing even one

of the nine processes of devotional service, one can become successful.

Speculative knowledge and mystic yoga can never help one in devotional

service. Pious activity, nonviolence, sense control and regulation are

not separate from devotional service in its pure form. If one engages in

devotional service, all good qualities follow. One does not have to

cultivate them separately. Spontaneous devotional service arises when

one follows a pure devotee who is awakened to spontaneous love of God.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has described the symptoms of devotees who

are already situated in spontaneous love of God. He has also described

the devotees who are trying to follow in the footsteps of the pure

devotees.

Madhya 22.1

TEXT 1

TEXT

vande sri-krsna-caitanya-

devam tam karunarnavam

kalav apy ati-gudheyam

bhaktir yena prakasita

SYNONYMS

vande -- I offer my respectful obeisances; sri-krsna-caitanya-devam --

unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tam -- unto Him; karuna-arnavam --

who is an ocean of mercy; kalau -- in this age of Kali; api -- even; ati

-- very; gudha -- confidential; iyam -- this; bhaktih -- devotional

service; yena -- by whom; prakasita -- manifested.

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He

is an ocean of transcendental mercy, and although the subject matter of

bhakti-yoga is very confidential, He has nonetheless manifested it so

nicely, even in this age of Kali, the age of quarrel.

Madhya 22.2

TEXT 2

TEXT

jaya jaya sri-krsna-caitanya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya -- all glories; sri-krsna-caitanya nityananda -- to Sri Krsna

Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; jaya -- all glories; advaita-

candra -- to Advaita Prabhu; jaya -- all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda --

to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!

All glories to Advaitacandra! All glories to all the devotees of

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

Madhya 22.3

TEXT 3

TEXT

eita kahilun sambandha-tattvera vicara

veda-sastre upadese, krsna -- eka sara

SYNONYMS

eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have described; sambandha-tattvera vicara --

consideration of one's relationship with Krsna; veda-sastre -- all Vedic

literature; upadese -- instructs; krsna -- Lord Krsna; eka sara -- the

only essential point.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I have described one's relation with

Krsna in various ways. This is the subject matter of all the Vedas.

Krsna is the center of all activities.

Madhya 22.4

TEXT 4

TEXT

ebe kahi, suna, abhidheya-laksana

yaha haite pai -- krsna, krsna-prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

ebe -- now; kahi -- I shall explain; suna -- please hear; abhidheya-

laksana -- one's prime business (devotional service); yaha haite -- from

which; pai -- one can get; krsna -- Lord Krsna; krsna-prema-dhana -- and

the wealth of transcendental love for Him.

TRANSLATION

"Now I shall speak about the characteristics of devotional service, by

which one can attain the shelter of Krsna and His loving transcendental

service.

Madhya 22.5

TEXT 5

TEXT

krsna-bhakti -- abhidheya, sarva-sastre kaya

ataeva muni-gana kariyache niscaya

SYNONYMS

krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; abhidheya -- the real

activity of life; sarva-sastre -- all Vedic literatures; kaya -- say;

ataeva -- therefore; muni-gana -- all saintly persons; kariyache -- have

made; niscaya -- ascertainment.

TRANSLATION

"A human being's activities should be centered only about devotional

service to Lord Krsna. That is the verdict of all Vedic literatures, and

all saintly people have ascertained this.

Madhya 22.6

TEXT 6

TEXT

srutir mata prsta disati bhavad-aradhana-vidhim

yatha matur vani smrtir api tatha vakti bhagini

puranadya ye va sahaja-nivahas te tad-anuga

atah satyam jnatam murahara bhavan eva saranam

SYNONYMS

srutih -- Vedic knowledge; mata -- like a mother who is affectionate to

her children; prsta -- when questioned; disati -- she directs; bhavat --

of You; aradhana -- worship; vidhim -- the process; yatha -- just as;

matuh vani -- the instructions of the mother; smrtih -- smrti-

sastras, which explain the Vedic literatures; api -- also; tatha --

similarly; vakti -- express; bhagini -- like a sister; purana-adyah --

headed by the Puranas; ye -- which; va -- or; sahaja-nivahah -- like

brothers; te -- all of them; tat -- of the mother; anugah -- followers;

atah -- therefore; satyam -- the truth; jnatam -- known; mura-hara -- O

killer of the demon Mura; bhavan -- Your Lordship; eva -- only; saranam -

- the shelter.

TRANSLATION

" 'When the mother Vedas [sruti] is questioned as to whom to worship,

she says that You are the only Lord and worshipable object. Similarly,

the corollaries of the sruti-sastras, the smrti-sastras, give the same

instructions, just like sisters. The Puranas, which are like brothers,

follow in the footsteps of their mother. O enemy of the demon Mura, the

conclusion is that You are the only shelter. Now I have understood this

in truth.'

PURPORT

This quotation from the Vedic literature was spoken by great

sages.

Madhya 22.7

TEXT 7

TEXT

advaya-jnana-tattva krsna -- svayam bhagavan

'svarupa-sakti' rupe tanra haya avasthana

SYNONYMS

advaya-jnana -- of nondual knowledge; tattva -- the principle; krsna --

Lord Krsna; svayam bhagavan -- Himself the Supreme Personality of

Godhead; svarupa -- personal expansions; sakti -- of potencies; rupe --

in the form; tanra -- His; haya -- there is; avasthana -- existence.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is the nondual Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Although He is one, He maintains different personal expansions and

energies for His pastimes.

PURPORT

The Lord has many potencies, and He is nondifferent from all these

potencies. Because the potencies and the potent cannot be separated,

they are identical. Krsna is described as the source of all potencies,

and He is also identified with the external potency, the material energy.

Krsna also has internal potencies, or spiritual potencies, which are

always engaged in His personal service. His internal potency is

different from His external potency. Krsna's internal potency and Krsna

Himself, who is the potent, are always identical.

Madhya 22.8

TEXT 8

TEXT

svamsa-vibhinnamsa-rupe hana vistara

ananta vaikuntha-brahmande karena vihara

SYNONYMS

sva-amsa -- of personal expansions; vibhinna-amsa -- of separated

expansions; rupe -- in the forms; hana -- becoming; vistara -- expanded;

ananta -- unlimited; vaikuntha -- in the spiritual planets known as

Vaikunthas; brahmande -- in the material universes; karena vihara --

performs His pastimes.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna expands Himself in many forms. Some of them are personal

expansions, and some are separate expansions. Thus He performs pastimes

in both the spiritual and material worlds. The spiritual worlds are

the Vaikuntha planets, and the material universes are brahmandas,

gigantic globes governed by Lord Brahma.

Madhya 22.9

TEXT 9

TEXT

svamsa-vistara -- catur-vyuha, avatara-gana

vibhinnamsa jiva -- tanra saktite ganana

SYNONYMS

sva-amsa-vistara -- the expansion of His personal forms; catuh-vyuha --

His quadruple form; avatara-gana -- the incarnations; vibhinna-amsa --

His separated forms; jiva -- the living entities; tanra -- His; saktite -

- in the category of potency; ganana -- calculating.

TRANSLATION

"Expansions of His personal self -- like the quadruple manifestations of

Sankarsana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha and Vasudeva -- descend as incarnations

from Vaikuntha to this material world. The separated expansions are

living entities. Although they are expansions of Krsna, they are counted

among His different potencies.

PURPORT

The personal expansions are known as visnu-tattva, and the separated

expansions are known as jiva-tattva. Although the jivas (living entities)

are part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are

still counted among His multi-potencies. This is fully

described in Bhagavad-gita:

apareyam itas tv anyam

prakrtim viddhi me param

jiva-bhutam maha-baho

yayedam dharyate jagat

"Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a

superior energy of Mine, which consists of all living entities who are

struggling with material nature and are sustaining the

universe." (Bg. 7.5)

Although the living entities are Krsna's parts and parcels, they are

prakrti, not purusa. Sometimes prakrti (a living entity) attempts to

imitate the activities of the purusa. Due to a poor fund of knowledge,

living entities conditioned in this material world claim to be God. They

are thus illusioned. A living entity cannot be on the level of a visnu-

tattva, or the Personality of Godhead, at any stage; therefore it is

ludicrous for a living entity to claim to be God. Advanced spiritualists

would never accept such a thing. Such claims are made to cheat ordinary,

foolish people. The Krsna consciousness movement declares war against

such bogus incarnations. The bogus propaganda put out by people claiming

to be God has killed God consciousness all over the world. Members of

the Krsna consciousness movement must be very alert to defy these

rascals who are presently misleading the whole world. One such rascal,

known as Paundraka, appeared before Lord Krsna, and the Lord immediately

killed him. Of course, those who are Krsna's servants cannot kill such

imitation gods, but they should try their best to defeat them through

the evidence of sastra, authentic knowledge received through the

disciplic succession.

Madhya 22.10

TEXT 10

TEXT

sei vibhinnamsa jiva -- dui ta' prakara

eka -- 'nitya-mukta', eka -- 'nitya-samsara'

SYNONYMS

sei vibhinna-amsa -- that separated part and parcel of Krsna; jiva --

the living entity; dui ta' prakara -- two categories; eka -- one; nitya-

mukta -- eternally liberated; eka -- one; nitya-samsara -- perpetually

conditioned.

TRANSLATION

"The living entities [jivas] are divided into two categories. Some are

eternally liberated, and others are eternally conditioned.

Madhya 22.11

TEXT 11

TEXT

'nitya-mukta' -- nitya krsna-carane unmukha

'krsna-parisada' nama, bhunje seva-sukha

SYNONYMS

nitya-mukta -- eternally liberated; nitya -- always; krsna-carane -- the

lotus feet of Lord Krsna; unmukha -- turned toward; krsna-parisada --

associates of Lord Krsna; nama -- known as; bhunje -- enjoy; seva-sukha -

- the happiness of service.

TRANSLATION

"Those who are eternally liberated are always awake to Krsna

consciousness, and they render transcendental loving service at the feet

of Lord Krsna. They are to be considered eternal associates of Krsna,

and they are eternally enjoying the transcendental bliss of serving

Krsna.

Madhya 22.12

TEXT 12

TEXT

'nitya-bandha' -- krsna haite nitya-bahirmukha

'nitya-samsara', bhunje narakadi duhkha

SYNONYMS

nitya-bandha -- perpetually conditioned; krsna haite -- from Krsna;

nitya -- eternally; bahih-mukha -- averse; nitya-samsara -- perpetually

conditioned in the material world; bhunje -- enjoy; naraka-adi

duhkha -- the tribulations of hellish conditions of life.

TRANSLATION

"Apart from the ever-liberated devotees, there are the conditioned

souls who always turn away from the service of the Lord. They are

perpetually conditioned in this material world and are subjected to the

material tribulations brought about by different bodily forms in hellish

conditions.

Madhya 22.13

TEXT 13

TEXT

sei dose maya-pisaci danda kare tare

adhyatmikadi tapa-traya tare jari' mare

SYNONYMS

sei dose -- because of this fault; maya-pisaci -- the witch known as the

external energy; danda kare -- gives punishment; tare -- unto him;

adhyatmika-adi -- beginning with those pertaining to the body and mind;

tapa-traya -- the threefold miseries; tare -- him; jari' -- burning;

mare -- gives pain.

TRANSLATION

"Due to his being opposed to Krsna consciousness, the conditioned soul

is punished by the witch of the external energy, maya. He is thus ready

to suffer the threefold miseries -- miseries brought about by the body

and mind, the inimical behavior of other living entities and natural

disturbances caused by the demigods.

Madhya 22.14-15

TEXTS 14-15

TEXT

kama-krodhera dasa hana tara lathi khaya

bhramite bhramite yadi sadhu-vaidya paya

tanra upadesa-mantre pisaci palaya

krsna-bhakti paya, tabe krsna-nikata yaya

SYNONYMS

kama -- of lusty desires; krodhera -- and of anger; dasa -- the servant;

hana -- becoming; tara -- by them; lathi khaya -- is kicked; bhramite

bhramite -- wandering and wandering; yadi -- if; sadhu -- a devotee;

vaidya -- physician; paya -- he gets; tanra -- his; upadesa-mantre -- by

instruction and hymns; pisaci -- the witch (the external energy); palaya

-- flees; krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Krsna; paya -- obtains;

tabe -- in this way; krsna-nikata yaya -- he goes to Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"In this way the conditioned soul becomes the servant of lusty desires,

and when these are not fulfilled, he becomes a servant of anger and

continues to be kicked by the external energy, maya. Wandering and

wandering throughout the universe, he may by chance get the association

of a devotee physician, whose instructions and hymns make the witch of

external energy flee. The conditioned soul thus gets into touch with

the devotional service of Lord Krsna, and in this way he can approach

nearer and nearer to the Lord.

PURPORT

An explanation of verses 8 through 15 is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda

Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. The Lord is spread throughout the

creation in His quadruple expansions and incarnations. Krsna is fully

represented with all potencies in each and every personal extension, but

the living entities, although separated expansions, are also considered

one of the Lord's energies. The living entities are divided into two

categories -- the eternally liberated and eternally conditioned.

Those who are ever-liberated never come in contact with maya, the

external energy. The ever-conditioned are always under the

clutches of the external energy. This is described in

Bhagavad-gita:

daivi hy esa gunamayi

mama maya duratyaya

"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material

nature, is difficult to overcome." (Bg. 7.14)

The nitya-baddhas are always conditioned by the external energy, and the

nitya-muktas never come in contact with the external energy. Sometimes

an ever-liberated personal associate of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead descends into this universe just as the Lord descends. Although

working for the liberation of conditioned souls, the messenger of the

Supreme Lord remains untouched by the material energy. Generally ever-

liberated personalities live in the spiritual world as associates of

Lord Krsna, and they are known as krsna-parisada, associates of the Lord.

Their only business is enjoying Lord Krsna's company, and even though

such eternally liberated persons come within this material world to

serve the Lord's purpose, they enjoy Lord Krsna's company without

stoppage. The ever-liberated person who works on Krsna's behalf enjoys

Lord Krsna's company through his engagement. The ever-conditioned soul,

provoked by lusty desires to enjoy the material world, is subjected to

transmigrate from one body to another. Sometimes he is elevated to

higher planetary systems, and sometimes he is degraded to hellish

planets and subjected to the tribulations of the external energy.

Due to being conditioned by the external energy, the conditioned soul

within this material world gets two kinds of bodies -- a gross material

body and a subtle body composed of mind, intelligence and ego.

Due to the gross and subtle bodies, he is subjected to the threefold

miseries (adhyatmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika), miseries arising

from the body and mind, other living entities, and natural disturbances

caused by demigods from higher planetary systems. The conditioned soul

subjected to the threefold material miseries is ceaselessly kicked by

maya, and this is his disease. If by chance he meets a saintly person

who works on Krsna's behalf to deliver conditioned souls, and if he

agrees to abide by his order, he can gradually approach the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

Madhya 22.16

TEXT 16

TEXT

kamadinam kati na katidha palita durnidesas

tesam jata mayi na karuna na trapa nopasantih

utsrjyaitan atha yadu-pate sampratam labdha-buddhis

tvam ayatah saranam abhayam mam niyunksvatma-dasye

SYNONYMS

kama-adinam -- of my masters such as lust, anger, greed, illusion and

envy; kati -- how many; na -- not; katidha -- in how many ways; palitah -

- obeyed; durnidesah -- undesirable orders; tesam -- of them;

jata -- generated; mayi -- unto me; na -- not; karuna -- mercy; na --

not; trapa -- shame; na -- not; upasantih -- desire to cease; utsrjya --

giving up; etan -- all these; atha -- herewith; yadu-pate -- O best of

the Yadu dynasty; sampratam -- now; labdha-buddhih -- having awakened

intelligence; tvam -- You; ayatah -- approached; saranam -- who are the

shelter; abhayam -- fearless; mam -- me; niyunksva -- please engage;

atma-dasye -- in Your personal service.

TRANSLATION

" 'O my Lord, there is no limit to the unwanted orders of lusty desires.

Although I have rendered them so much service, they have not

shown any mercy to me. I have not been ashamed to serve them, nor have I

even desired to give them up. O my Lord, O head of the Yadu dynasty,

recently, however, my intelligence has been awakened, and now I am

giving them up. Due to transcendental intelligence, I now refuse to obey

the unwanted orders of these desires, and I now come to You to surrender

myself at Your fearless lotus feet. Kindly engage me in Your personal

service and save me.'

PURPORT

This verse is also quoted in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.2.35). When

we chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra we are saying, "Hare! O energy of

the Lord! O my Lord Krsna!" In this way we are simply addressing the

Lord and His spiritual potency represented as Radha-Krsna, Sita-Rama,

or Laksmi-Narayana. The devotee always prays to the Lord and His

internal energy (consort) so that he may engage in Their transcendental

loving service. When the conditioned soul attains his real spiritual

energy and fully surrenders unto the Lord's lotus feet, he tries to

engage in the Lord's service. This is the real constitutional position

of the living entity.

Madhya 22.17

TEXT 17

TEXT

krsna-bhakti haya abhidheya-pradhana

bhakti-mukha-niriksaka karma-yoga-jnana

SYNONYMS

krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; haya -- is; abhidheya-

pradhana -- the chief function of the living entity; bhakti-mukha -- of

the face of devotional service; niriksaka -- observers; karma-yoga-jnana

-- fruitive activities, mystic yoga and speculative knowledge.

TRANSLATION

"Devotional service to Krsna is the chief function of the living entity.

There are different methods for the liberation of the conditioned soul --

karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti -- but all are dependent on bhakti.

Madhya 22.18

TEXT 18

TEXT

ei saba sadhanera ati tuccha bala

krsna-bhakti vina taha dite nare phala

SYNONYMS

ei saba -- all these; sadhanera -- of methods of spiritual activities;

ati -- very; tuccha -- insignificant; bala -- strength; krsna-bhakti --

devotional service to Lord Krsna; vina -- without; taha -- all these;

dite -- to deliver; nare -- are not able; phala -- the desired result.

TRANSLATION

"But for devotional service, all other methods for spiritual self-

realization are weak and insignificant. Unless one comes to the

devotional service of Lord Krsna, jnana and yoga cannot give the desired

results.

PURPORT

In Vedic scriptures, stress is sometimes given to fruitive activity,

speculative knowledge and the mystic yoga system. Although people are

inclined to practice these processes, they cannot attain the desired

results without being touched by krsna-bhakti, devotional service. In

other words, the real desired result is to invoke dormant love for Krsna.

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6) states:

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo

yato bhaktir adhoksaje

ahaituky apratihata

yayatma suprasidati

Karma, jnana and yoga cannot actually awaken love of

Godhead. One has to take to the Lord's devotional service, and the more

one is inclined to devotional service, the more he loses interest in

other so-called achievements. Dhruva Maharaja went to practice mystic

yoga to see the Lord personally face to face, but when he developed an

interest in devotional service, he saw that he was not being benefited

by karma, jnana and yoga.

Madhya 22.19

TEXT 19

TEXT

naiskarmyam apy acyuta-bhava-varjitam

na sobhate jnanam alam niranjanam

kutah punah sasvad abhadram isvare

na carpitam karma yad apy akaranam

SYNONYMS

naiskarmyam -- which does not produce enjoyment of the resultant action;

api -- although; acyuta-bhava -- of devotional service to the Supreme

Personality of Godhead; varjitam -- devoid; na -- not; sobhate -- looks

beautiful; jnanam -- speculative knowledge; alam -- exceedingly;

niranjanam -- which is without material contamination; kutah -- how much

less; punah -- again; sasvat -- always (at the time of practicing and at

the time of achieving the goal); abhadram -- inauspicious; isvare -- to

the Supreme Personality of Godhead; na -- not; ca -- also; arpitam --

dedicated; karma -- activities; yat -- which; api -- although; akaranam -

- causeless.

TRANSLATION

" 'When pure knowledge is beyond all material affinity but is not

dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead [Krsna], it does not

appear very beautiful, although it is knowledge without a material tinge.

What, then, is the use of fruitive activities -- which are naturally

painful from the beginning and transient by nature -- if they are not

utilized for the devotional service of the Lord? How can they be very

attractive?'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.12). Even after writing

many Vedic literatures, Vyasadeva felt very morose. Therefore his

spiritual master, Naradadeva, told him that he could be happy by writing

about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Up to that

time, Srila Vyasadeva had written the karma-kanda and jnana-kanda

sections of the Vedas, but he had not written about upasana-kanda, or

bhakti. Thus his spiritual master, Narada, chastised him and advised him

to write about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Therefore Vyasadeva began writing Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Madhya 22.20

TEXT 20

TEXT

tapasvino dana-para yasasvino

manasvino mantra-vidah sumangalah

ksemam na vindanti vina yad-arpanam

tasmai subhadra-sravase namo namah

SYNONYMS

tapasvinah -- those engaged in severe austerities and penances; dana-

parah -- those engaged in giving his possessions as charity;

yasasvinah -- those famous in society; manasvinah -- experts in mental

speculation or meditation; mantra-vidah -- experts in reciting the Vedic

hymns; su-mangalah -- very auspicious; ksemam -- real, eternal

auspiciousness; na -- never; vindanti -- obtain; vina -- without; yat-

arpanam -- dedicating unto whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead);

tasmai -- unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead; su-bhadra sravase --

whose glory is very auspicious; namah namah -- I offer my repeated

respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

" 'Those who perform severe austerities and penances, those who give

away all their possessions out of charity, those who are very famous for

their auspicious activity, those who are engaged in meditation and

mental speculation, and even those who are very expert in reciting the

Vedic mantras, are not able to obtain any auspicious results, although

they are engaged in auspicious activities, if they do not dedicate their

activities to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I

therefore repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, whose glories are always auspicious.'

PURPORT

This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.4.17).

Madhya 22.21

TEXT 21

TEXT

kevala jnana 'mukti' dite nare bhakti vine

krsnonmukhe sei mukti haya vina jnane

SYNONYMS

kevala -- only; jnana -- speculative knowledge; mukti -- liberation;

dite -- to deliver; nare -- is not able; bhakti vine -- without

devotional service; krsna-unmukhe -- if one is attached to the service

of Lord Krsna; sei mukti -- that liberation; haya -- appears; vina --

without; jnane -- knowledge.

TRANSLATION

"Speculative knowledge alone, without devotional service, is not able to

give liberation. On the other hand, even without knowledge one can

obtain liberation if one engages in the Lord's devotional service.

PURPORT

One cannot attain liberation simply by speculative knowledge. Even

though one may be able to distinguish between Brahman and matter, one's

liberation will be hampered if one is misled into thinking that the

living entity is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed,

one falls down again onto the material platform because considering

oneself the Supreme Person, the Supreme Absolute Truth, is offensive.

When such a person comes in contact with a pure devotee, he can actually

become liberated from material bondage and engage in the Lord's service.

A prayer by Bilvamangala Thakura is relevant here:

bhaktis tvayi sthiratara bhagavan yadi syad

daivena nah phalati divya-kisora-murtih

muktih svayam mukulitanjalih sevate 'sman

dharmartha-kama-gatayah samaya-pratiksah

"O my Lord, if one engages in Your pure devotional service with

determination, You become visible in Your original transcendental

youthful form as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As far as

liberation is concerned, she stands before the devotee with folded hands

waiting to render service. Religion, economic development and sense

gratification are all automatically attained without separate endeavor."

Madhya 22.22

TEXT 22

TEXT

sreyah-srtim bhaktim udasya te vibho

klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye

tesam asau klesala eva sisyate

nanyad yatha sthula-tusavaghatinam

SYNONYMS

sreyah-srtim -- the auspicious path of liberation; bhaktim -- devotional

service; udasya -- giving up; te -- of You; vibho -- O my Lord;

klisyanti -- accept increased difficulties; ye -- all those persons who;

kevala -- only; bodha-labdhaye -- for obtaining knowledge; tesam -- for

them; asau -- that; klesalah -- trouble; eva -- only; sisyate -- remains;

na -- not; anyat -- anything else; yatha -- as much as; sthula -- bulky;

tusa -- husks of rice; avaghatinam -- of those beating.

TRANSLATION

" 'My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the only auspicious path.

If one gives it up simply for speculative knowledge or the

understanding that these living beings are spirit souls and the material

world is false, he undergoes a great deal of trouble. He only gains

troublesome and inauspicious activities. His endeavors are like beating

a husk that is already devoid of rice. One's labor becomes fruitless.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.4).

Madhya 22.23

TEXT 23

TEXT

daivi hy esa gunamayi

mama maya duratyaya

mam eva ye prapadyante

mayam etam taranti te

SYNONYMS

daivi -- belonging to the Supreme Lord; hi -- certainly; esa -- this;

guna-mayi -- made of the three modes; mama -- My; maya -- external

energy; duratyaya -- very difficult to surpass; mam -- unto Me; eva --

certainly; ye -- those who; prapadyante -- surrender fully; mayam --

illusory energy; etam -- this; taranti -- cross over; te -- they.

TRANSLATION

" 'This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material

nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me

can easily cross beyond it.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (7.14).

Madhya 22.24

TEXT 24

TEXT

'krsna-nitya-dasa' -- jiva taha bhuli' gela

ei dose maya tara galaya bandhila

SYNONYMS

krsna-nitya-dasa -- eternal servant of Krsna; jiva -- the living entity;

taha -- that; bhuli' -- forgetting; gela -- went; ei dose -- for this

fault; maya -- the material energy; tara -- his; galaya -- on the neck;

bandhila -- has bound.

TRANSLATION

"The living entity is bound around the neck by the chain of maya because

he has forgotten that he is eternally a servant of Krsna.

Madhya 22.25

TEXT 25

TEXT

tate krsna bhaje, kare gurura sevana

maya-jala chute, paya krsnera carana

SYNONYMS

tate -- therefore; krsna bhaje -- if one worships Lord Krsna; kare --

performs; gurura sevana -- service to his spiritual master; maya-jala

chute -- gets free from the binding net of maya; paya -- gets; krsnera

carana -- shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"If the conditioned soul engages in the service of the Lord and

simultaneously carries out the orders of his spiritual master and serves

him, he can get out of the clutches of maya and become eligible for

shelter at Krsna's lotus feet.

PURPORT

It is a fact that every living entity is eternally a servant of Krsna.

This is forgotten due to the influence of maya, which induces one to

believe in material happiness. Being illusioned by maya, one thinks that

material happiness is the only desirable object. This material

consciousness is like a chain around the neck of the conditioned soul.

As long as he is bound to that conception, he cannot get out of maya's

clutches. However, if by Krsna's mercy he gets in touch with a bona fide

spiritual master, abides by his order and serves him, engaging other

conditioned souls in the Lord's service, he then attains liberation and

Lord Sri Krsna's shelter.

Madhya 22.26

TEXT 26

TEXT

cari varnasrami yadi krsna nahi bhaje

svakarma karite se raurave padi' maje

SYNONYMS

cari varna-asrami -- followers of the four social and spiritual orders

of life; yadi -- if; krsna -- Lord Krsna; nahi -- not; bhaje -- serve;

sva-karma karite -- performing his duty in life; se -- that person;

raurave -- in a hellish condition; padi' -- falling down; maje --

becomes immersed.

TRANSLATION

"The followers of the varnasrama institution accept the regulative

principles of the four social orders [brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and

sudra] and four spiritual orders [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and

sannyasa]. However, if one carries out the regulative principles of

these orders but does not render transcendental service to Krsna, he

falls into the hellish condition of material life.

PURPORT

One may be a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, or one may perfectly

follow the spiritual principles of brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha

and sannyasa, but ultimately one falls down into a hellish condition

unless one becomes a devotee. Without developing one's dormant Krsna

consciousness, one cannot be factually elevated. The regulative

principles of varnasrama-dharma in themselves are insufficient for

attainment of the highest perfection. That is confirmed in the following

two quotations from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.2-3).

Madhya 22.27

TEXT 27

TEXT

mukha-bahuru-padebhyah

purusasyasramaih saha

catvaro jajnire varna

gunair vipradayah prthak

SYNONYMS

mukha -- the mouth; bahu -- the arms; uru -- the waist; padebhyah --

from the legs; purusasya -- of the Supreme Person; asramaih -- the

different spiritual orders; saha -- with; catvarah -- the four; jajnire -

- appeared; varnah -- social orders; gunaih -- with particular

qualifications; vipra-adayah -- brahmanas and so on; prthak --

separately.

TRANSLATION

" 'From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into

existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his

waist the vaisyas have come, and from his legs the sudras have come.

These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya,

grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society

complete.

Madhya 22.28

TEXT 28

TEXT

ya esam purusam saksad-

atma-prabhavam isvaram

na bhajanty avajananti

sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah

SYNONYMS

ye -- anyone who; esam -- of those divisions of social and spiritual

orders; purusam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat --

directly; atma-prabhavam -- the source of everyone; isvaram -- the

supreme controller; na -- not; bhajanti -- worship; avajananti -- or who

neglect; sthanat -- from their proper place; bhrastah -- being fallen;

patanti -- fall; adhah -- downward into hellish conditions.

TRANSLATION

" 'If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and

asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from

his puffed-up position into a hellish condition.'

Madhya 22.29

TEXT 29

TEXT

jnani jivan-mukta-dasa painu kari' mane

vastutah buddhi 'suddha' nahe krsna-bhakti vine

SYNONYMS

jnani -- the speculative philosophers; jivan-mukta-dasa -- the stage of

liberation even while in this body; painu -- I have gotten; kari' --

taking; mane -- considers; vastutah -- factually; buddhi -- intelligence;

suddha -- purified; nahe -- not; krsna-bhakti vine -- without

devotional service to Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"There are many philosophical speculators [jnanis] belonging to the

Mayavada school who consider themselves liberated and call themselves

Narayana. However, their intelligence is not purified unless they engage

in Krsna's devotional service.

Madhya 22.30

TEXT 30

TEXT

ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas

tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah

aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah

patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah

SYNONYMS

ye -- all those who; anye -- others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa -- O

lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah -- who consider themselves liberated;

tvayi -- unto You; asta-bhavat -- without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah -

- whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya -- having ascended;

krcchrena -- by severe austerities and penances; param padam -- to the

supreme position; tatah -- from there; patanti -- fall; adhah -- down;

anadrta -- without respecting; yusmat -- Your; anghrayah -- lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

" 'O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but

do not render devotional service to You must be of impure intelligence.

Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the

spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down

again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.'

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).

Madhya 22.31

TEXT 31

TEXT

krsna -- surya-sama; maya haya andhakara

yahan krsna, tahan nahi mayara adhikara

SYNONYMS

krsna -- Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; surya-sama -- like

the sun planet; maya -- the illusory energy; haya -- is; andhakara --

darkness; yahan krsna -- wherever there is Krsna; tahan -- there; nahi --

not; mayara -- of maya, or the darkness of illusion; adhikara -- the

jurisdiction.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is compared to sunshine, and maya is compared to darkness.

Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one

takes to Krsna consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of

the external energy) will immediately vanish.

PURPORT

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.34) it is stated:

rte 'rtham yat pratiyeta

na pratiyeta catmani

tad vidyad atmano mayam

yathabhaso yatha tamah

Wherever there is light, there cannot be darkness. When a living entity

becomes Krsna conscious, he is immediately relieved of all material

lusty desires. Lusty desires and greed are associated with rajas and

tamas, darkness and passion. When one becomes Krsna conscious, the

modes of darkness and passion immediately vanish, and the remaining

mode, sattva-guna (goodness), remains. When one is situated

in the mode of goodness, he can make spiritual advancement and

understand things clearly. This position is not possible for everyone.

When a person is Krsna conscious, he continuously hears about Krsna,

thinks about Him, worships Him and serves Him as a devotee. If he

remains in Krsna consciousness in this way, the darkness of maya

certainly will not be able to touch him.

Madhya 22.32

TEXT 32

TEXT

vilajjamanaya yasya

sthatum iksa-pathe 'muya

vimohita vikatthante

mamaham iti durdhiyah

SYNONYMS

vilajjamanaya -- being ashamed; yasya -- of whom; sthatum -- to remain;

iksa-pathe -- in the line of sight; amuya -- by that (maya); vimohitah --

bewildered; vikatthante -- boast; mama -- my; aham -- I; iti -- thus;

durdhiyah -- having poor intelligence.

TRANSLATION

" 'The external illusory energy of Krsna, known as maya, is always

ashamed to stand in front of Krsna, just as darkness is ashamed to

remain before the sunshine. However, that maya bewilders unfortunate

people who have no intelligence. Thus they simply boast that this

material world is theirs and that they are its enjoyers.'

PURPORT

The entire world is bewildered because people are thinking, "This is my

land," "America is mine," "India is mine." Not knowing the real value of

life, people think that the material body and the land where it is

produced are all in all. This is the basic principle behind nationalism,

socialism and communism. Such thinking, which simply bewilders the

living being, is nothing but rascalism. It is due to the darkness of

maya, but as soon as one becomes Krsna conscious, he is immediately

relieved from such misconceptions. This verse is quoted from Srimad-

Bhagavatam (2.5.13). There is also another appropriate verse in Srimad-

Bhagavatam (2.7.47):

sasvat prasantam abhayam pratibodha-matram

suddham samam sad-asatah paramatma-tattvam

sabdo na yatra puru-karakavan kriyartho

maya paraity abhimukhe ca vilajjamana

tad vai padam bhagavatah paramasya pumso

brahmeti yad vidur ajasra-sukham visokam

"What is realized as the Absolute Brahman is full of unlimited bliss

without grief. That is certainly the ultimate phase of the supreme

enjoyer, the Personality of Godhead. He is eternally void of all

disturbances, fearless, completely conscious as opposed to matter,

uncontaminated and without distinctions. He is the principal, primeval

cause of all causes and effects, in whom there is no sacrifice for

fruitive activities and in whom the illusory energy does not stand."

This verse was spoken by Lord Brahma when he was questioned by the great

sage Narada. Narada was surprised to see the creator of the universe

meditating, for he was doubting whether there was someone

greater than Lord Brahma. While answering the great sage Narada, Lord

Brahma described the position of maya and the bewildered living entities.

This verse was spoken in that connection.

Madhya 22.33

TEXT 33

TEXT

'krsna, tomara hana' yadi bale eka-bara

maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para

SYNONYMS

krsna -- O my Lord Krsna; tomara hana -- I am Yours; yadi -- if; bale --

someone says; eka-bara -- once; maya-bandha haite -- from the bondage of

conditional life; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- him; kare para --

releases.

TRANSLATION

"One is immediately freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and

sincerely says, 'My dear Lord Krsna, although I have forgotten You for

so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto

You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your

service.'

Madhya 22.34

TEXT 34

TEXT

sakrd eva prapanno yas

tavasmiti ca yacate

abhayam sarvada tasmai

dadamy etad vratam mama

SYNONYMS

sakrt -- once only; eva -- certainly; prapannah -- surrendered; yah --

anyone who; tava -- Yours; asmi -- I am; iti -- thus; ca -- also; yacate

-- prays; abhayam -- fearlessness; sarvada -- always; tasmai -- unto him;

dadami -- I give; etat -- this; vratam -- vow; mama -- My.

TRANSLATION

" 'It is My vow that if one only once seriously surrenders unto Me,

saying, "My dear Lord, from this day I am Yours," and prays to Me for

courage, I shall immediately award courage to that person, and he will

always remain safe from that time on.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Ramayana

Madhya 22.35

TEXT 35

TEXT

bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kami 'subuddhi' yadi haya

gadha-bhakti-yoge tabe krsnere bhajaya

SYNONYMS

bhukti -- of material enjoyment; mukti -- of impersonal liberation;

siddhi -- of achieving mystic power; kami -- desirous; su-buddhi --

actually intelligent; yadi -- if; haya -- he is; gadha -- deep; bhakti-

yoge -- by devotional service; tabe -- then; krsnere bhajaya -- worships

Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Due to bad association, the living entity desires material happiness,

liberation or merging into the impersonal aspect of the Lord, or he

engages in mystic yoga for material power. If such a person actually

becomes intelligent, he takes to Krsna consciousness by engaging himself

in intense devotional service to Lord Sri Krsna.

Madhya 22.36

TEXT 36

TEXT

akamah sarva-kamo va

moksa-kama udara-dhih

tivrena bhakti-yogena

yajeta purusam param

SYNONYMS

akamah -- a pure devotee with no desire for material enjoyment; sarva-

kamah -- one who has no end to his desires for material enjoyment; va --

or; moksa-kamah -- one who desires to merge into the existence of

Brahman; udara-dhih -- being very intelligent; tivrena -- firm; bhakti-

yogena -- by devotional service; yajeta -- should worship; purusam --

the person; param -- supreme.

TRANSLATION

" 'Whether one desires everything or nothing, or whether he desires to

merge into the existence of the Lord, he is intelligent only if he

worships Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by rendering

transcendental loving service.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.10).

Madhya 22.37

TEXT 37

TEXT

anya-kami yadi kare krsnera bhajana

na magiteha krsna tare dena sva-carana

SYNONYMS

anya-kami -- one who desires many other things; yadi -- if; kare -- he

performs; krsnera bhajana -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; na

magiteha -- although not asking; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- to him;

dena -- gives; sva-carana -- the shelter of His lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

"If those who desire material enjoyment or merging into the existence of

the Absolute Truth engage in the Lord's transcendental loving service,

they will immediately attain shelter at Krsna's lotus feet, although

they did not ask for it. Krsna is therefore very merciful.

Madhya 22.38

TEXT 38

TEXT

krsna kahe, -- 'ama bhaje, mage visaya-sukha

amrta chadi' visa mage, -- ei bada murkha

SYNONYMS

krsna kahe -- Krsna says; ama bhaje -- he worships Me; mage -- but

requests; visaya-sukha -- material happiness; amrta chadi' -- giving up

the nectar; visa mage -- he begs for poison; ei bada murkha -- he is a

great fool.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna says, 'If one engages in My transcendental loving service but at

the same time wants the opulence of material enjoyment, he is very, very

foolish. Indeed, he is just like a person who gives up ambrosia to drink

poison.

Madhya 22.39

TEXT 39

TEXT

ami -- vijna, ei murkhe 'visaya' kene diba?

sva-caranamrta diya 'visaya' bhulaiba

SYNONYMS

ami -- I; vijna -- all-intelligent; ei murkhe -- unto this foolish

person; visaya -- material enjoyment; kene diba -- why should I give;

sva-carana-amrta -- the nectar of shelter at My lotus feet; diya --

giving; visaya -- the idea of material enjoyment; bhulaiba -- I shall

make him forget.

TRANSLATION

" 'Since I am very intelligent, why should I give this fool material

prosperity? Instead I shall induce him to take the nectar of the shelter

of My lotus feet and make him forget illusory material enjoyment.'

PURPORT

Those who are interested in material enjoyment are known as bhukti.

One who is interested in merging into the effulgence of Brahman or

perfecting the mystic yoga system is not a devotee at all. Devotees do

not have such desires. However, if a karmi, jnani or yogi somehow

contacts a devotee and renders devotional service, Krsna immediately

awards him love of God and gives him shelter at His lotus feet, although

he may have no idea how to develop love of Krsna. If a person wants

material profit from devotional service, Krsna condemns such

materialistic desires. To desire material opulence while engaging in

devotional service is foolish. Although the person may be foolish, Krsna,

being all-intelligent, engages him in His devotional service in such a

way that he gradually forgets material opulence. The point is that we

should not try to exchange loving service for material prosperity. If we

are actually surrendered to the lotus feet of Krsna, our only desire

should be to satisfy Krsna. That is pure Krsna consciousness. Surrender

does not mean that we demand something from the Lord but that we

completely depend on His mercy

Madhya 22.40

TEXT 40

TEXT

satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam

naivarthado yat punar arthita yatah

svayam vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam

iccha-pidhanam nija-pada-pallavam

SYNONYMS

satyam -- it is true; disati -- He awards; arthitam -- that which is

desired; arthitah -- being requested; nrnam -- by human beings; na --

not; eva -- certainly; artha-dah -- giving desired things; yat -- which;

punah -- again; arthita -- request; yatah -- from which; svayam --

Himself; vidhatte -- He gives; bhajatam -- of those engaged in

devotional service; anicchatam -- even though not desiring; iccha-

pidhanam -- covering all other desires; nija-pada-pallavam -- the

shelter of His own lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

" 'Whenever Krsna is requested to fulfill one's desire, He undoubtedly

does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will

cause someone to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires.

When one has other desires but engages in the Lord's service, Krsna

forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all

other desires.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.19.26).

Madhya 22.41

TEXT 41

TEXT

kama lagi' krsne bhaje, paya krsna-rase

kama chadi' 'dasa' haite haya abhilase

SYNONYMS

kama lagi' -- for fulfillment of one's material desires; krsne bhaje --

one engages in the transcendental service of Lord Krsna; paya -- he gets;

krsna-rase -- a taste of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; kama chadi' --

giving up all desires for material enjoyment; dasa haite -- to be an

eternal servant of the Lord; haya -- there is; abhilase -- aspiration.

TRANSLATION

"When someone engages in Lord Krsna's devotional service for the

satisfaction of the senses and instead acquires a taste to serve

Krsna, he gives up his material desires and willingly offers himself as

an eternal servant of Krsna.

Madhya 22.42

TEXT 42

TEXT

sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito 'ham

tvam praptavan deva-munindra-guhyam

kacam vicinvann api divya-ratnam

svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace

SYNONYMS

sthana-abhilasi -- desiring a very high position in the material world;

tapasi -- in severe austerities and penances; sthitah -- situated; aham -

- I; tvam -- You; praptavan -- have obtained; deva-muni-indra-guhyam --

difficult to achieve even for great demigods, saintly persons and kings;

kacam -- a piece of glass; vicinvan -- searching for; api -- although;

divya-ratnam -- a transcendental gem; svamin -- O my Lord; krta-arthah

asmi -- I am fully satisfied; varam -- any benediction; na yace -- I do

not ask.

TRANSLATION

[When he was being benedicted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

Dhruva Maharaja said] " 'O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent

material position, I was performing severe types of penance and

austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great

demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a

piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel.

Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction

from You.'

PURPORT

This verse is from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (7.28).

Madhya 22.43

TEXT 43

TEXT

samsara bhramite kona bhagye keha tare

nadira pravahe yena kastha lage tire

SYNONYMS

samsara bhramite -- wandering throughout the universe; kona bhagye -- by

some good fortune; keha tare -- someone crosses the ocean of nescience;

nadira pravahe -- in the flow of the river; yena -- just as; kastha --

wood; lage -- sticks; tire -- on the bank.

TRANSLATION

"There are unlimited conditioned souls who are bereft of Lord Krsna's

service. Not knowing how to cross the ocean of nescience, they are

scattered by waves, time and tide. However, some are fortunate to

contact devotees, and by this contact they are delivered from the ocean

of nescience, just as a log, floating down a river, accidentally washes

upon the bank.

Madhya 22.44

TEXT 44

TEXT

maivam mamadhamasyapi

syad evacyuta-darsanam

hriyamanah kala-nadya

kvacit tarati kascana

SYNONYMS

ma -- not; evam -- thus; mama -- of me; adhamasya -- who is the most

fallen; api -- although; syat -- there may be; eva -- certainly; acyuta-

darsanam -- seeing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hriyamanah --

being carried; kala-nadya -- by the stream of time; kvacit -- sometimes;

tarati -- crosses over; kascana -- someone.

TRANSLATION

" ' "Because I am so fallen, I shall never get a chance to see the

Supreme Personality of Godhead." This was my false apprehension. Rather,

by chance a person as fallen as I am may get to see the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. Although one is being carried away by the waves

of the river of time, one may eventually reach the shore.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.38.5)

Madhya 22.45

TEXT 45

TEXT

kona bhagye karo samsara ksayonmukha haya

sadhu-sange tabe krsne rati upajaya

SYNONYMS

kona bhagye -- by fortune; karo -- of someone; samsara -- conditioned

life; ksaya-unmukha -- on the point of destruction; haya -- is; sadhu-

sange -- by association with devotees; tabe -- then; krsne -- to Lord

Krsna; rati -- attraction; upajaya -- awakens.

TRANSLATION

"By good fortune, one becomes eligible to cross the ocean of nescience,

and when one's term of material existence decreases, one may get an

opportunity to associate with pure devotees. By such association, one's

attraction to Krsna is awakened.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains this point. Is this bhagya (fortune)

the result of an accident or something else? In the scriptures,

devotional service and pious activity are considered fortunate. Pious

activities can be divided into three categories -- pious activities

that awaken one's dormant Krsna consciousness are called bhakty-unmukhi

sukrti. Pious activities that bestow material opulence are called

bhogonmukhi, and pious activities that enable the living entity

to merge into the existence of the Supreme are called moksonmukhi.

These last two awards of pious activity are not actually fortunate.

Pious activities are fortunate when they help one become Krsna conscious.

The good fortune of bhakty-unmukhi is attainable only when one comes in

contact with a devotee. By associating with a devotee willingly or

unwillingly, one advances in devotional service, and thus one's dormant

Krsna consciousness is awakened.

Madhya 22.46

TEXT 46

TEXT

bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej

janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah

sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau

paravarese tvayi jayate ratih

SYNONYMS

bhava-apavargah -- liberation from the nescience of material existence;

bhramatah -- wandering; yada -- when; bhavet -- should be; janasya -- of

a person; tarhi -- at that time; acyuta -- O Supreme Personality of

Godhead; sat-samagamah -- association with devotees; sat-sangamah --

association with devotees; yarhi -- when; tada -- at that time; eva --

only; sat-gatau -- the highest goal of life;

paravarese -- the Lord of the universe; tvayi -- to You;

jayate -- appears; ratih -- attraction.

TRANSLATION

" 'O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering

throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material

existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he

associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are

the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal of the supreme

devotees and the Lord of the universe.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.51.53).

Madhya 22.47

TEXT 47

TEXT

krsna yadi krpa kare kona bhagyavane

guru-antaryami-rupe sikhaya apane

SYNONYMS

krsna -- Lord Krsna; yadi -- if; krpa kare -- shows His mercy; kona

bhagyavane -- to some fortunate person; guru -- of the spiritual master;

antaryami -- of the Supersoul; rupe -- in the form; sikhaya -- teaches;

apane -- personally.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is situated in everyone's heart as caitya-guru, the

spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned

soul, He personally gives one lessons to progress in devotional

service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the

spiritual master without.

Madhya 22.48

TEXT 48

TEXT

naivopayanty apacitim kavayas tavesa

brahmayusapi krtam rddha-mudah smarantah

yo 'ntar bahis tanu-bhrtam asubham vidhunvann

acarya-caittya-vapusa sva-gatim vyanakti

SYNONYMS

na eva -- not at all; upayanti -- are able to express; apacitim -- their

gratitude; kavayah -- learned devotees; tava -- Your; isa -- O Lord;

brahma-ayusa -- with a lifetime equal to Lord Brahma's; api -- in spite

of; krtam -- magnanimous work; rddha -- increased; mudah -- joy;

smarantah -- remembering; yah -- who; antah -- within; bahih -- outside;

tanu-bhrtam -- of those who are embodied; asubham -- misfortune;

vidhunvan -- dissipating; acarya -- of the spiritual master; caittya --

of the Supersoul; vapusa -- by the forms; sva -- own; gatim -- path;

vyanakti -- shows.

TRANSLATION

" 'O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science

could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were

endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahma, for You appear in two

features -- externally as the acarya and internally as the Supersoul --

to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You.

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.6). It was spoken by

Uddhava after he had been instructed in yoga by Sri Krsna.

Madhya 22.49

TEXT 49

TEXT

sadhu-sange krsna-bhaktye sraddha yadi haya

bhakti-phala 'prema' haya, samsara yaya ksaya

SYNONYMS

sadhu-sange -- by the association of devotees; krsna-bhaktye -- in

discharging devotional service to Krsna; sraddha -- faith; yadi -- if;

haya -- there is; bhakti-phala -- the result of devotional service to

Krsna; prema -- love of Godhead; haya -- awakens; samsara -- the

conditioned life in material existence; yaya ksaya -- becomes vanquished.

TRANSLATION

"By associating with a devotee, one awakens his faith in devotional

service to Krsna. Because of devotional service, one's dormant love for

Krsna awakens, and thus one's material, conditional existence comes to

an end.

Madhya 22.50

TEXT 50

TEXT

yadrcchaya mat-kathadau

jata-sraddhas tu yah puman

na nirvinno natisakto

bhakti-yogo 'sya siddhidah

SYNONYMS

yadrcchaya -- by some good fortune; mat-katha-adau -- in talk about Me;

jata-sraddhah -- has awakened his attraction; tu -- but; yah puman -- a

person who; na nirvinnah -- not falsely detached; na atisaktah --

not attached to material existence; bhakti-yogah -- the

process of devotional service; asya -- for such a person; siddhi-dah --

bestowing perfection.

TRANSLATION

" 'Somehow or other, if one is attracted to talks about Me and has faith

in the instructions I have set forth in Bhagavad-gita, and if one is

actually detached from material things and

material existence, his dormant love for Me will be awakened by

devotional service.'

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.20.8) was spoken by Krsna at the

time of His deparature from this material world. It was spoken to

Uddhava.

Madhya 22.51

TEXT 51

TEXT

mahat-krpa vina kona karme 'bhakti' naya

krsna-bhakti dure rahu, samsara nahe ksaya

SYNONYMS

mahat-krpa -- the mercy of great devotees; vina -- without; kona karme --

by some other activity; bhakti naya -- there is not devotional service;

krsna-bhakti -- love of Krsna or devotional service to Krsna; dure rahu -

- leaving aside; samsara -- the bondage of material existence; nahe --

there is not; ksaya -- destruction.

TRANSLATION

"Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, he cannot attain the platform

of devotional service. To say nothing of krsna-bhakti, one cannot even

be relieved from the bondage of material existence.

PURPORT

Pious activities bring about material opulence, but one cannot acquire

devotional service by any amount of material pious activity, not by

giving charity, opening big hospitals and schools or working

philanthropically. Devotional service can be attained only by the mercy

of a pure devotee. Without a pure devotee's mercy, one cannot even

escape the bondage of material existence. The word mahat in this verse

means "a pure devotee." As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita

mahatmanas tu mam partha

daivim prakrtim asritah

bhajanty ananya-manaso

jnatva bhutadim avyayam

"O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under

the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in

devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, original and inexhaustible." (Bg. 9.13)

One also has to associate with such a mahatma who has accepted Krsna as

the supreme source of the entire creation. Without being a mahatma, one

cannot understand Krsna's absolute position. A mahatma is rare and

transcendental, and he is a pure devotee of Lord Krsna. Foolish people

consider Krsna a human being, and they consider Lord Krsna's pure

devotee an ordinary human being also. Whatever one may be, one must take

shelter at the lotus feet of a devotee mahatma and treat him as the most

exalted well-wisher of all human society. We should take shelter of such

a mahatma and ask for his causeless mercy. Only by his benediction can

one be relieved from attachment to a materialistic way of life. When

one is thus relieved, he can engage in the Lord's transcendental loving

service through the mercy of the mahatma.

Madhya 22.52

TEXT 52

TEXT

rahuganaitat tapasa na yati

na cejyaya nirvapanad grhad va

na cchandasa naiva jalagni-suryair

vina mahat-pada-rajo-'bhisekam

SYNONYMS

rahugana -- O King Rahugana; etat -- this; tapasa -- by severe

austerities and penances; na yati -- one does not obtain; na -- neither;

ca -- also; ijyaya -- by gorgeous worship; nirvapanat -- by

renounced order of life; grhat -- by sacrifices while living in the home;

va -- or; na chandasa -- nor by scholarly study of the Vedas; na -- nor;

eva -- certainly; jala-agni-suryaih -- by those who worship water,

fire or scorching sunshine; vina -- without; mahat-pada-rajah -- of the

dust of the lotus feet of a mahatma; abhisekam -- the sprinkling.

TRANSLATION

" 'O King Rahugana, without taking upon one's head the dust from the

lotus feet of a pure devotee [a mahajana or mahatma], one cannot attain

devotional service. Devotional service is not possible to attain simply

by undergoing severe austerities and penances, by gorgeously worshiping

the Deity, or by strictly following the rules and regulations of the

sannyasa or grhastha order, nor by studying the Vedas,

submerging oneself in water, or exposing oneself to fire or scorching

sunlight.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.12.12). Jada Bharata herein

tells King Rahugana how he attained the paramahamsa stage. Maharaja

Rahugana, the King of Sindhu-sauvira, had asked Jada Bharata how he had

attained the paramahamsa stage. The King had called him to carry his

palanquin, but when the King heard from paramahamsa Jada Bharata about

the supreme philosophy, he expressed surprise and asked Jada Bharata how

he had attained such great liberation. At that time Jada Bharata

informed the King how to become detached from material attraction.

Madhya 22.53

TEXT 53

TEXT

naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim

sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah

mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam

niskincananam na vrnita yavat

SYNONYMS

na -- not; esam -- of those who are attached to household life; matih --

the interest; tavat -- that long; urukrama-anghrim -- the lotus feet of

the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is credited with uncommon

activities; sprsati -- touches; anartha -- of unwanted things; apagamah -

- vanquishing; yat -- of which; arthah -- result; mahiyasam -- of the

great personalities, devotees; pada-rajah -- of the dust of the lotus

feet; abhisekam -- sprinkling on the head; niskincananam -- who are

completely detached from material possessions; na vrnita -- does not do;

yavat -- as long as.

TRANSLATION

" 'Unless human society accepts the dust of the lotus feet of great

mahatmas -- devotees who have nothing to do with material possessions --

mankind cannot turn its attention to the lotus feet of Krsna. Those

lotus feet vanquish all the unwanted miserable conditions of material

life.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.32). When the great

sage Narada was giving instructions to Maharaja Yudhisthira, he narrated

the activities of Prahlada Maharaja. This verse was spoken by Prahlada

Maharaja to his father, Hiranyakasipu, the king of demons. Prahlada

Maharaja informed his father of the nine basic processes of bhakti-

yoga. Whoever takes to these processes is to be

considered a highly learned scholar. Hiranyakasipu, however, did not

like his son to talk about devotional service; therefore he immediately

called his teacher, Sandamarka. The teacher explained that he did

not teach devotional service to Prahlada but that the boy was naturally

inclined that way. At that time Hiranyakasipu became very angry and

asked Prahlada why he had become a Vaisnava. In answer to this question,

Prahlada Maharaja recited this verse to the effect that one cannot

become the Lord's devotee without receiving the mercy and blessings of

another devotee.

Madhya 22.54

TEXT 54

TEXT

'sadhu-sanga', 'sadhu-sanga' -- sarva-sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

SYNONYMS

sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga -- association with pure devotees; sarva-sastre -

- all the revealed scriptures; kaya -- say; lava-matra -- even for a

moment; sadhu-sange -- by association with a devotee; sarva-siddhi --

all success; haya -- there is.

TRANSLATION

"The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's

association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.

PURPORT

According to astronomical calculations, lava is one eleventh of one

second.

Madhya 22.55

TEXT 55

TEXT

tulayama lavenapi

na svargam napunar-bhavam

bhagavat-sangi-sangasya

martyanam kimutasisah

SYNONYMS

tulayama -- we make equal; lavena -- with one instant; api -- even; na --

not; svargam -- heavenly planets; na -- nor; apunah-bhavam -- merging

into the existence of the Supreme; bhagavat-sangi-sangasya -- of the

association of devotees who are always associated with the Supreme

Personality of Godhead; martyanam -- of persons destined to die; kim uta

-- what; asisah -- the blessings.

TRANSLATION

" 'The value of a moment's association with a devotee of the Lord cannot

even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or

liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the

form of material prosperity, which is for those who are meant for death.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.18.13). This verse

concerns the Vedic rites and sacrifices performed by the great sages of

Naimisaranya, headed by Saunaka Rsi. The sages pointed out that

association with a devotee for even less than a second is beyond

comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, elevation to

heavenly planets or merging into the existence of the Supreme.

Madhya 22.56

TEXT 56

TEXT

krsna krpalu arjunere laksya kariya

jagatere rakhiyachena upadesa diya

SYNONYMS

krsna -- Lord Krsna; krpalu -- merciful; arjunere -- Arjuna; laksya

kariya -- aiming at; jagatere -- the whole world; rakhiyachena -- has

protected; upadesa diya -- giving instructions.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna is so merciful that simply by aiming His instructions at Arjuna,

He has given protection to the whole world.

Madhya 22.57-58

TEXTS 57-58

TEXT

sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah

srnu me paramam vacah

isto 'si me drdham iti

tato vaksyami te hitam

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto

mad-yaji mam namaskuru

mam evaisyasi satyam te

pratijane priyo 'si me

SYNONYMS

sarva-guhya-tamam -- most confidential of all; bhuyah -- again; srnu --

hear; me -- My; paramam vacah -- supreme instruction; istah -- beloved;

asi -- you are; me -- My; drdham iti -- very firmly; tatah -- therefore;

vaksyami -- I shall speak; te -- to you; hitam -- words of benediction;

mat-manah -- whose mind is always on Me; bhava -- become; mat-bhaktah --

My devotee; mat-yaji -- My worshiper; mam -- unto Me; namaskuru -- offer

obeisances; mam eva -- to Me only; esyasi -- you will come; satyam --

truly; te -- to you; pratijane -- I promise; priyah asi -- you are dear;

me -- My.

TRANSLATION

" 'Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you

the most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this

from Me, for it is for your benefit. Always think of Me and become My

devotee, worship Me and offer obeisances unto Me. Thus you will

come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear

friend.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (18.64-65).

Madhya 22.59

TEXT 59

TEXT

purva ajna, -- veda-dharma, karma, yoga, jnana

saba sadhi' sese ei ajna -- balavan

SYNONYMS

purva ajna -- previous orders; veda-dharma -- performance of Vedic

ritualistic ceremonies; karma -- fruitive activities; yoga -- mystic

yoga practice; jnana -- speculative knowledge; saba sadhi' -- executing

all these processes; sese -- at the end; ei ajna -- this order; balavan -

- powerful.

TRANSLATION

"Although Krsna has previously explained the proficiency of executing

Vedic rituals, performing fruitive activity as enjoined in the Vedas,

practicing yoga and cultivating jnana, these last instructions are most

powerful and stand above all the others.

Madhya 22.60

TEXT 60

TEXT

ei ajna-bale bhaktera 'sraddha' yadi haya

sarva-karma tyaga kari' se krsna bhajaya

SYNONYMS

ei ajna-bale -- on the strength of this supreme order of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead; bhaktera -- of the devotees; sraddha -- faith;

yadi -- if; haya -- there is; sarva-karma -- all other activities,

material and spiritual; tyaga kari' -- leaving aside; se -- he; krsna

bhajaya -- serves Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"If the devotee has faith in the strength of this order, he worships

Lord Krsna and gives up all other activities.

Madhya 22.61

TEXT 61

TEXT

tavat karmani kurvita

na nirvidyeta yavata

mat-katha-sravanadau va

sraddha yavan na jayate

SYNONYMS

tavat -- up to that time; karmani -- fruitive activities; kurvita -- one

should execute; na nirvidyeta -- is not satiated; yavata -- as long as;

mat-katha -- of discourses about Me; sravana-adau -- in the matter of

sravanam, kirtanam, and so on; va -- or; sraddha -- faith; yavat -- as

long as; na -- not; jayate -- is awakened.

TRANSLATION

" 'As long as one is not satiated by fruitive activity and has not

awakened his taste for devotional service by sravanam kirtanam visnoh

, one has to act according to the regulative principles of

the Vedic injunctions.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.20.9).

Madhya 22.62

TEXT 62

TEXT

'sraddha'-sabde -- visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya

krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya

SYNONYMS

sraddha-sabde -- by the word sraddha; visvasa -- faith; kahe -- is said;

sudrdha -- firm; niscaya -- certain; krsne -- unto Lord Krsna; bhakti --

devotional service; kaile -- by executing; sarva-karma -- all activities;

krta -- completed; haya -- are.

TRANSLATION

"By rendering transcendental

loving service to Krsna, one automatically performs all subsidiary

activities. This confident, firm faith, favorable to the discharge of

devotional service, is called sraddha.

PURPORT

Firm faith and confidence are called sraddha. When one engages in the

Lord's devotional service, he is to be understood to have performed all

his responsibilities in the material world. He has satisfied his

forefathers, ordinary living entities, and demigods and is free from all

responsibility. Such a person does not need to meet his responsibilities

separately. It is automatically done. Fruitive activity (karma) is meant

to satisfy the senses of the conditioned soul. However, when one awakens

to Krsna consciousness, he does not have to work separately for pious

activity. The best achievement of all fruitive activity is detachment

from material life, and this detachment is spontaneously enjoyed by the

devotee firmly engaged in the Lord's service.

Madhya 22.63

TEXT 63

TEXT

yatha taror mula-nisecanena

trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah

pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam

tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya

SYNONYMS

yatha -- as; taroh -- of a tree; mula -- on the root; nisecanena -- by

pouring water; trpyanti -- are satisfied; tat -- of the tree; skandha --

trunk; bhuja -- branches; upasakhah -- sub-branches; prana -- to

the living force; upaharat -- from offering food; ca -- also; yatha --

as; indriyanam -- of all the senses; tatha -- similarly; eva -- indeed;

sarva -- of all; arhanam -- worship; acyuta -- of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead; ijya -- worship.

TRANSLATION

" 'By pouring water on the root of a tree, one automatically satisfies

the trunk, branches and twigs. Similarly, by supplying food to the

stomach, where it nourishes the life air, one satisfies all the senses.

In the same way, by worshiping Krsna and rendering Him service, one

automatically satisfies all the demigods.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.31.14).

Madhya 22.64

TEXT 64

TEXT

sraddhavan jana haya bhakti-adhikari

'uttama', 'madhyama', 'kanistha' -- sraddha-anusari

SYNONYMS

sraddhavan jana -- a person with faith; haya -- is; bhakti-adhikari --

eligible for discharging transcendental loving service to the Lord;

uttama -- first class; madhyama -- intermediate; kanistha -- the lowest

class; sraddha-anusari -- according to the proportion of faith.

TRANSLATION

"A faithful devotee is a truly eligible candidate for the loving service

of the Lord. According to one's faith, one is classified as a topmost

devotee, an intermediate devotee or an inferior devotee.

PURPORT

The word sraddhavan (faithful) means understanding Krsna to be the

summum bonum, the eternal truth and absolute transcendence. If one has

full faith in Krsna and confidence in Him, one becomes eligible to

discharge devotional service confidentially. According to one's faith,

one is a topmost, intermediate or inferior devotee.

Madhya 22.65

TEXT 65

TEXT

sastra-yuktye sunipuna, drdha-sraddha yanra

'uttama-adhikari' sei taraye samsara

SYNONYMS

sastra-yuktye -- in argument and logic; su-nipuna -- very expert; drdha-

sraddha -- firm faith and confidence in Krsna; yanra -- whose; uttama-

adhikari -- the topmost devotee; sei -- he; taraye samsara -- can

deliver the whole world.

TRANSLATION

"One who is expert in logic, argument and the revealed scriptures and

who has firm faith in Krsna is classified as a topmost devotee. He can

deliver the whole world.

Madhya 22.66

TEXT 66

TEXT

sastre yuktau ca nipunah

sarvatha drdha-niscayah

praudha-sraddho 'dhikari yah

sa bhaktav uttamo matah

SYNONYMS

sastre -- in the revealed scriptures; yuktau -- in logic; ca -- also;

nipunah -- expert; sarvatha -- in all respects; drdha-niscayah -- who is

firmly convinced; praudha -- deep; sraddhah -- who has faith; adhikari --

eligible; yah -- who; sah -- he; bhaktau -- in devotional service;

uttamah -- highest; matah -- is considered.

TRANSLATION

" 'One who is expert in logic and understanding of revealed

scriptures, and who always has firm conviction and deep faith that is

not blind, is to be considered a topmost devotee in devotional service.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.17) by Srila Rupa

Gosvami.

Madhya 22.67

TEXT 67

TEXT

sastra-yukti nahi jane drdha, sraddhavan

'madhyama-adhikari' sei maha-bhagyavan

SYNONYMS

sastra-yukti -- logical arguments on the basis of revealed scripture;

nahi -- not; jane -- knows; drdha -- firmly; sraddhavan -- faithful;

madhyama-adhikari -- second-class devotee; sei -- he; maha-bhagyavan --

very fortunate.

TRANSLATION

"One who is not very expert in argument and logic based on revealed

scriptures but who has firm faith is considered a second-class devotee.

He also must be considered most fortunate.

Madhya 22.68

TEXT 68

TEXT

yah sastradisv anipunah

sraddhavan sa tu madhyamah

SYNONYMS

yah -- anyone who; sastra-adisu -- in the revealed scriptures; anipunah -

- not very expert; sraddhavan -- full of faith; sah -- he; tu --

certainly; madhyamah -- second-class or middle-class devotee.

TRANSLATION

" 'He who does not know scriptural argument very well but who has firm

faith is called an intermediate or second-class devotee.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.18).

Madhya 22.69

TEXT 69

TEXT

yahara komala sraddha, se 'kanistha' jana

krame krame tenho bhakta ha-ibe 'uttama'

SYNONYMS

yahara -- whose; komala sraddha -- soft faith; se -- such a person;

kanistha jana -- a neophyte devotee; krame krame -- by a gradual

progression; tenho -- he; bhakta -- devotee; ha-ibe -- will become;

uttama -- first class.

TRANSLATION

"One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by

gradually following the process, he will rise to the platform of a first-

class devotee.

Madhya 22.70

TEXT 70

TEXT

yo bhavet komala-sraddhah

sa kanistho nigadyate

SYNONYMS

yah -- anyone who; bhavet -- may be; komala -- soft; sraddhah -- having

faith; sah -- such a person; kanisthah -- neophyte devotee; nigadyate --

is said to be.

TRANSLATION

" 'One whose faith is not very strong, who is just beginning, should be

considered a neophyte devotee.'

PURPORT

This verse also appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.19).

Madhya 22.71

TEXT 71

TEXT

rati-prema-taratamye bhakta -- tara-tama

ekadasa skandhe tara kariyache laksana

SYNONYMS

rati -- of attachment; prema -- and love; taratamye -- by comparison;

bhakta -- devotee; tara-tama -- superior and superlative; ekadasa

skandhe -- in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam; tara -- of him;

kariyache -- has made; laksana -- symptoms.

TRANSLATION

"A devotee is considered superlative and superior according to his

attachment and love. In the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the

following symptoms have been ascertained.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has stated that if one has developed faith in

Krsna consciousness, he is to be considered an eligible candidate for

further advancement in Krsna consciousness. Those who have faith are

divided into three categories -- uttama, madhyama and kanistha (first-

class, second-class and neophyte). A first-class devotee has firm

conviction in the revealed scriptures and is expert in arguing according

to the sastras. He is firmly convinced of the science of Krsna

consciousness. The madhyama-adhikari, or second-class devotee, has firm

conviction in Krsna consciousness, but he cannot support his conviction

by citing sastric references. The neophyte devotee does not yet have

firm faith. In this way the devotees are typed.

The standard of devotion is also categorized in the same way. A neophyte

believes that only love of Krsna or Krsna consciousness is very good,

but he may not know the basis of pure Krsna consciousness or how one can

become a perfect devotee. Sometimes in the heart of a neophyte there is

attraction for karma, jnana or yoga. When he is free and transcendental

to mixed devotional activity, he becomes a second-class devotee. When he

becomes expert in logic and can refer to the sastras, he becomes a first-

class devotee. The devotees are also described as positive, comparative

and superlative, in terms of their love and attachment for Krsna.

It should be understood that a madhyama-adhikari, a second-class devotee,

is fully convinced of Krsna consciousness but cannot support his

convictions with sastric reference. A neophyte may fall down by

associating with nondevotees because he is not firmly convinced and

strongly situated. The second-class devotee, even though he cannot

support his position with sastric reference, can gradually become a

first-class devotee by studying the sastras and associating with a first-

class devotee. However, if the second-class devotee does not advance

himself by associating with a first-class devotee, he makes no progress.

There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down, even

though he may mix with nondevotees to preach. Conviction and faith

gradually increase to make one an uttama-adhikari, a first-class devotee.

Madhya 22.72

TEXT 72

TEXT

sarva-bhutesu yah pasyed

bhagavad-bhavam atmanah

bhutani bhagavaty atmany

esa bhagavatottamah

SYNONYMS

sarva-bhutesu -- in all objects (in matter, spirit, and combinations of

matter and spirit); yah -- anyone who; pasyet -- sees; bhagavat-bhavam --

the ability to be engaged in the service of the Lord; atmanah -- of the

supreme spirit soul or the transcendence beyond the material conception

of life; bhutani -- all beings; bhagavati -- in the Supreme Personality

of Godhead; atmani -- the basic principle of all existence; esah -- this;

bhagavata-uttamah -- a person advanced in devotional service.

TRANSLATION

" 'A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the

soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.

Consequently he always sees the form of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead as the cause of all causes and understands that all things are

situated in Him.

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.45).

Madhya 22.73

TEXT 73

TEXT

isvare tad-adhinesu

balisesu dvisatsu ca

prema-maitri-krpopeksa

yah karoti sa madhyamah

SYNONYMS

isvare -- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tat-adhinesu -- to

persons who have taken fully to Krsna consciousness; balisesu -- unto

the neophytes or the ignorant; dvisatsu -- to persons envious of Krsna

and the devotees of Krsna; prema -- love; maitri -- friendship; krpa --

mercy; upeksa -- negligence; yah -- anyone who; karoti -- does; sah --

he; madhyamah -- a second-class devotee.

TRANSLATION

" 'An intermediate, second-class devotee shows love for the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, is friendly to all devotees and is very merciful

to neophytes and ignorant people. The intermediate devotee neglects

those who are envious of devotional service.

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.46). This

statement was made by the great sage Narada while he was speaking to

Vasudeva about devotional service. This subject was originally discussed

between Nimi, the King of Videha, and the nine Yogendras.

Madhya 22.74

TEXT 74

TEXT

arcayam eva haraye

pujam yah sraddhayehate

na tad-bhaktesu canyesu

sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah

SYNONYMS

arcayam -- in the temple worship; eva -- certainly; haraye -- for the

pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pujam -- worship; yah --

anyone who; sraddhaya -- with faith and love; ihate -- executes; na --

not; tat-bhaktesu -- to the devotees of the Lord; ca anyesu -- and to

others; sah -- he; bhaktah -- a devotee; prakrtah -- materialistic;

smrtah -- is considered.

TRANSLATION

" 'A prakrta, or materialistic devotee does not purposefully

study the sastra and try to understand the actual standard of pure

devotional service. Consequently he does not show proper respect to

advanced devotees. He may, however, follow the regulative principles

learned from his spiritual master or from his family who worships the

Deity. He is to be considered on the material platform, although he is

trying to advance in devotional service. Such a person is a bhakta-praya

[neophyte devotee], or bhaktabhasa, for he is a little enlightened by

Vaisnava philosophy.'

PURPORT

This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.47). Srila Bhaktivinoda

Thakura says that one who has full love for the Supreme Personality of

Godhead and who maintains a good friendship with the Lord's devotees is

always callous to those who envy Krsna and Krsna's devotees. Such a

person is to be considered an intermediate devotee. He becomes a first-

class devotee when, in the course of advancing in devotional service, he

feels an intimate relationship with all living entities, seeing them as

part and parcel of the Supreme Person.

Madhya 22.75

TEXT 75

TEXT

sarva maha-guna-gana vaisnava-sarire

krsna-bhakte krsnera guna sakali sancare

SYNONYMS

sarva -- all; maha -- great; guna-gana -- transcendental qualities;

vaisnava-sarire -- in the bodies of Vaisnavas; krsna-bhakte -- in the

devotees of Lord Krsna; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; guna -- the qualities;

sakali -- all; sancare -- appear.

TRANSLATION

"A Vaisnava is one who has developed all good transcendental qualities.

All the good qualities of Krsna gradually develop in Krsna's devotee.

Madhya 22.76

TEXT 76

TEXT

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana

sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah

harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna

mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih

SYNONYMS

yasya -- of whom; asti -- there is; bhaktih -- devotional service;

bhagavati -- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akincana --

without material desires; sarvaih -- all; gunaih -- with good qualities;

tatra -- there; samasate -- live; surah -- the demigods; harau -- unto

the Lord; abhaktasya -- of the nondevotee; kutah -- where; mahat-gunah --

the high qualities; manah-rathena -- by mental concoction; asati -- to

temporary material happiness; dhavatah -- running; bahih -- externally.

TRANSLATION

" 'In one who has unflinching devotional faith in Krsna, all the good

qualities of Krsna and the demigods are consistently manifest. However,

he who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good

qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material

existence, which is the external feature of the Lord.'

PURPORT

This was spoken by Bhadrasrava and his followers, who were

offering prayers to Nrsimhadeva (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.18.12).

Madhya 22.77

TEXT 77

TEXT

sei saba guna haya vaisnava-laksana

saba kaha na yaya, kari dig-darasana

SYNONYMS

sei saba guna -- all those transcendental qualities; haya -- are;

vaisnava-laksana -- the symptoms of a Vaisnava; saba -- all; kaha na

yaya -- cannot be explained; kari -- I shall do; dik-darasana -- a

general review.

TRANSLATION

"All these transcendental qualities are the characteristics of pure

Vaisnavas, and they cannot be fully explained, but I shall try to point

out some of the important qualities.

Madhya 22.78-80

TEXTS 78-80

TEXT

krpalu, akrta-droha, satya-sara sama

nidosa, vadanya, mrdu, suci, akincana

sarvopakaraka, santa, krsnaika-sarana

akama, aniha, sthira, vijita-sad-guna

mita-bhuk, apramatta, manada, amani

gambhira, karuna, maitra, kavi, daksa, mauni

SYNONYMS

krpalu -- merciful; akrta-droha -- not defiant; satya-sara -- thoroughly

true; sama -- equal; nidosa -- faultless; vadanya -- magnanimous; mrdu --

mild; suci -- clean; akincana -- without material possessions; sarva-

upakaraka -- working for the welfare of everyone; santa -- peaceful;

krsna-eka-sarana -- exclusively surrendered to Krsna; akama --

desireless; aniha -- indifferent to material acquisitions; sthira --

fixed; vijita-sat-guna -- completely controlling the six bad qualities (

lust, anger, greed, etc.); mita-bhuk -- eating only as much as required;

apramatta -- without inebriation; mana-da -- respectful; amani --

without false prestige; gambhira -- grave; karuna -- compassionate;

maitra -- a friend; kavi -- a poet; daksa -- expert; mauni -- silent.

TRANSLATION

"Devotees are always merciful, humble, truthful, equal to all, faultless,

magnanimous, mild and clean. They are without material possessions, and

they perform welfare work for everyone. They are peaceful, surrendered

to Krsna and desireless. They are indifferent to material acquisitions

and are fixed in devotional service. They completely control the six bad

qualities -- lust, anger, greed and so forth. They eat only as much as

required, and they are not inebriated. They are respectful, grave,

compassionate and without false prestige. They are friendly, poetic,

expert and silent.

Madhya 22.81

TEXT 81

TEXT

titiksavah karunikah

suhrdah sarva-dehinam

ajata-satravah santah

sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah

SYNONYMS

titiksavah -- very forebearing; karunikah -- merciful; suhrdah -- who

are well-wishers; sarva-dehinam -- to all living entities; ajata-

satravah -- without enemies; santah -- peaceful; sadhavah -- following

the injunctions of the sastra; sadhu-bhusanah -- who are decorated with

good character.

TRANSLATION

" 'Devotees are always tolerant, forebearing and very merciful. They are

the well-wishers of every living entity. They follow the scriptural

injunctions, and because they have no enemies, they are very peaceful.

These are the decorations of devotees.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.21). When the sages,

headed by Saunaka, inquired about Kapiladeva, the incarnation of Godhead,

Suta Gosvami, who was the topmost devotee of the Lord, quoted talks

about self-realization between Maitreya, a friend of

Vyasadeva, and Vidura. It was then that the topic of Lord Kapila

came up and His

discussions with His mother, wherein He stated that attachment to

material things is the cause of conditional life. When a person becomes

attached to transcendental things, he is on the path of liberation.

Madhya 22.82

TEXT 82

TEXT

mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimuktes

tamo-dvaram yositam sangi-sangam

mahantas te sama-cittah prasanta

vimanyavah suhrdah sadhavo ye

SYNONYMS

mahat-sevam -- the service of the pure devotee spiritual master; dvaram -

- door; ahuh -- they said; vimukteh -- of liberation; tamah-dvaram --

the door to darkness; yositam -- of women and money; sangi-sangam --

association with those who enjoy the association; mahantah -- great

souls; te -- they; sama-cittah -- equally disposed to all; prasantah --

very peaceful; vimanyavah -- without anger; suhrdah -- well-wishers of

everyone; sadhavah -- who are endowed with all good qualities, or who do

not look for faults in others; ye -- those who.

TRANSLATION

" 'It is the verdict of all sastras and great personalities that by

serving a pure devotee, one attains the path of liberation. However,

by associating with materialistic people who are attached to

material enjoyment and women, one attains the path of darkness. Those

who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very

peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living

entities.'

PURPORT

This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.5.2).

Madhya 22.83

TEXT 83

TEXT

krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya 'sadhu-sanga'

krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga

SYNONYMS

krsna-bhakti -- of devotional service to Krsna; janma-mula -- the root

cause; haya -- is; sadhu-sanga -- association with advanced devotees;

krsna-prema -- love of Krsna; janme -- awakens; tenho -- that same

association with devotees; punah -- again; mukhya anga -- the chief

principle.

TRANSLATION

"The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krsna is association with

advanced devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krsna awakens,

association with devotees is still most essential.

Madhya 22.84

TEXT 84

TEXT

bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej

janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah

sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau

paravarese tvayi jayate ratih

SYNONYMS

bhava-apavargah -- liberation from the nescience of material existence;

bhramatah -- wandering; yada -- when; bhavet -- should be; janasya -- of

a person; tarhi -- at that time; acyuta -- O Supreme Personality of

Godhead; sat-samagamah -- association with devotees; sat-sangamah --

association with the devotees; yarhi -- when; tada -- at that time; eva -

- only; sat-gatau -- the highest goal of life; paravarese --

the Lord of the universe; tvayi -- to You; jayate -- appears; ratih --

attraction.

TRANSLATION

" 'O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering

throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material

existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he

associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are

the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal of the supreme

devotees and the Lord of the universe.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.51.53).

Madhya 22.85

TEXT 85

TEXT

ata atyantikam ksemam

prcchamo bhavato 'naghah

samsare 'smin ksanardho 'pi

sat-sangah sevadhir nrnam

SYNONYMS

atah -- therefore (due to the rareness of seeing pure devotees of the

Lord); atyantikam -- supreme; ksemam -- auspiciousness; prcchamah -- we

are asking; atyantikam -- supreme; ksemam -- auspiciousness; prcchamah --

we are asking; bhavatah -- you; anaghah -- O sinless ones; samsare --

in the material world; asmin -- this; ksana-ardhah -- lasting half a

moment; api -- even; sat-sangah -- association with devotees; sevadhih --

a treasure; nrnam -- for human society.

TRANSLATION

" 'O devotees! O you who are free from all sins! Let me inquire from you

about that which is supremely auspicious for all living entities.

Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material

world is the greatest treasure for human society.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.30).

Madhya 22.86

TEXT 86

TEXT

satam prasangan mama virya-samvido

bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah

taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani

sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati

SYNONYMS

satam -- of the devotees; prasangat -- by the intimate association; mama

-- of Me; virya-samvidah -- talks full of spiritual potency; bhavanti --

appear; hrt -- to the heart; karna -- and to the ears; rasa-ayanah -- a

source of sweetness; kathah -- talks; tat -- of them; josanat -- from

proper cultivation; asu -- quickly; apavarga -- of liberation; vartmani -

- on the path; sraddha -- faith; ratih -- attraction; bhaktih -- love;

anukramisyati -- will follow one after another.

TRANSLATION

" 'The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed

only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in

that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental

experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in

due course develops into attraction and devotion.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.25). For an explanation

see Adi-lila (1.60).

Madhya 22.87

TEXT 87

TEXT

asat-sanga-tyaga, -- ei vaisnava-acara

'stri-sangi' -- eka asadhu, 'krsnabhakta' ara

SYNONYMS

asat-sanga-tyaga -- rejection of the association of nondevotees; ei --

this; vaisnava-acara -- the behavior of a Vaisnava; stri-sangi -- who

associates with women for sense gratification; eka -- one; asadhu --

unsaintly person; krsna-abhakta -- one who is not a devotee of Lord

Krsna; ara -- another.

TRANSLATION

"A Vaisnava should always avoid the association of ordinary people.

Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women.

Vaisnavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of

Lord Krsna.

Madhya 22.88-90

TEXTS 88-90

TEXT

satyam saucam daya maunam

buddhir hrih srir yasah ksama

samo damo bhagas ceti

yat-sangad yati sanksayam

tesv asantesu mudhesu

khanditatmasv asadhusu

sangam na kuryac chocyesu

yosit-krida-mrgesu ca

na tathasya bhaven moho

bandhas canya-prasangatah

yosit-sangad yatha pumso

yatha tat-sangi-sangatah

SYNONYMS

satyam -- truthfulness; saucam -- cleanliness; daya -- mercy; maunam --

silence; buddhih -- intelligence; hrih -- modesty; srih -- beauty; yasah

-- fame; ksama -- forgiveness; samah -- controlling the mind; damah --

controlling the senses; bhagah -- opulence; ca -- and; iti -- thus; yat -

- of whom; sangat -- by the association; yati -- goes to; sanksayam --

complete destruction; tesu -- among them; asantesu -- who are restless;

mudhesu -- among the fools; khandita-atmasu -- whose self-realization is

spoiled; asadhusu -- not saintly; sangam -- association; na -- not;

kuryat -- should do; socyesu -- who are full of lamentation; yosit -- of

women; krida-mrgesu -- who are like toy animals; ca -- also; na -- not;

tatha -- so much; asya -- of him; bhavet -- there may be; mohah --

illusion; bandhah -- binding; ca -- and; anya -- other types;

prasangatah -- from association; yosit-sangat -- by association with

women; yatha -- as; pumsah -- of the man; yatha -- as well as; tat-sangi-

sangatah -- by association with persons attached to women.

TRANSLATION

" 'By association with worldly people, one becomes devoid of

truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, gravity, spiritual intelligence,

shyness, austerity, fame, forgiveness, control of the mind, control of

the senses, fortune and all opportunities. One should not at any time

associate with a coarse fool who is bereft of the knowledge of self-

realization and who is no more than a toy animal in the hands of a woman.

The illusion and bondage that accrue to a man from attachment to any

other object are not as complete as that resulting from association with

a woman or with men too attached to women.'

PURPORT

These verses, quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.31.33-35), were spoken by

Kapiladeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to His

mother. Herein Kapiladeva discusses pious and impious activities and the

symptoms of those who are devoid of devotional service to Krsna.

Generally people do not know about the miserable conditions within the

womb of a mother in any species of life. Due to bad association, one

gradually falls into lower species. Association with women is greatly

stressed in this regard. When one becomes attached to women or to those

who are attached to women, one falls down into the lower species.

purusah prakrti-stho hi

bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan

karanam guna-sango 'sya

sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

"The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life,

enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with

that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil among various

species." (Bhagavad-gita 13.22)

According to Vedic civilization, one's association with women should be

very much restricted. In spiritual life there are four asramas --

brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. The brahmacari,

vanaprastha and sannyasi are completely forbidden to associate with

women. Only grhasthas are allowed to associate with women under certain

very restricted conditions -- that is, one associates with women to

propagate nice children. Other reasons for association are condemned.

Madhya 22.91

TEXT 91

TEXT

varam huta-vaha-jvala-

panjarantar-vyavasthitih

na sauri-cinta-vimukha-

jana-samvasa-vaisasam

SYNONYMS

varam -- better; huta-vaha -- of fire; jvala -- in the flames; panjara-

antah -- inside a cage; vyavasthitih -- abiding; na -- not; sauri-cinta -

- of Krsna consciousness, or thought of Krsna; vimukha -- bereft; jana --

of persons; samvasa -- of the association; vaisasam -- the calamity.

TRANSLATION

" 'It is better to accept the miseries of being encaged within bars and

surrounded by burning flames than to associate with those bereft of

Krsna consciousness. Such association is a very great hardship.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Katyayana-samhita.

Madhya 22.92

TEXT 92

TEXT

ma draksih ksina-punyan kvacid api

bhagavad-bhakti-hinan manusyan

SYNONYMS

ma -- do not; draksih -- see; ksina-punyan -- who are bereft of all

piety; kvacit api -- at any time; bhagavat-bhakti-hinan -- who are

bereft of Krsna consciousness and devotional service; manusyan --

persons.

TRANSLATION

" One should not even see those who are bereft of devotional service in

Krsna consciousness and who are therefore devoid of pious activities.

Madhya 22.93

TEXT 93

TEXT

eta saba chadi' ara varnasrama-dharma

akincana hana laya krsnaika-sarana

SYNONYMS

eta saba -- all these; chadi' -- giving up; ara -- and; varna-asrama-

dharma -- the regulative principle of four varnas and four asramas;

akincana -- without any attachment for anything material; hana --

becoming; laya -- he takes; krsna-eka-sarana -- exclusive shelter at the

lotus feet of the Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Without hesitation, one should take the exclusive shelter of Lord Krsna

with full confidence, giving up bad association and even neglecting the

regulative principles of the four varnas and four asramas. That is to

say, one should abandon all material attachment.

Madhya 22.94

TEXT 94

TEXT

sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebhyo

moksayisyami ma sucah

SYNONYMS

sarva-dharman -- all kinds of occupational duties; parityajya -- giving

up; mam ekam -- unto Me only; saranam -- as shelter; vraja -- go; aham --

I; tvam -- unto you; sarva-papebhyah -- from all the reactions of

sinful life; moksayisyami -- will give liberation; ma -- don't; sucah --

worry.

TRANSLATION

" 'After giving up all kinds of religious and occupational duties, if

you come to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and take shelter, I

shall give you protection from all of life's sinful reactions. Do not

worry.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gita (18.66) spoken by Lord Krsna.

For an explanation, refer to Madhya-lila (8.63).

Madhya 22.95

TEXT 95

TEXT

bhakta-vatsala, krtajna, samartha, vadanya

hena krsna chadi' pandita nahi bhaje anya

SYNONYMS

bhakta-vatsala -- very kind to the devotees; krta-jna -- grateful;

samartha -- full of all abilities; vadanya -- magnanimous; hena -- such;

krsna -- Lord Krsna; chadi' -- giving up; pandita -- a learned man; nahi

-- does not; bhaje -- worship; anya -- anyone else.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna is very kind to His devotees. He is always very grateful and

magnanimous, and He possesses all abilities. A learned man does not give

up Krsna to worship anyone else.

PURPORT

An intelligent person gives up the company of those who are attached to

women and bereft of Krsna consciousness. One should be free from all

kinds of material attachment and should take full shelter under the

lotus feet of Krsna. Krsna is very kind to His devotees. He is always

grateful, and He never forgets the service of a devotee. He is also

completely opulent and all-powerful. Why, then, should one take shelter

of a demigod and leave Lord Krsna's shelter? If one worships a demigod

and leaves Krsna, he must be considered the lowest fool.

Madhya 22.96

TEXT 96

TEXT

kah panditas tvad-aparam saranam samiyad

bhakta-priyad rta-girah suhrdah krtajnat

sarvan dadati suhrdo bhajato 'bhikaman

atmanam apy upacayapacayau na yasya

SYNONYMS

kah -- what; panditah -- learned man; tvat-aparam -- other than Your

Lordship; saranam -- shelter; samiyat -- would take; bhakta-priyat --

who are affectionate to Your devotees; rta-girah -- who are truthful to

the devotees; suhrdah -- who are the friend of the devotees; krta-jnat --

who are grateful to the devotees; sarvan -- all; dadati -- gives;

suhrdah -- to Your well-wishers; bhajatah -- who worship You by

devotional service; abhikaman -- desires; atmanam -- Yourself; api --

even; upacaya -- increase; apacayau -- and diminution; na -- not; yasya -

- of whom.

TRANSLATION

" 'My dear Lord, You are very affectionate to Your devotees. You are

also a truthful and grateful friend. Where is that learned man who would

give You up and surrender to someone else? You fulfill all the desires

of Your devotees, so much so that sometimes You even give Yourself to

them. Still, You neither increase nor decrease by such activity.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.48.26).

Madhya 22.97

TEXT 97

TEXT

vijna-janera haya yadi krsna-guna-jnana

anya tyaji', bhaje, tate uddhava -- pramana

SYNONYMS

vijna-janera -- of an experienced person; haya -- there is; yadi -- if;

krsna-guna-jnana -- knowledge of Krsna's transcendental qualities; anya -

- others; tyaji' -- giving up; bhaje -- he engages in devotional service;

tate -- in that connection; uddhava -- Uddhava; pramana -- the evidence.

TRANSLATION

"Whenever an experienced person develops real knowledge of Krsna and His

transcendental qualities, he naturally gives up all other engagements

and renders service to the Lord. Uddhava gives evidence concerning this.

Madhya 22.98

TEXT 98

TEXT

aho baki yam stana-kala-kutam

jighamsayapayayad apy asadhvi

lebhe gatim dhatry-ucitam tato 'nyam

kam va dayalum saranam vrajema

SYNONYMS

aho -- how wonderful; baki -- Putana, the sister of Bakasura; yam --

whom; stana -- on the two breasts; kala-kutam -- the deadly poison;

jighamsaya -- with a desire to kill; apayayat -- forced to drink; api --

although; asadhvi -- dangerously inimical to Krsna; lebhe -- achieved;

gatim -- the destination; dhatri -- for a nurse; ucitam -- suitable;

tatah -- than Him; anyam -- other; kam -- to whom; va -- or; dayalum --

the most merciful; saranam -- shelter; vrajema -- shall take.

TRANSLATION

" 'Oh, how wonderful it is! Putana, the sister of Bakasura, wanted to

kill Krsna by smearing deadly poison on her breasts and having Krsna

take it. Nonetheless, Lord Krsna accepted her as His mother, and thus

she attained the destination befitting Krsna's mother. Of whom should I

take shelter but Krsna, who is most merciful?'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.2.23).

Madhya 22.99

TEXT 99

TEXT

saranagatera, akincanera -- eka-i laksana

tara madhye pravesaye 'atma-samarpana'

SYNONYMS

saranagatera -- of a person who has fully taken shelter of Krsna;

akincanera -- of a person who is free of all material desires; eka-i

laksana -- the symptoms are one and the same; tara madhye -- of them all;

pravesaye -- enters; atma-samarpana -- full surrender.

TRANSLATION

"There are two kinds of devotees -- those who are fully satiated and

free from all material desires and those who are fully surrendered to

the lotus feet of the Lord. Their qualities are one and the same, but

those who are fully surrendered to Krsna's lotus feet are qualified with

another transcendental quality -- atma-samarpana, full surrender without

reservation.

Madhya 22.100

TEXT 100

TEXT

anukulyasya sankalpah

pratikulyasya varjanam

raksisyatiti visvaso

goptrtve varanam tatha

atma-niksepa-karpanye

sad-vidha saranagatih

SYNONYMS

anukulyasya -- of anything that assists devotional service to the Lord;

sankalpah -- acceptance; pratikulyasya -- of anything that hinders

devotional service; varjanam -- complete rejection; raksisyati -- He

will protect; iti -- thus; visvasah -- strong conviction; goptrtve -- in

being the guardian, like the father or husband, master or maintainer;

varanam -- acceptance; tatha -- as well as; atma-niksepa -- full self-

surrender; karpanye -- humility; sat-vidha -- sixfold; sarana-agatih

-- process of surrender.

TRANSLATION

" 'The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of those things

favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things,

the conviction that Krsna will give protection, the acceptance of the

Lord as one's guardian or master, full self-surrender and humility.

PURPORT

One who is fully surrendered is qualified with the six following

characteristics. (1) The devotee has to accept everything that is

favorable for the rendering of transcendental loving service to the Lord.

(2) He must reject everything unfavorable to the Lord's service. This

is also called renunciation. (3) A devotee must be firmly convinced that

Krsna will give him protection. No one else can actually give one

protection, and being firmly convinced of this is called faith. This

kind of faith is different from the faith of an impersonalist who wants

to merge into the Brahman effulgence in order to benefit by cessation of

repeated birth and death. A devotee wants to remain always in the Lord's

service. In this way, Krsna is merciful to His devotee and gives him all

protection from the dangers found on the path of devotional service. (4)

The devotee should accept Krsna as his supreme maintainer and master. He

should not think that he is being protected by a demigod. He should

depend only on Krsna, considering Him the only protector. The devotee

must be firmly convinced that within the three worlds he has no

protector or maintainer other than Krsna. (5) Self-surrender means

remembering that one's activities and desires are not independent. The

devotee is completely dependent on Krsna, and he acts and thinks as

Krsna desires. (6) The devotee is meek and humble. As stated in Bhagavad-

gita:

sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto

mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca

vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo

vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham

"I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance,

knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas am I to be known; indeed I

am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas." (Bg. 15.

15)

Situated in everyone's heart, Krsna deals differently according to the

living entity's position. The living entity's position is to be under

the protection of the illusory energy or under Krsna's personal

protection. When a living entity is fully surrendered, he is under the

direct protection of Krsna, and Krsna gives him all intelligence by

which he can advance in spiritual realization. The nondevotee, however,

being under the protection of the illusory energy, increasingly forgets

his relationship with Krsna. Sometimes it is asked how Krsna causes one

to forget. Krsna causes His devotee to forget material

activities, and through the agency of maya, Krsna causes the nondevotee

to forget his devotional service to the Lord. This is called apohana.

Madhya 22.101

TEXT 101

TEXT

tavasmiti vadan vaca

tathaiva manasa vidan

tat-sthanam asritas tanva

modate saranagatah

SYNONYMS

tava -- His; asmi -- I am; iti -- thus; vadan -- saying; vaca -- by

words; tatha -- so; eva -- certainly; manasa -- with the mind; vidan --

knowing; tat-sthanam -- His place; asritah -- taken shelter of; tanva --

by the body; modate -- he enjoys; sarana-agatah -- fully surrendered.

TRANSLATION

" 'One whose body is fully surrendered takes shelter at the holy place

where Krsna had His pastimes, and he prays to the Lord, "My Lord, I am

Yours." Understanding this with his mind, he enjoys spiritual bliss.

PURPORT

These last two verses appear in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (11.417,418).

Madhya 22.102

TEXT 102

TEXT

sarana lana kare krsne atma-samarpana

krsna tare kare tat-kale atma-sama

SYNONYMS

sarana lana -- taking shelter; kare -- does; krsne -- unto Krsna; atma-

samarpana -- fully surrendering; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- him; kare -

- makes; tat-kale -- immediately; atma-sama -- one of His confidential

associates.

TRANSLATION

"When a devotee thus fully surrenders unto Krsna's lotus feet, Krsna

accepts him as one of His confidential associates.

Madhya 22.103

TEXT 103

TEXT

martyo yada tyakta-samasta-karma

niveditatma vicikirsito me

tadamrtatvam pratipadyamano

mayatma-bhuyaya ca kalpate vai

SYNONYMS

martyah -- the living entity subjected to birth and death; yada -- as

soon as; tyakta -- given up; samasta -- all; karma -- fruitive

activities; nivedita-atma -- a fully surrendered soul; vicikirsitah --

desired to act; me -- by Me; tada -- at that time; amrtatvam --

immortality; pratipadyamanah -- attaining; maya -- with Me; atma-bhuyaya

-- for becoming of a similar nature; ca -- also; kalpate -- is eligible;

vai -- certainly.

TRANSLATION

" 'The living entity who is subjected to birth and death attains

immortality when he gives up all material activities, dedicates his life

to the execution of My order, and acts according to My directions. In

this way he becomes fit to enjoy the spiritual bliss derived from

exchanging loving mellows with Me.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.34). Krsna was

advising His most confidential servant, Uddhava, about sambandha,

abhidheya and prayojana. These concern one's relationship with the

Supreme Personality of Godhead and the activities of that relationship,

as well as the perfection of life. The Lord also described the

characteristics of confidential devotees.

Madhya 22.104

TEXT 104

TEXT

ebe sadhana-bhakti-laksana suna, sanatana

yaha haite pai krsna-prema-maha-dhana

SYNONYMS

ebe -- now; sadhana-bhakti -- regulative principles for executing

devotional service; laksana -- the symptoms; suna -- please hear;

sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; yaha haite -- from which; pai -- one can

get; krsna-prema-maha-dhana -- the most valuable treasure of love for

Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana, please now hear about the regulative principles for

the execution of devotional service. By this process, one can attain the

highest perfection of love of Godhead, which is the most desirable

treasure.

Madhya 22.105

TEXT 105

TEXT

krti-sadhya bhavet sadhya-

bhava sa sadhanabhidha

nitya-siddhasya bhavasya

prakatyam hrdi sadhyata

SYNONYMS

krti-sadhya -- which is to be executed by the senses; bhavet -- should

be; sadhya-bhava -- by which love of Godhead is acquired; sa -- that;

sadhana-abhidha -- called sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in

practice; nitya-siddhasya -- which is eternally present; bhavasya -- of

love of Godhead; prakatyam -- the awakening; hrdi -- in the heart;

sadhyata -- potentiality.

TRANSLATION

" 'When transcendental devotional service by which love for Krsna is

attained is executed by the senses, it is called sadhana-bhakti, or the

regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally

exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this

eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.2). Because

living entities are minute, atomic parts and parcels of the Lord,

devotional service is already present within them in a dormant condition.

Devotional service begins with sravana kirtana,

hearing and chanting. When a man is sleeping, he can be awakened by

sound vibration; therefore every conditioned soul should be given the

chance to hear the Hare Krsna mantra chanted by a pure Vaisnava. One who

hears the Hare Krsna mantra thus vibrated is awakened to spiritual

consciousness, or Krsna consciousness. In this way one's mind gradually

becomes purified, as stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (ceto-darpana-

marjanam). When the mind is purified, the senses are

also purified. Instead of using the senses for sense gratification, the

awakened devotee employs the senses in the transcendental loving service

of the Lord. This is the process by which dormant love for Krsna is

awakened.

Madhya 22.106

TEXT 106

TEXT

sravanadi-kriya -- tara 'svarupa'-laksana

'tatastha'-laksane upajaya prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

sravana-adi-kriya -- the process of hearing, chanting and so forth; tara

-- of that; svarupa-laksana -- symptoms of the nature; tatastha-laksane -

- marginal symptoms; upajaya -- awakens; prema-dhana -- love of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"The spiritual activities of hearing, chanting, remembering and so forth

are the natural characteristics of devotional service. The marginal

characteristic is that it awakens pure love for Krsna.

Madhya 22.107

TEXT 107

TEXT

nitya-siddha krsna-prema 'sadhya' kabhu naya

sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya

SYNONYMS

nitya-siddha -- eternally proved; krsna-prema -- love of Krsna;

sadhya -- to be gained; kabhu -- at any time; naya -- not; sravana-adi --

by hearing, etc.; suddha -- purified; citte -- in the heart; karaye

udaya -- awakens.

TRANSLATION

"Pure love for Krsna is eternally established in the hearts of

living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source.

When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, the living entity

naturally awakens.

Madhya 22.108

TEXT 108

TEXT

ei ta sadhana-bhakti -- dui ta' prakara

eka 'vaidhi bhakti', 'raganuga-bhakti' ara

SYNONYMS

ei ta -- this; sadhana-bhakti -- process of devotional service; dui ta'

prakara -- two kinds; eka -- one; vaidhi bhakti -- the regulative

devotional service; raganuga-bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service;

ara -- and.

TRANSLATION

"There are two processes of practical devotional service. One is

regulative devotional service, and the other is spontaneous devotional

service.

Madhya 22.109

TEXT 109

TEXT

raga-hina jana bhaje sastrera ajnaya

'vaidhi bhakti' bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya

SYNONYMS

raga-hina -- who are without spontaneous attachment to Krsna; jana --

persons; bhaje -- execute devotional service; sastrera ajnaya --

according to the principles and regulations described in the revealed

scriptures; vaidhi bhakti -- regulative devotional service; bali' --

calling; tare -- that; sarva-sastre -- all revealed scriptures; gaya --

sing.

TRANSLATION

"Those who have not attained the platform of spontaneous attachment in

devotional service render devotional service under the guidance of a

bona fide spiritual master according to the regulative principles

mentioned in the revealed scriptures. According to the revealed

scriptures, this kind of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti.

PURPORT

In the beginning, one has to hear from a bona fide spiritual master.

This is favorable for advancing in devotional service. According to this

process, one hears, chants, remembers and engages in Deity worship,

acting under the directions of the spiritual master. These are the

essential primary activities of devotional service. Devotional service

must not be executed for some material purpose. One should not even have

a desire to merge into the Absolute Truth. One has to render such

service out of love only. Ahaituki, apratihata. Devotional service must

be without ulterior motives; then material conditions cannot check it.

Gradually one can rise to the platform of spontaneous loving service. A

child is sent to school by force to receive an education, but when he

gets a little taste of education at an advanced age, he automatically

participates and becomes a learned scholar. One cannot force a person to

become a scholar, but sometimes force is used in the beginning. A child

is forced to go to school and read and write according to the

instructions of his teachers. Such is the difference between vaidhi

bhakti and spontaneous bhakti. Dormant love for Krsna exists in everyone'

s heart, and it simply has to be awakened by the regulative process of

devotional service. One has to learn to use a typewriter by following

the regulative principles of the typing book. One has to place his

fingers on the keys in such a way and practice, but when one becomes

adept, he can type swiftly and correctly without even looking at the

keys. Similarly, one has to follow the rules and regulations of

devotional service as they are set down by the spiritual master; then

one can come to the point of spontaneous loving service. This love is

already there within the heart of everyone (nitya-siddha krsna-prema).

Spontaneous service is not artificial. One simply has to come to that

platform by rendering devotional service according to the regulative

principles. Thus one has to practice hearing and chanting and follow the

other regulative principles by washing the temple, cleansing oneself,

rising early in the morning, attending mangala-arati and so on. If one

does not come to the platform of spontaneous service in the beginning,

he must adopt regulative service according to the instructions of the

spiritual master. This regulative service is called vaidhi bhakti.

Madhya 22.110

TEXT 110

TEXT

tasmad bharata sarvatma

bhagavan harir isvarah

srotavyah kirtitavyas ca

smartavyas cecchatabhayam

SYNONYMS

tasmat -- therefore; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata; sarva-atma --

the all-pervasive Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart; bhagavan --

the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harih -- Lord Hari, who takes away

all the miserable conditions of material existence; isvarah -- the

supreme controller; srotavyah -- to be heard about (from bona fide

sources); kirtitavyah -- to be glorified (as one has heard); ca -- also;

smartavyah -- to be remembered; ca -- and; icchata -- by a person

desiring; abhayam -- freedom from the fearful condition of material

existence.

TRANSLATION

" 'O descendant of Bharata! O Maharaja Pariksit! The Supreme Personality

of Godhead, who is situated in everyone's heart as Paramatma, who is the

supreme controller and who always removes the miseries of living

entities, must always be heard about from reliable sources, and He must

be glorified and remembered by one who wishes to become fearless.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.5). It is one's duty to

understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the hearing

process. This is called srotavyah. If one has heard properly about the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, his duty is to glorify the Lord and

preach His glories. This is called kirtitavyah. When one hears about the

Lord and glorifies Him, it is natural to think of Him. This is called

smartavyah. All this must be carried out if one actually wants to be

immune from fear.

Madhya 22.111

TEXT 111

TEXT

mukha-bahuru-padebhyah

purusasyasramaih saha

catvaro jajnire varna

gunair vipradayah prthak

SYNONYMS

mukha -- the mouth; bahu -- the arms; uru -- the waist; padebhyah --

from the legs; purusasya -- of the supreme person; asramaih -- the

different spiritual orders; saha -- with; catvarah -- the four; jajnire -

- appeared; varnah -- social orders; gunaih -- with particular

qualifications; vipra-adayah -- brahmanas, etc.; prthak -- separately.

TRANSLATION

" 'From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into

existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his

waist the vaisyas have come and from his legs the sudras have come.

These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya,

grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society

complete.

PURPORT

This verse and the next are quotations from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.2-3).

Madhya 22.112

TEXT 112

TEXT

ya esam purusam saksad

atma-prabhavam isvaram

na bhajanty avajananti

sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah

SYNONYMS

ye -- those who; esam -- of those divisions of social and spiritual

orders; purusam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat --

directly; atma-prabhavam -- the source of everyone; isvaram -- the

supreme controller; na -- not; bhajanti -- worship; avajananti -- or who

neglect; sthanat -- from their proper place; bhrastah -- being fallen;

patanti -- fall; adhah -- downward into hellish conditions.

TRANSLATION

" 'If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and

asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from

his puffed-up position into a hellish condition.'

Madhya 22.113

TEXT 113

TEXT

smartavyah satatam visnur

vismartavyo na jatucit

sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur

etayor eva kinkarah

SYNONYMS

smartavyah -- to be remembered; satatam -- always; visnuh -- Lord Visnu;

vismartavyah -- to be forgotten; na -- not; jatucit -- at any time;

sarve -- all; vidhi-nisedhah -- rules and prohibitions mentioned in the

revealed scripture or given by the spiritual master; syuh -- should be;

etayoh -- of these two principles (always to remember Krsna or Visnu and

never to forget Him); eva -- certainly; kinkarah -- the servants.

TRANSLATION

" 'Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and

never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in

the sastras should be the servants of these two principles.'

PURPORT

This verse is a quotation from the Padma Purana. There are many

regulative principles in the sastras and directions given by the

spiritual master. These regulative principles should act as servants of

the basic principle -- that is, one should always remember Krsna and

never forget Him. This is possible when one chants the Hare Krsna mantra.

Therefore one must strictly chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra twenty-

four hours daily. One may have other duties to perform under the

direction of the spiritual master, but he must first abide by the

spiritual master's order to chant a certain number of rounds. In our

Krsna consciousness movement, we have recommended that the neophyte

chant at least sixteen rounds. This chanting of sixteen rounds is

absolutely necessary if one wants to remember Krsna and not forget Him.

Of all the regulative principles, the spiritual master's order to chant

at least sixteen rounds is most essential.

One may sell books or enlist life members or render some other service,

but these duties are not ordinary duties. These duties serve as an

impetus for remembering Krsna. When one goes with a sankirtana party or

sells books, he naturally remembers that he is going to sell Krsna's

books. In this way, he is remembering Krsna. When one goes to enlist a

life member, he talks about Krsna and thereby remembers Him. Smartavyah

satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit. The conclusion is that one must

act in such a way that he will always remember Krsna, and one must

refrain from doing things that make him forget Krsna. These two

principles form the basic background of Krsna consciousness.

Madhya 22.114

TEXT 114

TEXT

vividhanga sadhana-bhaktira bahuta vistara

sanksepe kahiye kichu sadhananga-sara

SYNONYMS

vividha-anga -- varieties of limbs (regulative principles); sadhana-

bhaktira -- of regulative devotional service; bahuta -- many; vistara --

expansions; sanksepe -- in brief; kahiye -- I shall speak; kichu --

something; sadhana-anga-sara -- the essential parts of the practice of

devotional service.

TRANSLATION

"I shall say something about the various practices of devotional service,

which is expanded in so many ways. I wish to speak briefly of the

essential practices.

Madhya 22.115

TEXT 115

TEXT

guru-padasraya, diksa, gurura sevana

sad-dharma-siksa, prccha, sadhu-marganugamana

SYNONYMS

guru-pada-asraya -- shelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master;

diksa -- initiation by the spiritual master; gurura sevana -- service to

the spiritual master; sat-dharma-siksa -- instruction in the

transcendental process of devotional service; prccha -- and inquiry;

sadhu-marga -- the path of transcendental devotional service; anugamana -

- following strictly.

TRANSLATION

"On the path of regulative devotional service, one must observe the

following items: (1) One must accept a bona fide spiritual master. (2)

Accept initiation from him. (3) Serve him. (4)

Receive instructions from the spiritual master and make

inquiries in order to learn devotional service. (5) Follow

in the footsteps of the previous acaryas and follow the directions given

by the spiritual master.

Madhya 22.116

TEXT 116

TEXT

krsna-pritye bhoga-tyaga, krsna-tirthe vasa

yavan-nirvaha-pratigraha, ekadasy-upavasa

SYNONYMS

krsna-pritye -- for satisfaction of Krsna; bhoga-tyaga -- acceptance and

rejection of something; krsna-tirthe vasa -- residence in a place where

Krsna is situated; yavat-nirvaha -- as much as required to keep the body

and soul together; pratigraha -- acceptance of gifts; ekadasi-upavasa --

observance of fasting on the Ekadasi day.

TRANSLATION

"The next steps are as follows: (6) One should be prepared to give up

everything for Krsna's satisfaction, and one should also accept

everything for Krsna's satisfaction. (7) One must live in a place where

Krsna is present -- a city like Vrndavana or Mathura or a Krsna temple. (

8) One should acquire a livelihood that is just sufficient to keep body

and soul together. (9) One must fast on Ekadasi day.

Madhya 22.117

TEXT 117

TEXT

dhatry-asvattha-go-vipra-vaisnava-pujana

seva-namaparadhadi dure visarjana

SYNONYMS

dhatri -- a type of tree; asvattha -- the banyan trees; go -- the cows;

vipra -- the brahmanas; vaisnava -- the devotees of Lord Visnu; pujana --

worshiping; seva -- in devotional service; nama -- in chanting of the

holy name; aparadha-adi -- the offenses; dure -- far away; visarjana --

giving up.

TRANSLATION

"One should worship dhatri trees, banyan trees, cows, brahmanas and

devotees of Lord Visnu. One should avoid offenses against

devotional service and the holy name.

PURPORT

There are ten items in the beginning of devotional service, up to the

point of worshiping the dhatri tree, banyan tree, cow, brahmana and

devotee of Lord Visnu. The eleventh item is to avoid offenses when

rendering devotional service and chanting the holy names.

Madhya 22.118

TEXT 118

TEXT

avaisnava-sanga-tyaga, bahu-sisya na kariba

bahu-grantha-kalabhyasa-vyakhyana varjiba

SYNONYMS

avaisnava -- of one who is not a devotee of the Lord; sanga -- the

association; tyaga -- giving up; bahu-sisya -- an unlimited number of

disciples; na kariba -- should not accept; bahu-grantha -- of many

different types of scriptures; kala-abhyasa -- studying a portion;

vyakhyana -- and explanation; varjiba -- we should give up.

TRANSLATION

"The twelfth item is to give up the company of nondevotees. (13) One

should not accept an unlimited number of disciples. (14) One should not

partially study many scriptures just to be able to give references and

expand explanations.

PURPORT

Accepting an unlimited number of devotees or disciples is very risky for

one who is not a preacher. According to Srila Jiva Gosvami, a preacher

has to accept many disciples to expand the cult of Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu. This is risky because when a spiritual master accepts a

disciple, he naturally accepts the disciple's sinful activities and

their reactions. Unless he is very powerful, he cannot assimilate all

the sinful reactions of his disciples. Thus if he is not powerful, he

has to suffer the consequences, for one is forbidden to

accept many disciples.

One should not partially study a book just to pose oneself as a great

scholar by being able to refer to scriptures. In our Krsna consciousness

movement we have therefore limited our study of Vedic literatures to

Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrta and Bhakti-

rasamrta-sindhu. These four works are sufficient for preaching purposes.

They are adequate for the understanding of the philosophy and the

spreading of missionary activities all over the world. If one studies a

particular book, he must do so thoroughly. That is the principle. By

thoroughly studying a limited number of books, one can understand the

philosophy.

Madhya 22.119

TEXT 119

TEXT

hani-labhe sama, sokadira vasa na ha-iba

anya-deva, anya-sastra ninda na kariba

SYNONYMS

hani -- in loss; labhe -- in gain; sama -- equal; soka-adira -- of

lamentation and so on; vasa -- under the control; na ha-iba -- we should

not be; anya-deva -- other demigods; anya-sastra -- other scriptures;

ninda -- criticizing; na kariba -- we should not do.

TRANSLATION

"Fifteen: The devotee should treat loss and gain equally. (16) The

devotee should not be overwhelmed by lamentation. (17) The devotee

should not worship demigods, nor should he disrespect them. Similarly,

the devotee should not study or criticize other scriptures.

Madhya 22.120

TEXT 120

TEXT

visnu-vaisnava-ninda, gramya-varta na suniba

prani-matre manovakye udvega na diba

SYNONYMS

visnu-vaisnava-ninda -- blaspheming of Lord Visnu and His devotee;

gramya-varta -- ordinary talks; na suniba -- we should not hear; prani-

matre -- to any living entity however insignificant; manah-vakye -- by

mind or by words; udvega -- anxiety; na diba -- we should not give.

TRANSLATION

"Eighteen: The devotee should not hear Lord Visnu or His devotees

blasphemed. (19) The devotee should avoid reading or hearing newspapers

or mundane books that contain stories of love affairs between men and

women or subjects palatable to the senses. (20) Neither by mind nor

words should the devotee cause anxiety to any living entity, regardless

how insignificant he may be.

PURPORT

The first ten items are dos and the second ten items are don'ts. Thus

the first ten items give direct action, and the second ten items give

indirect action.

Madhya 22.121

TEXT 121

TEXT

sravana, kirtana, smarana, pujana, vandana

paricarya, dasya, sakhya, atma-nivedana

SYNONYMS

sravana -- hearing; kirtana -- chanting; smarana -- remembering; pujana -

- worshiping; vandana -- praying; paricarya -- serving; dasya --

accepting servitorship; sakhya -- friendship; atma-nivedana --

surrendering fully.

TRANSLATION

"After one is established in devotional service, the positive actions

are (1) hearing, (2) chanting, (3) remembering, (4) worshiping, (5)

praying, (6) serving, (7) accepting servitorship, (8) becoming a friend

and (9) surrendering fully.

Madhya 22.122

TEXT 122

TEXT

agre nrtya, gita, vijnapti, dandavan-nati

abhyutthana, anuvrajya, tirtha-grhe gati

SYNONYMS

agre nrtya -- dancing before the Deity; gita -- songs; vijnapti --

opening the mind; dandavat-nati -- offering obeisances; abhyutthana --

stand up; anuvrajya -- following; tirtha-grhe gati -- going to temples

and places of pilgrimage.

TRANSLATION

"One should also (10) dance before the Deity, (11) sing before the Deity,

(12) open one's mind to the Deity, (13) offer obeisances to the Deity, (

14) stand up before the Deity and the spiritual master just to show them

respect, (15) follow the Deity or the spiritual master and (16) visit

different places of pilgrimage or go see the Deity in the temple.

Madhya 22.123

TEXT 123

TEXT

parikrama, stava-patha, japa, sankirtana

dhupa-malya-gandha-mahaprasada-bhojana

SYNONYMS

parikrama -- circumambulation; stava-patha -- recitation of different

prayers; japa -- chanting softly; sankirtana -- chanting

congregationally; dhupa -- incense; malya -- flower garlands; gandha --

scents; maha-prasada -- remnants of food offered to Visnu; bhojana --

eating or enjoying.

TRANSLATION

"One should (17) circumambulate the temple, (18) recite various prayers,

(19) chant softly, (20) chant congregationally, (21) smell the incense

and flower garlands offered to the Deity, and (22) eat the remnants of

food offered to the Deity.

Madhya 22.124

TEXT 124

TEXT

aratrika-mahotsava-srimurti-darsana

nija-priya-dana, dhyana, tadiya-sevana

SYNONYMS

aratrika -- arati; mahotsava -- festivals; srimurti-darsana -- seeing

the Deity; nija-priya-dana -- to present to the Lord something very dear

to oneself; dhyana -- meditation; tadiya-sevana -- rendering service to

those related to the Lord.

TRANSLATION

"One should (23) attend arati and festivals, (24) see the Deity, (25)

present what is very dear to oneself to the Deity, (26) meditate

, and (27) serve those related to the Lord.

Madhya 22.125

TEXT 125

TEXT

'tadiya' -- tulasi, vaisnava, mathura, bhagavata

ei carira seva haya krsnera abhimata

SYNONYMS

tadiya -- related to the Lord; tulasi -- tulasi leaves; vaisnava --

devotees; mathura -- the birthplace of Krsna; bhagavata -- Srimad-

Bhagavatam; ei carira -- of these four; seva -- the service; haya -- is;

krsnera abhimata -- the desire of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Tadiya means the tulasi leaves, the devotees of Krsna, the birthplace

of Krsna, Mathura, and the Vedic literature Srimad-Bhagavatam. Krsna

is very eager to see His devotee serve tulasi, Vaisnavas, Mathura and

Bhagavatam.

PURPORT

After item twenty-six (meditation), the twenty-seventh is to serve

tulasi, the twenty-eighth is to serve the Vaisnava, the twenty-ninth is

to live in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krsna, and the thirtieth is

to read Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly.

Madhya 22.126

TEXT 126

TEXT

krsnarthe akhila-cesta, tat-krpavalokana

janma-dinadi-mahotsava lana bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

krsna-arthe -- for the sake of Krsna; akhila-cesta -- all activity; tat-

krpa-avalokana -- looking for His mercy; janma-dina-adi -- the

appearance day and so on; mahotsava -- festivals; lana bhakta-gana --

with devotees.

TRANSLATION

"Thirty-one: One should perform all endeavors for Krsna. (32) One

should look forward to His mercy. (33) One should partake of various

ceremonies with devotees, ceremonies like Lord Krsna's birthday or

Ramacandra's birthday.

Madhya 22.127

TEXT 127

TEXT

sarvatha saranapatti, kartikadi-vrata

'catuh-sasti anga' ei parama-mahattva

SYNONYMS

sarvatha -- in all respects; sarana-apatti -- surrender; kartika-adi-

vrata -- to observe special vows in the month of Karttika; catuh-sasti

anga -- sixty-four parts; ei -- this; parama-mahattva -- very important

items.

TRANSLATION

"Thirty-four: One should surrender to Krsna in all respects. (35) One

should observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the

sixty-four important items of devotional service.

Madhya 22.128

TEXT 128

TEXT

sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana

mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana

SYNONYMS

sadhu-sanga -- association with devotees; nama-kirtana -- chanting the

holy name; bhagavata-sravana -- hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam; mathura-vasa -

- living at Mathura; sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana -- worshiping the

Deity with faith and veneration.

TRANSLATION

"One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord,

hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura and worship the Deity with

faith and veneration.

Madhya 22.129

TEXT 129

TEXT

sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga

krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga

SYNONYMS

sakala-sadhana -- of all items for executing devotional service; srestha

-- the best; ei panca anga -- these five limbs; krsna-prema -- love of

Krsna; janmaya -- awakens; ei -- these; pancera -- of the five; alpa

sanga -- slight association with or performance.

TRANSLATION

"These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a

slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura points out that there are thirty-five items

up to the point of observing special vows in the month of Karttika. To

these thirty-five items, another four are added -- namely marking tilaka

on different parts of the body, writing the names of the Lord all over

the body, accepting the Deity's garland and accepting caranamrta. These

four items are understood to be included by Kaviraja Gosvami within

arcana, worship of the Deity. Although these items are not mentioned

here, they are to be added to the previous thirty-five items. Thus the

total number becomes thirty-nine. To these thirty-nine should be added

five others: association with devotees, chanting the Hare Krsna maha-

mantra, reading Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly, residing in Mathura, the

birthplace of Krsna, and worshiping the Deity with great respect and

veneration. The thirty-nine items plus these five come to a total of

forty-four. If we add the previous twenty items to these forty-four, the

total number becomes sixty-four. The five items mentioned above repeat

previously mentioned items. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa

Gosvami states:

anganam pancakasyasya

purva-vilikhitasya ca

nikhila-sraisthya-bodhaya

punar apy atra samsanam

"The glorification of these five items [association with devotees,

chanting the holy name and so on] is to make known the complete

superiority of these five practices of devotional service."

The sixty-four items of devotional service include all the activities of

the body, mind and senses. Thus the sixty-four items engage one in

devotional service in all respects.

Madhya 22.130

TEXT 130

TEXT

sraddha visesatah pritih

sri-murter anghri-sevane

SYNONYMS

sraddha -- faith; visesatah -- particularly; pritih -- love; sri-murteh -

- of the Deity form of the Lord; anghri-sevane -- in service of the

lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

" 'One should have full faith and love in worshiping the

lotus feet of the Deity.

PURPORT

This verse and the following two verses are found in Bhakti-rasamrta-

sindhu (1.2.90-92).

Madhya 22.131

TEXT 131

TEXT

srimad-bhagavatarthanam

asvado rasikaih saha

sajatiyasaye snigdhe

sadhau sangah svato vare

SYNONYMS

srimad-bhagavata -- of the Srimad-Bhagavatam; arthanam -- of the

meanings; asvadah -- enjoying the taste; rasikaih saha -- with the

devotees; sa-jatiya -- similar; asaye -- endowed with a desire; snigdhe -

- advanced in devotional affection; sadhau -- with a devotee; sangah --

association; svatah -- for one's self; vare -- better.

TRANSLATION

" 'One should taste the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam in the association

of pure devotees, and one should associate with the devotees who are

more advanced than oneself and endowed with a similar type of

affection for the Lord.

PURPORT

The words sajatiyasaye snigdhe sadhau sangah svato vare are very

important items. One should not associate with professional Bhagavatam

reciters. A professional Bhagavatam reciter is one who is not in the

disciplic succession or one who has no taste for bhakti-yoga. Simply on

the strength of grammatical knowledge and word jugglery, professional

reciters maintain their bodies and their desires for sense gratification

by reading Srimad-Bhagavatam. One should also avoid those who are averse

to Lord Visnu and His devotees, those who are Mayavadis, those who

offend the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, those who simply dress as

Vaisnavas or so-called gosvamis, and those who make a business by

selling Vedic mantras and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam to maintain their

families. One should not try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam from such

materialistic people. According to the Vedic injunctions: yasya deve

para bhaktih. The Srimad-Bhagavatam can only be recited by one who

has unflinching faith in the lotus feet of Krsna and His devotee, the

spiritual master. One should try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam from

the spiritual master. The Vedic injunction states: bhaktya bhagavatam

grahyam na buddhya na ca tikaya. One has to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam

through the process of devotional service and by hearing the recitation

of a pure devotee. These are the injunctions of Vedic literature --

sruti and smrti. Those who are not in the disciplic succession and who

are not pure devotees cannot understand the real mysterious objective of

Srimad-Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

Madhya 22.132

TEXT 132

TEXT

nama-sankirtanam sriman-

mathura-mandale sthitih

SYNONYMS

nama-sankirtanam -- chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; sriman-mathura-

mandale -- in Mathura, where Krsna specifically performs His pastimes;

sthitih -- residence.

TRANSLATION

" 'One should congregationally chant the holy name of the Lord and

reside in Vrndavana.'

PURPORT

Navadvipa-dhama, Jagannatha Puri-dhama and Vrndavana-dhama are

considered to be identical. If one goes to Mathura-mandala-bhumi for

sense gratification or to make a livelihood, he commits an offense and

is condemned. Whoever does so must be penalized in the next life by

becoming a hog or a monkey in Vrndavana-dhama. After taking on such a

body, the offender is liberated in the next life. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

Sarasvati Thakura remarks that residing in Vrndavana with a view to

enjoy sense gratification surely leads a so-called devotee to a lower

species.

Madhya 22.133

TEXT 133

TEXT

duruhadbhuta-virye 'smin

sraddha dure 'stu pancake

yatra svalpo 'pi sambandhah

sad-dhiyam bhava-janmane

SYNONYMS

duruha -- difficult to be reconciled; adbhuta -- wonderful;

virye -- in the power; asmin -- in this; sraddha -- faith; dure -- far

away; astu -- let it be; pancake -- in the above-mentioned five

principles; yatra -- in which; svalpah -- a little; api -- even;

sambandhah -- connection; sat-dhiyam -- of those who are intelligent and

offenseless; bhava-janmane -- to awaken one's dormant love for Krsna.

TRANSLATION

" 'The power of these five principles is very wonderful and difficult to

reconcile. Even without faith in them, a person who is offenseless can

experience dormant love of Krsna simply by being a little connected

with them.'

PURPORT

This verse is also found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.238).

Madhya 22.134

TEXT 134

TEXT

'eka' anga sadhe, keha sadhe 'bahu' anga

'nistha' haile upajaya premera taranga

SYNONYMS

eka -- one; anga -- portion; sadhe -- executes; keha -- someone; sadhe --

executes; bahu -- many; anga -- portions; nistha -- firm faith; haile --

if there is; upajaya -- awaken; premera -- of love of Godhead; taranga -

- the waves.

TRANSLATION

"When one is firmly fixed in devotional service, whether he executes one

or many processes of devotional service, the waves of love of Godhead

will awaken.

PURPORT

The processes of devotional service are sravanam kirtanam visnoh

smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam

Madhya 22.135

TEXT 135

TEXT

'eka' ange siddhi paila bahu bhakta-gana

ambarisadi bhaktera 'bahu' anga-sadhana

SYNONYMS

eka ange -- by one portion; siddhi -- perfection; paila -- achieved;

bahu -- many; bhakta-gana -- devotees; ambarisa-adi -- King Ambarisa

Maharaja and others; bhaktera -- of devotees; bahu anga-sadhana --

execution of many processes of devotional service.

TRANSLATION

"There are many devotees who execute only one of the nine processes of

devotional service. Nonetheless, they get ultimate success. Devotees

like Maharaja Ambarisa execute all nine items and they also get

ultimate success.

Madhya 22.136

TEXT 136

TEXT

sri-visnoh sravane pariksid abhavad vaiyasakih kirtane

prahladah smarane tad-anghri-bhajane laksmih prthuh pujane

akruras tv abhivandane kapi-patir dasye 'tha sakhye 'rjunah

sarvasvatma-nivedane balir abhut krsnaptir esam para

SYNONYMS

sri-visnoh -- of Lord Sri Visnu; sravane -- in hearing; pariksit -- King

Pariksit, known also as Visnurata, or one who is protected by Lord Visnu;

abhavat -- was; vaiyasakih -- Sukadeva Gosvami; kirtane -- in reciting

Srimad-Bhagavatam; prahladah -- Maharaja Prahlada; smarane -- in

remembering; tat-anghri -- of Lord Visnu's lotus feet; bhajane -- in

serving; laksmih -- the goddess of fortune; prthuh -- Maharaja Prthu;

pujane -- in worshiping the Deity of the Lord; akrurah -- Akrura; tu --

but; abhivandane -- in offering prayers; kapi-patih -- Hanumanji, or

Vajrangaji; dasye -- in servitude to Lord Ramacandra; atha -- moreover;

sakhye -- in friendship; arjunah -- Arjuna; sarvasva-atma-nivedane --

in fully dedicating oneself; balih -- Maharaja Bali; abhut -- was;

krsna-aptih -- the achievement of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; esam --

of all of them; para -- transcendental.

TRANSLATION

" 'Maharaja Pariksit attained the highest perfection, shelter at Lord

Krsna's lotus feet, simply by hearing about Lord Visnu. Sukadeva Gosvami

attained perfection simply by reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. Prahlada

Maharaja attained perfection by remembering the Lord. The goddess of

fortune attained perfection by massaging the transcendental legs of Maha-

Visnu. Maharaja Prthu attained perfection by worshiping the Deity, and

Akrura attained perfection by offering prayers unto the Lord. Vajrangaji

[Hanuman] attained perfection by rendering service to Lord Ramacandra,

and Arjuna attained perfection simply by being Krsna's friend. Bali

Maharaja attained perfection by dedicating everything to the lotus feet

of Krsna.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Padyavali (53) and the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (

1.2.265).

Madhya 22.137-139

TEXTS 137-139

TEXT

sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor

vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane

karau harer mandira-marjanadisu

srutim cakaracyuta-sat-kathodaye

mukunda-lingalaya-darsane drsau

tad-bhrtya-gatra-sparase 'nga-sangamam

ghranam ca tat-pada-saroja-saurabhe

srimat-tulasya rasanam tad-arpite

padau hareh ksetra-padanusarpane

siro hrsikesa-padabhivandane

kamam ca dasye na tu kama-kamyaya

yathottamahsloka-janasraya ratih

SYNONYMS

sah -- he (Maharaja Ambarisa); vai -- certainly; manah -- the mind;

krsna-pada-aravindayoh -- on the two lotus feet of Krsna; vacamsi --

words; vaikuntha-guna-anuvarnane -- in describing the transcendental

character of Krsna; karau -- the two hands; hareh -- of Lord Krsna or

Visnu; mandira-marjana-adisu -- in cleansing the temple of Hari and

similar other duties; srutim -- the ears; cakara -- engaged; acyuta --

of the Lord; sat-katha-udaye -- in the arising of transcendental topics;

mukunda-linga -- of the Deities of the Lord; alaya -- temples; darsane --

in visiting; drsau -- the two eyes; tat-bhrtya -- of the servants of

the Lord; gatra -- the bodies; sparase -- in touching; anga-sangamam --

bodily contact such as embracing or touching the lotus feet;

ghranam -- the sensation of smell; ca -- and; tat-pada-saroja -- of the

Lord's lotus feet; saurabhe -- in the fragrance; srimat -- most

auspicious; tulasyah -- of tulasi leaves; rasanam -- the tongue; tat-

arpite -- in food offered to the Lord; padau -- the two feet; hareh --

of the Lord; ksetra -- the place of pilgrimage; pada-anusarpane -- in

walking to; sirah -- the head; hrsikesa -- of the Lord of the senses,

the Personality of Godhead; pada-abhivandane -- in offering prayers at

the lotus feet; kamam -- all desires; dasye -- in serving the

Lord; na -- not; tu -- but; kama-kamyaya -- with a desire for sense

gratification; yatha -- as much as; uttamah-sloka -- of the Lord, who is

worshiped by selected poems; jana -- in the devotee; asraya -- having

shelter; ratih -- attachment.

TRANSLATION

" 'Maharaja Ambarisa always engaged his mind at the lotus feet of Krsna,

his words in describing the spiritual world and the Supreme Personality

of Godhead, his hands in cleansing and washing the Lord's temple, his

ears in hearing topics about the Supreme Lord, his eyes in seeing the

Deity of Lord Krsna in the temple, his body in touching the lotus

feet of Vaisnavas and embracing them, his nostrils in smelling

the aroma of the tulasi leaves offered to Krsna's lotus feet, his tongue

in tasting food offered to Krsna, his legs in going to places of

pilgrimage like Vrndavana and Mathura or to the Lord's temple, and his

head in touching the lotus feet of the Lord and offering Him prayers.

Thus Maharaja Ambarisa desired only to serve the Lord faithfully.

In this way he engaged his senses in the transcendental

loving service of the Lord. As a result, he awakened his dormant loving

propensity for the Lord's service.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.18-20).

Madhya 22.140

TEXT 140

TEXT

kama tyaji' krsna bhaje sastra-ajna mani'

deva-rsi-pitradikera kabhu nahe rni

SYNONYMS

kama -- material desires; tyaji' -- giving up; krsna -- Lord Krsna;

bhaje -- worships; sastra-ajna -- the direction of the revealed

scripture; mani' -- accepting; deva -- demigods; rsi -- great sages;

pitr-adikera -- of the forefathers and so on; kabhu -- at any time; nahe

-- not; rni -- a debtor.

TRANSLATION

"If a person gives up all material desires and completely engages in the

transcendental loving service of Krsna, as enjoined in revealed

scriptures, he is never indebted to demigods, sages or forefathers.

PURPORT

After birth, every man is indebted in so many ways. He is indebted to

the demigods for their supplying necessities like air, light and water.

When one takes advantage of Vedic literatures, one becomes indebted

to great sages like Vyasadeva, Narada, Devala and Asita. When one takes

birth in a particular family, he becomes indebted to his forefathers. We

are even indebted to common living entities like cows, from whom we take

milk. Because we accept service from so many animals, we become indebted.

However, if one is completely engaged in the Lord's devotional service,

he is absolved of all debts. This is confirmed in the following verse,

quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.41).

Madhya 22.141

TEXT 141

TEXT

devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam

na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan

sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam

gato mukundam parihrtya kartam

SYNONYMS

deva -- of the demigods; rsi -- of the sages; bhuta -- of ordinary

living entities; apta -- of friends and relatives; nrnam -- of ordinary

men; pitrnam -- of the forefathers; na -- not; kinkarah -- the servant;

na -- nor; ayam -- this one; rni -- debtor; ca -- also; rajan -- O King;

sarva-atmana -- with his whole being; yah -- a person who; saranam --

shelter; saranyam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who affords

shelter to all; gatah -- approached; mukundam -- Mukunda; parihrtya --

giving up; kartam -- duties.

TRANSLATION

" 'One who has given up all material duties and taken full shelter at

the lotus feet of Mukunda, who gives shelter to all, is not indebted to

the demigods, great sages, ordinary living beings, relatives, friends,

mankind or even one's forefathers who have passed away.'

PURPORT

It is said:

adhyapanam brahma-yajnah

pitr-yajnas tu tarpanam

homo daivo balir bhauto

nr-yajno 'tithi-pujanam

"By performing oblations with ghee, the demigods are satisfied. By

studying the Vedas, brahma-yajna is performed, and by

this the great sages are satisfied. Offering libations of water

before one's forefathers is called pitr-yajna. By offering tribute,

bhuta-yajna is performed. By properly receiving guests,

nr-yajna is performed." There are five yajnas and

five kinds of indebtedness -- indebtedness to the demigods,

great sages, forefathers, living entities and common men. Therefore one

has to perform five kinds of yajnas, but when one takes to

sankirtana-yajna (the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra) one doesn't

have to perform any other yajna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada Muni made

a statement about the systematic performance of bhagavata-dharma in

connection with statements previously made by the nine Yogendras before

Maharaja Nimi. The sage Karabhajana Rsi explained the four incarnations

of the four yugas, and at the end, in this verse (text 141), he

explained the position of Krsna's pure devotee and how he is absolved of

all debts.

Madhya 22.142

TEXT 142

TEXT

vidhi-dharma chadi' bhaje krsnera carana

nisiddha papacare tara kabhu nahe mana

SYNONYMS

vidhi-dharma chadi' -- giving up all regulative principles of the varna

and asrama institution; bhaje -- worships; krsnera carana -- the lotus

feet of Lord Krsna; nisiddha -- forbidden; papa-acare -- in sinful

activities; tara -- his; kabhu -- at any time; nahe -- not; mana -- the

mind.

TRANSLATION

"Although the pure devotee does not follow all the regulative principles

of varnasrama, he worships the lotus feet of Krsna. Therefore he

naturally has no tendency to commit sin.

PURPORT

The varnasrama institution is planned in such a way that one will not

commit sinful activities. Material existence continues due to sinful

activity. When one acts sinfully in this life, he gets a suitable body

for the next life. When one again acts sinfully, he takes on another

material body. In this way one is continuously under the influence of

material nature.

purusah prakrti-stho hi

bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan

karanam guna-sango 'sya

sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

"The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life,

enjoying the three modes of material nature. This is due to his

association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil

among various species." (Bg. 13.22)

Due to our association with the modes of material nature, we get

different types of bodies -- good and bad. One cannot be liberated from

the cycle of birth and death, known as transmigration of the soul,

unless one is completely freed from all sinful activities. The best

process, therefore, is to take to Krsna consciousness. One cannot take

to Krsna consciousness without being freed from all sinful activities.

Naturally one who is very serious about Krsna consciousness is freed

from all sinful activity. Consequently a devotee is never inclined to

commit sins. If one is pressured by the law or obligations to give up

sinful activity, one cannot do so. However, if one takes to Krsna

consciousness, he can very easily give up all sinful activity. This is

confirmed herein.

Madhya 22.143

TEXT 143

TEXT

ajnane va haya yadi 'papa' upasthita

krsna tanre suddha kare, na karaya prayascitta

SYNONYMS

ajnane -- by ignorance; va -- or; haya -- there are; yadi -- if; papa --

sinful activities; upasthita -- present; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tanre --

him (the devotee); suddha kare -- purifies; na karaya -- does not cause;

prayascitta -- atonement.

TRANSLATION

"If, however, a devotee accidentally becomes involved in a sinful

activity, Krsna purifies him. He does not have to undergo the regulative

form of atonement.

PURPORT

Krsna purifies from within as caitya-guru, the spiritual master

within the heart. This is described in the following verse from Srimad-

Bhagavatam (11.5.42).

Madhya 22.144

TEXT 144

TEXT

svapada-mulam bhajatah priyasya

tyaktanya-bhavasya harih paresah

vikarma yac cotpatitam kathancit

dhunoti sarvam hrdi sannivistah

SYNONYMS

sva-pada-mulam -- the lotus feet of Krsna, the shelter of the devotees;

bhajatah -- who is engaged in worshiping; priyasya -- who is very dear

to Krsna; tyakta -- given up; anya -- for others; bhavasya -- of one

whose disposition or inclination; harih -- the Supreme Personality of

Godhead; para-isah -- the Supreme Lord; vikarma -- sinful activities;

yat -- whatever; ca -- and; utpatitam -- occurred; kathancit -- somehow;

dhunoti -- removes; sarvam -- everything; hrdi -- in the heart;

sannivistah -- entered.

TRANSLATION

" 'One who has given up everything and taken full shelter at the lotus

feet of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is very dear to Krsna.

If he is involved in some sinful activity by accident, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, who is seated within everyone's heart, removes

his sins without difficulty.'

Madhya 22.145

TEXT 145

TEXT

jnana-vairagyadi -- bhaktira kabhu nahe 'anga'

ahimsa-yama-niyamadi bule krsna-bhakta-sanga

SYNONYMS

jnana -- the path of knowledge; vairagya-adi -- the path of renunciation

and so on; bhaktira -- of devotional service; kabhu -- at any time; nahe

-- not; anga -- a part; ahimsa -- nonviolence; yama -- controlling the

senses and the mind; niyama-adi -- restrictions and so on; bule -- roam;

krsna-bhakta-sanga -- in the association of a devotee of Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"The path of speculative knowledge and renunciation is not very

essential for devotional service. Indeed, good qualities such as

nonviolence and mind and sense control automatically

accompany a devotee of Lord Krsna.

PURPORT

Sometimes a neophyte devotee or ordinary person thinks highly of

speculative knowledge, austerity, penances and renunciation, thinking

them the only path for advancement in devotional service. Actually this

is not a fact. The path of knowledge, mystic yoga and renunciation has

nothing to do with the pure soul. When one is temporarily in the

material world, such processes may help a little, but they are not

necessary for a pure devotee of Krsna. In the material world, such

activities end in material enjoyment or merging into the effulgence of

the Supreme. They have nothing to do with the eternal loving service of

the Lord. If one abandons speculative knowledge and simply engages in

devotional service, he has attained his perfection. The devotee has no

need for speculative knowledge, pious activity or mystic yoga. All these

are automatically present when one renders the Lord transcendental

loving service.

Madhya 22.146

TEXT 146

TEXT

tasman mad-bhakti-yuktasya

yogino vai mad-atmanah

na jnanam na ca vairagyam

prayah sreyo bhaved iha

SYNONYMS

tasmat -- therefore; mat-bhakti -- in My devotional service; yuktasya --

of one who is engaged; yoginah -- the first-class yogi or mystic; vai --

certainly; mat-atmanah -- whose mind is always engaged in Me; na -- not;

jnanam -- speculative knowledge; na -- not; ca -- also; vairagyam -- dry

renunciation; prayah -- for the most part; sreyah -- beneficial; bhavet -

- would be; iha -- in this world.

TRANSLATION

" 'For one who is fully engaged in My devotional service, whose mind is

fixed on Me in bhakti-yoga, the path of speculative knowledge and dry

renunciation is not very beneficial.'

PURPORT

The path of devotional service is always independent of other activity.

The path of speculative knowledge or mystic yoga may be a little

beneficial in the beginning, but it cannot be considered part of

devotional service. This verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.20.31) was spoken

by Lord Krsna when He was speaking to Uddhava before His departure from

this material world. These are important instructions given directly by

Lord Krsna. Sri Uddhava asked the Lord about the two kinds of

instructions given in the Vedas. One instruction is called pravrtti-

marga, and the other is called nivrtti-marga. These are directions for

enjoying the material world according to regulative principles and then

giving up the material world for higher spiritual understanding.

Sometimes one does not know whether to practice speculative knowledge

or mystic yoga for advancement in spiritual knowledge. Krsna explains

to Uddhava that the mechanical process of speculative knowledge and yoga

is not necessary for advancing in devotional service. Devotional service

is completely spiritual; it has nothing to do with material things. It

is awakened by hearing and chanting in the association of devotees.

Because devotional service is always transcendental, it has nothing to

do with material activity.

Madhya 22.147

TEXT 147

TEXT

ete na hy adbhuta vyadha

tavahimsadayo gunah

hari-bhaktau pravrtta ye

na te syuh paratapinah

SYNONYMS

ete -- all these; na -- not; hi -- certainly; adbhutah -- wonderful;

vyadha -- O hunter; tava -- your; ahimsa-adayah -- nonviolence and

others; gunah -- qualities; hari-bhaktau -- in devotional service;

pravrttah -- engaged; ye -- those who; na -- not; te -- they; syuh --

are; paratapinah -- envious of other living entities.

TRANSLATION

" 'O hunter, good qualities like nonviolence, which you have developed,

are not very astonishing, for those who are engaged in the Lord's

devotional service are never inclined to give pain to others because of

envy.'

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Skanda Purana.

Madhya 22.148

TEXT 148

TEXT

vaidhi-bhakti-sadhanera kahilun vivarana

raganuga-bhaktira laksana suna, sanatana

SYNONYMS

vaidhi-bhakti -- of devotional service according to the regulative

principles; sadhanera -- of the execution; kahilun -- I have made;

vivarana -- description; raganuga-bhaktira -- of spontaneous devotional

service; laksana -- the symptoms; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O

Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana, I have now in detail described devotional service

according to the regulative principles. Now hear from Me about

spontaneous devotional service and its characteristics.

Madhya 22.149

TEXT 149

TEXT

ragatmika-bhakti -- 'mukhya' vraja-vasi-jane

tara anugata bhaktira 'raganuga'-name

SYNONYMS

ragatmika-bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service; mukhya -- preeminent;

vraja-vasi-jane -- in the inhabitants of Vraja, or Vrndavana; tara --

that; anugata -- following; bhaktira -- of devotional service; raganuga-

name -- named raganuga or following after spontaneous devotional service.

TRANSLATION

"The original inhabitants of Vrndavana are attached to Krsna

spontaneously in devotional service. Nothing can compare to such

spontaneous devotional service, which is called ragatmika bhakti. When a

devotee follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vrndavana, his

devotional service is called raganuga bhakti.

PURPORT

In his Bhakti-sandarbha, Jiva Gosvami states:

tad evam tat-tad-abhimana-laksana-bhava-visesvena svabhavika-ragasya

vaisistye sati tat-tad-raga-prayukta sravana-kirtana-smarana-pada-sevana-

vandanatma-

nivedana-praya bhaktis tesam ragatmika bhaktir ity ucyate.... tatas

tadiyam ragam rucyanugacchanti sa raganuga.

When a pure devotee follows the footsteps of a devotee in Vrndavana, he

develops raganuga bhakti.

Madhya 22.150

TEXT 150

TEXT

iste svarasiki ragah

paramavistata bhavet

tanmayi ya bhaved bhaktih

satra ragatmikodita

SYNONYMS

iste -- unto the desired object of life; svarasiki -- appropriate

for one's own original aptitude of love; ragah -- attachment; parama-

avistata -- absorption in the service of the Lord; bhavet -- is; tat-

mayi -- consisting of that transcendental attachment; ya -- which;

bhavet -- is; bhaktih -- devotional service; sa -- that; atra -- here;

ragatmika-udita -- called ragatmika, or spontaneous devotional service.

TRANSLATION

" 'When one becomes attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

his natural inclination to love is fully absorbed

in thoughts of the Lord. That is called transcendental attachment,

and devotional service according to that attachment is called ragatmika,

or spontaneous devotional service.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.272).

Madhya 22.151

TEXT 151

TEXT

iste 'gadha-trsna' -- ragera svarupa-laksana

iste 'avistata' -- ei tatastha-laksana

SYNONYMS

iste -- in the desired object, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; gadha-

trsna -- deep attachment; ragera -- of spontaneous love; svarupa-laksana

-- the primary symptom; iste -- unto the Supreme; avistata -- absorption;

ei -- this; tatastha-laksana -- the marginal symptom.

TRANSLATION

"The primary characteristic of spontaneous love is deep attachment for

the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Absorption in Him is a

marginal characteristic.

Madhya 22.152

TEXT 152

TEXT

ragamayi-bhaktira haya 'ragatmika' nama

taha suni' lubdha haya kona bhagyavan

SYNONYMS

raga-mayi -- consisting of attachment; bhaktira -- of devotional service;

haya -- is; ragatmika -- spontaneous love; nama -- the name; taha suni'

-- hearing this; lubdha -- covetous; haya -- becomes; kona bhagyavan --

some fortunate person.

TRANSLATION

"Thus devotional service which consists of raga [deep attachment] is

called ragatmika, spontaneous loving service. If a devotee covets such a

position, he is considered to be most fortunate.

Madhya 22.153

TEXT 153

TEXT

lobhe vraja-vasira bhave kare anugati

sastra-yukti nahi mane -- raganugara prakrti

SYNONYMS

lobhe -- in such covetousness; vraja-vasira bhave -- in the moods of the

inhabitants of Vrndavana, Vraja; kare anugati -- follows; sastra-yukti --

injunctions or reasonings of the sastras; nahi mane -- does not abide

by; raganugara -- of spontaneous love; prakrti -- the nature.

TRANSLATION

"If one follows in the footsteps of the inhabitants of Vrndavana out of

such transcendental covetousness, he does not care for the injunctions

or reasonings of sastra. That is the way of spontaneous love.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that a devotee is attracted

by the service of the inhabitants of Vrndavana -- namely the cowherd men,

Maharaja Nanda, mother Yasoda, Radharani, the gopis, and the cows and

calves. An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by an

eternal servitor of the Lord. This attraction is called spontaneous

attraction. Technically it is called svarupa-upalabdhi. This stage is

not achieved in the beginning. In the beginning one has to render

service strictly according to the regulative principles set forth by the

revealed scriptures and spiritual master. By continuously rendering

service through the process of vaidhi bhakti, one's natural inclination

is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or

raganuga bhakti.

An advanced devotee situated on the platform of spontaneity is already

very expert in sastric instruction, logic and argument. When he comes to

the point of eternal love for Krsna, no one can deviate him from that

position, neither by argument nor by sastric evidence. An advanced

devotee has realized his eternal relationship with the Lord, and

consequently he does not accept the logic and arguments of others. Such

an advanced devotee has nothing to do with the sahajiyas, who

manufacture their own way and commit sins by indulging in illicit sex,

intoxication and gambling, if not meat-eating. Sometimes the sahajiyas

imitate advanced devotees and live in their own whimsical way, avoiding

the principles set down in the revealed scriptures. Unless one follows

the six Gosvamis -- Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Jiva,

Gopala Bhatta and Raghunatha dasa -- one cannot be a bona fide

spontaneous lover of Krsna. In this connection, Srila Narottama dasa

Thakura says: rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti kabe hama bujhaba se

yugala piriti. The sahajiyas' understanding of the love affairs between

Radha and Krsna is not bona fide because they do not follow the

principles laid down by the six Gosvamis. Their illicit connection and

their imitation of the dress of Rupa Gosvami as well as their avoidance

of the prescribed methods of revealed scriptures will lead them to the

lowest regions of hell. These imitative sahajiyas are cheated and

unfortunate. They are not equal to advanced devotees (paramahamsas).

Debauchees and paramahamsas are not on the same level.

Madhya 22.154

TEXT 154

TEXT

virajantim abhivyaktam

vraja-vasi-janadisu

ragatmikam anusrta

ya sa raganugocyate

SYNONYMS

virajantim -- shining intensely; abhivyaktam -- fully expressed; vraja-

vasi-jana-adisu -- among the eternal inhabitants of Vrndavana;

ragatmikam -- devotional service consisting of spontaneous love;

anusrta -- following; ya -- which; sa -- that; raganuga --

devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous love; ucyate --

is said.

TRANSLATION

" 'Devotional service in spontaneous love is vividly expressed and

manifested by the inhabitants of Vrndavana. Devotional service that

accords with their devotional service is called raganuga bhakti, or

devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous loving service.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.270).

Madhya 22.155

TEXT 155

TEXT

tat-tad-bhavadi-madhurye

srute dhir yad apeksate

natra sastram na yuktim ca

tal lobhotpatti-laksanam

SYNONYMS

tat-tat -- respective; bhava-adi-madhurye -- the sweetness of the loving

moods (namely santa-rasa, dasya-rasa, sakhya-rasa, vatsalya-rasa and

madhurya-rasa) of the inhabitants of Vrndavana; srute -- when heard;

dhih -- the intelligence; yat -- which; apeksate -- depends on; na --

not; atra -- here; sastram -- revealed scriptures; na -- not; yuktim --

logic and argument; ca -- also; tat -- that; lobha -- of covetousness to

follow in the footsteps; utpatti-laksanam -- the symptom of awakening.

TRANSLATION

" 'When an advanced realized devotee hears about the affairs of the

devotees of Vrndavana -- in the mellows of santa, dasya, sakhya,

vatsalya and madhurya -- he becomes inclined in that way, and

his intelligence becomes attracted. Indeed, he begins to covet that

particular type of devotion. When such covetousness is awakened, one's

intelligence no longer depends on the instruction of sastra, revealed

scripture, logic or argument.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.292).

Madhya 22.156-157

TEXTS 156-157

TEXT

bahya, antara, -- ihara dui ta' sadhana

'bahye' sadhaka-dehe kare sravana-kirtana

'mane' nija-siddha-deha kariya bhavana

ratri-dine kare vraje krsnera sevana

SYNONYMS

bahya -- externally; antara -- internally; ihara -- of this spontaneous

love of Godhead; dui -- two; ta' -- indeed; sadhana -- such processes of

execution; bahye -- externally; sadhaka-dehe -- with the body of an

advanced devotee; kare -- does; sravana-kirtana -- hearing and chanting;

mane -- the mind; nija -- own; siddha-deha -- eternal body or self-

realized position; kariya bhavana -- thinking of; ratri-dine -- night

and day; kare -- executes; vraje -- in Vrndavana; krsnera -- of Lord

Krsna; sevana -- service.

TRANSLATION

"There are two processes by which one may execute this raganuga bhakti --

external and internal. When self-realized, the advanced devotee

externally remains like a neophyte and executes all the sastric

injunctions, especially hearing and chanting. However,

within his mind, in his original purified self-realized position, he

serves Krsna in Vrndavana in his particular way. He serves Krsna twenty-

four hours, all day and night.

Madhya 22.158

TEXT 158

TEXT

seva sadhaka-rupena

siddha-rupena catra hi

tad-bhava-lipsuna karya

vraja-lokanusaratah

SYNONYMS

seva -- service; sadhaka-rupena -- with the external body as a devotee

practicing regulative devotional service; siddha-rupena -- with a body

suitable for eternal, self-realized service; ca -- also; atra -- in this

connection; hi -- certainly; tat -- of that; bhava -- the mood; lipsuna -

- desiring to obtain; karya -- to be executed; vraja-loka -- of the

particular servant of Krsna in Vrndavana; anusaratah -- by following in

the footsteps.

TRANSLATION

" 'The advanced devotee who is inclined to spontaneous loving service

should follow the activities of a particular associate of Krsna in

Vrndavana. He should execute service externally as a regulative devotee

as well as internally from his self-realized position. Thus he should

perform devotional service both externally and internally.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.295).

Madhya 22.159

TEXT 159

TEXT

nijabhista krsna-prestha pacheta' lagiya

nirantara seva kare antarmana hana

SYNONYMS

nija-abhista -- one's own choice; krsna-prestha -- the servitor of Krsna;

pacheta' lagiya -- following; nirantara -- twenty-four hours a day;

seva -- service; kare -- executes; antarmana -- within the mind; hana --

being.

TRANSLATION

"Actually the inhabitants of Vrndavana are very dear to Krsna. If one

wants to engage in spontaneous loving service, he must follow the

inhabitants of Vrndavana and constantly engage in devotional service

within his mind.

Madhya 22.160

TEXT 160

TEXT

krsnam smaran janam casya

prestham nija-samihitam

tat-tat-katha-ratas casau

kuryad vasam vraje sada

SYNONYMS

krsnam -- Lord Krsna; smaran -- thinking of; janam -- a devotee; ca --

and; asya -- of His; prestham -- very dear; nija-samihitam -- chosen by

oneself; tat-tat-katha -- to those respective topics; ratah -- attached;

ca -- and; asau -- that; kuryat -- should do; vasam -- living; vraje --

in Vrndavana; sada -- always.

TRANSLATION

" 'The devotee should always think of Krsna within himself, and one

should choose a very dear devotee who is a servitor of Krsna in

Vrndavana. One should constantly engage in topics about that servitor

and his loving relationship to Krsna, and one should live in Vrndavana.

However, if one is physically unable to go to Vrndavana, he should

mentally live there.'

PURPORT

This verse is found in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.294).

Madhya 22.161

TEXT 161

TEXT

dasa-sakha-pitradi-preyasira gana

raga-marge nija-nija-bhavera ganana

SYNONYMS

dasa -- servants; sakha -- friends; pitr-adi -- parents; preyasira gana -

- conjugal lovers; raga-marge -- on the path of spontaneous loving

service; nija-nija -- of one's own choice; bhavera -- of the ecstasy;

ganana -- counting.

TRANSLATION

"Krsna has many types of devotees -- some are servants, some are friends,

some are parents, and some are conjugal lovers. Those who are

situated in one of these attitudes of spontaneous love according to

their choice are considered to be on the path of spontaneous loving

service.

Madhya 22.162

TEXT 162

TEXT

na karhicin mat-parah santa-rupe

nanksyanti no me 'nimiso ledhi hetih

yesam aham priya atma sutas ca

sakha guruh suhrdo daivam istam

SYNONYMS

na -- not; karhicit -- at any time; mat-parah -- devotees of Me; santa-

rupe -- O mother, the symbol of peacefulness; nanksyanti -- will perish;

no -- nor; me -- My; animisah -- time; ledhi -- licks up (destroys);

hetih -- weapon; yesam -- of whom; aham -- I; priyah -- dear; atma --

the Supersoul; sutah -- the son; ca -- and; sakha -- friend; guruh --

spiritual master; suhrdah -- well-wisher; daivam -- the Deity; istam --

chosen.

TRANSLATION

" 'My dear mother, Devahuti! O emblem of peace! My weapon, the disc of

time, never vanquishes those for whom I am very dear, for whom I am

the Supersoul, the son, friend, spiritual master, well-wisher,

worshipable Deity and desired goal. Since the devotees are always

attached to Me, they are never vanquished by the agents of time.'

PURPORT

This was spoken by Kapiladeva to His mother Devahuti and is recorded in

Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.38). Kapiladeva instructed His mother in sankhya-

yoga, but the importance of bhakti-yoga is mentioned here. Later sanhkya-

yoga was imitated by atheists, whose system was founded by a different

Kapiladeva, Rsi Kapiladeva.

Madhya 22.163

TEXT 163

TEXT

pati-putra-suhrd-bhratr-

pitrvan mitravad dharim

ye dhyayanti sadodyuktas

tebhyo 'piha namo namah

SYNONYMS

pati -- a husband; putra -- a son; suhrt -- a friend; bhratr -- a

brother; pitr -- a father; vat -- like; mitra -- an intimate friend; vat

-- like; harim -- on the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ye -- all those

who; dhyayanti -- meditate; sada -- always; udyuktah -- full of

eagerness; tebhyah -- unto them; api -- also; iha -- here; namah namah --

repeated respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

" 'Let me offer my respectful obeisances again and again to those who

always eagerly meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a

husband, son, friend, brother, father or intimate friend.'

PURPORT

This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.308).

Madhya 22.164

TEXT 164

TEXT

ei mata kare yeba raganuga-bhakti

krsnera carane tanra upajaya 'priti'

SYNONYMS

ei mata -- in this way; kare -- executes; yeba -- anyone who; raganuga-

bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service to Krsna; krsnera carane -- to

the lotus feet of Krsna; tanra -- his; upajaya -- awakens; priti --

affection.

TRANSLATION

"If one engages in spontaneous loving service to the Lord, his affection

at the lotus feet of Krsna gradually increases.

Madhya 22.165

TEXT 165

TEXT

prity-ankure 'rati', 'bhava' -- haya dui nama

yaha haite vasa hana sri-bhagavan

SYNONYMS

priti-ankure -- in the seed of affection; rati -- attachment; bhava --

emotion; haya -- there are; dui nama -- two names; yaha haite -- from

which; vasa -- controlled; hana -- is; sri-bhagavan -- the Supreme

Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

"In the seed of affection, there is attachment which goes by two names,

rati and bhava. The Supreme Personality of Godhead comes under the

control of such attachment.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments on this verse.

Externally a devotee performs all the items of devotional service --

sravana and kirtana -- in nine different ways,

and within his mind he always thinks of his eternal relationship with

Krsna and follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vrndavana. If one

engages himself in the service of Radha and Krsna in this way, he can

transcend the regulative principles enjoined in the sastras and, through

his spiritual master, fully engage in rendering spontaneous love to

Krsna. In this way, he attains affection at the lotus feet of Krsna.

Krsna actually comes under the control of such spontaneous feelings, and

ultimately one can attain association with the Lord.

Madhya 22.166

TEXT 166

TEXT

yaha haite pai krsnera prema-sevana

eita' kahilun 'abhidheya'-vivarana

SYNONYMS

yaha haite -- from which; pai -- I can get; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna;

prema-sevana -- affectionate service; eita' -- this; kahilun -- I have

done; abhidheya-vivarana -- description of the means (devotional service)

in detail.

TRANSLATION

"That by which one can attain loving service to the Lord I have

described in detail as the execution of devotional service called

abhidheya.

Madhya 22.167

TEXT 167

TEXT

abhidheya, sadhana-bhakti ebe kahilun sanatana

sanksepe kahilun, vistara na yaya varnana

SYNONYMS

abhidheya -- the means of obtaining the desired object; sadhana-bhakti --

devotional service performed by means of the body and senses; ebe --

now; kahilun -- I have described; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; sanksepe

-- in short; kahilun -- I have described; vistara -- expansion; na yaya -

- is not possible; varnana -- describing.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana, I have briefly described the process of devotional

service in practice, which is the means for obtaining love of Krsna. It

cannot be described broadly."

Madhya 22.168

TEXT 168

TEXT

abhidheya sadhana-bhakti sune yei jana

acirat paya sei krsna-prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

abhidheya -- necessary duty; sadhana-bhakti -- devotional service in

practice; sune -- hears; yei jana -- anyone who; acirat -- very soon;

paya -- gets; sei -- that person; krsna-prema-dhana -- the treasure of

love of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

Whoever hears the process of practical devotional

service very soon attains shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna in love and

affection.

Madhya 22.169

TEXT 169

TEXT

sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa

caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa

SYNONYMS

sri-rupa -- Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha -- Srila Raghunatha dasa

Gosvami; pade -- at the lotus feet; yara -- whose; asa -- expectation;

caitanya-caritamrta -- the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe --

describes; krsnadasa -- Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always

desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,

following in their footsteps.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,

Madhya-lila, Twenty-second Chapter, describing the execution of

devotional service.

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3216

 
 
Madhya 22: The Process of Devotional Service
 
Chapter 22: 
 
The Process of Devotional Service
 
In the Twenty-second Chapter, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu describes the 
process of devotional service. In the beginning He describes the truth 
about the living entity and the superexcellence of devotional service. 
He then describes the uselessness of mental speculation and mystic yoga. 
In all circumstances the living entity is recommended to accept the path 
of devotional service as personally explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
 The speculative method of the so-called jnanis is considered a waste of 
time, and that is proved in this chapter. An intelligent person should 
abandon the processes of karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and mystic yoga. One 
should give up all these useless processes and take seriously to the 
path of Krsna consciousness. In this way one's life will be successful. 
If one takes to Krsna consciousness fully, even though he may sometimes 
be agitated due to having previously practiced mental speculation and 
yogic mysticism, he will be saved by Lord Krsna Himself. The fact is 
that devotional service is bestowed by the blessings of a pure devotee (
sa mahatma su-durlabhah). A pure devotee is the supreme 
transcendentalist, and one has to receive his mercy for one's dormant 
Krsna consciousness to be awakened. One has to associate with pure 
devotees. If one has firm faith in the words of a great soul, pure 
devotional service will awaken.
 
In this chapter Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu differentiates 
between a pure devotee and others. He also describes the characteristics 
of a pure devotee. A devotee's most formidable enemy is association with 
women in an enjoying spirit. Association with nondevotees is also 
condemned because it is also a formidable enemy on the path of 
devotional service. One has to fully surrender unto the lotus feet of 
Krsna and give up attraction for women and nondevotees.
 
The six symptoms of fully surrendered souls are also described in this 
chapter. Devotional service has been divided into two categories-
regulative devotional service and spontaneous love. There are sixty-four 
items listed in regulative devotional service, and out of these sixty-
four the last five are considered very important. By practicing even one 
of the nine processes of devotional service, one can become successful. 
Speculative knowledge and mystic yoga can never help one in devotional 
service. Pious activity, nonviolence, sense control and regulation are 
not separate from devotional service in its pure form. If one engages in 
devotional service, all good qualities follow. One does not have to 
cultivate them separately. Spontaneous devotional service arises when 
one follows a pure devotee who is awakened to spontaneous love of God. 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu describes the symptoms of devotees who 
are already situated in spontaneous love of God. He also describes 
the devotees who are trying to follow in the footsteps of the pure 
devotees.
 
Madhya 22.1
 
TEXT 1
 
TEXT
 
vande sri-krsna-caitanya-
 devam tam karunarnavam
kalav apy ati-gudheyam
 bhaktir yena prakasita
SYNONYMS
 
vande -- I offer my respectful obeisances; sri-krsna-caitanya-devam -- 
unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tam -- unto Him; karuna-arnavam -- 
who is an ocean of mercy; kalau -- in this Age of Kali; api -- even; ati 
-- very; gudha -- confidential; iyam -- this; bhaktih -- devotional 
service; yena -- by whom; prakasita -- manifested.
 
TRANSLATION
 
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He 
is an ocean of transcendental mercy, and although the subject matter of 
bhakti-yoga is very confidential, He has nonetheless manifested it so 
nicely, even in this Age of Kali, the age of quarrel.
 
Madhya 22.2
 
TEXT 2
 
TEXT
 
jaya jaya sri-krsna-caitanya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
 
jaya jaya -- all glories; sri-krsna-caitanya nityananda -- to Sri Krsna 
Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; jaya -- all glories; advaita-
candra -- to Advaita Prabhu; jaya -- all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda -- 
to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
 
TRANSLATION
 
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!
 All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to all the devotees of 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
 
Madhya 22.3
 
TEXT 3
 
TEXT
 
eita kahilun sambandha-tattvera vicara
veda-sastre upadese, krsna -- eka sara
SYNONYMS
 
eita -- thus; kahilun -- I have described; sambandha-tattvera vicara -- 
consideration of one's relationship with Krsna; veda-sastre -- all Vedic 
literatures; upadese -- instructs; krsna -- Lord Krsna; eka sara -- the 
only essential point.
 
TRANSLATION
 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I have described one's relationship with 
Krsna in various ways. This is the subject matter of all the Vedas. 
Krsna is the center of all activities.
 
Madhya 22.4
 
TEXT 4
 
TEXT
 
ebe kahi, suna, abhidheya-laksana
yaha haite pai -- krsna, krsna-prema-dhana
SYNONYMS
 
ebe -- now; kahi -- I shall explain; suna -- please hear; abhidheya-
laksana -- one's prime business (devotional service); yaha haite -- from 
which; pai -- one can get; krsna -- Lord Krsna; krsna-prema-dhana -- and 
the wealth of transcendental love for Him.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Now I shall speak about the characteristics of devotional service, by 
which one can attain the shelter of Krsna and His loving transcendental 
service.
 
Madhya 22.5
 
TEXT 5
 
TEXT
 
krsna-bhakti -- abhidheya, sarva-sastre kaya
ataeva muni-gana kariyache niscaya
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; abhidheya -- the real 
activity of life; sarva-sastre -- all Vedic literatures; kaya -- say; 
ataeva -- therefore; muni-gana -- all saintly persons; kariyache -- have 
made; niscaya -- firm conclusion.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A human being's activities should be centered only on devotional 
service to Lord Krsna. That is the verdict of all Vedic literatures, and 
all saintly people have firmly concluded this.
 
Madhya 22.6
 
TEXT 6
 
TEXT
 
srutir mata prsta disati bhavad-aradhana-vidhim
 yatha matur vani smrtir api tatha vakti bhagini
puranadya ye va sahaja-nivahas te tad-anuga
 atah satyam jnatam mura-hara bhavan eva saranam
SYNONYMS
 
srutih -- Vedic knowledge; mata -- like a mother who is affectionate to 
her children; prsta -- when questioned; disati -- she directs; bhavat -- 
of You; aradhana -- worship; vidhim -- the process; yatha -- just as; 
matuh vani -- the instructions of the mother; smrtih -- the smrti-
sastras, which explain the Vedic literatures; api -- also; tatha -- 
similarly; vakti -- express; bhagini -- like a sister; purana-adyah -- 
headed by the Puranas; ye -- which; va -- or; sahaja-nivahah -- like 
brothers; te -- all of them; tat -- of the mother; anugah -- followers; 
atah -- therefore; satyam -- the truth; jnatam -- known; mura-hara -- O 
killer of the demon Mura; bhavan -- Your Lordship; eva -- only; saranam -
- the shelter.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When the mother Vedas [sruti] is questioned as to whom to worship, 
she says that You are the only Lord and worshipable object. Similarly, 
the corollaries of the sruti-sastras, the smrti-sastras, give the same 
instructions, just like sisters. The Puranas, which are like brothers, 
follow in the footsteps of their mother. O enemy of the demon Mura, the 
conclusion is that You are the only shelter. Now I have understood this 
in truth.'
 
PURPORT
 
This quotation from the Vedic literature was spoken to the Lord by great 
sages.
 
Madhya 22.7
 
TEXT 7
 
TEXT
 
advaya-jnana-tattva krsna -- svayam bhagavan
'svarupa-sakti' rupe tanra haya avasthana
SYNONYMS
 
advaya-jnana -- of nondual knowledge; tattva -- the principle; krsna -- 
Lord Krsna; svayam bhagavan -- Himself the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; svarupa -- personal expansions; sakti -- of potencies; rupe -- 
in the form; tanra -- His; haya -- there is; avasthana -- existence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is the nondual Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
 Although He is one, He maintains different personal expansions and 
energies for His pastimes.
 
PURPORT
 
The Lord has many potencies, and He is nondifferent from all these 
potencies. Because the potencies and the potent cannot be separated, 
they are identical. Krsna is described as the source of all potencies, 
and He is also identified with the external potency, the material energy.
 Krsna also has internal potencies, or spiritual potencies, which are 
always engaged in His personal service. His internal potency is 
different from His external potency. Krsna's internal potency and Krsna 
Himself, who is the potent, are always identical.
 
Madhya 22.8
 
TEXT 8
 
TEXT
 
svamsa-vibhinnamsa-rupe hana vistara
ananta vaikuntha-brahmande karena vihara
SYNONYMS
 
sva-amsa -- of personal expansions; vibhinna-amsa -- of separated 
expansions; rupe -- in the forms; hana -- becoming; vistara -- expanded; 
ananta -- unlimited; vaikuntha -- in the spiritual planets known as 
Vaikunthas; brahmande -- in the material universes; karena vihara -- 
performs His pastimes.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna expands Himself in many forms. Some of them are personal 
expansions, and some are separate expansions. Thus He performs pastimes 
in both the spiritual and the material worlds. The spiritual worlds are 
the Vaikuntha planets, and the material universes are the brahmandas, 
gigantic globes governed by Lord Brahma.
 
Madhya 22.9
 
TEXT 9
 
TEXT
 
svamsa-vistara -- catur-vyuha, avatara-gana
vibhinnamsa jiva -- tanra saktite ganana
SYNONYMS
 
sva-amsa-vistara -- the expansion of His personal forms; catur-vyuha -- 
His quadruple form; avatara-gana -- the incarnations; vibhinna-amsa -- 
His separated forms; jiva -- the living entities; tanra -- His; saktite -
- in the category of potency; ganana -- calculating.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Expansions of His personal self -- like the quadruple manifestations of 
Sankarsana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha and Vasudeva -- descend as incarnations 
from Vaikuntha to this material world. The separated expansions are the 
living entities. Although they are expansions of Krsna, they are counted 
among His different potencies.
 
PURPORT
 
The personal expansions are known as visnu-tattva, and the separated 
expansions are known as jiva-tattva. Although the jivas (living entities)
 are part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are 
still counted among His multipotencies. This is fully 
described by Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (7.5):
 
apareyam itas tv anyam prakrtim viddhi me param
jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat
 
 
"Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, 
superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are 
exploiting the resources of this material, inferior 
nature."
 
Although the living entities are Krsna's parts and parcels, they are 
prakrti, not purusa. Sometimes prakrti (a living entity) attempts to 
imitate the activities of the purusa. Due to a poor fund of knowledge, 
living entities conditioned in this material world claim to be God. They 
are thus illusioned. A living entity cannot be on the level of a visnu-
tattva, or the Personality of Godhead, at any stage; therefore it is 
ludicrous for a living entity to claim to be God. Advanced spiritualists 
would never accept such a thing. Such claims are made to cheat ordinary, 
foolish people. The Krsna consciousness movement declares war against 
such bogus incarnations. The bogus propaganda put out by people claiming 
to be God has killed God consciousness all over the world. Members of 
the Krsna consciousness movement must be very alert to defy these 
rascals, who are presently misleading the whole world. One such rascal, 
known as Paundraka, appeared before Lord Krsna, and the Lord immediately 
killed him. Of course, those who are Krsna's servants cannot kill such 
imitation gods, but they should try their best to defeat them through 
the evidence of sastra, authentic knowledge received through the 
disciplic succession.
 
Madhya 22.10
 
TEXT 10
 
TEXT
 
sei vibhinnamsa jiva -- dui ta' prakara
eka -- ‘nitya-mukta', eka -- ‘nitya-samsara'
SYNONYMS
 
sei vibhinna-amsa -- that separated part and parcel of Krsna; jiva -- 
the living entity; dui ta' prakara -- two categories; eka -- one; nitya-
mukta -- eternally liberated; eka -- one; nitya-samsara -- perpetually 
conditioned.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The living entities [jivas] are divided into two categories. Some are 
eternally liberated, and others are eternally conditioned.
 
Madhya 22.11
 
TEXT 11
 
TEXT
 
'nitya-mukta' -- nitya krsna-carane unmukha
'krsna-parisada' nama, bhunje seva-sukha
SYNONYMS
 
nitya-mukta -- eternally liberated; nitya -- always; krsna-carane -- the 
lotus feet of Lord Krsna; unmukha -- turned toward; krsna-parisada -- 
associates of Lord Krsna; nama -- known as; bhunje -- enjoy; seva-sukha -
- the happiness of service.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Those who are eternally liberated are always awake to Krsna 
consciousness, and they render transcendental loving service at the feet 
of Lord Krsna. They are to be considered eternal associates of Krsna, 
and they are eternally enjoying the transcendental bliss of serving 
Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.12
 
TEXT 12
 
TEXT
 
'nitya-bandha' -- krsna haite nitya-bahirmukha
'nitya-samsara', bhunje narakadi duhkha
SYNONYMS
 
nitya-bandha -- perpetually conditioned; krsna haite -- from Krsna; 
nitya -- eternally; bahir-mukha -- averse; nitya-samsara -- perpetually 
conditioned in the material world; bhunje -- experience; naraka-adi 
duhkha -- the tribulations of hellish conditions of life.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Apart from the ever-liberated devotees, there are the conditioned souls,
 who always turn away from the service of the Lord. They are perpetually 
conditioned in this material world and are subjected to the material 
tribulations brought about by different bodily forms in hellish 
conditions.
 
Madhya 22.13
 
TEXT 13
 
TEXT
 
sei dose maya-pisaci danda kare tare
adhyatmikadi tapa-traya tare jari' mare
SYNONYMS
 
sei dose -- because of this fault; maya-pisaci -- the witch known as the 
external energy; danda kare -- gives punishment; tare -- unto him; 
adhyatmika-adi -- beginning with those pertaining to the body and mind; 
tapa-traya -- the threefold miseries; tare -- him; jari' -- burning; 
mare -- gives pain.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Due to his being opposed to Krsna consciousness, the conditioned soul 
is punished by the witch of the external energy, maya. He is thus ready 
to suffer the threefold miseries -- miseries brought about by the body 
and mind, the inimical behavior of other living entities and natural 
disturbances caused by the demigods.
 
Madhya 22.14–15
 
TEXTS 14–15
 
TEXT
 
kama-krodhera dasa hana tara lathi khaya
bhramite bhramite yadi sadhu-vaidya paya
tanra upadesa-mantre pisaci palaya
krsna-bhakti paya, tabe krsna-nikata yaya
SYNONYMS
 
kama -- of lusty desires; krodhera -- and of anger; dasa -- the servant; 
hana -- becoming; tara -- by them; lathi khaya -- is kicked; bhramite 
bhramite -- wandering and wandering; yadi -- if; sadhu -- a devotee; 
vaidya -- physician; paya -- he gets; tanra -- his; upadesa-mantre -- by 
instruction and hymns; pisaci -- the witch (the external energy); palaya 
-- flees; krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Krsna; paya -- obtains; 
tabe -- in this way; krsna-nikata yaya -- he goes to Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In this way the conditioned soul becomes the servant of lusty desires, 
and when these are not fulfilled, he becomes the servant of anger and 
continues to be kicked by the external energy, maya. Wandering and 
wandering throughout the universe, he may by chance get the association 
of a devotee physician, whose instructions and hymns make the witch of 
the external energy flee. The conditioned soul thus gets into touch with 
devotional service to Lord Krsna, and in this way he can approach 
nearer and nearer to the Lord.
 
PURPORT
 
An explanation of verses 8 through 15 is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda 
Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. The Lord is spread throughout the 
creation in His quadruple expansions and incarnations. Krsna is fully 
represented with all potencies in each and every personal extension, but 
the living entities, although separated expansions, are also considered 
one of the Lord's energies. The living entities are divided into two 
categories -- the eternally liberated and the eternally conditioned. 
Those who are ever liberated never come in contact with maya, the 
external energy. The ever-conditioned souls are always under the 
clutches of the external energy. This is described by Lord Krsna in the 
Bhagavad-gita (7.14):
 
daivi hy esa gunamayi
 mama maya duratyaya
 
"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material 
nature, is difficult to overcome."
 
The nitya-baddhas are always conditioned by the external energy, and the 
nitya-muktas never come in contact with the external energy. Sometimes 
an ever-liberated personal associate of the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead descends into this universe just as the Lord descends. Although 
working for the liberation of conditioned souls, the messenger of the 
Supreme Lord remains untouched by the material energy. Generally ever-
liberated personalities live in the spiritual world as associates of 
Lord Krsna, and they are known as krsna-parisada, associates of the Lord.
 Their only business is enjoying Lord Krsna's company, and even though 
such eternally liberated persons come within this material world to 
serve the Lord's purpose, they enjoy Lord Krsna's company without 
stoppage. The ever-liberated person who works on Krsna's behalf enjoys 
Lord Krsna's company through his engagement. The ever-conditioned soul, 
provoked by lusty desires to enjoy the material world, is forced to 
transmigrate from one body to another. Sometimes he is elevated to 
higher planetary systems, and sometimes he is degraded to hellish 
planets and subjected to the tribulations of the external energy.
 
Due to being conditioned by the external energy, the conditioned soul 
within this material world gets two kinds of bodies -- a gross material 
body and a subtle material body composed of mind, intelligence and ego. 
Due to the gross and subtle bodies, he is subjected to the threefold 
miseries (adhyatmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika), miseries arising 
from the body and mind, other living entities and natural disturbances 
caused by demigods from higher planetary systems. The conditioned soul 
subjected to the threefold material miseries is ceaselessly kicked by 
maya, and this is his disease. If by chance he meets a saintly person 
who works on Krsna's behalf to deliver conditioned souls, and if he 
agrees to abide by his order, he can gradually approach the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.16
 
TEXT 16
 
TEXT
 
kamadinam kati na katidha palita durnidesas
 tesam jata mayi na karuna na trapa nopasantih
utsrjyaitan atha yadu-pate sampratam labdha-buddhis
 tvam ayatah saranam abhayam mam niyunksvatma-dasye
SYNONYMS
 
kama-adinam -- of my masters such as lust, anger, greed, illusion and 
envy; kati -- how many; na -- not; katidha -- in how many ways; palitah -
- obeyed; duh-nidesah -- undesirable orders; tesam -- of them; 
jata -- generated; mayi -- unto me; na -- not; karuna -- mercy; na -- 
not; trapa -- shame; na -- not; upasantih -- desire to cease; utsrjya -- 
giving up; etan -- all these; atha -- herewith; yadu-pate -- O best of 
the Yadu dynasty; sampratam -- now; labdha-buddhih -- having awakened 
intelligence; tvam -- You; ayatah -- approached; saranam -- who are the 
shelter; abhayam -- fearless; mam -- me; niyunksva -- please engage; 
atma-dasye -- in Your personal service.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O my Lord, there is no limit to the unwanted orders of lusty desires. 
Although I have rendered these desires so much service, they have not 
shown any mercy to me. I have not been ashamed to serve them, nor have I 
even desired to give them up. O my Lord, O head of the Yadu dynasty, 
recently, however, my intelligence has been awakened, and now I am 
giving them up. Due to transcendental intelligence, I now refuse to obey 
the unwanted orders of these desires, and I now come to You to surrender 
myself at Your fearless lotus feet. Kindly engage me in Your personal 
service and save me.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also quoted in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.2.35). When 
we chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra we are saying, "Hare! O energy of 
the Lord! O my Lord Krsna!" In this way we are simply addressing the 
Lord and His spiritual potency, represented as Radha-Krsna, Sita-Rama 
or Laksmi-Narayana. The devotee always prays to the Lord and His 
internal energy (consort) so that he may engage in Their transcendental 
loving service. When the conditioned soul attains his real spiritual 
energy and fully surrenders unto the Lord's lotus feet, he tries to 
engage in the Lord's service. This is the real constitutional position 
of the living entity.
 
Madhya 22.17
 
TEXT 17
 
TEXT
 
krsna-bhakti haya abhidheya-pradhana
bhakti-mukha-niriksaka karma-yoga-jnana
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-bhakti -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; haya -- is; abhidheya-
pradhana -- the chief function of the living entity; bhakti-mukha -- of 
the face of devotional service; niriksaka -- observers; karma-yoga-jnana 
-- fruitive activities, mystic yoga and speculative knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Devotional service to Krsna is the chief function of the living entity. 
There are different methods for the liberation of the conditioned soul --
 karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti -- but all are dependent on bhakti.
 
Madhya 22.18
 
TEXT 18
 
TEXT
 
ei saba sadhanera ati tuccha bala
krsna-bhakti vina taha dite nare phala
SYNONYMS
 
ei saba -- all these; sadhanera -- of methods of spiritual activities; 
ati -- very; tuccha -- insignificant; bala -- strength; krsna-bhakti -- 
devotional service to Lord Krsna; vina -- without; taha -- all these; 
dite -- to deliver; nare -- are not able; phala -- the desired result.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Without devotional service, all other methods for spiritual self-
realization are weak and insignificant. Unless one comes to the 
devotional service of Lord Krsna, jnana and yoga cannot give the desired 
results.
 
PURPORT
 
In the Vedic scriptures, stress is sometimes given to fruitive activity, 
speculative knowledge and the mystic yoga system. Although people are 
inclined to practice these processes, they cannot attain the desired 
results without being touched by krsna-bhakti, devotional service. In 
other words, the real desired result is to invoke dormant love for Krsna.
 Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6) states:
 
sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje
ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati
 
"The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men 
can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such 
devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely 
satisfy the self." Karma, jnana and yoga cannot actually awaken love of 
Godhead. One has to take to the Lord's devotional service, and the more 
one is inclined to devotional service, the more he loses interest in 
other so-called achievements. Dhruva Maharaja went to practice mystic 
yoga to see the Lord personally, face to face, but when he developed an 
interest in devotional service, he saw that he was not being benefited 
by karma, jnana and yoga.
 
Madhya 22.19
 
TEXT 19
 
TEXT
 
naiskarmyam apy acyuta-bhava-varjitam
 
 na sobhate jnanam alam niranjanam
kutah punah sasvad abhadram isvare
 na carpitam karma yad apy akaranam
SYNONYMS
 
naiskarmyam -- which does not produce enjoyment of the resultant action; 
 
api -- although; acyuta-bhava -- of devotional service to the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead; varjitam -- devoid; na -- not; sobhate -- looks 
beautiful; jnanam -- speculative knowledge; alam -- exceedingly; 
niranjanam -- which is without material contamination; kutah -- how much 
less; punah -- again; sasvat -- always (at the time of practicing and at 
the time of achieving the goal); abhadram -- inauspicious; isvare -- to 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; na -- not; ca -- also; arpitam -- 
dedicated; karma -- activities; yat -- which; api -- although; akaranam -
- causeless.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When pure knowledge is beyond all material affinity but is not 
 
dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead [Krsna], it does not 
appear very beautiful, although it is knowledge without a material tinge.
 What, then, is the use of fruitive activities -- which are naturally 
painful from the beginning and transient by nature -- if they are not 
utilized for the devotional service of the Lord? How can they be very 
attractive?'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.12). Even after writing 
 
many Vedic literatures, Vyasadeva felt very morose. Therefore his 
spiritual master, Naradadeva, told him that he could be happy by writing 
about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Up to that 
time, Srila Vyasadeva had written the karma-kanda and jnana-kanda 
sections of the Vedas, but he had not written about upasana-kanda, or 
bhakti. Thus his spiritual master, Narada, chastised him and advised him 
to write about the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 
Therefore Vyasadeva began writing Srimad-Bhagavatam.
 
Madhya 22.20
 
TEXT 20
 
TEXT
 
tapasvino dana-para yasasvino
 
 manasvino mantra-vidah su-mangalah
ksemam na vindanti vina yad-arpanam
 tasmai subhadra-sravase namo namah
SYNONYMS
 
tapasvinah -- those engaged in severe austerities and penances; dana-
 
parah -- those engaged in giving their possessions as charity; 
yasasvinah -- those famous in society; manasvinah -- experts in mental 
speculation or meditation; mantra-vidah -- experts in reciting the Vedic 
hymns; su-mangalah -- very auspicious; ksemam -- real, eternal 
auspiciousness; na -- never; vindanti -- obtain; vina -- without; yat-
arpanam -- dedicating unto whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); 
tasmai -- unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead; su-bhadra sravase -- 
whose glory is very auspicious; namah namah -- I offer my repeated 
respectful obeisances.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Those who perform severe austerities and penances, those who give 
 
away all their possessions out of charity, those who are very famous for 
their auspicious activity, those who are engaged in meditation and 
mental speculation, and even those who are very expert in reciting the 
Vedic mantras are not able to obtain any auspicious results, although 
they are engaged in auspicious activities, if they do not dedicate their 
activities to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I 
therefore repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, whose glories are always auspicious.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.4.17).
 
Madhya 22.21
 
TEXT 21
 
TEXT
 
kevala jnana ‘mukti' dite nare bhakti vine
 
krsnonmukhe sei mukti haya vina jnane
SYNONYMS
 
kevala -- only; jnana -- speculative knowledge; mukti -- liberation; 
 
dite -- to deliver; nare -- is not able; bhakti vine -- without 
devotional service; krsna-unmukhe -- if one is attached to the service 
of Lord Krsna; sei mukti -- that liberation; haya -- appears; vina -- 
without; jnane -- knowledge.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Speculative knowledge alone, without devotional service, is not able to 
 
give liberation. On the other hand, even without knowledge one can 
obtain liberation if one engages in the Lord's devotional service.
 
PURPORT
 
One cannot attain liberation simply by speculative knowledge. Even 
 
though one may be able to distinguish between Brahman and matter, one's 
liberation will be hampered if one is misled into thinking that the 
living entity is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed, 
one falls down again onto the material platform because considering 
oneself the Supreme Person, the Supreme Absolute Truth, is offensive. 
When such a person comes in contact with a pure devotee, he can actually 
become liberated from material bondage and engage in the Lord's service. 
A prayer by Bilvamangala Thakura is relevant here:
 
bhaktis tvayi sthiratara bhagavan yadi syad
 
 daivena nah phalati divya-kisora-murtih
muktih svayam mukulitanjali sevate ‘sman
 dharmartha-kama-gatayah samaya-pratiksah
 
"O my Lord, if one engages in Your pure devotional service with 
determination, You become visible in Your original transcendental 
youthful form as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As far as 
liberation is concerned, she stands before the devotee with folded hands 
waiting to render service. Religion, economic development and sense 
gratification are all automatically attained without separate endeavor." 
(Krsna-karnamrta 107)
 
Madhya 22.22
 
TEXT 22
 
TEXT
 
sreyah-srtim bhaktim udasya te vibho
 
 klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye
tesam asau klesala eva sisyate
 nanyad yatha sthula-tusavaghatinam
SYNONYMS
 
sreyah-srtim -- the auspicious path of liberation; bhaktim -- devotional 
 
service; udasya -- giving up; te -- of You; vibho -- O my Lord; 
klisyanti -- accept increased difficulties; ye -- all those persons who; 
kevala -- only; bodha-labdhaye -- for obtaining knowledge; tesam -- for 
them; asau -- that; klesalah -- trouble; eva -- only; sisyate -- remains;
 na -- not; anyat -- anything else; yatha -- as much as; sthula -- bulky;
 tusa -- husks of rice; avaghatinam -- of those beating.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the only auspicious path.
 
 If one gives it up simply for speculative knowledge or the 
understanding that these living beings are spirit souls and the material 
world is false, he undergoes a great deal of trouble. He only gains 
troublesome and inauspicious activities. His endeavors are like beating 
a husk that is already devoid of rice. His labor becomes fruitless.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.4).
 
Madhya 22.23
 
TEXT 23
 
TEXT
 
daivi hy esa guna-mayi
 
 mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
 mayam etam taranti te
SYNONYMS
 
daivi -- belonging to the Supreme Lord; hi -- certainly; esa -- this; 
 
guna-mayi -- made of the three modes; mama -- My; maya -- external 
energy; duratyaya -- very difficult to surpass; mam -- unto Me; eva -- 
certainly; ye -- those who; prapadyante -- surrender fully; mayam -- 
illusory energy; etam -- this; taranti -- cross over; te -- they.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material 
 
nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me 
can easily cross beyond it.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Bhagavad-gita (7.14).
 
Madhya 22.24
 
TEXT 24
 
TEXT
 
'krsna-nitya-dasa' -- jiva taha bhuli' gela
 
ei dose maya tara galaya bandhila
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-nitya-dasa -- eternal servant of Krsna; jiva -- the living entity; 
 
taha -- that; bhuli' -- forgetting; gela -- went; ei dose -- for this 
fault; maya -- the material energy; tara -- his; galaya -- on the neck; 
bandhila -- has bound.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The living entity is bound around the neck by the chain of maya because 
 
he has forgotten that he is eternally a servant of Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.25
 
TEXT 25
 
TEXT
 
tate krsna bhaje, kare gurura sevana
 
maya-jala chute, paya krsnera carana
SYNONYMS
 
tate -- therefore; krsna bhaje -- if one worships Lord Krsna; kare -- 
 
performs; gurura sevana -- service to his spiritual master; maya-jala 
chute -- gets free from the binding net of maya; paya -- gets; krsnera 
carana -- shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If the conditioned soul engages in the service of the Lord and 
 
simultaneously carries out the orders of his spiritual master and serves 
him, he can get out of the clutches of maya and become eligible for 
shelter at Krsna's lotus feet.
 
PURPORT
 
It is a fact that every living entity is eternally a servant of Krsna. 
 
This is forgotten due to the influence of maya, which induces one to 
believe in material happiness. Being illusioned by maya, one thinks that 
material happiness is the only desirable object. This material 
consciousness is like a chain around the neck of the conditioned soul. 
As long as he is bound to that conception, he cannot get out of maya's 
clutches. However, if by Krsna's mercy he gets in touch with a bona fide 
spiritual master, abides by his order and serves him, engaging other 
conditioned souls in the Lord's service, he then attains liberation and 
Lord Sri Krsna's shelter.
 
Madhya 22.26
 
TEXT 26
 
TEXT
 
cari varnasrami yadi krsna nahi bhaje
 
svakarma karite se raurave padi' maje
SYNONYMS
 
cari varna-asrami -- followers of the four social and spiritual orders 
 
of life; yadi -- if; krsna -- Lord Krsna; nahi -- not; bhaje -- serve; 
sva-karma karite -- performing his duty in life; se -- that person; 
raurave -- in a hellish condition; padi' -- falling down; maje -- 
becomes immersed.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The followers of the varnasrama institution accept the regulative 
 
principles of the four social orders [brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and 
sudra] and four spiritual orders [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and 
sannyasa]. However, if one carries out the regulative principles of 
these orders but does not render transcendental service to Krsna, he 
falls into a hellish condition of material life.
 
PURPORT
 
One may be a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, or one may perfectly 
 
follow the spiritual principles of brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha 
and sannyasa, but ultimately one falls down into a hellish condition 
unless one becomes a devotee. Without developing one's dormant Krsna 
consciousness, one cannot be factually elevated. The regulative 
principles of varnasrama-dharma in themselves are insufficient for 
attainment of the highest perfection. That is confirmed in the following 
two quotations from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.2–3).
 
Madhya 22.27
 
TEXT 27
 
TEXT
 
mukha-bahuru-padebhyah
 
 purusasyasramaih saha
catvaro jajnire varna
 gunair vipradayah prthak
SYNONYMS
 
mukha -- the mouth; bahu -- the arms; uru -- the waist; padebhyah -- 
 
from the legs; purusasya -- of the Supreme Person; asramaih -- the 
different spiritual orders; saha -- with; catvarah -- the four; jajnire -
- appeared; varnah -- social orders; gunaih -- with particular 
qualifications; vipra-adayah-brahmanas and so on; prthak -- 
separately.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into 
 
existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his 
waist the vaisyas have come, and from his legs the sudras have come. 
These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya, 
grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society 
complete.
 
Madhya 22.28
 
TEXT 28
 
TEXT
 
ya esam purusam saksad
 
 atma-prabhavam isvaram
na bhajanty avajananti
 sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah
SYNONYMS
 
ye -- anyone who; esam -- of those divisions of social and spiritual 
 
orders; purusam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat -- 
directly; atma-prabhavam -- the source of everyone; isvaram -- the 
supreme controller; na -- not; bhajanti -- worship; avajananti -- or who 
neglect; sthanat -- from their proper place; bhrastah -- being fallen; 
patanti -- fall; adhah -- downward into hellish conditions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and 
 
asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from 
his puffed-up position into a hellish condition.'
 
Madhya 22.29
 
TEXT 29
 
TEXT
 
jnani jivan-mukta-dasa painu kari' mane
 
vastutah buddhi ‘suddha' nahe krsna-bhakti vine
SYNONYMS
 
jnani -- the speculative philosophers; jivan-mukta-dasa -- the stage of 
 
liberation even while in this body; painu -- I have gotten; kari' -- 
taking; mane -- considers; vastutah -- factually; buddhi -- intelligence;
 suddha -- purified; nahe -- not; krsna-bhakti vine -- without 
devotional service to Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are many philosophical speculators [jnanis] belonging to the 
 
Mayavada school who consider themselves liberated and call themselves 
Narayana. But their intelligence is not purified unless they engage 
in Krsna's devotional service.
 
Madhya 22.30
 
TEXT 30
 
TEXT
 
ye ‘nye ‘ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
 
 tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
 patanty adho ‘nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
SYNONYMS
 
ye -- all those who; anye -- others (nondevotees); aravinda-aksa -- O 
 
lotus-eyed one; vimukta-maninah -- who consider themselves liberated; 
tvayi -- unto You; asta-bhavat -- without devotion; avisuddha-buddhayah -
- whose intelligence is not purified; aruhya -- having ascended; 
krcchrena -- by severe austerities and penances; param padam -- to the 
supreme position; tatah -- from there; patanti -- fall; adhah -- down; 
anadrta -- without respecting; yusmat -- Your; anghrayah -- lotus feet.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O lotus-eyed one, those who think they are liberated in this life but 
 
do not render devotional service to You must be of impure intelligence. 
Although they accept severe austerities and penances and rise to the 
spiritual position, to impersonal Brahman realization, they fall down 
again because they neglect to worship Your lotus feet.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.32).
 
Madhya 22.31
 
TEXT 31
 
TEXT
 
krsna -- surya-sama; maya haya andhakara
 
yahan krsna, tahan nahi mayara adhikara
SYNONYMS
 
krsna -- Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; surya-sama -- like 
 
the sun planet; maya -- the illusory energy; haya -- is; andhakara -- 
darkness; yahan krsna -- wherever there is Krsna; tahan -- there; nahi --
 not; mayara -- of maya, or the darkness of illusion; adhikara -- the 
jurisdiction.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is compared to sunshine, and maya is compared to darkness. 
 
Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one 
takes to Krsna consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of 
the external energy) will immediately vanish.
 
PURPORT
 
In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.34) it is stated:
 
rte ‘rtham yat pratiyeta na pratiyeta catmani
tad vidyad atmano mayam yathabhaso yatha tamah
 
"What appears to be truth without Me is certainly My 
illusory energy, for nothing can exist without Me. It is like a 
reflection of a real light in the shadows, for in the light there are 
neither shadows nor reflections."
 
Wherever there is light, there cannot be darkness. When a living entity 
becomes Krsna conscious, he is immediately relieved of all material 
lusty desires. Lusty desires and greed are associated with rajas and 
tamas, passion and darkness. When one becomes Krsna conscious, the 
modes of passion and darkness immediately vanish, and then the 
mode of goodness (sattva-guna) remains. When one is situated 
in the mode of goodness, he can make spiritual advancement and 
understand things clearly. This position is not possible for everyone. 
When a person is Krsna conscious, he continuously hears about Krsna, 
thinks about Him, worships Him and serves Him as a devotee. If he 
remains in Krsna consciousness in this way, the darkness of maya 
certainly will not be able to touch him.
 
Madhya 22.32
 
TEXT 32
 
TEXT
 
vilajjamanaya yasya
 
 sthatum iksa-pathe ‘muya
vimohita vikatthante
 mamaham iti durdhiyah
SYNONYMS
 
vilajjamanaya -- being ashamed; yasya -- of whom; sthatum -- to remain; 
 
iksa-pathe -- in the line of sight; amuya -- by that (maya); vimohitah --
 bewildered; vikatthante -- boast; mama -- my; aham -- I; iti -- thus; 
durdhiyah -- having poor intelligence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The external illusory energy of Krsna, known as maya, is always 
 
ashamed to stand in front of Krsna, just as darkness is ashamed to 
remain before the sunshine. However, that maya bewilders unfortunate 
people who have no intelligence. Thus they simply boast that this 
material world is theirs and that they are its enjoyers.'
 
PURPORT
 
The entire world is bewildered because people are thinking, "This is my 
 
land," "America is mine," "India is mine." Not knowing the real value of 
life, people think that the material body and the land where it is 
produced are all in all. This is the basic principle behind nationalism, 
socialism and communism. Such thinking, which simply bewilders the 
living being, is nothing but rascalism. It is due to the darkness of 
maya. But as soon as one becomes Krsna conscious, he is immediately 
relieved from such misconceptions. This verse is quoted from Srimad-
Bhagavatam (2.5.13). There is also another appropriate verse in Srimad-
Bhagavatam (2.7.47):
 
sasvat prasantam abhayam pratibodha-matram
 
 suddham samam sad-asatah paramatma-tattvam
 
sabdo na yatra puru-karakavan kriyartho
 maya paraity abhimukhe ca vilajjamana
 
tad vai padam bhagavatah paramasya pumso
 brahmeti yad vidur ajasra-sukham visokam
 
"What is realized as the Absolute Brahman is full of unlimited bliss 
without grief. That is certainly the ultimate phase of the supreme 
enjoyer, the Personality of Godhead. He is eternally devoid of all 
disturbances, fearless, completely conscious as opposed to matter, 
uncontaminated and without distinctions. He is the principal, primeval 
cause of all causes and effects, in whom there is no sacrifice for 
fruitive activities and in whom the illusory energy does not stand."
 
This verse was spoken by Lord Brahma when he was questioned by the great 
 
sage Narada. Narada was surprised to see the creator of the universe 
meditating, for this indicated there might be someone 
greater than Lord Brahma. While answering the great sage Narada, Lord 
Brahma described the position of maya and the bewildered living entities.
 This verse was spoken in that connection.
 
Madhya 22.33
 
TEXT 33
 
TEXT
 
'krsna, tomara hana' yadi bale eka-bara
 
maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para
SYNONYMS
 
krsna -- O my Lord Krsna; tomara hana -- I am Yours; yadi -- if; bale -- 
 
someone says; eka-bara -- once; maya-bandha haite -- from the bondage of 
conditioned life; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- him; kare para -- 
releases.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One is immediately freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and 
 
sincerely says, ‘My dear Lord Krsna, although I have forgotten You for 
so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto 
You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your 
service.'
 
Madhya 22.34
 
TEXT 34
 
TEXT
 
sakrd eva prapanno yas
 
 tavasmiti ca yacate
abhayam sarvada tasmai
 dadamy etad vratam mama
SYNONYMS
 
sakrt -- once only; eva -- certainly; prapannah -- surrendered; yah -- 
 
anyone who; tava -- Yours; asmi -- I am; iti -- thus; ca -- also; yacate 
-- prays; abhayam -- fearlessness; sarvada -- always; tasmai -- unto him;
 dadami -- I give; etat -- this; vratam -- vow; mama -- My.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘It is My vow that if one only once seriously surrenders unto Me, 
 
saying "My dear Lord, from this day I am Yours," and prays to Me for 
courage, I shall immediately award courage to that person, and he will 
always remain safe from that time on.'
 
PURPORT
 
 This verse from the Ramayana (Yuddha-kanda 18.33) was spoken 
by Lord Ramacandra.
 
Madhya 22.35
 
TEXT 35
 
TEXT
 
bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kami ‘subuddhi' yadi haya
 
gadha-bhakti-yoge tabe krsnere bhajaya
SYNONYMS
 
bhukti -- of material enjoyment; mukti -- of impersonal liberation; 
 
siddhi -- of achieving mystic power; kami -- desirous; su-buddhi -- 
actually intelligent; yadi -- if; haya -- he is; gadha -- deep; bhakti-
yoge -- by devotional service; tabe -- then; krsnere bhajaya -- worships 
Lord Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Due to bad association, the living entity desires material happiness, 
 
liberation or merging into the impersonal aspect of the Lord, or he 
engages in mystic yoga for material power. If such a person actually 
becomes intelligent, he takes to Krsna consciousness by engaging himself 
in intense devotional service to Lord Sri Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.36
 
TEXT 36
 
TEXT
 
akamah sarva-kamo va
 
 moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
 yajeta purusam param
SYNONYMS
 
akamah -- a pure devotee with no desire for material enjoyment; sarva-
 
kamah -- one who has no end to his desires for material enjoyment; va -- 
or; moksa-kamah -- one who desires to merge into the existence of 
Brahman; udara-dhih -- being very intelligent; tivrena -- firm; bhakti-
yogena -- by devotional service; yajeta -- should worship; purusam -- 
the person; param -- supreme.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Whether one desires everything or nothing, or whether he desires to 
 
merge into the existence of the Lord, he is intelligent only if he 
worships Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by rendering 
transcendental loving service.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.10).
 
Madhya 22.37
 
TEXT 37
 
TEXT
 
anya-kami yadi kare krsnera bhajana
 
na magiteha krsna tare dena sva-carana
SYNONYMS
 
anya-kami -- one who desires many other things; yadi -- if; kare -- he 
 
performs; krsnera bhajana -- devotional service to Lord Krsna; na 
magiteha -- although not asking; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- to him; 
dena -- gives; sva-carana -- the shelter of His lotus feet.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If those who desire material enjoyment or merging into the existence of 
 
the Absolute Truth engage in the Lord's transcendental loving service, 
they will immediately attain shelter at Krsna's lotus feet, although 
they did not ask for it. Krsna is therefore very merciful.
 
Madhya 22.38
 
TEXT 38
 
TEXT
 
krsna kahe, -- ‘ama bhaje, mage visaya-sukha
 
amrta chadi' visa mage, -- ei bada murkha
SYNONYMS
 
krsna kahe -- Krsna says; ama bhaje -- he worships Me; mage -- but 
 
requests; visaya-sukha -- material happiness; amrta chadi' -- giving up 
the nectar; visa mage -- he begs for poison; ei bada murkha -- he is a 
great fool.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna says, ‘If one engages in My transcendental loving service but at 
 
the same time wants the opulence of material enjoyment, he is very, very 
foolish. Indeed, he is just like a person who gives up ambrosia to drink 
poison.
 
Madhya 22.39
 
TEXT 39
 
TEXT
 
ami -- vijna, ei murkhe ‘visaya' kene diba?
 
sva-caranamrta diya ‘visaya' bhulaiba
SYNONYMS
 
ami -- I; vijna -- all-intelligent; ei murkhe -- unto this foolish 
 
person; visaya -- material enjoyment; kene diba -- why should I give; 
sva-carana-amrta -- the nectar of shelter at My lotus feet; diya -- 
giving; visaya -- the idea of material enjoyment; bhulaiba -- I shall 
make him forget.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Since I am very intelligent, why should I give this fool material 
 
prosperity? Instead I shall induce him to take the nectar of the shelter 
of My lotus feet and make him forget illusory material enjoyment.'
 
PURPORT
 
Those who are interested in material enjoyment are known as bhukti-kami. 
 
One who is interested in merging into the effulgence of Brahman or 
perfecting the mystic yoga system is not a devotee at all. Devotees do 
not have such desires. However, if a karmi, jnani or yogi somehow 
contacts a devotee and renders devotional service, Krsna immediately 
awards him love of God and gives him shelter at His lotus feet, although 
he may have no idea how to develop love of Krsna. If a person wants 
material profit from devotional service, Krsna condemns such 
materialistic desires. To desire material opulence while engaging in 
devotional service is foolish. Although the person may be foolish, Krsna,
 being all-intelligent, engages him in His devotional service in such a 
way that he gradually forgets material opulence. The point is that we 
should not try to exchange loving service for material prosperity. If we 
are actually surrendered to the lotus feet of Krsna, our only desire 
should be to satisfy Krsna. That is pure Krsna consciousness. Surrender 
means not that we demand something from the Lord but that we 
completely depend on His mercy. If Krsna likes, He may keep His devotee 
in a poverty-stricken condition, or if He likes He may keep him in an 
opulent position. The devotee should not be concerned in either case; he 
should simply be very serious about trying to satisfy the Lord by 
rendering Him service.
 
Madhya 22.40
 
TEXT 40
 
TEXT
 
satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam
 naivartha-do yat punar arthita yatah
svayam vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam
 iccha-pidhanam nija-pada-pallavam
SYNONYMS
 
satyam -- it is true; disati -- He awards; arthitam -- that which is 
 
desired; arthitah -- being requested; nrnam -- by human beings; na -- 
not; eva -- certainly; artha-dah -- giving desired things; yat -- which; 
punah -- again; arthita -- request; yatah -- from which; svayam -- 
Himself; vidhatte -- He gives; bhajatam -- of those engaged in 
devotional service; anicchatam -- even though not desiring; iccha-
pidhanam -- covering all other desires; nija-pada-pallavam -- the 
shelter of His own lotus feet.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Whenever Krsna is requested to fulfill one's desire, He undoubtedly 
 
does so, but He does not award anything which, after being enjoyed, will 
cause one to petition Him again and again to fulfill further desires.
 When one has other desires but engages in the Lord's service, Krsna 
forcibly gives one shelter at His lotus feet, where one will forget all 
other desires.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.19.27).
 
Madhya 22.41
 
TEXT 41
 
TEXT
 
kama lagi' krsne bhaje, paya krsna-rase
 
kama chadi' ‘dasa' haite haya abhilase
SYNONYMS
 
kama lagi' -- for fulfillment of one's material desires; krsne bhaje -- 
 
one engages in the transcendental service of Lord Krsna; paya -- he gets;
 krsna-rase -- a taste of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; kama chadi' -- 
giving up all desires for material enjoyment; dasa haite -- to be an 
eternal servant of the Lord; haya -- there is; abhilase -- aspiration.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When someone engages in Lord Krsna's devotional service for the 
 
satisfaction of the senses and instead acquires a taste for serving 
Krsna, he gives up his material desires and willingly offers himself as 
an eternal servant of Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.42
 
TEXT 42
 
TEXT
 
sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito ‘ham
 
 tvam praptavan deva-munindra-guhyam
kacam vicinvann api divya-ratnam
 svamin krtartho ‘smi varam na yace
SYNONYMS
 
sthana-abhilasi -- desiring a very high position in the material world; 
 
tapasi -- in severe austerities and penances; sthitah -- situated; aham -
- I; tvam -- You; praptavan -- have obtained; deva-muni-indra-guhyam -- 
difficult to achieve even for great demigods, saintly persons and kings; 
kacam -- a piece of glass; vicinvan -- searching for; api -- although; 
divya-ratnam -- a transcendental gem; svamin -- O my Lord; krta-arthah 
asmi -- I am fully satisfied; varam -- any benediction; na yace -- I do 
not ask.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"[When he was being blessed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 
 
Dhruva Maharaja said:] ‘O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent 
material position, I was performing severe types of penance and 
austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great 
demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a 
piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. 
Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction 
from You.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (7.28).
 
Madhya 22.43
 
TEXT 43
 
TEXT
 
samsara bhramite kona bhagye keha tare
 
nadira pravahe yena kastha lage tire
SYNONYMS
 
samsara bhramite -- wandering throughout the universe; kona bhagye -- by 
 
some good fortune; keha tare -- someone crosses the ocean of nescience; 
nadira pravahe -- in the flow of the river; yena -- just as; kastha -- 
wood; lage -- sticks; tire -- on the bank.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The conditioned souls are wandering throughout the different planets of 
the universe, entering various species of life. By good fortune one of 
these souls may somehow or other be delivered from the ocean of 
nescience, just as one of the many big logs in a flowing river may by 
chance reach the bank.
 
PURPORT
 
There are unlimited conditioned souls who are bereft of Lord Krsna's 
 
service. Not knowing how to cross the ocean of nescience, they are 
scattered by the waves of time and tide. However, some are fortunate to 
contact devotees, and by this contact they are delivered from the ocean 
of nescience, just as a log floating down a river accidentally washes 
upon the bank.
 
Madhya 22.44
 
TEXT 44
 
TEXT
 
maivam mamadhamasyapi
 
 syad evacyuta-darsanam
hriyamanah kala-nadya
 kvacit tarati kascana
SYNONYMS
 
ma -- not; evam -- thus; mama -- of me; adhamasya -- who is the most 
 
fallen; api -- although; syat -- there may be; eva -- certainly; acyuta-
darsanam -- seeing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hriyamanah -- 
being carried; kala-nadya -- by the stream of time; kvacit -- sometimes; 
tarati -- crosses over; kascana -- someone.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘"Because I am so fallen, I shall never get a chance to see the 
 
Supreme Personality of Godhead." This was my false apprehension. Rather, 
by chance a person as fallen as I am may get to see the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead. Although one is being carried away by the waves 
of the river of time, one may eventually reach the shore.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.38.5) was spoken by 
Akrura.
 
Madhya 22.45
 
TEXT 45
 
TEXT
 
kona bhagye karo samsara ksayonmukha haya
 
sadhu-sange tabe krsne rati upajaya
SYNONYMS
 
kona bhagye -- by fortune; karo -- of someone; samsara -- conditioned 
 
life; ksaya-unmukha -- on the point of destruction; haya -- is; sadhu-
sange -- by association with devotees; tabe -- then; krsne -- to Lord 
Krsna; rati -- attraction; upajaya -- awakens.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By good fortune one becomes eligible to cross the ocean of nescience, 
 
and when one's term of material existence decreases, one may get an 
opportunity to associate with pure devotees. By such association, one's 
attraction to Krsna is awakened.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains this point. Is this bhagya (fortune) 
 
the result of an accident or something else? In the scriptures, 
devotional service and pious activity are considered fortunate. Pious 
activities can be divided into three categories: pious activities 
that awaken one's dormant Krsna consciousness are called bhakty-unmukhi 
sukrti, pious activities that bestow material opulence are called 
bhogonmukhi sukrti, and pious activities that enable the living entity 
to merge into the existence of the Supreme are called moksonmukhi sukrti.
 These last two awards of pious activity are not actually fortunate. 
Pious activities are fortunate when they help one become Krsna conscious.
 The good fortune of bhakty-unmukhi is attainable only when one comes in 
contact with a devotee. By associating with a devotee willingly or 
unwillingly, one advances in devotional service, and thus one's dormant 
Krsna consciousness is awakened.
 
Madhya 22.46
 
TEXT 46
 
TEXT
 
bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej
 
 janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah
sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
 paravarese tvayi jayate ratih
SYNONYMS
 
bhava-apavargah -- liberation from the nescience of material existence; 
 
bhramatah -- wandering; yada -- when; bhavet -- should be; janasya -- of 
a person; tarhi -- at that time; acyuta -- O Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; sat-samagamah -- association with devotees; sat-sangamah -- 
association with devotees; yarhi -- when; tada -- at that time; eva -- 
only; sat-gatau -- the highest goal of life for the topmost devotees; 
para-avara-ise -- the Lord of the universe; tvayi -- to You; 
jayate -- appears; ratih -- attraction.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering 
 
throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material 
existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he 
associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead -- the highest goal of the topmost 
devotees and the Lord of the universe.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.51.53).
 
Madhya 22.47
 
TEXT 47
 
TEXT
 
krsna yadi krpa kare kona bhagyavane
 
guru-antaryami-rupe sikhaya apane
SYNONYMS
 
krsna -- Lord Krsna; yadi -- if; krpa kare -- shows His mercy; kona 
 
bhagyavane -- to some fortunate person; guru -- of the spiritual master; 
antaryami -- of the Supersoul; rupe -- in the form; sikhaya -- teaches; 
apane -- personally.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is situated in everyone's heart as the caittya-guru, the 
 
spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned 
soul, He personally gives him lessons so he can progress in devotional 
service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the 
spiritual master without.
 
Madhya 22.48
 
TEXT 48
 
TEXT
 
naivopayanty apacitim kavayas tavesa
 
 brahmayusapi krtam rddha-mudah smarantah
yo ‘ntar bahis tanu-bhrtam asubham vidhunvann
 acarya-caittya-vapusa sva-gatim vyanakti
SYNONYMS
 
na eva -- not at all; upayanti -- are able to express; apacitim -- their 
 
gratitude; kavayah -- learned devotees; tava -- Your; isa -- O Lord; 
brahma-ayusa -- with a lifetime equal to Lord Brahma's; api -- in spite 
of; krtam -- magnanimous work; rddha -- increased; mudah -- joy; 
smarantah -- remembering; yah -- who; antah -- within; bahih -- outside; 
tanu-bhrtam -- of those who are embodied; asubham -- misfortune; 
vidhunvan -- dissipating; acarya -- of the spiritual master; caittya -- 
of the Supersoul; vapusa -- by the forms; sva -- own; gatim -- path; 
vyanakti -- shows.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science 
 
could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were 
endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahma, for You appear in two 
features -- externally as the acarya and internally as the Supersoul -- 
to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You.
'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.6). It was spoken by 
 
Uddhava after he had been instructed in yoga by Sri Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.49
 
TEXT 49
 
TEXT
 
sadhu-sange krsna-bhaktye sraddha yadi haya
 
bhakti-phala ‘prema' haya, samsara yaya ksaya
SYNONYMS
 
sadhu-sange -- by the association of devotees; krsna-bhaktye -- in 
 
discharging devotional service to Krsna; sraddha -- faith; yadi -- if; 
haya -- there is; bhakti-phala -- the result of devotional service to 
Krsna; prema -- love of Godhead; haya -- awakens; samsara -- the 
conditioned life in material existence; yaya ksaya -- becomes vanquished.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"By associating with a devotee, one awakens his faith in devotional 
 
service to Krsna. Because of devotional service, one's dormant love for 
Krsna awakens, and thus one's material, conditioned existence comes to 
an end.
 
Madhya 22.50
 
TEXT 50
 
TEXT
 
yadrcchaya mat-kathadau
 
 jata-sraddhas tu yah puman
na nirvinno nati-sakto
 bhakti-yogo ‘sya siddhi-dah
SYNONYMS
 
yadrcchaya -- by some good fortune; mat-katha-adau -- in talk about Me; 
 
jata-sraddhah -- has awakened his attraction; tu -- but; yah puman -- a 
person who; na nirvinnah -- not falsely detached; na ati-saktah -- 
not very much attached to material existence; bhakti-yogah -- the 
process of devotional service; asya -- for such a person; siddhi-dah -- 
bestowing perfection.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Somehow or other, if one is attracted to talks about Me and has faith 
 
in the instructions I have set forth in the Bhagavad-gita, and if one is 
neither falsely detached from material things nor very much attracted 
to material existence, his dormant love for Me will be awakened by 
devotional service.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.20.8) was spoken by Krsna at the 
 
time of His departure from this material world. It was spoken to 
Uddhava.
 
Madhya 22.51
 
TEXT 51
 
TEXT
 
mahat-krpa vina kona karme ‘bhakti' naya
 
krsna-bhakti dure rahu, samsara nahe ksaya
SYNONYMS
 
mahat-krpa -- the mercy of great devotees; vina -- without; kona karme --
 
 by some other activity; bhakti naya -- there is not devotional service; 
krsna-bhakti -- love of Krsna or devotional service to Krsna; dure rahu -
- leaving aside; samsara -- the bondage of material existence; nahe -- 
there is not; ksaya -- destruction.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform 
 
of devotional service. To say nothing of krsna-bhakti, one cannot even 
be relieved from the bondage of material existence.
 
PURPORT
 
Pious activities bring about material opulence, but one cannot acquire 
 
devotional service by any amount of material pious activity -- not by 
giving charity, opening big hospitals and schools or working 
philanthropically. Devotional service can be attained only by the mercy 
of a pure devotee. Without a pure devotee's mercy, one cannot even 
escape the bondage of material existence. The word mahat in this verse 
means "a pure devotee," as Lord Krsna confirms in the Bhagavad-gita 
(9.13):
 
mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim asritah
bhajanty ananya-manaso jnatva bhutadim avyayam
 
 
 
"O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under 
the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in 
devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead, original and inexhaustible."
 
One has to associate with such a mahatma, who has accepted Krsna as 
 
the supreme source of the entire creation. Without being a mahatma, one 
cannot understand Krsna's absolute position. A mahatma is rare and 
transcendental, and he is a pure devotee of Lord Krsna. Foolish people 
consider Krsna a human being, and they consider Lord Krsna's pure 
devotee an ordinary human being also. Whatever one may be, one must take 
shelter at the lotus feet of a devotee mahatma and treat him as the most 
exalted well-wisher of all human society. We should take shelter of such 
a mahatma and ask for his causeless mercy. Only by his benediction can 
one be relieved from attachment to the materialistic way of life. When 
one is thus relieved, he can engage in the Lord's transcendental loving 
service through the mercy of the mahatma.
 
Madhya 22.52
 
TEXT 52
 
TEXT
 
rahuganaitat tapasa na yati
 
 na cejyaya nirvapanad grhad va
na cchandasa naiva jalagni-suryair
 vina mahat-pada-rajo-‘bhisekam
SYNONYMS
 
rahugana -- O King Rahugana; etat -- this; tapasa -- by severe 
 
austerities and penances; na yati -- one does not obtain; na -- neither; 
ca -- also; ijyaya -- by gorgeous worship; nirvapanat -- by entering the 
renounced order of life; grhat -- by sacrifices while living in the home;
 va -- or; na chandasa -- nor by scholarly study of the Vedas; na -- nor;
 eva -- certainly; jala-agni-suryaih -- by worshiping water, 
fire or scorching sunshine; vina -- without; mahat-pada-rajah -- of the 
dust of the lotus feet of a mahatma; abhisekam -- the sprinkling.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O King Rahugana, without taking upon one's head the dust from the 
 
lotus feet of a pure devotee [a mahajana or mahatma], one cannot attain 
devotional service. Devotional service is not possible to attain simply 
by undergoing severe austerities and penances, by gorgeously worshiping 
the Deity, or by strictly following the rules and regulations of the 
sannyasa or grhastha order; nor is it attained by studying the Vedas, 
submerging oneself in water, or exposing oneself to fire or scorching 
sunlight.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.12.12). Jada Bharata herein 
 
tells King Rahugana how he attained the paramahamsa stage. Maharaja 
Rahugana, the King of Sindhu-sauvira, had asked Jada Bharata how he had 
attained the paramahamsa stage. The King had called him to carry his 
palanquin, but when the King heard from paramahamsa Jada Bharata about 
the supreme philosophy, he expressed surprise and asked Jada Bharata how 
he had attained such great liberation. At that time Jada Bharata 
informed the King how to become detached from material attraction.
 
Madhya 22.53
 
TEXT 53
 
TEXT
 
naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim
 
 sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah
mahiyasam pada-rajo-‘bhisekam
 niskincananam na vrnita yavat
SYNONYMS
 
na -- not; esam -- of those who are attached to household life; matih -- 
 
the interest; tavat -- that long; urukrama-anghrim -- the lotus feet of 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is credited with uncommon 
activities; sprsati -- touches; anartha -- of unwanted things; apagamah -
- vanquishing; yat -- of which; arthah -- result; mahiyasam -- of the 
great personalities, devotees; pada-rajah -- of the dust of the lotus 
feet; abhisekam -- sprinkling on the head; niskincananam -- who are 
completely detached from material possessions; na vrnita -- does not do; 
yavat -- as long as.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Unless human society accepts the dust of the lotus feet of great 
 
mahatmas -- devotees who have nothing to do with material possessions -- 
mankind cannot turn its attention to the lotus feet of Krsna. Those 
lotus feet vanquish all the unwanted, miserable conditions of material 
life.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.32). When the great 
 
sage Narada was giving instructions to Maharaja Yudhisthira, he narrated 
the activities of Prahlada Maharaja. This verse was spoken by Prahlada 
Maharaja to his father, Hiranyakasipu, the king of demons. Prahlada 
Maharaja had informed his father of the nine basic processes of bhakti-
yoga, explaining that whoever takes to these processes is to be 
considered a highly learned scholar. Hiranyakasipu, however, did not 
like his son to talk about devotional service; therefore he immediately 
called Prahlada's teacher, Sanda. The teacher explained that he had 
not taught devotional service to Prahlada but that the boy was naturally 
inclined that way. At that time Hiranyakasipu became very angry and 
asked Prahlada why he had become a Vaisnava. In answer to this question, 
Prahlada Maharaja recited this verse to the effect that one cannot 
become the Lord's devotee without receiving the mercy and blessings of 
another devotee.
 
Madhya 22.54
 
TEXT 54
 
TEXT
 
'sadhu-sanga', ‘sadhu-sanga' -- sarva-sastre kaya
 
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
SYNONYMS
 
sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga -- association with pure devotees; sarva-sastre -
 
- all the revealed scriptures; kaya -- say; lava-matra -- even for a 
moment; sadhu-sange -- by association with a devotee; sarva-siddhi -- 
all success; haya -- there is.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's 
 
association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.
 
PURPORT
 
According to astronomical calculations, a lava is one eleventh of a 
 
second.
 
Madhya 22.55
 
TEXT 55
 
TEXT
 
tulayama lavenapi
 
 na svargam napunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya
 martyanam kim utasisah
SYNONYMS
 
tulayama -- we make equal; lavena -- with one instant; api -- even; na --
 
 not; svargam -- heavenly planets; na -- nor; apunah-bhavam -- merging 
into the existence of the Supreme; bhagavat-sangi-sangasya -- of the 
association of devotees who are always associated with the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead; martyanam -- of persons destined to die; kim uta 
-- what to speak of; asisah -- the blessings.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The value of a moment's association with a devotee of the Lord cannot 
be compared even to the attainment of the heavenly planets or 
liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the 
form of material prosperity, which is for those who are meant for death.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.18.13). This verse 
 
concerns the Vedic rites and sacrifices performed by the great sages of 
Naimisaranya, headed by Saunaka Rsi. The sages pointed out that 
association with a devotee for even less than a second is beyond 
comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, elevation to 
heavenly planets or merging into the existence of the Supreme.
 
Madhya 22.56
 
TEXT 56
 
TEXT
 
krsna krpalu arjunere laksya kariya
 
jagatere rakhiyachena upadesa diya
SYNONYMS
 
krsna -- Lord Krsna; krpalu -- merciful; arjunere -- Arjuna; laksya 
 
kariya -- aiming at; jagatere -- the whole world; rakhiyachena -- has 
protected; upadesa diya -- giving instructions.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna is so merciful that simply by aiming His instructions at Arjuna, 
 
He has given protection to the whole world.
 
Madhya 22.57–58
 
TEXTS 57–58
 
TEXT
 
sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah
 
 srnu me paramam vacah
isto ‘si me drdham iti
 tato vaksyami te hitam
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
 mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
 pratijane priyo ‘si me
SYNONYMS
 
sarva-guhya-tamam -- most confidential of all; bhuyah -- again; srnu -- 
 
hear; me -- My; paramam vacah -- supreme instruction; istah -- beloved; 
asi -- you are; me -- My; drdham iti -- very firmly; tatah -- therefore; 
vaksyami -- I shall speak; te -- to you; hitam -- words of benediction; 
mat-manah -- whose mind is always on Me; bhava -- become; mat-bhaktah -- 
My devotee; mat-yaji -- My worshiper; mam -- unto Me; namaskuru -- offer 
obeisances; mam eva -- to Me only; esyasi -- you will come; satyam -- 
truly; te -- to you; pratijane -- I promise; priyah asi -- you are dear; 
me -- My.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme 
instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this 
 
from Me, for it is for your benefit. Always think of Me and become My 
devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will 
come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear 
friend.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Bhagavad-gita (18.64–65).
 
Madhya 22.59
 
TEXT 59
 
TEXT
 
purva ajna, -- veda-dharma, karma, yoga, jnana
 
saba sadhi' sese ei ajna -- balavan
SYNONYMS
 
purva ajna -- previous orders; veda-dharma -- performance of Vedic 
 
ritualistic ceremonies; karma -- fruitive activities; yoga -- mystic 
yoga practice; jnana -- speculative knowledge; saba sadhi' -- executing 
all these processes; sese -- at the end; ei ajna -- this order; balavan -
- powerful.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Although Krsna previously explained the proficiency of executing 
 
Vedic rituals, performing fruitive activity as enjoined in the Vedas, 
practicing yoga and cultivating jnana, these last instructions are most 
powerful and stand above all the others.
 
Madhya 22.60
 
TEXT 60
 
TEXT
 
ei ajna-bale bhaktera ‘sraddha' yadi haya
 
sarva-karma tyaga kari' se krsna bhajaya
SYNONYMS
 
ei ajna-bale -- on the strength of this supreme order of the Supreme 
 
Personality of Godhead; bhaktera -- of the devotees; sraddha -- faith; 
yadi -- if; haya -- there is; sarva-karma -- all other activities, 
material and spiritual; tyaga kari' -- leaving aside; se -- he; krsna 
bhajaya -- serves Lord Krsna.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If the devotee has faith in the strength of this order, he worships 
 
Lord Krsna and gives up all other activities.
 
Madhya 22.61
 
TEXT 61
 
TEXT
 
tavat karmani kurvita
 
 na nirvidyeta yavata
mat-katha-sravanadau va
 sraddha yavan na jayate
SYNONYMS
 
tavat -- up to that time; karmani -- fruitive activities; kurvita -- one 
 
should execute; na nirvidyeta -- is not satiated; yavata -- as long as; 
mat-katha -- of discourses about Me; sravana-adau -- in the matter of 
sravanam, kirtanam, and so on; va -- or; sraddha -- faith; yavat -- as 
long as; na -- not; jayate -- is awakened.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘As long as one is not satiated by fruitive activity and has not 
 
awakened his taste for devotional service by sravanam kirtanam visnoh [
SB 7.5.23], one has to act according to the regulative principles of the 
Vedic injunctions.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.20.9).
 
Madhya 22.62
 
TEXT 62
 
TEXT
 
'sraddha'-sabde -- visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya
 
krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya
SYNONYMS
 
sraddha-sabde -- by the word sraddha; visvasa -- faith; kahe -- is said; 
 
sudrdha -- firm; niscaya -- certain; krsne -- unto Lord Krsna; bhakti -- 
devotional service; kaile -- by executing; sarva-karma -- all activities;
 krta -- completed; haya -- are.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Sraddha is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental 
 
loving service to Krsna one automatically performs all subsidiary 
activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of 
devotional service.
 
PURPORT
 
Firm faith and confidence are called sraddha. When one engages in the 
 
Lord's devotional service, he is to be understood to have performed all 
his responsibilities in the material world. He has satisfied his 
forefathers, ordinary living entities, and demigods and is free from all 
responsibility. Such a person does not need to meet his responsibilities 
separately. It is automatically done. Fruitive activity (karma) is meant 
to satisfy the senses of the conditioned soul. However, when one awakens 
to Krsna consciousness, he does not have to work separately for pious 
activity. The best achievement of all fruitive activity is detachment 
from material life, and this detachment is spontaneously enjoyed by the 
devotee firmly engaged in the Lord's service.
 
Madhya 22.63
 
TEXT 63
 
TEXT
 
yatha taror mula-nisecanena
 
 trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah
pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam
 tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya
SYNONYMS
 
yatha -- as; taroh -- of a tree; mula -- on the root; nisecanena -- by 
 
pouring water; trpyanti -- are satisfied; tat -- of the tree; skandha -- 
trunk; bhuja -- branches; upasakhah -- subbranches; prana -- to 
the living force; upaharat -- from offering food; ca -- also; yatha -- 
as; indriyanam -- of all the senses; tatha -- similarly; eva -- indeed; 
sarva -- of all; arhanam -- worship; acyuta -- of the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead; ijya -- worship.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘By pouring water on the root of a tree, one automatically satisfies 
 
the trunk, branches and twigs. Similarly, by supplying food to the 
stomach, where it nourishes the life air, one satisfies all the senses. 
In the same way, by worshiping Krsna and rendering Him service, one 
automatically satisfies all the demigods.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.31.14).
 
Madhya 22.64
 
TEXT 64
 
TEXT
 
sraddhavan jana haya bhakti-adhikari
 
'uttama', ‘madhyama', ‘kanistha' -- sraddha-anusari
SYNONYMS
 
sraddhavan jana -- a person with faith; haya -- is; bhakti-adhikari -- 
 
eligible for discharging transcendental loving service to the Lord; 
uttama -- first class; madhyama -- intermediate; kanistha -- the lowest 
class; sraddha-anusari -- according to the proportion of faith.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A faithful devotee is a truly eligible candidate for the loving service 
 
of the Lord. According to one's faith, one is classified as a topmost 
devotee, an intermediate devotee or an inferior devotee.
 
PURPORT
 
The word sraddhavan (faithful) means understanding Krsna to be the 
 
summum bonum -- the eternal truth and absolute transcendence. If one has 
full faith in Krsna and confidence in Him, one becomes eligible to 
discharge devotional service confidentially. According to one's faith, 
one is a topmost, intermediate or inferior devotee.
 
Madhya 22.65
 
TEXT 65
 
TEXT
 
sastra-yuktye sunipuna, drdha-sraddha yanra
 
'uttama-adhikari' sei taraye samsara
SYNONYMS
 
sastra-yuktye -- in argument and logic; su-nipuna -- very expert; drdha-
 
sraddha -- firm faith and confidence in Krsna; yanra -- whose; uttama-
adhikari -- the topmost devotee; sei -- he; taraye samsara -- can 
deliver the whole world.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One who is expert in logic, argument and the revealed scriptures and 
 
who has firm faith in Krsna is classified as a topmost devotee. He can 
deliver the whole world.
 
Madhya 22.66
 
TEXT 66
 
TEXT
 
sastre yuktau ca nipunah
 
 sarvatha drdha-niscayah
praudha-sraddho ‘dhikari yah
 sa bhaktav uttamo matah
SYNONYMS
 
sastre -- in the revealed scriptures; yuktau -- in logic; ca -- also; 
 
nipunah -- expert; sarvatha -- in all respects; drdha-niscayah -- who is 
firmly convinced; praudha -- deep; sraddhah -- who has faith; adhikari --
 eligible; yah -- who; sah -- he; bhaktau -- in devotional service; 
uttamah -- highest; matah -- is considered.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One who is expert in logic and in understanding the revealed 
 
scriptures, and who always has firm conviction and deep faith that is 
not blind, is to be considered a topmost devotee in devotional service.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.17), by Srila Rupa 
 
Gosvami.
 
Madhya 22.67
 
TEXT 67
 
TEXT
 
sastra-yukti nahi jane drdha, sraddhavan
 
'madhyama-adhikari' sei maha-bhagyavan
SYNONYMS
 
sastra-yukti -- logical arguments on the basis of the revealed scripture;
 
 nahi -- not; jane -- knows; drdha -- firmly; sraddhavan -- faithful; 
madhyama-adhikari -- second-class devotee; sei -- he; maha-bhagyavan -- 
very fortunate.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One who is not very expert in argument and logic based on the revealed 
 
scriptures but who has firm faith is considered a second-class devotee. 
He also must be considered most fortunate.
 
Madhya 22.68
 
TEXT 68
 
TEXT
 
yah sastradisv anipunah
 
 sraddhavan sa tu madhyamah
SYNONYMS
 
yah -- anyone who; sastra-adisu -- in the revealed scriptures; anipunah -
 
- not very expert; sraddhavan -- full of faith; sah -- he; tu -- 
certainly; madhyamah -- second-class or middle-class devotee.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘He who does not know scriptural argument very well but who has firm 
 
faith is called an intermediate or second-class devotee.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.18).
 
Madhya 22.69
 
TEXT 69
 
TEXT
 
yahara komala sraddha, se ‘kanistha' jana
 
krame krame tenho bhakta ha-ibe ‘uttama'
SYNONYMS
 
yahara -- whose; komala sraddha -- soft faith; se -- such a person; 
 
kanistha jana -- a neophyte devotee; krame krame -- by a gradual 
progression; tenho -- he; bhakta -- devotee; ha-ibe -- will become; 
uttama -- first class.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by 
 
gradually following the process he will rise to the platform of a first-
class devotee.
 
Madhya 22.70
 
TEXT 70
 
TEXT
 
yo bhavet komala-sraddhah
 
 sa kanistho nigadyate
SYNONYMS
 
yah -- anyone who; bhavet -- may be; komala -- soft; sraddhah -- having 
 
faith; sah -- such a person; kanisthah -- neophyte devotee; nigadyate -- 
is said to be.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One whose faith is not very strong, who is just beginning, should be 
 
considered a neophyte devotee.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse also appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.19).
 
Madhya 22.71
 
TEXT 71
 
TEXT
 
rati-prema-taratamye bhakta -- tara-tama
 
ekadasa skandhe tara kariyache laksana
SYNONYMS
 
rati -- of attachment; prema -- and love; taratamye -- by comparison; 
 
bhakta -- devotee; tara-tama -- superior or superlative; ekadasa 
skandhe -- in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam; tara -- of this; 
kariyache -- has made; laksana -- symptoms.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A devotee is considered superlative or superior according to his 
 
attachment and love. In the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the 
following symptoms have been given.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has stated that if one has developed faith in 
 
Krsna consciousness, he is to be considered an eligible candidate for 
further advancement in Krsna consciousness. Those who have faith are 
divided into three categories -- uttama, madhyama and kanistha (first 
class, second class and neophyte). A first-class devotee has firm 
conviction in the revealed scriptures and is expert in arguing according 
to the sastras. He is firmly convinced of the science of Krsna 
consciousness. The madhyama-adhikari, or second-class devotee, has firm 
conviction in Krsna consciousness, but he cannot support his conviction 
by citing sastric references. The neophyte devotee does not yet have 
firm faith. In this way the devotees are typed.
 
The standard of devotion is also categorized in the same way. A neophyte 
 
believes that only love of Krsna or Krsna consciousness is very good, 
but he may not know the basis of pure Krsna consciousness or how one can 
become a perfect devotee. Sometimes in the heart of a neophyte there is 
attraction for karma, jnana or yoga. When he is free and transcendental 
to mixed devotional activity, he becomes a second-class devotee. When he 
becomes expert in logic and can refer to the sastras, he becomes a first-
class devotee. The devotees are also described as positive, comparative 
and superlative in terms of their love and attachment for Krsna.
 
It should be understood that a madhyama-adhikari, a second-class devotee,
 
 is fully convinced of Krsna consciousness but cannot support his 
convictions with sastric reference. A neophyte may fall down by 
associating with nondevotees because he is not firmly convinced and 
strongly situated. The second-class devotee, even though he cannot 
support his position with sastric reference, can gradually become a 
first-class devotee by studying the sastras and associating with a first-
class devotee. However, if the second-class devotee does not advance 
himself by associating with a first-class devotee, he makes no progress. 
There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down, even 
though he may mix with nondevotees to preach. Conviction and faith 
gradually increase to make one an uttama-adhikari, a first-class devotee.
 
Madhya 22.72
 
TEXT 72
 
TEXT
 
sarva-bhutesu yah pasyed
 
 bhagavad-bhavam atmanah
bhutani bhagavaty atmany
 esa bhagavatottamah
SYNONYMS
 
sarva-bhutesu -- in all objects (in matter, spirit and combinations of 
 
matter and spirit); yah -- anyone who; pasyet -- sees; bhagavat-bhavam --
 the ability to be engaged in the service of the Lord; atmanah -- of the 
supreme spirit soul or the transcendence beyond the material conception 
of life; bhutani -- all beings; bhagavati -- in the Supreme Personality 
of Godhead; atmani -- the basic principle of all existence; esah -- this;
 bhagavata-uttamah -- a person advanced in devotional service.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the 
 
soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. 
Consequently he always sees the form of the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead as the cause of all causes and understands that all things are 
situated in Him.
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.45).
 
Madhya 22.73
 
TEXT 73
 
TEXT
 
isvare tad-adhinesu
 
 balisesu dvisatsu ca
prema-maitri-krpopeksa
 yah karoti sa madhyamah
SYNONYMS
 
isvare -- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tat-adhinesu -- to 
 
persons who have taken fully to Krsna consciousness; balisesu -- unto 
the neophytes or the ignorant; dvisatsu -- to persons envious of Krsna 
and the devotees of Krsna; prema -- love; maitri -- friendship; krpa -- 
mercy; upeksa -- negligence; yah -- anyone who; karoti -- does; sah -- 
he; madhyamah -- a second-class devotee.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘An intermediate, second-class devotee shows love for the Supreme 
 
Personality of Godhead, is friendly to all devotees and is very merciful 
to neophytes and ignorant people. The intermediate devotee neglects 
those who are envious of devotional service.
 
PURPORT
 
This is also a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.46). This 
 
statement was made by the great sage Narada while he was speaking to 
Vasudeva about devotional service. This subject was originally discussed 
between Nimi, the King of Videha, and the nine Yogendras.
 
Madhya 22.74
 
TEXT 74
 
TEXT
 
arcayam eva haraye
 
 pujam yah sraddhayehate
na tad-bhaktesu canyesu
 sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah
SYNONYMS
 
arcayam -- in the temple worship; eva -- certainly; haraye -- for the 
 
pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pujam -- worship; yah -- 
anyone who; sraddhaya -- with faith and love; ihate -- executes; na -- 
not; tat-bhaktesu -- to the devotees of the Lord; ca anyesu -- and to 
others; sah -- he; bhaktah -- a devotee; prakrtah -- materialistic; 
smrtah -- is considered.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘A prakrta-bhakta, or materialistic devotee, does not purposefully 
 
study the sastra and try to understand the actual standard of pure 
devotional service. Consequently he does not show proper respect to 
advanced devotees. He may, however, follow the regulative principles 
learned from his spiritual master or from his family who worships the 
Deity. He is to be considered on the material platform, although he is 
trying to advance in devotional service. Such a person is a bhakta-praya 
[neophyte devotee], or bhaktabhasa, for he is a little enlightened by 
Vaisnava philosophy.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.47). Srila Bhaktivinoda 
 
Thakura says that one who has full love for the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead and who maintains a good friendship with the Lord's devotees is 
always callous to those who envy Krsna and Krsna's devotees. Such a 
person is to be considered an intermediate devotee. He becomes a first-
class devotee when, in the course of advancing in devotional service, he 
feels an intimate relationship with all living entities, seeing them as 
part and parcel of the Supreme Person.
 
Madhya 22.75
 
TEXT 75
 
TEXT
 
sarva maha-guna-gana vaisnava-sarire
 
krsna-bhakte krsnera guna sakali sancare
SYNONYMS
 
sarva -- all; maha -- great; guna-gana -- transcendental qualities; 
 
vaisnava-sarire -- in the bodies of Vaisnavas; krsna-bhakte -- in the 
devotees of Lord Krsna; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; guna -- the qualities; 
sakali -- all; sancare -- appear.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A Vaisnava is one who has developed all good transcendental qualities. 
 
All the good qualities of Krsna gradually develop in Krsna's devotee.
 
Madhya 22.76
 
TEXT 76
 
TEXT
 
yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana
 
 sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah
harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna
 mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih
SYNONYMS
 
yasya -- of whom; asti -- there is; bhaktih -- devotional service; 
 
bhagavati -- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akincana -- 
without material desires; sarvaih -- all; gunaih -- with good qualities; 
tatra -- there; samasate -- live; surah -- the demigods; harau -- unto 
the Lord; abhaktasya -- of the nondevotee; kutah -- where; mahat-gunah --
 the high qualities; manah-rathena -- by mental concoction; asati -- to 
temporary material happiness; dhavatah -- running; bahih -- externally.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘In one who has unflinching devotional faith in Krsna, all the good 
 
qualities of Krsna and the demigods are consistently manifest. However, 
he who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good 
qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material 
existence, which is the external feature of the Lord.'
 
PURPORT
 
This was spoken by Prahlada Maharaja and his followers, who were 
 
offering prayers to Nrsimhadeva (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.18.12).
 
Madhya 22.77
 
TEXT 77
 
TEXT
 
sei saba guna haya vaisnava-laksana
 
saba kaha na yaya, kari dig-darasana
SYNONYMS
 
sei saba guna -- all those transcendental qualities; haya -- are; 
 
vaisnava-laksana -- the symptoms of a Vaisnava; saba -- all; kaha na 
yaya -- cannot be explained; kari -- I shall do; dik-darasana -- a 
general review.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"All these transcendental qualities are the characteristics of pure 
 
Vaisnavas, and they cannot be fully explained, but I shall try to point 
out some of the important qualities.
 
Madhya 22.78–80
 
TEXTS 78–80
 
TEXT
 
krpalu, akrta-droha, satya-sara sama
 
nidosa, vadanya, mrdu, suci, akincana
sarvopakaraka, santa, krsnaika-sarana
akama, aniha, sthira, vijita-sad-guna
mita-bhuk, apramatta, manada, amani
gambhira, karuna, maitra, kavi, daksa, mauni
SYNONYMS
 
krpalu -- merciful; akrta-droha -- not defiant; satya-sara -- thoroughly 
 
true; sama -- equal; nidosa -- faultless; vadanya -- magnanimous; mrdu --
 mild; suci -- clean; akincana -- without material possessions; sarva-
upakaraka -- working for the welfare of everyone; santa -- peaceful; 
krsna-eka-sarana -- exclusively surrendered to Krsna; akama -- 
desireless; aniha -- indifferent to material acquisitions; sthira -- 
fixed; vijita-sat-guna -- completely controlling the six bad qualities (
lust, anger, greed, etc.); mita-bhuk -- eating only as much as required; 
apramatta -- without inebriation; mana-da -- respectful; amani -- 
without false prestige; gambhira -- grave; karuna -- compassionate; 
maitra -- a friend; kavi -- a poet; daksa -- expert; mauni -- silent.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Devotees are always merciful, humble, truthful, equal to all, faultless,
 
 magnanimous, mild and clean. They are without material possessions, and 
they perform welfare work for everyone. They are peaceful, surrendered 
to Krsna and desireless. They are indifferent to material acquisitions 
and are fixed in devotional service. They completely control the six bad 
qualities -- lust, anger, greed and so forth. They eat only as much as 
required, and they are not inebriated. They are respectful, grave, 
compassionate and without false prestige. They are friendly, poetic, 
expert and silent.
 
Madhya 22.81
 
TEXT 81
 
TEXT
 
titiksavah karunikah
 
 suhrdah sarva-dehinam
ajata-satravah santah
 sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah
SYNONYMS
 
titiksavah -- very forbearing; karunikah -- merciful; suhrdah -- who 
 
are well-wishers; sarva-dehinam -- to all living entities; ajata-
satravah -- without enemies; santah -- peaceful; sadhavah -- following 
the injunctions of the sastra; sadhu-bhusanah -- who are decorated with 
good character.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Devotees are always tolerant, forbearing and very merciful. They are 
 
the well-wishers of every living entity. They follow the scriptural 
injunctions, and because they have no enemies, they are very peaceful. 
These are the decorations of devotees.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.21). When the sages, 
 
headed by Saunaka, inquired about Kapiladeva, the incarnation of Godhead,
 Suta Gosvami, who was the topmost devotee of the Lord, quoted talks 
about self-realization between Vidura and Maitreya, a friend of 
Vyasadeva's. During these talks the topic of Lord Kapila 
had come up, and at that time Maitreya had repeated Kapiladeva's 
discussions with His mother, wherein the Lord states that attachment to 
material things is the cause of conditioned life. When a person becomes 
attached to transcendental things, he is on the path of liberation.
 
Madhya 22.82
 
TEXT 82
 
TEXT
 
mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimuktes
 
 tamo-dvaram yositam sangi-sangam
mahantas te sama-cittah prasanta
 vimanyavah suhrdah sadhavo ye
SYNONYMS
 
mahat-sevam -- the service of the pure devotee spiritual master; dvaram -
 
- door; ahuh -- they said; vimukteh -- of liberation; tamah-dvaram -- 
the door to darkness; yositam -- of women and money; sangi-sangam -- 
association with those who enjoy the association; mahantah -- great 
souls; te -- they; sama-cittah -- equally disposed to all; prasantah -- 
very peaceful; vimanyavah -- without anger; suhrdah -- well-wishers of 
everyone; sadhavah -- who are endowed with all good qualities, or who do 
not look for faults in others; ye -- those who.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘It is the verdict of all sastras and great personalities that service 
to a pure devotee is the path of liberation. By 
 
contrast, association with materialistic people who are attached to 
material enjoyment and women is the path of darkness. Those 
who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very 
peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living 
entities.'
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.5.2).
 
Madhya 22.83
 
TEXT 83
 
TEXT
 
krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga'
 
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga
SYNONYMS
 
krsna-bhakti -- of devotional service to Krsna; janma-mula -- the root 
 
cause; haya -- is; sadhu-sanga -- association with advanced devotees; 
krsna-prema -- love of Krsna; janme -- awakens; tenho -- that same 
association with devotees; punah -- again; mukhya anga -- the chief 
principle.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krsna is association with 
 
advanced devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krsna awakens, 
association with devotees is still most essential.
 
Madhya 22.84
 
TEXT 84
 
TEXT
 
bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej
 
 janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah
sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
 paravarese tvayi jayate ratih
SYNONYMS
 
bhava-apavargah -- liberation from the nescience of material existence; 
 
bhramatah -- wandering; yada -- when; bhavet -- should be; janasya -- of 
a person; tarhi -- at that time; acyuta -- O Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; sat-samagamah -- association with devotees; sat-sangamah -- 
association with the devotees; yarhi -- when; tada -- at that time; eva -
- only; sat-gatau -- the highest goal of life; para-avara-ise -- 
the Lord of the universe; tvayi -- to You; jayate -- appears; ratih -- 
attraction.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering 
 
throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material 
existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he 
associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal of the topmost 
devotees, and the Lord of the universe.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.51.53).
 
Madhya 22.85
 
TEXT 85
 
TEXT
 
ata atyantikam ksemam
 prcchamo bhavato ‘naghah
samsare ‘smin ksanardho ‘pi
 sat-sangah sevadhir nrnam
SYNONYMS
 
atah -- therefore (due to the rarity of seeing pure devotees of the 
Lord)
 
; atyantikam -- supreme; ksemam -- auspiciousness; prcchamah --
 we are asking; bhavatah -- you; anaghah -- O sinless ones; samsare -- 
in the material world; asmin -- this; ksana-ardhah -- lasting half a 
moment; api -- even; sat-sangah -- association with devotees; sevadhih --
 a treasure; nrnam -- for human society.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O devotees! O you who are free from all sins! Let me inquire from you 
 
about that which is supremely auspicious for all living entities. 
Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material 
world is the greatest treasure for human society.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.30).
 
Madhya 22.86
 
TEXT 86
 
TEXT
 
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
 
 bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani
 sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati
SYNONYMS
 
satam -- of the devotees; prasangat -- by the intimate association; mama 
 
-- of Me; virya-samvidah -- talks full of spiritual potency; bhavanti -- 
appear; hrt -- to the heart; karna -- and to the ears; rasa-ayanah -- a 
source of sweetness; kathah -- talks; tat -- of them; josanat -- from 
proper cultivation; asu -- quickly; apavarga -- of liberation; vartmani -
- on the path; sraddha -- faith; ratih -- attraction; bhaktih -- love; 
anukramisyati -- will follow one after another.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed 
 
only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in 
that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental 
experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in 
due course develops into attraction and devotion.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.25). For an explanation 
 
see Adi-lila 1.60.
 
Madhya 22.87
 
TEXT 87
 
TEXT
 
asat-sanga-tyaga, -- ei vaisnava-acara
'stri-sangi' -- eka asadhu, ‘krsnabhakta' ara
SYNONYMS
 
asat-sanga-tyaga -- rejection of the association of nondevotees; ei -- 
 
this; vaisnava-acara -- the behavior of a Vaisnava; stri-sangi -- who 
associates with women for sense gratification; eka -- one; asadhu -- 
unsaintly person; krsna-abhakta -- one who is not a devotee of Lord 
Krsna; ara -- another.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"A Vaisnava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. 
 
Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. 
Vaisnavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of 
Lord Krsna.
 
Madhya 22.88–90
 
TEXTS 88–90
 
TEXT
 
satyam saucam daya maunam
 
 buddhir hrih srir yasah ksama
samo damo bhagas ceti
 yat-sangad yati sanksayam
tesv asantesu mudhesu
 khanditatmasv asadhusu
sangam na kuryac chocyesu
 yosit-krida-mrgesu ca
na tathasya bhaven moho
 bandhas canya-prasangatah
yosit-sangad yatha pumso
 yatha tat-sangi-sangatah
SYNONYMS
 
satyam -- truthfulness; saucam -- cleanliness; daya -- mercy; maunam -- 
 
silence; buddhih -- intelligence; hrih -- modesty; srih -- beauty; yasah 
-- fame; ksama -- forgiveness; samah -- controlling the mind; damah -- 
controlling the senses; bhagah -- opulence; ca -- and; iti -- thus; yat -
- of whom; sangat -- by the association; yati -- goes to; sanksayam -- 
complete destruction; tesu -- among them; asantesu -- who are restless; 
mudhesu -- among the fools; khandita-atmasu -- whose self-realization is 
spoiled; asadhusu -- not saintly; sangam -- association; na -- not; 
kuryat -- should do; socyesu -- who are full of lamentation; yosit -- of 
women; krida-mrgesu -- who are like toy animals; ca -- also; na -- not; 
tatha -- so much; asya -- of him; bhavet -- there may be; mohah -- 
illusion; bandhah -- binding; ca -- and; anya -- other types; 
prasangatah -- from association; yosit-sangat -- by association with 
women; yatha -- as; pumsah -- of the man; yatha -- as well as; tat-sangi-
sangatah -- by association with persons attached to women.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘By association with worldly people, one becomes devoid of 
 
truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, gravity, spiritual intelligence, 
shyness, austerity, fame, forgiveness, control of the mind, control of 
the senses, fortune and all opportunities. One should not at any time 
associate with a coarse fool who is bereft of the knowledge of self-
realization and who is no more than a toy animal in the hands of a woman.
 The illusion and bondage that accrue to a man from attachment to any 
other object are not as complete as that resulting from association with 
a woman or with men too much attached to women.'
 
PURPORT
 
These verses, quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.31.33–35), were spoken by 
 
Kapiladeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to His 
mother. Herein Kapiladeva discusses pious and impious activities and the 
symptoms of those who are devoid of devotional service to Krsna. 
Generally people do not know about the miserable conditions within the 
womb of a mother in any species of life. Due to bad association, one 
gradually falls into lower species. Association with women is greatly 
stressed in this regard. When one becomes attached to women or to those 
who are attached to women, one falls down into the lower species.
 
purusah prakrti-stho hi bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan
karanam guna-sango ‘sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu
 
 
 
 
"The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, 
enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with 
that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil among various 
species." (Bhagavad-gita 13.22)
 
According to Vedic civilization, one's association with women should be 
 
very much restricted. In spiritual life there are four asramas -- 
brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. The brahmacari, 
vanaprastha and sannyasi are completely forbidden to associate with 
women. Only grhasthas are allowed to associate with women under certain 
very much restricted conditions -- that is, one associates with women to 
propagate nice children. Other reasons for association are condemned.
 
Madhya 22.91
 
TEXT 91
 
TEXT
 
varam huta-vaha-jvala-
 
 panjarantar-vyavasthitih
na sauri-cinta-vimukha-
 jana-samvasa-vaisasam
SYNONYMS
 
varam -- better; huta-vaha -- of fire; jvala -- in the flames; panjara-
 
antah -- inside a cage; vyavasthitih -- abiding; na -- not; sauri-cinta -
- of Krsna consciousness, or thought of Krsna; vimukha -- bereft; jana --
 of persons; samvasa -- of the association; vaisasam -- the calamity.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘It is better to accept the miseries of being encaged within bars and 
 
surrounded by burning flames than to associate with those bereft of 
Krsna consciousness. Such association is a very great hardship.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Katyayana-samhita.
 
Madhya 22.92
 
TEXT 92
 
TEXT
 
ma draksih ksina-punyan kvacid api bhagavad-bhakti-hinan manusyan
 
 
SYNONYMS
 
ma -- do not; draksih -- see; ksina-punyan -- who are bereft of all 
 
piety; kvacit api -- at any time; bhagavat-bhakti-hinan -- who are 
bereft of Krsna consciousness and devotional service; manusyan -- 
persons.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One should not even see those who are bereft of devotional service in 
 
Krsna consciousness and who are therefore devoid of pious activities.'
 
Madhya 22.93
 
TEXT 93
 
TEXT
 
eta saba chadi' ara varnasrama-dharma
 
akincana hana laya krsnaika-sarana
SYNONYMS
 
eta saba -- all these; chadi' -- giving up; ara -- and; varna-asrama-
 
dharma -- the regulative principle of four varnas and four asramas; 
akincana -- without any attachment for anything material; hana -- 
becoming; laya -- he takes; krsna-eka-sarana -- exclusive shelter at the 
lotus feet of the Lord.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Without hesitation, one should take exclusive shelter of Lord Krsna 
 
with full confidence, giving up bad association and even neglecting the 
regulative principles of the four varnas and four asramas. That is to 
say, one should abandon all material attachment.
 
Madhya 22.94
 
TEXT 94
 
TEXT
 
sarva-dharman parityajya
 
 mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
 moksayisyami ma sucah
SYNONYMS
 
sarva-dharman -- all kinds of occupational duties; parityajya -- giving 
 
up; mam ekam -- unto Me only; saranam -- as shelter; vraja -- go; aham --
 I; tvam -- unto you; sarva-papebhyah -- from all the reactions of 
sinful life; moksayisyami -- will give liberation; ma -- don't; sucah -- 
worry.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘After giving up all kinds of religious and occupational duties, if 
 
you come to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and take shelter, I 
shall give you protection from all of life's sinful reactions. Do not 
worry. [Bg. 18.66]'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Bhagavad-gita (18.66) spoken by Lord Krsna. 
For an explanation, refer to Madhya-lila 8.63.
 
Madhya 22.95
 
TEXT 95
 
TEXT
 
bhakta-vatsala, krtajna, samartha, vadanya
 
hena krsna chadi' pandita nahi bhaje anya
SYNONYMS
 
bhakta-vatsala -- very kind to the devotees; krta-jna -- grateful; 
 
samartha -- full of all abilities; vadanya -- magnanimous; hena -- such; 
krsna -- Lord Krsna; chadi' -- giving up; pandita -- a learned man; nahi 
-- does not; bhaje -- worship; anya -- anyone else.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Lord Krsna is very kind to His devotees. He is always very grateful and 
 
magnanimous, and He possesses all abilities. A learned man does not give 
up Krsna to worship anyone else.
 
PURPORT
 
An intelligent person gives up the company of those who are attached to 
 
women and bereft of Krsna consciousness. One should be free from all 
kinds of material attachment and should take full shelter under the 
lotus feet of Krsna. Krsna is very kind to His devotees. He is always 
grateful, and He never forgets the service of a devotee. He is also 
completely opulent and all-powerful. Why, then, should one take shelter 
of a demigod and leave Lord Krsna's shelter? If one worships a demigod 
and leaves Krsna, he must be considered the lowest fool.
 
Madhya 22.96
 
TEXT 96
 
TEXT
 
kah panditas tvad-aparam saranam samiyad
 
 bhakta-priyad rta-girah suhrdah krtajnat
sarvan dadati suhrdo bhajato ‘bhikaman
 atmanam apy upacayapacayau na yasya
SYNONYMS
 
kah -- what; panditah -- learned man; tvat-aparam -- other than Your 
 
Lordship; saranam -- shelter; samiyat -- would take; bhakta-priyat -- 
who are affectionate to Your devotees; rta-girah -- who are truthful to 
the devotees; suhrdah -- who are the friend of the devotees; krta-jnat --
 who are grateful to the devotees; sarvan -- all; dadati -- gives; 
suhrdah -- to Your well-wishers; bhajatah -- who worship You by 
devotional service; abhikaman -- desires; atmanam -- Yourself; api -- 
even; upacaya -- increase; apacayau -- and diminution; na -- not; yasya -
- of whom.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear Lord, You are very affectionate to Your devotees. You are 
 
also a truthful and grateful friend. Where is that learned man who would 
give You up and surrender to someone else? You fulfill all the desires 
of Your devotees, so much so that sometimes You even give Yourself to 
them. Still, You neither increase nor decrease by such activity.'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.48.26).
 
Madhya 22.97
 
TEXT 97
 
TEXT
 
vijna-janera haya yadi krsna-guna-jnana
 
anya tyaji', bhaje, tate uddhava -- pramana
SYNONYMS
 
vijna-janera -- of an experienced person; haya -- there is; yadi -- if; 
 
krsna-guna-jnana -- knowledge of Krsna's transcendental qualities; anya -
- others; tyaji' -- giving up; bhaje -- he engages in devotional service;
 tate -- in that connection; uddhava -- Uddhava; pramana -- the evidence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Whenever an experienced person develops real knowledge of Krsna and His 
 
transcendental qualities, he naturally gives up all other engagements 
and renders service to the Lord. Uddhava gives evidence concerning this.
 
Madhya 22.98
 
TEXT 98
 
TEXT
 
aho baki yam stana-kala-kutam
 
 jighamsayapayayad apy asadhvi
lebhe gatim dhatry-ucitam tato ‘nyam
 kam va dayalum saranam vrajema
SYNONYMS
 
aho -- how wonderful; baki -- Putana, the sister of Bakasura; yam -- 
 
whom; stana -- on the two breasts; kala-kutam -- the deadly poison; 
jighamsaya -- with a desire to kill; apayayat -- forced to drink; api -- 
although; asadhvi -- dangerously inimical to Krsna; lebhe -- achieved; 
gatim -- the destination; dhatri -- for a nurse; ucitam -- suitable; 
tatah -- than Him; anyam -- other; kam -- to whom; va -- or; dayalum -- 
the most merciful; saranam -- shelter; vrajema -- shall take.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Oh, how wonderful it is! Putana, the sister of Bakasura, wanted to 
 
kill Krsna by smearing deadly poison on her breasts and having Krsna 
take it. Nonetheless, Lord Krsna accepted her as His mother, and thus 
she attained the destination befitting Krsna's mother. Of whom should I 
take shelter but Krsna, who is most merciful?'
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.2.23).
 
Madhya 22.99
 
TEXT 99
 
TEXT
 
saranagatera, akincanera -- eka-i laksana
 
tara madhye pravesaye ‘atma-samarpana'
SYNONYMS
 
saranagatera -- of a person who has fully taken shelter of Krsna; 
 
akincanera -- of a person who is free of all material desires; eka-i 
laksana -- the symptoms are one and the same; tara madhye -- of them all;
 pravesaye -- enters; atma-samarpana -- full surrender.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are two kinds of devotees -- those who are fully satiated and 
 
free from all material desires and those who are fully surrendered to 
the lotus feet of the Lord. Their qualities are one and the same, but 
those who are fully surrendered to Krsna's lotus feet are qualified with 
another transcendental quality -- atma-samarpana, full surrender without 
reservation.
 
Madhya 22.100
 
TEXT 100
 
TEXT
 
anukulyasya sankalpah
 
 pratikulyasya varjanam
raksisyatiti visvaso
 goptrtve varanam tatha
atma-niksepa-karpanye
 sad-vidha saranagatih
SYNONYMS
 
anukulyasya -- of anything that assists devotional service to the Lord; 
 
sankalpah -- acceptance; pratikulyasya -- of anything that hinders 
devotional service; varjanam -- complete rejection; raksisyati -- He 
will protect; iti -- thus; visvasah -- strong conviction; goptrtve -- in 
being the guardian, like the father or husband, master or maintainer; 
varanam -- acceptance; tatha -- as well as; atma-niksepa -- full self-
surrender; karpanye -- and humility; sat-vidha -- sixfold; sarana-agatih 
-- process of surrender.
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of those things 
 
favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things, 
the conviction that Krsna will give protection, the acceptance of the 
Lord as one's guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility.
 
PURPORT
 
One who is fully surrendered is qualified with the six following 
characteristics: (1) The devotee has to accept everything that is 
favorable for the rendering of transcendental loving service to the Lord.
 (2) He must reject everything unfavorable to the Lord's service. This 
is also called renunciation. (3) A devotee must be firmly convinced that 
Krsna will give him protection. No one else can actually give one 
protection, and being firmly convinced of this is called faith. This 
kind of faith is different from the faith of an impersonalist who wants 
to merge into the Brahman effulgence in order to benefit by cessation of 
repeated birth and death. A devotee wants to remain always in the Lord's 
service. In this way, Krsna is merciful to His devotee and gives him all 
protection from the dangers found on the path of devotional service. (4) 
The devotee should accept Krsna as his supreme maintainer and master. He 
should not think that he is being protected by a demigod. He should 
depend only on Krsna, considering Him the only protector. The devotee 
must be firmly convinced that within the three worlds he has no 
protector or maintainer other than Krsna. (5) Self-surrender means 
remembering that one's activities and desires are not independent. The 
devotee is completely dependent on Krsna, and he acts and thinks as 
Krsna desires. (6) The devotee is meek and humble.
 
Lord Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (15.15):
 
sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto
 
 mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
 vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham
 
 
 
 
 
"I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, 
knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas I am to be known. Indeed, 
I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas." 
Situated in everyone's heart, Krsna deals differently according to the 
 
living entity's position. The living entity's position is to be under 
the protection of the illusory energy or under Krsna's personal 
protection. When a living entity is fully surrendered, he is under the 
direct protection of Krsna, and Krsna gives him all intelligence by 
which he can advance in spiritual realization. The nondevotee, however, 
being under the protection of the illusory energy, increasingly forgets 
his relationship with Krsna. Sometimes it is asked how Krsna causes one 
to forget. Krsna personally causes His devotee to forget material 
activities, and through the agency of maya Krsna causes the nondevotee 
to forget his devotional service to the Lord. This is called apohana.
 
 
Madhya 22.101
 
TEXT 101
 
TEXT
 
tavasmiti vadan vaca
 tathaiva manasa vidan
 
tat-sthanam asritas tanva
 modate saranagatah
SYNONYMS
 
 
tava -- Yours; asmi -- I am; iti -- thus; vadan -- saying; vaca -- by 
words; tatha -- so; eva -- certainly; manasa -- with the mind; vidan -- 
 
knowing; tat-sthanam -- His place; asritah -- taken shelter of; tanva -- 
by the body; modate -- he enjoys; sarana-agatah -- fully surrendered.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One whose body is fully surrendered takes shelter at the holy place 
where Krsna had His pastimes, and he prays to the Lord, "My Lord, I am 
Yours." Understanding this with his mind, he enjoys spiritual bliss.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
The last two verses appear in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (11.417–18).
 
Madhya 22.102
 
TEXT 102
 
TEXT
 
sarana lana kare krsne atma-samarpana
krsna tare kare tat-kale atma-sama
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sarana lana -- taking shelter; kare -- does; krsne -- unto Krsna; atma-
samarpana -- fully surrendering; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tare -- him; kare -
 
- makes; tat-kale -- immediately; atma-sama -- one of His confidential 
associates.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When a devotee thus fully surrenders unto Krsna's lotus feet, Krsna 
 
accepts him as one of His confidential associates.
 
Madhya 22.103
 
TEXT 103
 
TEXT
 
martyo yada tyakta-samasta-karma
 niveditatma vicikirsito me
 
tadamrtatvam pratipadyamano
 mayatma-bhuyaya ca kalpate vai
SYNONYMS
 
 
martyah -- the living entity subjected to birth and death; yada -- as 
soon as; tyakta -- given up; samasta -- all; karma -- fruitive 
 
activities; nivedita-atma -- a fully surrendered soul; vicikirsitah -- 
desired to act; me -- by Me; tada -- at that time; amrtatvam -- 
immortality; pratipadyamanah -- attaining; maya -- with Me; atma-bhuyaya 
-- for becoming of a similar nature; ca -- also; kalpate -- is eligible; 
vai -- certainly.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The living entity who is subjected to birth and death attains 
immortality when he gives up all material activities, dedicates his life 
 
to the execution of My order, and acts according to My directions. In 
this way he becomes fit to enjoy the spiritual bliss derived from 
exchanging loving mellows with Me.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.34). Krsna was 
advising His most confidential servant, Uddhava, about sambandha, 
 
abhidheya and prayojana. These concern one's relationship with the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead and the activities of that relationship, 
as well as the perfection of life. The Lord also described the 
characteristics of confidential devotees.
 
 
Madhya 22.104
 
TEXT 104
 
TEXT
 
ebe sadhana-bhakti-laksana suna, sanatana
yaha haite pai krsna-prema-maha-dhana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
ebe -- now; sadhana-bhakti -- regulative principles for executing 
devotional service; laksana -- the symptoms; suna -- please hear; 
 
sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; yaha haite -- from which; pai -- one can 
get; krsna-prema-maha-dhana -- the most valuable treasure of love for 
Krsna.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"My dear Sanatana, please now hear about the regulative principles for 
the execution of devotional service. By this process, one can attain the 
 
highest perfection of love of Godhead, which is the most desirable 
treasure.
 
 
Madhya 22.105
 
TEXT 105
 
TEXT
 
krti-sadhya bhavet sadhya-
 bhava sa sadhanabhidha
 
nitya-siddhasya bhavasya
 prakatyam hrdi sadhyata
SYNONYMS
 
 
krti-sadhya -- which is to be executed by the senses; bhavet -- should 
be; sadhya-bhava -- by which love of Godhead is acquired; sa -- that; 
 
sadhana-abhidha -- called sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in 
practice; nitya-siddhasya -- which is eternally present; bhavasya -- of 
love of Godhead; prakatyam -- the awakening; hrdi -- in the heart; 
sadhyata -- potentiality.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When transcendental devotional service, by which love for Krsna is 
attained, is executed by the senses, it is called sadhana-bhakti, or the 
 
regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally 
exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this 
eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.2). Because 
living entities are minute, atomic parts and parcels of the Lord, 
 
devotional service is already present within them in a dormant condition.
 Devotional service begins with sravanam kirtanam [SB 7.5.23], 
hearing and chanting. When a man is sleeping, he can be awakened by 
sound vibration; therefore every conditioned soul should be given the 
chance to hear the Hare Krsna mantra chanted by a pure Vaisnava. One who 
hears the Hare Krsna mantra thus vibrated is awakened to spiritual 
consciousness, or Krsna consciousness. In this way one's mind gradually 
becomes purified, as stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (ceto-darpana-
marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]). When the mind is purified, the senses are 
also purified. Instead of using the senses for sense gratification, the 
awakened devotee employs the senses in the transcendental loving service 
of the Lord. This is the process by which dormant love for Krsna is 
awakened.
 
 
Madhya 22.106
 
TEXT 106
 
TEXT
 
sravanadi-kriya -- tara ‘svarupa'-laksana
'tatastha'-laksane upajaya prema-dhana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sravana-adi-kriya -- the process of hearing, chanting and so forth; tara 
-- of that; svarupa-laksana -- symptoms of the nature; tatastha-laksane -
 
- marginal symptoms; upajaya -- awakens; prema-dhana -- love of Godhead.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The spiritual activities of hearing, chanting, remembering and so forth 
are the natural characteristics of devotional service. The marginal 
 
characteristic is that it awakens pure love for Krsna.
 
 
Madhya 22.107
 
TEXT 107
 
TEXT
 
nitya-siddha krsna-prema ‘sadhya' kabhu naya
sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
nitya-siddha -- eternally established; krsna-prema -- love of Krsna; 
sadhya -- to be gained; kabhu -- at any time; naya -- not; sravana-adi --
 
 by hearing, etc.; suddha -- purified; citte -- in the heart; karaye 
udaya -- awakens.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Pure love for Krsna is eternally established in the hearts of the 
living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. 
When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love 
naturally awakens.
 
 
Madhya 22.108
 
TEXT 108
 
TEXT
 
ei ta sadhana-bhakti -- dui ta' prakara
eka ‘vaidhi bhakti', ‘raganuga-bhakti' ara
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
ei ta -- this; sadhana-bhakti -- process of devotional service; dui ta' 
prakara -- two kinds; eka -- one; vaidhi bhakti -- the regulative 
 
devotional service; raganuga-bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service; 
ara -- and.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are two processes of practical devotional service. One is 
regulative devotional service, and the other is spontaneous devotional 
 
service.
 
 
Madhya 22.109
 
TEXT 109
 
TEXT
 
raga-hina jana bhaje sastrera ajnaya
'vaidhi bhakti' bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
raga-hina -- who are without spontaneous attachment to Krsna; jana -- 
persons; bhaje -- execute devotional service; sastrera ajnaya -- 
 
according to the principles and regulations described in the revealed 
scriptures; vaidhi bhakti -- regulative devotional service; bali' -- 
calling; tare -- that; sarva-sastre -- all revealed scriptures; gaya -- 
sing.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Those who have not attained the platform of spontaneous attachment in 
devotional service render devotional service under the guidance of a 
 
bona fide spiritual master according to the regulative principles 
mentioned in the revealed scriptures. According to the revealed 
scriptures, this kind of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti.
 
 
PURPORT
 
In the beginning, one has to hear from a bona fide spiritual master. 
This is favorable for advancing in devotional service. According to this 
 
process, one hears, chants, remembers and engages in Deity worship, 
acting under the directions of the spiritual master. These are the 
essential primary activities of devotional service. Devotional service 
must not be executed for some material purpose. One should not even have 
a desire to merge into the Absolute Truth. One has to render such 
service out of love only. Ahaituki, apratihata. Devotional service must 
be without ulterior motives; then material conditions cannot check it. 
Gradually one can rise to the platform of spontaneous loving service. A 
child is sent to school by force to receive an education, but when he 
gets a little taste of education at an advanced age, he automatically 
participates and becomes a learned scholar. One cannot force a person to 
become a scholar, but sometimes force is used in the beginning. A child 
is forced to go to school and read and write according to the 
instructions of his teachers. Such is the difference between vaidhi 
bhakti and spontaneous bhakti. Dormant love for Krsna exists in everyone'
s heart, and it simply has to be awakened by the regulative process of 
devotional service. One has to learn to use a typewriter by following 
the regulative principles of the typing book. One has to place his 
fingers on the keys in such a way and practice, but when one becomes 
adept, he can type swiftly and correctly without even looking at the 
keys. Similarly, one has to follow the rules and regulations of 
devotional service as they are set down by the spiritual master; then 
one can come to the point of spontaneous loving service. This love is 
already there within the heart of everyone (nitya-siddha krsna-prema).
 
 
Spontaneous service is not artificial. One simply has to come to that 
platform by rendering devotional service according to the regulative 
 
principles. Thus one has to practice hearing and chanting and follow the 
other regulative principles by washing the temple, cleansing oneself, 
rising early in the morning, attending mangala-arati and so on. If one 
does not come to the platform of spontaneous service in the beginning, 
he must adopt regulative service according to the instructions of the 
spiritual master. This regulative service is called vaidhi bhakti.
 
 
Madhya 22.110
 
TEXT 110
 
TEXT
 
tasmad bharata sarvatma
 bhagavan harir isvarah
 
srotavyah kirtitavyas ca
 smartavyas cecchatabhayam
SYNONYMS
 
 
tasmat -- therefore; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata; sarva-atma -- 
the all-pervasive Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart; bhagavan -- 
 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harih -- Lord Hari, who takes away 
all the miserable conditions of material existence; isvarah -- the 
supreme controller; srotavyah -- to be heard about (from bona fide 
sources); kirtitavyah -- to be glorified (as one has heard); ca -- also; 
smartavyah -- to be remembered; ca -- and; icchata -- by a person 
desiring; abhayam -- freedom from the fearful condition of material 
existence.
 
TRANSLATION
 
 
"‘O descendant of Bharata! O Maharaja Pariksit! The Supreme Personality 
of Godhead, who is situated in everyone's heart as Paramatma, who is the 
supreme controller, and who always removes the miseries of the living 
entities, must always be heard about from reliable sources, and He must 
be glorified and remembered by one who wishes to become fearless.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.5). It is one's duty to 
understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the hearing 
 
process. This is called srotavyah. If one has heard properly about the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead, his duty is to glorify the Lord and 
preach His glories. This is called kirtitavyah. When one hears about the 
Lord and glorifies Him, it is natural to think of Him. This is called 
smartavyah. All this must be carried out if one actually wants to be 
immune from fear.
 
 
Madhya 22.111
 
TEXT 111
 
TEXT
 
mukha-bahuru-padebhyah
 purusasyasramaih saha
 
catvaro jajnire varna
 gunair vipradayah prthak
SYNONYMS
 
 
mukha -- the mouth; bahu -- the arms; uru -- the waist; padebhyah -- 
from the legs; purusasya -- of the supreme person; asramaih -- the 
 
different spiritual orders; saha -- with; catvarah -- the four; jajnire -
- appeared; varnah -- social orders; gunaih -- with particular 
qualifications; vipra-adayah-brahmanas, etc.; prthak -- separately.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into 
existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his 
waist the vaisyas have come, and from his legs the sudras have come. 
These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya, 
grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society 
complete.
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse and the next are quotations from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.2–3).
 
Madhya 22.112
 
TEXT 112
 
TEXT
 
ya esam purusam saksad
 atma-prabhavam isvaram
 
na bhajanty avajananti
 sthanad bhrastah patanty adhah
SYNONYMS
 
 
ye -- those who; esam -- of those divisions of social and spiritual 
orders; purusam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saksat -- 
 
directly; atma-prabhavam -- the source of everyone; isvaram -- the 
supreme controller; na -- not; bhajanti -- worship; avajananti -- or who 
neglect; sthanat -- from their proper place; bhrastah -- being fallen; 
patanti -- fall; adhah -- downward into hellish conditions.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and 
asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from 
 
his puffed-up position into a hellish condition.'
 
 
Madhya 22.113
 
TEXT 113
 
TEXT
 
smartavyah satatam visnur
 vismartavyo na jatucit
 
sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur
 etayor eva kinkarah
SYNONYMS
 
 
smartavyah -- to be remembered; satatam -- always; visnuh -- Lord Visnu; 
vismartavyah -- to be forgotten; na -- not; jatucit -- at any time; 
 
sarve -- all; vidhi-nisedhah -- rules and prohibitions mentioned in the 
revealed scripture or given by the spiritual master; syuh -- should be; 
etayoh -- of these two principles (always to remember Krsna or Visnu and 
never to forget Him); eva -- certainly; kinkarah -- the servants.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and 
never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in 
 
the sastras should be the servants of these two principles.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is a quotation from the Padma Purana. There are many 
regulative principles in the sastras and directions given by the 
 
spiritual master. These regulative principles should act as servants of 
the basic principle -- that is, one should always remember Krsna and 
never forget Him. This is possible when one chants the Hare Krsna mantra.
 Therefore one must strictly chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra twenty-
four hours daily. One may have other duties to perform under the 
direction of the spiritual master, but he must first abide by the 
spiritual master's order to chant a certain number of rounds. In our 
Krsna consciousness movement, we have recommended that the neophyte 
chant at least sixteen rounds. This chanting of sixteen rounds is 
absolutely necessary if one wants to remember Krsna and not forget Him. 
Of all the regulative principles, the spiritual master's order to chant 
at least sixteen rounds is most essential.
 
 
One may sell books or enlist life members or render some other service, 
but these duties are not ordinary duties. These duties serve as an 
 
impetus for remembering Krsna. When one goes with a sankirtana party or 
sells books, he naturally remembers that he is going to sell Krsna's 
books. In this way, he is remembering Krsna. When one goes to enlist a 
life member, he talks about Krsna and thereby remembers Him. Smartavyah 
satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit. The conclusion is that one must 
act in such a way that he will always remember Krsna, and one must 
refrain from doing things that make him forget Krsna. These two 
principles form the basic background of Krsna consciousness.
 
 
Madhya 22.114
 
TEXT 114
 
TEXT
 
vividhanga sadhana-bhaktira bahuta vistara
sanksepe kahiye kichu sadhananga-sara
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
vividha-anga -- varieties of limbs (regulative principles); sadhana-
bhaktira -- of regulative devotional service; bahuta -- many; vistara -- 
 
expansions; sanksepe -- in brief; kahiye -- I shall speak; kichu -- 
something; sadhana-anga-sara -- the essential parts of the practice of 
devotional service.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"I shall say something about the various practices of devotional service,
 which is expanded in so many ways. I wish to speak briefly of the 
 
essential practices.
 
 
Madhya 22.115
 
TEXT 115
 
TEXT
 
guru-padasraya, diksa, gurura sevana
sad-dharma-siksa-prccha, sadhu-marganugamana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
guru-pada-asraya -- shelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master; 
diksa -- initiation by the spiritual master; gurura sevana -- service to 
 
the spiritual master; sat-dharma-siksa -- instruction in the 
transcendental process of devotional service; prccha -- and inquiry; 
sadhu-marga -- the path of transcendental devotional service; anugamana -
- following strictly.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"On the path of regulative devotional service, one must observe the 
 
following items: (1) One must accept a bona fide spiritual master. (2) 
One must accept initiation from him. (3) One must serve him. (4) 
One must receive instructions from the spiritual master and make 
inquiries in order to learn devotional service. (5) One must follow 
in the footsteps of the previous acaryas and follow the directions given 
by the spiritual master.
 
 
Madhya 22.116
 
TEXT 116
 
TEXT
 
krsna-pritye bhoga-tyaga, krsna-tirthe vasa
yavan-nirvaha-pratigraha, ekadasy-upavasa
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
krsna-pritye -- for satisfaction of Krsna; bhoga-tyaga -- acceptance and 
rejection of something; krsna-tirthe vasa -- residence in a place where 
 
Krsna is situated; yavat-nirvaha -- as much as required to keep the body 
and soul together; pratigraha -- acceptance of gifts; ekadasi-upavasa -- 
observance of fasting on the Ekadasi day.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The next steps are as follows: (6) One should be prepared to give up 
everything for Krsna's satisfaction, and one should also accept 
 
everything for Krsna's satisfaction. (7) One must live in a place where 
Krsna is present -- a city like Vrndavana or Mathura or a Krsna temple. (
8) One should acquire a livelihood that is just sufficient to keep body 
and soul together. (9) One must fast on the Ekadasi day.
 
 
Madhya 22.117
 
TEXT 117
 
TEXT
 
dhatry-asvattha-go-vipra-vaisnava-pujana
seva-namaparadhadi dure visarjana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
dhatri -- a type of tree; asvattha -- the banyan trees; go -- the cows; 
vipra -- the brahmanas; vaisnava -- the devotees of Lord Visnu; pujana --
 
 worshiping; seva -- in devotional service; nama -- in chanting of the 
holy name; aparadha-adi -- the offenses; dure -- far away; visarjana -- 
giving up.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"(10) One should worship dhatri trees, banyan trees, cows, brahmanas and 
devotees of Lord Visnu. (11) One should avoid offenses against 
 
devotional service and the holy name.
 
 
PURPORT
 
There are ten items in the beginning of devotional service, up to the 
 
point of worshiping the dhatri trees, banyan trees, cows, brahmanas and 
devotees of Lord Visnu. The eleventh item is to avoid offenses when 
rendering devotional service and chanting the holy names.
 
 
Madhya 22.118
 
TEXT 118
 
TEXT
 
avaisnava-sanga-tyaga, bahu-sisya na kariba
bahu-grantha-kalabhyasa-vyakhyana varjiba
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
avaisnava -- of one who is not a devotee of the Lord; sanga -- the 
association; tyaga -- giving up; bahu-sisya -- an unlimited number of 
 
disciples; na kariba -- should not accept; bahu-grantha -- of many 
different types of scriptures; kala-abhyasa -- studying a portion; 
vyakhyana -- and explanation; varjiba -- we should give up.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The twelfth item is to give up the company of nondevotees. (13) One 
should not accept an unlimited number of disciples. (14) One should not 
 
partially study many scriptures just to be able to give references and 
expand explanations.
 
 
PURPORT
 
Accepting an unlimited number of devotees or disciples is very risky for 
one who is not a preacher. According to Srila Jiva Gosvami, a preacher 
 
has to accept many disciples to expand the cult of Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu. This is risky because when a spiritual master accepts a 
disciple, he naturally accepts the disciple's sinful activities and 
their reactions. Unless he is very powerful, he cannot assimilate all 
the sinful reactions of his disciples and 
has to suffer the consequences. Therefore one is generally forbidden to 
accept many disciples.
 
 
One should not partially study a book just to pose oneself as a great 
 
scholar by being able to refer to scriptures. In our Krsna consciousness 
movement we have therefore limited our study of the Vedic literatures to 
the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrta and Bhakti-
rasamrta-sindhu. These four works are sufficient for preaching purposes. 
They are adequate for the understanding of the philosophy and the 
spreading of missionary activities all over the world. If one studies a 
particular book, he must do so thoroughly. That is the principle. By 
thoroughly studying a limited number of books, one can understand the 
philosophy.
 
 
Madhya 22.119
 
TEXT 119
 
TEXT
 
hani-labhe sama, sokadira vasa na ha-iba
anya-deva, anya-sastra ninda na kariba
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
hani -- in loss; labhe -- in gain; sama -- equal; soka-adira -- of 
lamentation and so on; vasa -- under the control; na ha-iba -- we should 
 
not be; anya-deva -- other demigods; anya-sastra -- other scriptures; 
ninda -- criticizing; na kariba -- we should not do.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"(15) The devotee should treat loss and gain equally. (16) The 
devotee should not be overwhelmed by lamentation. (17) The devotee 
 
should not worship demigods, nor should he disrespect them. Similarly, 
the devotee should not study or criticize other scriptures.
 
 
Madhya 22.120
 
TEXT 120
 
TEXT
 
visnu-vaisnava-ninda, gramya-varta na suniba
prani-matre mano-vakye udvega na diba
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
visnu-vaisnava-ninda -- blaspheming Lord Visnu or His devotee; 
gramya-varta -- ordinary talks; na suniba -- we should not hear; prani-
matre -- to any living entity, however insignificant; manah-vakye -- by 
mind or by words; udvega -- anxiety; na diba -- we should not give.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"(18) The devotee should not hear Lord Visnu or His devotees 
blasphemed. (19) The devotee should avoid reading or hearing newspapers 
 
or mundane books that contain stories of love affairs between men and 
women or subjects palatable to the senses. (20) Neither by mind nor 
words should the devotee cause anxiety to any living entity, regardless 
how insignificant he may be.
 
 
PURPORT
 
The first ten items are dos and the second ten items are don'ts. Thus 
the first ten items give direct action, and the second ten items give 
 
indirect action.
 
 
Madhya 22.121
 
TEXT 121
 
TEXT
 
sravana, kirtana, smarana, pujana, vandana
paricarya, dasya, sakhya, atma-nivedana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sravana -- hearing; kirtana -- chanting; smarana -- remembering; pujana -
- worshiping; vandana -- praying; paricarya -- serving; dasya -- 
 
accepting servitorship; sakhya -- friendship; atma-nivedana -- 
surrendering fully.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"After one is established in devotional service, the positive actions 
are (1) hearing, (2) chanting, (3) remembering, (4) worshiping, (5) 
 
praying, (6) serving, (7) accepting servitorship, (8) becoming a friend 
and (9) surrendering fully.
 
 
Madhya 22.122
 
TEXT 122
 
TEXT
 
agre nrtya, gita, vijnapti, dandavan-nati
abhyutthana, anuvrajya, tirtha-grhe gati
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
agre nrtya -- dancing before the Deity; gita -- songs; vijnapti -- 
opening the mind; dandavat-nati -- offering obeisances; abhyutthana -- 
 
stand up; anuvrajya -- following; tirtha-grhe gati -- going to temples 
and places of pilgrimage.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One should also (10) dance before the Deity, (11) sing before the Deity,
 (12) open one's mind to the Deity, (13) offer obeisances to the Deity, (
 
14) stand up before the Deity and the spiritual master just to show them 
respect, (15) follow the Deity or the spiritual master and (16) visit 
different places of pilgrimage or go see the Deity in the temple.
 
 
Madhya 22.123
 
TEXT 123
 
TEXT
 
parikrama, stava-patha, japa, sankirtana
dhupa-malya-gandha-mahaprasada-bhojana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
parikrama -- circumambulation; stava-patha -- recitation of different 
prayers; japa -- chanting softly; sankirtana -- chanting 
 
congregationally; dhupa -- incense; malya -- flower garlands; gandha -- 
scents; maha-prasada -- remnants of food offered to Visnu; bhojana -- 
eating or enjoying.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One should (17) circumambulate the temple, (18) recite various prayers, 
(19) chant softly, (20) chant congregationally, (21) smell the incense 
 
and flower garlands offered to the Deity, and (22) eat the remnants of 
food offered to the Deity.
 
 
Madhya 22.124
 
TEXT 124
 
TEXT
 
aratrika-mahotsava-srimurti-darsana
nija-priya-dana, dhyana, tadiya-sevana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
aratrika-arati; mahotsava -- festivals; srimurti-darsana -- seeing 
the Deity; nija-priya-dana -- to present to the Lord something very dear 
 
to oneself; dhyana -- meditation; tadiya-sevana -- rendering service to 
those related to the Lord.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One should (23) attend arati and festivals, (24) see the Deity, (25) 
 
present what is very dear to oneself to the Deity, (26) meditate on the 
Deity, and (27–30) serve those related to the Lord.
 
 
Madhya 22.125
 
TEXT 125
 
TEXT
 
'tadiya' -- tulasi, vaisnava, mathura, bhagavata
ei carira seva haya krsnera abhimata
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
tadiya -- related to the Lord; tulasi-tulasi leaves; vaisnava -- 
devotees; mathura -- the birthplace of Krsna; bhagavata-Srimad-
 
Bhagavatam; ei carira -- of these four; seva -- the service; haya -- is; 
krsnera abhimata -- the desire of Krsna.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Tadiya means the tulasi leaves, the devotees of Krsna, the birthplace 
of Krsna (Mathura), and the Vedic literature Srimad-Bhagavatam. Krsna 
 
is very eager to see His devotee serve tulasi, Vaisnavas, Mathura and 
Bhagavatam.
 
 
PURPORT
 
After item twenty-six (meditation), the twenty-seventh is to serve 
tulasi, the twenty-eighth is to serve the Vaisnavas, the twenty-ninth is 
 
to live in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krsna, and the thirtieth is 
to read Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly.
 
 
Madhya 22.126
 
TEXT 126
 
TEXT
 
krsnarthe akhila-cesta, tat-krpavalokana
janma-dinadi-mahotsava lana bhakta-gana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
krsna-arthe -- for the sake of Krsna; akhila-cesta -- all activity; tat-
krpa-avalokana -- looking for His mercy; janma-dina-adi -- the 
 
appearance day and so on; mahotsava -- festivals; lana bhakta-gana -- 
with devotees.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"(31) One should perform all endeavors for Krsna. (32) One 
should look forward to His mercy. (33) One should partake of various 
ceremonies with devotees -- ceremonies like Lord Krsna's birthday or 
Ramacandra's birthday.
 
 
Madhya 22.127
 
TEXT 127
 
TEXT
 
sarvatha saranapatti, kartikadi-vrata
'catuh-sasti anga' ei parama-mahattva
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sarvatha -- in all respects; sarana-apatti -- surrender; kartika-adi-
vrata -- to observe special vows in the month of Kartika; catuh-sasti 
 
anga -- sixty-four parts; ei -- this; parama-mahattva -- very important 
items.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"(34) One should surrender to Krsna in all respects. (35) One 
should observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the 
 
sixty-four important items of devotional service.
 
 
Madhya 22.128
 
TEXT 128
 
TEXT
 
sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana
mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sadhu-sanga -- association with devotees; nama-kirtana -- chanting the 
holy name; bhagavata-sravana -- hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam; mathura-vasa -
 
- living at Mathura; sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana -- worshiping the 
Deity with faith and veneration.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord, 
hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura and worship the Deity with 
 
faith and veneration.
 
 
Madhya 22.129
 
TEXT 129
 
TEXT
 
sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga
krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sakala-sadhana -- of all items for executing devotional service; srestha 
-- the best; ei panca anga -- these five limbs; krsna-prema -- love of 
 
Krsna; janmaya -- awakens; ei -- these; pancera -- of the five; alpa 
sanga -- slight association with or performance.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a 
 
slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna.
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura points out that there are thirty-five items 
up to the point of observing special vows in the month of Kartika. To 
 
these thirty-five items, another four are added -- namely marking tilaka 
on different parts of the body, writing the names of the Lord all over 
the body, accepting the Deity's garland and accepting caranamrta. These 
four items are understood to be included by Kaviraja Gosvami within 
arcana, worship of the Deity. Although these items are not mentioned 
here, they are to be added to the previous thirty-five items. Thus the 
total number becomes thirty-nine. To these thirty-nine should be added 
five others: association with devotees, chanting the Hare Krsna maha-
mantra, reading Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly, residing in Mathura, the 
birthplace of Krsna, and worshiping the Deity with great respect and 
veneration. The thirty-nine items plus these five come to a total of 
forty-four. If we add the previous twenty items to these forty-four, the 
total number becomes sixty-four. The five items mentioned above repeat 
previously mentioned items. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa 
Gosvami states:
 
anganam pancakasyasya purva-vilikhitasya ca
nikhila-sraisthya-bodhaya punar apy atra samsanam
 
 
 
 
"The glorification of these five items [association with devotees, 
chanting the holy name and so on] is to make known the complete 
superiority of these five practices of devotional service."
 
 
The sixty-four items of devotional service include all the activities of 
the body, mind and senses. Thus the sixty-four items engage one in 
 
devotional service in all respects.
 
 
Madhya 22.130
 
TEXT 130
 
TEXT
 
sraddha visesatah pritih
 sri-murter anghri-sevane
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sraddha -- faith; visesatah -- particularly; pritih -- love; sri-murteh -
- of the Deity form of the Lord; anghri-sevane -- in service of the 
 
lotus feet.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘With love and full faith one should worship the 
lotus feet of the Deity.
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse and the following two verses are found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-
sindhu (1.2.90–92).
 
 
Madhya 22.131
 
TEXT 131
 
TEXT
 
srimad-bhagavatarthanam
 asvado rasikaih saha
 
sajatiyasaye snigdhe
 sadhau sangah svato vare
SYNONYMS
 
 
srimad-bhagavata -- of the Srimad-Bhagavatam; arthanam -- of the 
meanings; asvadah -- enjoying the taste; rasikaih saha -- with the 
 
devotees; sa-jatiya -- similar; asaye -- endowed with a desire; snigdhe -
- advanced in devotional affection; sadhau -- with a devotee; sangah -- 
association; svatah -- for one's self; vare -- better.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One should taste the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam in the association 
of pure devotees, and one should associate with the devotees who are 
more advanced than oneself and who are endowed with a similar type of 
affection for the Lord.
 
 
PURPORT
 
The words sajatiyasaye snigdhe sadhau sangah svato vare are very 
important. One should not associate with professional Bhagavatam 
 
reciters. A professional Bhagavatam reciter is one who is not in the 
disciplic succession or one who has no taste for bhakti-yoga. Simply on 
the strength of grammatical knowledge and word jugglery, professional 
reciters maintain their bodies and their desires for sense gratification 
by reading Srimad-Bhagavatam. One should also avoid those who are averse 
to Lord Visnu and His devotees, those who are Mayavadis, those who 
offend the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, those who simply dress as 
Vaisnavas or so-called gosvamis, and those who make a business by 
selling Vedic mantras and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam to maintain their 
families. One should not try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam from such 
materialistic people. According to the Vedic injunctions, yasya deve 
para bhaktih. The Srimad-Bhagavatam can be recited only by one who 
has unflinching faith in the lotus feet of Krsna and His devotee, the 
spiritual master. One should try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam from 
the spiritual master. The Vedic injunction states, bhaktya bhagavatam 
grahyam na buddhya na ca tikaya. One has to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam 
through the process of devotional service and by hearing the recitation 
of a pure devotee. These are the injunctions of the Vedic literature -- 
sruti and smrti. Those who are not in the disciplic succession and who 
are not pure devotees cannot understand the real mysterious objective of 
Srimad-Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavad-gita.
 
 
Madhya 22.132
 
TEXT 132
 
TEXT
 
nama-sankirtanam sriman-
 mathura-mandale sthitih
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
nama-sankirtanam -- chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; sriman-mathura-
mandale -- in Mathura, where Krsna specifically performs His pastimes; 
 
sthitih -- residence.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One should congregationally chant the holy name of the Lord and 
reside in Vrndavana.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has sung:
 
sri gauda-mandala-bhumi,     yeba jane cintamani,
tara haya vrajabhumi vasa
 
"One who understands the transcendental nature of Navadvipa and its 
surrounding area, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu enacted His pastimes, 
resides always in Vrndavana." Similarly, living in Jagannatha Puri is as 
good as living in Vrndavana. The conclusion is that Navadvipa-dhama, 
Jagannatha Puri-dhama and Vrndavana-dhama are identical.
 
However, if
 one goes to Mathura-mandala-bhumi for 
 
sense gratification or to make a livelihood, he commits an offense and 
is condemned. Whoever does so must be penalized in the next life by 
becoming a hog or a monkey in Vrndavana-dhama. After taking on such a 
body, the offender is liberated in the next life. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta 
Sarasvati Thakura remarks that residing in Vrndavana with a view to 
enjoy sense gratification surely leads a so-called devotee to a lower 
species.
 
 
Madhya 22.133
 
TEXT 133
 
TEXT
 
duruhadbhuta-virye ‘smin
 sraddha dure ‘stu pancake
 
yatra sv-alpo ‘pi sambandhah
 sad-dhiyam bhava-janmane
SYNONYMS
 
 
dur-uha -- difficult to understand; adbhuta -- wonderful; 
virye -- in the power; asmin -- in this; sraddha -- faith; dure -- far 
 
away; astu -- let it be; pancake -- in the above-mentioned five 
principles; yatra -- in which; su-alpah -- a little; api -- even; 
sambandhah -- connection; sat-dhiyam -- of those who are intelligent and 
offenseless; bhava-janmane -- to awaken one's dormant love for Krsna.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The power of these five principles is very wonderful and difficult to 
understand. Even without faith in them, a person who is offenseless can 
awaken his dormant love of Krsna simply by being a little connected 
with them.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.238).
 
Madhya 22.134
 
TEXT 134
 
TEXT
 
'eka' anga sadhe, keha sadhe ‘bahu' anga
'nistha' haile upajaya premera taranga
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
eka -- one; anga -- portion; sadhe -- executes; keha -- someone; sadhe --
 executes; bahu -- many; anga -- portions; nistha -- firm faith; haile --
 
 if there is; upajaya -- awaken; premera -- of love of Godhead; taranga -
- the waves.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"When one is firmly fixed in devotional service, whether he executes one 
or many processes of devotional service, the waves of love of Godhead 
 
will awaken.
 
 
PURPORT
 
The nine processes of devotional service are sravanam kirtanam visnoh 
smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam [
SB 7.5.23]. (See text 121 of this chapter.)
 
 
Madhya 22.135
 
TEXT 135
 
TEXT
 
'eka' ange siddhi paila bahu bhakta-gana
ambarisadi bhaktera ‘bahu' anga-sadhana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
eka ange -- by one portion; siddhi -- perfection; paila -- achieved; 
bahu -- many; bhakta-gana -- devotees; ambarisa-adi -- King Ambarisa 
 
Maharaja and others; bhaktera -- of devotees; bahu anga-sadhana -- 
execution of many processes of devotional service.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are many devotees who execute only one of the nine processes of 
 
devotional service. Nonetheless, they get ultimate success. Devotees 
like Maharaja Ambarisa execute all nine items, and they also get 
ultimate success.
 
 
Madhya 22.136
 
TEXT 136
 
TEXT
 
sri-visnoh sravane pariksid abhavad vaiyasakih kirtane
 
 prahladah smarane tad-anghri-bhajane laksmih prthuh pujane
akruras tv abhivandane kapi-patir dasye ‘tha sakhye ‘rjunah
 sarva-svatma-nivedane balir abhut krsnaptir esam para
SYNONYMS
 
 
sri-visnoh -- of Lord Sri Visnu; sravane -- in hearing; pariksit -- King 
Pariksit, known also as Visnurata, or one who is protected by Lord Visnu;
 
 abhavat -- was; vaiyasakih -- Sukadeva Gosvami; kirtane -- in reciting 
Srimad-Bhagavatam; prahladah -- Maharaja Prahlada; smarane -- in 
remembering; tat-anghri -- of Lord Visnu's lotus feet; bhajane -- in 
serving; laksmih -- the goddess of fortune; prthuh -- Maharaja Prthu; 
pujane -- in worshiping the Deity of the Lord; akrurah -- Akrura; tu -- 
but; abhivandane -- in offering prayers; kapi-patih -- Hanumanji, or 
Vajrangaji; dasye -- in servitude to Lord Ramacandra; atha -- moreover; 
sakhye -- in friendship; arjunah -- Arjuna; sarva-sva-atma-nivedane --
 in fully dedicating oneself; balih -- Maharaja Bali; abhut -- was; 
krsna-aptih -- the achievement of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; esam -- 
of all of them; para -- transcendental.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Maharaja Pariksit attained the highest perfection, shelter at Lord 
Krsna's lotus feet, simply by hearing about Lord Visnu. Sukadeva Gosvami 
 
attained perfection simply by reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. Prahlada 
Maharaja attained perfection by remembering the Lord. The goddess of 
fortune attained perfection by massaging the transcendental legs of Maha-
Visnu. Maharaja Prthu attained perfection by worshiping the Deity, and 
Akrura attained perfection by offering prayers unto the Lord. Vajrangaji 
[Hanuman] attained perfection by rendering service to Lord Ramacandra, 
and Arjuna attained perfection simply by being Krsna's friend. Bali 
Maharaja attained perfection by dedicating everything to the lotus feet 
of Krsna.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Padyavali (53) and the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (
 
1.2.265).
 
Madhya 22.137–139
 
TEXTS 137–139
 
TEXT
 
sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor
 vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane
 
karau harer mandira-marjanadisu
 srutim cakaracyuta-sat-kathodaye
mukunda-lingalaya-darsane drsau
 tad-bhrtya-gatra-sparase ‘nga-sangamam
ghranam ca tat-pada-saroja-saurabhe
 srimat-tulasya rasanam tad-arpite
padau hareh ksetra-padanusarpane
 siro hrsikesa-padabhivandane
kamam ca dasye na tu kama-kamyaya
 yathottamahsloka-janasraya ratih
SYNONYMS
 
 
sah -- he (Maharaja Ambarisa); vai -- certainly; manah -- the mind; 
krsna-pada-aravindayoh -- on the two lotus feet of Krsna; vacamsi -- 
 
words; vaikuntha-guna-anuvarnane -- in describing the transcendental 
character of Krsna; karau -- the two hands; hareh -- of Lord Krsna or 
Visnu; mandira-marjana-adisu -- in cleansing the temple of Hari and 
similar other duties; srutim -- the ears; cakara -- engaged; acyuta -- 
of the Lord; sat-katha-udaye -- in the arising of transcendental topics; 
mukunda-linga -- of the Deities of the Lord; alaya -- temples; darsane --
 in visiting; drsau -- the two eyes; tat-bhrtya -- of the servants of 
the Lord; gatra -- the bodies; sparase -- in touching; anga-sangamam -- 
bodily contact such as touching the lotus feet or embracing;
 ghranam -- the sensation of smell; ca -- and; tat-pada-saroja -- of the 
Lord's lotus feet; saurabhe -- in the fragrance; srimat -- most 
auspicious; tulasyah -- of tulasi leaves; rasanam -- the tongue; tat-
arpite -- in food offered to the Lord; padau -- the two feet; hareh -- 
of the Lord; ksetra -- the place of pilgrimage; pada-anusarpane -- in 
walking to; sirah -- the head; hrsikesa -- of the Lord of the senses, 
the Personality of Godhead; pada-abhivandane -- in offering prayers at 
the lotus feet; kamam -- all desires; ca -- and; dasye -- in serving the 
Lord; na -- not; tu -- but; kama-kamyaya -- with a desire for sense 
gratification; yatha -- as much as; uttamah-sloka -- of the Lord, who is 
worshiped by selected poems; jana -- in the devotee; asraya -- having 
shelter; ratih -- attachment.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Maharaja Ambarisa always engaged his mind at the lotus feet of Krsna, 
his words in describing the spiritual world and the Supreme Personality 
 
of Godhead, his hands in cleansing and washing the Lord's temple, his 
ears in hearing topics about the Supreme Lord, his eyes in seeing the 
Deity of Lord Krsna in the temple, his body in embracing 
Vaisnavas or touching their lotus feet, his nostrils in smelling 
the aroma of the tulasi leaves offered to Krsna's lotus feet, his tongue 
in tasting food offered to Krsna, his legs in going to places of 
pilgrimage like Vrndavana and Mathura or to the Lord's temple, his 
head in touching the lotus feet of the Lord and offering Him obeisances,
 and his desires in serving the Lord faithfully. 
In this way Maharaja Ambarisa engaged his senses in the transcendental 
loving service of the Lord. As a result, he awakened his dormant loving 
propensity for the Lord's service.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.18–20).
 
Madhya 22.140
 
TEXT 140
 
TEXT
 
kama tyaji' krsna bhaje sastra-ajna mani'
deva-rsi-pitradikera kabhu nahe rni
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
kama -- material desires; tyaji' -- giving up; krsna -- Lord Krsna; 
bhaje -- worships; sastra-ajna -- the direction of the revealed 
 
scripture; mani' -- accepting; deva -- demigods; rsi -- great sages; 
pitr-adikera -- of the forefathers and so on; kabhu -- at any time; nahe 
-- not; rni -- a debtor.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If a person gives up all material desires and completely engages in the 
 
transcendental loving service of Krsna, as enjoined in the revealed 
scriptures, he is never indebted to the demigods, sages or forefathers.
 
 
PURPORT
 
After birth, every man is indebted in so many ways. He is indebted to 
 
the demigods for their supplying necessities like air, light and water. 
When one takes advantage of the Vedic literatures, one becomes indebted 
to great sages like Vyasadeva, Narada, Devala and Asita. When one takes 
birth in a particular family, he becomes indebted to his forefathers. We 
are even indebted to common living entities like cows, from whom we take 
milk. Because we accept service from so many animals, we become indebted.
 However, if one is completely engaged in the Lord's devotional service, 
he is absolved of all debts. This is confirmed in the following verse, 
quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.41).
 
 
Madhya 22.141
 
TEXT 141
 
TEXT
 
devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam
 na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan
 
sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam
 gato mukundam parihrtya kartam
 [SB 11.5.41]
SYNONYMS
 
 
deva -- of the demigods; rsi -- of the sages; bhuta -- of ordinary 
living entities; apta -- of friends and relatives; nrnam -- of ordinary 
 
men; pitrnam -- of the forefathers; na -- not; kinkarah -- the servant; 
na -- nor; ayam -- this one; rni -- debtor; ca -- also; rajan -- O King; 
sarva-atmana -- with his whole being; yah -- a person who; saranam -- 
shelter; saranyam -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who affords 
shelter to all; gatah -- approached; mukundam -- Mukunda; parihrtya -- 
giving up; kartam -- duties.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One who has given up all material duties and taken full shelter at 
the lotus feet of Mukunda, who gives shelter to all, is not indebted to 
 
the demigods, great sages, ordinary living beings, relatives, friends, 
mankind or even his forefathers who have passed away.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
It is said:
 
adhyapanam brahma-yajnah pitr-yajnas tu tarpanam
homo daivo balir bhauto nr-yajno ‘tithi-pujanam
 
 
"By offering oblations with ghee, one satisfies the demigods. By 
studying the Vedas, one performs brahma-yajna, which 
satisfies the great sages. Offering libations of water 
before one's forefathers is called pitr-yajna. By offering tribute, one 
performs bhuta-yajna. By properly receiving guests, one 
performs nr-yajna." These are the five yajnas that 
liquidate the five kinds of indebtedness -- indebtedness to the demigods,
 great sages, forefathers, living entities and common men. Therefore one 
has to perform these five kinds of yajnas. But when one takes to the 
sankirtana-yajna (the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra), one does not 
have to perform any other yajna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada Muni made 
a statement about the systematic performance of bhagavata-dharma in 
connection with statements previously made by the nine Yogendras before 
Maharaja Nimi. The sage Karabhajana Rsi explained the four incarnations 
of the four yugas, and at the end, in this verse (text 141), he 
explained the position of Krsna's pure devotee and how he is absolved of 
all debts.
 
 
Madhya 22.142
 
TEXT 142
 
TEXT
 
vidhi-dharma chadi' bhaje krsnera carana
nisiddha papacare tara kabhu nahe mana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
vidhi-dharma chadi' -- giving up all regulative principles of the varna 
and asrama institution; bhaje -- worships; krsnera carana -- the lotus 
 
feet of Lord Krsna; nisiddha -- forbidden; papa-acare -- in sinful 
activities; tara -- his; kabhu -- at any time; nahe -- not; mana -- the 
mind.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Although the pure devotee does not follow all the regulative principles 
of varnasrama, he worships the lotus feet of Krsna. Therefore he 
 
naturally has no tendency to commit sin.
 
 
PURPORT
 
The varnasrama institution is planned in such a way that one will not 
commit sinful activities. Material existence continues due to sinful 
 
activity. When one acts sinfully in this life, he gets a suitable body 
for the next life. When one again acts sinfully, he takes on another 
material body. In this way one is continuously under the influence of 
material nature.
 
purusah prakrti-stho hi bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan
karanam guna-sango ‘sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu
 
 
 
 
"The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, 
enjoying the three modes of material nature. This is due to his 
association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil 
among various species." (Bg. 13.22)
 
 
Due to our association with the modes of material nature, we get 
different types of bodies, good and bad. One cannot be liberated from 
 
the cycle of birth and death, known as transmigration of the soul, 
unless one is completely freed from all sinful activities. The best 
process, therefore, is to take to Krsna consciousness. One cannot take 
to Krsna consciousness without being freed from all sinful activities. 
Naturally one who is very serious about Krsna consciousness is freed 
from all sinful activity. Consequently a devotee is never inclined to 
commit sins. If one is pressured by the law or obligations to give up 
sinful activity, one cannot do so. However, if one takes to Krsna 
consciousness, he can very easily give up all sinful activity. This is 
confirmed herein.
 
 
Madhya 22.143
 
TEXT 143
 
TEXT
 
ajnane va haya yadi ‘papa' upasthita
krsna tanre suddha kare, na karaya prayascitta
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
ajnane -- by ignorance; va -- or; haya -- there are; yadi -- if; papa -- 
sinful activities; upasthita -- present; krsna -- Lord Krsna; tanre -- 
 
him (the devotee); suddha kare -- purifies; na karaya -- does not cause; 
prayascitta -- atonement.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If, however, a devotee accidentally becomes involved in a sinful 
activity, Krsna purifies him. He does not have to undergo the regulative 
 
form of atonement.
 
 
PURPORT
 
Krsna purifies from within as the caittya-guru, the spiritual master 
within the heart. This is described in the following verse from Srimad-
 
Bhagavatam (11.5.42).
 
 
Madhya 22.144
 
TEXT 144
 
TEXT
 
sva-pada-mulam bhajatah priyasya
 tyaktanya-bhavasya harih paresah
vikarma yac cotpatitam kathancid
 dhunoti sarvam hrdi sannivistah
SYNONYMS
 
 
sva-pada-mulam -- the lotus feet of Krsna, the shelter of the devotees; 
bhajatah -- who is engaged in worshiping; priyasya -- who is very dear 
 
to Krsna; tyakta -- given up; anya -- for others; bhavasya -- of one 
whose disposition or inclination; harih -- the Supreme Personality of 
Godhead; para-isah -- the Supreme Lord; vikarma -- sinful activities; 
yat -- whatever; ca -- and; utpatitam -- occurred; kathancit -- somehow; 
dhunoti -- removes; sarvam -- everything; hrdi -- in the heart; 
sannivistah -- entered.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘One who has given up everything and taken full shelter at the lotus 
feet of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is very dear to Krsna. 
 
If he is involved in some sinful activity by accident, the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, who is seated within everyone's heart, removes 
his sins without difficulty.'
 
 
Madhya 22.145
 
TEXT 145
 
TEXT
 
jnana-vairagyadi -- bhaktira kabhu nahe ‘anga'
ahimsa-yama-niyamadi bule krsna-bhakta-sanga
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
jnana -- the path of knowledge; vairagya-adi -- the path of renunciation 
and so on; bhaktira -- of devotional service; kabhu -- at any time; nahe 
 
-- not; anga -- a part; ahimsa -- nonviolence; yama -- controlling the 
senses and the mind; niyama-adi -- restrictions and so on; bule -- roam; 
krsna-bhakta-sanga -- in the association of a devotee of Lord Krsna.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The path of speculative knowledge and renunciation is not 
essential for devotional service. Indeed, good qualities such as 
nonviolence and control of the mind and senses automatically 
accompany a devotee of Lord Krsna.
 
 
PURPORT
 
Sometimes a neophyte devotee or ordinary person thinks highly of 
speculative knowledge, austerity, penances and renunciation, thinking 
 
them the only path for advancement in devotional service. Actually this 
is not a fact. The path of knowledge, mystic yoga and renunciation has 
nothing to do with the pure soul. When one is temporarily in the 
material world, such processes may help a little, but they are not 
necessary for a pure devotee of Krsna. In the material world, such 
activities end in material enjoyment or merging into the effulgence of 
the Supreme. They have nothing to do with the eternal loving service of 
the Lord. If one abandons speculative knowledge and simply engages in 
devotional service, he has attained his perfection. The devotee has no 
need for speculative knowledge, pious activity or mystic yoga. All these 
are automatically present when one renders the Lord transcendental 
loving service.
 
 
Madhya 22.146
 
TEXT 146
 
TEXT
 
tasman mad-bhakti-yuktasya
 yogino vai mad-atmanah
 
na jnanam na ca vairagyam
 prayah sreyo bhaved iha
SYNONYMS
 
 
tasmat -- therefore; mat-bhakti -- in My devotional service; yuktasya -- 
of one who is engaged; yoginah -- the first-class yogi or mystic; vai -- 
 
certainly; mat-atmanah -- whose mind is always engaged in Me; na -- not; 
jnanam -- speculative knowledge; na -- not; ca -- also; vairagyam -- dry 
renunciation; prayah -- for the most part; sreyah -- beneficial; bhavet -
- would be; iha -- in this world.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘For one who is fully engaged in My devotional service, whose mind is 
fixed on Me in bhakti-yoga, the path of speculative knowledge and dry 
 
renunciation is not very beneficial.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
The path of devotional service is always independent of other activity. 
The path of speculative knowledge and mystic yoga may be a little 
 
beneficial in the beginning, but it cannot be considered part of 
devotional service. This verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.20.31) was spoken 
by Lord Krsna when He was speaking to Uddhava before His departure from 
this material world. These are important instructions given directly by 
Lord Krsna. Sri Uddhava asked the Lord about the two kinds of 
instructions given in the Vedas. One instruction is called pravrtti-
marga, and the other is called nivrtti-marga. These are directions for 
enjoying the material world according to regulative principles and then 
giving up the material world for higher spiritual understanding. 
Sometimes one does not know whether to practice speculative knowledge 
and mystic yoga for advancement in spiritual knowledge. Krsna explains 
to Uddhava that the mechanical process of speculative knowledge and yoga 
is not necessary for advancing in devotional service. Devotional service 
is completely spiritual; it has nothing to do with material things. It 
is awakened by hearing and chanting in the association of devotees. 
Because devotional service is always transcendental, it has nothing to 
do with material activity.
 
 
Madhya 22.147
 
TEXT 147
 
TEXT
 
ete na hy adbhuta vyadha
 tavahimsadayo gunah
 
hari-bhaktau pravrtta ye
 na te syuh para-tapinah
SYNONYMS
 
 
ete -- all these; na -- not; hi -- certainly; adbhutah -- wonderful; 
vyadha -- O hunter; tava -- your; ahimsa-adayah -- nonviolence and 
 
others; gunah -- qualities; hari-bhaktau -- in devotional service; 
pravrttah -- engaged; ye -- those who; na -- not; te -- they; syuh -- 
are; paratapinah -- envious of other living entities.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘O hunter, good qualities like nonviolence, which you have developed, 
are not very astonishing, for those who are engaged in the Lord's 
 
devotional service are never inclined to give pain to others because of 
envy.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This is a quotation from the Skanda Purana. It was spoken by Narada Muni 
to the reformed hunter Mrgari.
 
Madhya 22.148
 
TEXT 148
 
TEXT
 
vaidhi-bhakti-sadhanera kahilun vivarana
raganuga-bhaktira laksana suna, sanatana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
vaidhi-bhakti -- of devotional service according to the regulative 
principles; sadhanera -- of the execution; kahilun -- I have made; 
 
vivarana -- description; raganuga-bhaktira -- of spontaneous devotional 
service; laksana -- the symptoms; suna -- please hear; sanatana -- O 
Sanatana.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"My dear Sanatana, I have now in detail described devotional service 
according to the regulative principles. Now hear from Me about 
 
spontaneous devotional service and its characteristics.
 
 
Madhya 22.149
 
TEXT 149
 
TEXT
 
ragatmika-bhakti -- ‘mukhya' vraja-vasi-jane
tara anugata bhaktira ‘raganuga'-name
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
ragatmika-bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service; mukhya -- preeminent;
 vraja-vasi-jane -- in the inhabitants of Vraja, or Vrndavana; tara -- 
 
that; anugata -- following; bhaktira -- of devotional service; raganuga-
name -- named raganuga or following after spontaneous devotional service.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The original inhabitants of Vrndavana are attached to Krsna 
spontaneously in devotional service. Nothing can compare to such 
 
spontaneous devotional service, which is called ragatmika bhakti. When a 
devotee follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vrndavana, his 
devotional service is called raganuga bhakti.
 
 
PURPORT
 
In his Bhakti-sandarbha, Jiva Gosvami states:
 
tad evam tat-tad-abhimana-laksana-bhava-visesena svabhavika-ragasya 
vaisistye sati tat-tad-raga-prayukta sravana-kirtana-smarana-pada-sevana-
 
 
vandanatma-nivedana-praya bhaktis tesam ragatmika bhaktir ity ucyate. . .
 
 . tatas tadiyam ragam rucyanugacchanti sa raganuga.
 
When a pure devotee follows the footsteps of a devotee in Vrndavana, he 
 
develops raganuga bhakti.
 
 
Madhya 22.150
 
TEXT 150
 
TEXT
 
iste svarasiki ragah
 
 paramavistata bhavet
tan-mayi ya bhaved bhaktih
 satra ragatmikodita
SYNONYMS
 
 
iste -- unto the desired object of life; sva-rasiki -- appropriate 
for one's own original aptitude of love; ragah -- attachment; parama-
 
avistata -- absorption in the service of the Lord; bhavet -- is; tat-
mayi -- consisting of that transcendental attachment; ya -- which; 
bhavet -- is; bhaktih -- devotional service; sa -- that; atra -- here; 
ragatmika-udita -- called ragatmika, or spontaneous devotional service.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When one becomes attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead 
according to one's natural inclination to love Him and is fully absorbed 
in thoughts of the Lord, that state is called transcendental attachment, 
and devotional service according to that attachment is called ragatmika, 
or spontaneous devotional service.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.272).
 
Madhya 22.151
 
TEXT 151
 
TEXT
 
iste ‘gadha-trsna' -- ragera svarupa-laksana
iste ‘avistata' -- ei tatastha-laksana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
iste -- in the desired object, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; gadha-
trsna -- deep attachment; ragera -- of spontaneous love; svarupa-laksana 
 
-- the primary symptom; iste -- unto the Supreme; avistata -- absorption;
 ei -- this; tatastha-laksana -- the marginal symptom.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"The primary characteristic of spontaneous love is deep attachment for 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Absorption in thought of Him is a 
 
marginal characteristic.
 
 
Madhya 22.152
 
TEXT 152
 
TEXT
 
ragamayi-bhaktira haya ‘ragatmika' nama
taha suni' lubdha haya kona bhagyavan
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
raga-mayi -- consisting of attachment; bhaktira -- of devotional service;
 haya -- is; ragatmika -- spontaneous love; nama -- the name; taha suni' 
 
-- hearing this; lubdha -- covetous; haya -- becomes; kona bhagyavan -- 
some fortunate person.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Thus devotional service which consists of raga [deep attachment] is 
called ragatmika, spontaneous loving service. If a devotee covets such a 
 
position, he is considered to be most fortunate.
 
 
Madhya 22.153
 
TEXT 153
 
TEXT
 
lobhe vraja-vasira bhave kare anugati
sastra-yukti nahi mane -- raganugara prakrti
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
lobhe -- in such covetousness; vraja-vasira bhave -- in the moods of the 
inhabitants of Vrndavana, Vraja; kare anugati -- follows; sastra-yukti --
 
 injunctions or reasonings of the sastras; nahi mane -- does not abide 
by; raganugara -- of spontaneous love; prakrti -- the nature.
 
TRANSLATION
 
 
"If one follows in the footsteps of the inhabitants of Vrndavana out of 
such transcendental covetousness, he does not care for the injunctions 
 
or reasonings of sastra. That is the way of spontaneous love.
 
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that a devotee is attracted 
 
by the service of the inhabitants of Vrndavana -- namely the cowherd men,
 Maharaja Nanda, mother Yasoda, Radharani, the gopis and the cows and 
calves. An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by an 
eternal servitor of the Lord. This attraction is called spontaneous 
attraction. Technically it is called svarupa-upalabdhi. This stage is 
not achieved in the beginning. In the beginning one has to render 
service strictly according to the regulative principles set forth by the 
revealed scriptures and the spiritual master. By continuously rendering 
service through the process of vaidhi bhakti, one's natural inclination 
is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or 
raganuga bhakti.
 
 
An advanced devotee situated on the platform of spontaneity is already 
very expert in sastric instruction, logic and argument. When he comes to 
 
the point of eternal love for Krsna, no one can deviate him from that 
position, neither by argument nor by sastric evidence. An advanced 
devotee has realized his eternal relationship with the Lord, and 
consequently he does not accept the logic and arguments of others. Such 
an advanced devotee has nothing to do with the sahajiyas, who 
manufacture their own way and commit sins by indulging in illicit sex, 
intoxication and gambling, if not meat-eating. Sometimes the sahajiyas 
imitate advanced devotees and live in their own whimsical way, avoiding 
the principles set down in the revealed scriptures. Unless one follows 
the six Gosvamis -- Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Jiva, 
Gopala Bhatta and Raghunatha dasa-one cannot be a bona fide 
spontaneous lover of Krsna. In this connection, Srila Narottama dasa 
Thakura says, rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti kabe hama bujhaba se 
yugala piriti. The sahajiyas' understanding of the love affairs between 
Radha and Krsna is not bona fide because they do not follow the 
principles laid down by the six Gosvamis. Their illicit connection and 
their imitation of the dress of Rupa Gosvami, as well as their avoidance 
of the prescribed methods of revealed scriptures, will lead them to the 
lowest regions of hell. These imitative sahajiyas are cheated and 
unfortunate. They are not equal to advanced devotees (paramahamsas). 
Debauchees and paramahamsas are not on the same level.
 
 
Madhya 22.154
 
TEXT 154
 
TEXT
 
virajantim abhivyaktam
 vraja-vasi-janadisu
 
ragatmikam anusrta
 ya sa raganugocyate
SYNONYMS
 
 
virajantim -- shining intensely; abhivyaktam -- fully expressed; vraja-
 
vasi-jana-adisu -- among the eternal inhabitants of Vrndavana; 
raga-atmikam -- devotional service consisting of spontaneous love; 
anusrta -- following; ya -- which; sa -- that; raga-anuga -- 
devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous love; ucyate -- 
is said.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Devotional service in spontaneous love is vividly expressed and 
manifested by the inhabitants of Vrndavana. Devotional service that 
 
accords with their devotional service is called raganuga bhakti, or 
devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous loving service.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.270).
 
Madhya 22.155
 
TEXT 155
 
TEXT
 
tat-tad-bhavadi-madhurye
 srute dhir yad apeksate
 
natra sastram na yuktim ca
 tal lobhotpatti-laksanam
SYNONYMS
 
 
tat-tat -- respective; bhava-adi-madhurye -- the sweetness of the loving 
moods (namely santa-rasa, dasya-rasa, sakhya-rasa, vatsalya-rasa and 
 
madhurya-rasa) of the inhabitants of Vrndavana; srute -- when heard; 
dhih -- the intelligence; yat -- which; apeksate -- depends on; na -- 
not; atra -- here; sastram -- revealed scriptures; na -- not; yuktim -- 
logic and argument; ca -- also; tat -- that; lobha -- of covetousness to 
follow in the footsteps; utpatti-laksanam -- the symptom of awakening.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘When an advanced, realized devotee hears about the affairs of the 
devotees of Vrndavana -- in the mellows of santa, dasya, sakhya, 
vatsalya and madhurya -- he becomes inclined in one of these ways, and 
his intelligence becomes attracted. Indeed, he begins to covet that 
particular type of devotion. When such covetousness is awakened, one's 
intelligence no longer depends on the instructions of sastra [revealed 
scripture] or on logic and argument.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.292).
 
Madhya 22.156–157
 
TEXTS 156–157
 
TEXT
 
bahya, antara, -- ihara dui ta' sadhana
'bahye' sadhaka-dehe kare sravana-kirtana
 
'mane' nija-siddha-deha kariya bhavana
ratri-dine kare vraje krsnera sevana
SYNONYMS
 
 
bahya -- externally; antara -- internally; ihara -- of this spontaneous 
love of Godhead; dui -- two; ta' -- indeed; sadhana -- such processes of 
 
execution; bahye -- externally; sadhaka-dehe -- with the body of an 
advanced devotee; kare -- does; sravana-kirtana -- hearing and chanting; 
mane -- the mind; nija -- own; siddha-deha -- eternal body or self-
realized position; kariya bhavana -- thinking of; ratri-dine -- night 
and day; kare -- executes; vraje -- in Vrndavana; krsnera -- of Lord 
Krsna; sevana -- service.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"There are two processes by which one may execute this raganuga bhakti --
 external and internal. When self-realized, the advanced devotee 
 
externally remains like a neophyte and executes all the sastric 
injunctions, especially those concerning hearing and chanting. But 
within his mind, in his original, purified, self-realized position, he 
serves Krsna in Vrndavana in his particular way. He serves Krsna twenty-
four hours a day, all day and night.
 
 
Madhya 22.158
 
TEXT 158
 
TEXT
 
seva sadhaka-rupena
 siddha-rupena catra hi
 
tad-bhava-lipsuna karya
 vraja-lokanusaratah
SYNONYMS
 
 
seva -- service; sadhaka-rupena -- with the external body as a devotee 
practicing regulative devotional service; siddha-rupena -- with a body 
 
suitable for eternal, self-realized service; ca -- also; atra -- in this 
connection; hi -- certainly; tat -- of that; bhava -- the mood; lipsuna -
- desiring to obtain; karya -- to be executed; vraja-loka -- of a 
particular servant of Krsna in Vrndavana; anusaratah -- by following in 
the footsteps.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The advanced devotee who is inclined to spontaneous loving service 
should follow the activities of a particular associate of Krsna's in 
 
Vrndavana. He should execute service externally as a regulative devotee 
as well as internally from his self-realized position. Thus he should 
perform devotional service both externally and internally.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.295).
 
Madhya 22.159
 
TEXT 159
 
TEXT
 
nijabhista krsna-prestha pacheta' lagiya
nirantara seva kare antarmana hana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
nija-abhista -- one's own choice; krsna-prestha -- the servitor of Krsna;
 pacheta' lagiya -- following; nirantara -- twenty-four hours a day; 
 
seva -- service; kare -- executes; antarmana -- within the mind; hana -- 
being.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Actually the inhabitants of Vrndavana are very dear to Krsna. If one 
wants to engage in spontaneous loving service, he must follow the 
 
inhabitants of Vrndavana and constantly engage in devotional service 
within his mind.
 
 
Madhya 22.160
 
TEXT 160
 
TEXT
 
krsnam smaran janam casya
 prestham nija-samihitam
 
tat-tat-katha-ratas casau
 kuryad vasam vraje sada
SYNONYMS
 
 
krsnam -- Lord Krsna; smaran -- thinking of; janam -- a devotee; ca -- 
and; asya -- of His; prestham -- very dear; nija-samihitam -- chosen by 
 
oneself; tat-tat-katha -- to those respective topics; ratah -- attached; 
ca -- and; asau -- that; kuryat -- should do; vasam -- living; vraje -- 
in Vrndavana; sada -- always.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘The devotee should always think of Krsna within himself and 
should choose a very dear devotee who is a servitor of Krsna in 
 
Vrndavana. One should constantly engage in topics about that servitor 
and his loving relationship with Krsna, and one should live in Vrndavana.
 If one is physically unable to go to Vrndavana, he should 
mentally live there.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.294).
 
Madhya 22.161
 
TEXT 161
 
TEXT
 
dasa-sakha-pitradi-preyasira gana
raga-marge nija-nija-bhavera ganana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
dasa -- servants; sakha -- friends; pitr-adi -- parents; preyasira gana -
- conjugal lovers; raga-marge -- on the path of spontaneous loving 
 
service; nija-nija -- of one's own choice; bhavera -- of the ecstasy; 
ganana -- counting.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"Krsna has many types of devotees -- some are servants, some are friends,
 some are parents, and some are conjugal lovers. Devotees who are 
 
situated in one of these attitudes of spontaneous love according to 
their choice are considered to be on the path of spontaneous loving 
service.
 
 
Madhya 22.162
 
TEXT 162
 
TEXT
 
na karhicin mat-parah santa-rupe
 nanksyanti no me ‘nimiso ledhi hetih
 
yesam aham priya atma sutas ca
 sakha guruh suhrdo daivam istam
SYNONYMS
 
 
na -- not; karhicit -- at any time; mat-parah -- devotees of Me; santa-
 
rupe -- O mother, the symbol of peacefulness; nanksyanti -- will perish; 
na u -- nor; me -- My; animisah -- time; ledhi -- licks up (destroys); 
hetih -- weapon; yesam -- of whom; aham -- I; priyah -- dear; atma -- 
the Supersoul; sutah -- the son; ca -- and; sakha -- friend; guruh -- 
spiritual master; suhrdah -- well-wisher; daivam -- the Deity; istam -- 
chosen.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘My dear mother, Devahuti! O emblem of peace! My weapon, the disc of 
time, never vanquishes those for whom I am very dear -- for whom I am 
the Supersoul, son, friend, spiritual master, well-wisher, 
worshipable Deity and desired goal. Since the devotees are always 
attached to Me, they are never vanquished by the agents of time.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This was spoken by Kapiladeva to His mother Devahuti and is recorded in 
Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.38). Kapiladeva instructed His mother in sankhya-
 
yoga, but the importance of bhakti-yoga is mentioned here. Later sanhkya-
yoga was imitated by atheists, whose system was founded by a different 
Kapiladeva, Rsi Kapiladeva.
 
 
Madhya 22.163
 
TEXT 163
 
TEXT
 
pati-putra-suhrd-bhratr-
 pitrvan mitravad dharim
 
ye dhyayanti sadodyuktas
 tebhyo ‘piha namo namah
SYNONYMS
 
 
pati -- a husband; putra -- a son; suhrt -- a friend; bhratr -- a 
brother; pitr -- a father; vat -- like; mitra -- an intimate friend; vat 
 
-- like; harim -- on the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ye -- all those 
who; dhyayanti -- meditate; sada -- always; udyuktah -- full of 
eagerness; tebhyah -- unto them; api -- also; iha -- here; namah namah --
 repeated respectful obeisances.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"‘Let me offer my respectful obeisances again and again to those who 
always eagerly meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a 
 
husband, son, friend, brother, father or intimate friend.'
 
 
PURPORT
 
This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.308).
 
Madhya 22.164
 
TEXT 164
 
TEXT
 
ei mata kare yeba raganuga-bhakti
krsnera carane tanra upajaya ‘priti'
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
ei mata -- in this way; kare -- executes; yeba -- anyone who; raganuga-
bhakti -- spontaneous devotional service to Krsna; krsnera carane -- for 
 
the lotus feet of Krsna; tanra -- his; upajaya -- awakens; priti -- 
affection.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"If one engages in spontaneous loving service to the Lord, his affection 
 
for the lotus feet of Krsna gradually increases.
 
Madhya 22.165
 
TEXT 165
 
TEXT
 
prity-ankure ‘rati', ‘bhava' -- haya dui nama
yaha haite vasa hana sri-bhagavan
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
priti-ankure -- in the seed of affection; rati -- attachment; bhava -- 
emotion; haya -- there are; dui nama -- two names; yaha haite -- from 
 
which; vasa -- controlled; hana -- is; sri-bhagavan -- the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"In the seed of affection, there is attachment which goes by two names, 
rati and bhava. The Supreme Personality of Godhead comes under the 
 
control of such attachment.
 
 
PURPORT
 
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments on this verse. 
 
Externally a devotee performs all the items of devotional service in 
nine different ways, beginning with sravana and kirtana, 
and within his mind he always thinks of his eternal relationship with 
Krsna and follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vrndavana. If one 
engages himself in the service of Radha and Krsna in this way, he can 
transcend the regulative principles enjoined in the sastras and, through 
his spiritual master, fully engage in rendering spontaneous love to 
Krsna. In this way, he attains affection at the lotus feet of Krsna. 
Krsna actually comes under the control of such spontaneous feelings, and 
ultimately one can attain association with the Lord.
 
 
Madhya 22.166
 
TEXT 166
 
TEXT
 
yaha haite pai krsnera prema-sevana
eita' kahilun ‘abhidheya'-vivarana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
yaha haite -- from which; pai -- I can get; krsnera -- of Lord Krsna; 
prema-sevana -- affectionate service; eita' -- this; kahilun -- I have 
 
done; abhidheya-vivarana -- description of the means (devotional service)
 in detail.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"That by which one can attain loving service to the Lord I have 
described in detail as the execution of devotional service, called 
 
abhidheya.
 
 
Madhya 22.167
 
TEXT 167
 
TEXT
 
abhidheya, sadhana-bhakti ebe kahilun sanatana
sanksepe kahilun, vistara na yaya varnana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
abhidheya -- the means of obtaining the desired object; sadhana-bhakti --
 devotional service performed by means of the body and senses; ebe -- 
 
now; kahilun -- I have described; sanatana -- My dear Sanatana; sanksepe 
-- in short; kahilun -- I have described; vistara -- expansion; na yaya -
- is not possible; varnana -- describing.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
"My dear Sanatana, I have briefly described the process of devotional 
service in practice, which is the means for obtaining love of Krsna. It 
 
cannot be described broadly."
 
 
Madhya 22.168
 
TEXT 168
 
TEXT
 
abhidheya sadhana-bhakti sune yei jana
acirat paya sei krsna-prema-dhana
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
abhidheya -- necessary duty; sadhana-bhakti -- devotional service in 
practice; sune -- hears; yei jana -- anyone who; acirat -- very soon; 
 
paya -- gets; sei -- that person; krsna-prema-dhana -- the treasure of 
love of Krsna.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
Whoever hears this description of the process of practical devotional 
service very soon attains shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna in love and 
 
affection.
 
 
Madhya 22.169
 
TEXT 169
 
TEXT
 
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
 
SYNONYMS
 
 
sri-rupa -- Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha -- Srila Raghunatha dasa 
 
Gosvami; pade -- at the lotus feet; yara -- whose; asa -- expectation; 
Caitanya-caritamrta -- the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe -- 
describes; krsnadasa -- Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.
 
 
TRANSLATION
 
Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always 
desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, 
 
following in their footsteps.
 
 
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,
 Madhya-lila, Twenty-second Chapter, describing the execution of 
 
devotional service.
 