Madhya22.83

TEXT 83

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya ’sādhu-saṅga’

kṛṣṇa-prema janme, teṅho punaḥ mukhya aṅga

SYNONYMS

kṛṣṇa-bhakti—of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa; janma-mūla—the root cause; haya—is; sādhu-saṅga—association with advanced devotees; kṛṣṇa-prema—love of Kṛṣṇa; janme—awakens; teṅho—that same association with devotees; punaḥ—again; mukhya aṅga—the chief principle.

TRANSLATION

"The root cause of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Kṛṣṇa awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.

Madhya22.84

TEXT 84

bhavāpavargo bhramato yadā bhavej

janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samāgamaḥ

sat-saṅgamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau

parāvareśe tvayi jāyate ratiḥ

SYNONYMS

bhava-apavargaḥ—liberation from the nescience of material existence; bhramataḥ—wandering; yadā—when; bhavet—should be; janasya—of a person; tarhi—at that time; acyuta—O Supreme Personality of Godhead; sat-samāgamaḥ—association with devotees; sat-saṅgamaḥ—association with the devotees; yarhi—when; tadā—at that time; eva—only; sat-gatau—the highest goal of life; parāvareśe—the Lord of the universe; tvayi—to You; jāyate—appears; ratiḥ—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 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.51.53).

Madhya22.85

TEXT 85

ata ātyantikaṁ kṣemaṁ

pṛcchāmo bhavato ’naghāḥ

saṁsāre ’smin kṣaṇārdho ’pi

sat-saṅgaḥ sevadhir nṛṇām

SYNONYMS

ataḥ—therefore (due to the rareness of seeing pure devotees of the Lord); ātyantikam—supreme; kṣemam—auspiciousness; pṛcchāmaḥ—we are asking; ātyantikam—supreme; kṣemam—auspiciousness; pṛcchāmaḥ—we are asking; bhavataḥ—you; anaghāḥ—O sinless ones; saṁsāre—in the material world; asmin—this; kṣaṇa-ardhaḥ—lasting half a moment; api—even; sat-saṅgaḥ—association with devotees; sevadhiḥ—a treasure; nṛṇām—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 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.30).

Madhya22.86

TEXT 86

satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-samvido

bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ

taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani

śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati

SYNONYMS

satām—of the devotees; prasaṅgāt—by the intimate association; mama—of Me; vīrya-samvidaḥ—talks full of spiritual potency; bhavanti—appear; hṛt—to the heart; karṇa—and to the ears; rasa-āyanāḥ—a source of sweetness; kathāḥ—talks; tat—of them; joṣaṇāt—from proper cultivation; āśu—quickly; apavarga—of liberation; vartmani—on the path; śraddhā—faith; ratiḥ—attraction; bhaktiḥ—love; anukramiṣyati—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

Madhya22.87

TEXT 87

asat-saṅga-tyāga,--ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra

’strī-saṅgī’--eka asādhu, ’kṛṣṇābhakta’ āra

SYNONYMS

asat-saṅga-tyāga—rejection of the association of nondevotees; ei—this; vaiṣṇava-ācāra—the behavior of a Vaiṣṇava; strī-saṅgī—who associates with women for sense gratification; eka—one; asādhu—unsaintly person; kṛṣṇa-abhakta—one who is not a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa; āra—another.

TRANSLATION

"A Vaiṣṇava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. Vaiṣṇavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Madhya22.88-90

TEXTS 88-90

satyaṁ śaucaṁ dayā maunaṁ

buddhir hrīḥ śrīr yaśaḥ kṣamā

śamo damo bhagaś ceti

yat-saṅgād yāti saṅkṣayam

teṣv aśānteṣu mūḍheṣu

khaṇḍitātmasv asādhuṣu

saṅgaṁ na kuryāc chocyeṣu

yoṣit-krīḍā-mṛgeṣu ca

na tathāsya bhaven moho

bandhaś cānya-prasaṅgataḥ

yoṣit-saṅgād yathā puṁso

yathā tat-saṅgi-saṅgataḥ

SYNONYMS

satyam—truthfulness; śaucam—cleanliness; dayā—mercy; maunam—silence; buddhiḥ—intelligence; hrīḥ—modesty; śrīḥ—beauty; yaśaḥ—fame; kṣama—forgiveness; śamaḥ—controlling the mind; damaḥ—controlling the senses; bhagaḥ—opulence; ca—and; iti—thus; yat—of whom; saṅgāt—by the association; yāti—goes to; saṅkṣayam—complete destruction; teṣu—among them; aśānteṣu—who are restless; mūdheṣu—among the fools; khaṇḍita-ātmasu—whose self-realization is spoiled; asādhuṣu—not saintly; saṅgam—association; na—not; kuryāt—should do; śocyeṣu—who are full of lamentation; yoṣit—of women; krīḍā-mṛgeṣu—who are like toy animals; ca—also; na—not; tathā—so much; asya—of him; bhavet—there may be; mohaḥ—illusion; bandhaḥ—binding; ca—and; anya—other types; prasaṅgataḥ—from association; yoṣit-saṅgāt—by association with women; yathā—as; puṁsaḥ—of the man; yathā—as well as; tat-saṅgi-saṅgataḥ—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

Madhya22.91

TEXT 91

varaṁ huta-vaha-jvālā-

pañjarāntar-vyavasthitiḥ

na śauri-cintā-vimukha-

jana-saṁvāsa-vaiśasam

SYNONYMS

varam—better; huta-vaha—of fire; jvālā—in the flames; pañjara-antaḥ—inside a cage; vyavasthitiḥ—abiding; na—not; śauri-cintā—of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or thought of Kṛṣṇa; vimukha—bereft; jana—of persons; saṁvāsa—of the association; vaiśasam—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 Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Such association is a very great hardship.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from the Kātyāyana-saṁhitā.

Madhya22.92

TEXT 92

mā drākṣīḥ kṣīṇa-puṇyān kvacid api

bhagavad-bhakti-hīnān manuṣyān

SYNONYMS

mā—do not; drākṣīḥ—see; kṣīṇa-puṇyān—who are bereft of all piety; kvacit api—at any time; bhagavat-bhakti-hīnān—who are bereft of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service; manuṣyān—persons.

TRANSLATION

" One should not even see those who are bereft of devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and who are therefore devoid of pious activities.

Madhya22.93

TEXT 93

eta saba chāḍi’ āra varṇāśrama-dharma

akiñcana hañā laya kṛṣṇaika-śaraṇa

SYNONYMS

eta saba—all these; chāḍi’-giving up; āra—and; varṇa-āśrama-dharma—the regulative principle of four varṇas and four āśramas; akiñcana—without any attachment for anything material; hañā—becoming; laya—he takes; kṛṣṇa-eka-śaraṇa—exclusive shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Without hesitation, one should take the exclusive shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa with full confidence, giving up bad association and even neglecting the regulative principles of the four varṇas and four āśramas. That is to say, one should abandon all material attachment.

Madhya22.94

TEXT 94

sarva-dharmān parityajya

mam ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja

ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo

mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

SYNONYMS

sarva-dharmān—all kinds of occupational duties; parityajya—giving up; mām ekam—unto Me only; śaraṇam—as shelter; vraja—go; aham—I; tvām—unto you; sarva-pāpebhyaḥ—from all the reactions of sinful life; mokṣayiṣyāmi—will give liberation; mā—don’t; śucaḥ—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

Madhya22.95

TEXT 95

bhakta-vatsala, kṛtajña, samartha, vadānya

hena kṛṣṇa chāḍi’ paṇḍita nāhi bhaje anya

SYNONYMS

bhakta-vatsala—very kind to the devotees; kṛta-jña—grateful; samartha—full of all abilities; vadānya—magnanimous; hena—such; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; chāḍi’-giving up; paṇḍita—a learned man; nāhi—does not; bhaje—worship; anya—anyone else.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa to worship anyone else.

PURPORT

An intelligent person gives up the company of those who are attached to women and bereft of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One should be free from all kinds of material attachment and should take full shelter under the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa’s shelter? If one worships a demigod and leaves Kṛṣṇa, he must be considered the lowest fool.

Madhya22.96

TEXT 96

kaḥ paṇḍitas tvad-aparaṁ śaraṇaṁ samīyād

bhakta-priyād ṛta-giraḥ suhṛdaḥ kṛtajñāt

sarvān dadāti suhṛdo bhajato ’bhikāmān

ātmānam apy upacayāpacayau na yasya

SYNONYMS

kaḥ—what; paṇḍitaḥ—learned man; tvat-aparam—other than Your Lordship; śaraṇam—shelter; samīyāt—would take; bhakta-priyāt—who are affectionate to Your devotees; ṛta-giraḥ—who are truthful to the devotees; suhṛdaḥ—who are the friend of the devotees; kṛta-jñāt—who are grateful to the devotees; sarvān—all; dadāti—gives; suhṛdaḥ—to Your well-wishers; bhajataḥ—who worship You by devotional service; abhikāmān—desires; ātmānam—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 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.48.26).

Madhya22.97

TEXT 97

vijña-janera haya yadi kṛṣṇa-guṇa-jñāna

anya tyaji’, bhaje, tāte uddhava--pramāṇa

SYNONYMS

vijña-janera—of an experienced person; haya—there is; yadi—if; kṛṣṇa-guṇa-jñāna—knowledge of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental qualities; anya—others; tyaji’-giving up; bhaje—he engages in devotional service; tāte—in that connection; uddhava—Uddhava; pramāṇa—the evidence.

TRANSLATION

"Whenever an experienced person develops real knowledge of Kṛṣṇa and His transcendental qualities, he naturally gives up all other engagements and renders service to the Lord. Uddhava gives evidence concerning this.

Madhya22.98

TEXT 98

aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ

jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī

lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ

kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema

SYNONYMS

aho—how wonderful; bakī—Pūtanā, the sister of Bakāsura; yam—whom; stana—on the two breasts; kāla-kūṭam—the deadly poison; jighāṁsayā—with a desire to kill; apāyayat—forced to drink; api—although; asādhvī—dangerously inimical to Kṛṣṇa; lebhe—achieved; gatim—the destination; dhātrī—for a nurse; ucitām—suitable; tataḥ—than Him; anyam—other; kam—to whom; vā—or; dayālum—the most merciful; śaraṇam—shelter; vrajema—shall take.

TRANSLATION

" ’Oh, how wonderful it is! Pūtanā, the sister of Bakāsura, wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa by smearing deadly poison on her breasts and having Kṛṣṇa take it. Nonetheless, Lord Kṛṣṇa accepted her as His mother, and thus she attained the destination befitting Kṛṣṇa’s mother. Of whom should I take shelter but Kṛṣṇa, who is most merciful?’

PURPORT

Madhya22.99

TEXT 99

śaraṇāgatera, akiñcanera--eka-i lakṣaṇa

tāra madhye praveśaye ’ātma-samarpaṇa’

SYNONYMS

śaraṇāgatera—of a person who has fully taken shelter of Kṛṣṇa; akiñcanera—of a person who is free of all material desires; eka-i lakṣaṇa—the symptoms are one and the same; tāra madhye—of them all; praveśaye—enters; ātma-samarpaṇa—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 Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are qualified with another transcendental quality-ātma-samarpaṇa, full surrender without reservation.

Madhya22.100

TEXT 100

ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ

prātikūlyasya varjanam

rakṣiṣyatīti viśvāso

goptṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā

ātma-nikṣepa-kārpaṇye

ṣaḍ-vidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ

SYNONYMS

ānukūlyasya—of anything that assists devotional service to the Lord; saṅkalpaḥ—acceptance; prātikūlyasya—of anything that hinders devotional service; varjanam—complete rejection; rakṣiṣyati—He will protect; iti—thus; viśvāsaḥ—strong conviction; goptṛtve—in being the guardian, like the father or husband, master or maintainer; varaṇam—acceptance; tathā—as well as; ātma-nikṣepa—full self-surrender; kārpaṇye—humility; ṣaṭ-vidhā—sixfold; śaraṇa-āgatiḥ—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 Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa 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, Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa as his supreme maintainer and master. He should not think that he is being protected by a demigod. He should depend only on Kṛṣṇa, considering Him the only protector. The devotee must be firmly convinced that within the three worlds he has no protector or maintainer other than Kṛṣṇa. (5) Self-surrender means remembering that one’s activities and desires are not independent. The devotee is completely dependent on Kṛṣṇa, and he acts and thinks as Kṛṣṇa desires. (6) The devotee is meek and humble. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā:

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo
mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca
vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham

Madhya22.101

TEXT 101

tavāsmīti vadan vācā

tathaiva manasā vidan

tat-sthānam āśritas tanvā

modate śaraṇāgataḥ

SYNONYMS

tava—His; asmi—I am; iti—thus; vadan—saying; vācā—by words; tathā—so; eva—certainly; manasā—with the mind; vidan—knowing; tat-sthānam—His place; āśritaḥ—taken shelter of; tanvā—by the body; modate—he enjoys; śaraṇa-āgataḥ—fully surrendered.

TRANSLATION

“ ’One whose body is fully surrendered takes shelter at the holy place where Kṛṣṇa 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-vilāsa (11.417,418).

Madhya22.102

TEXT 102

śaraṇa lañā kare kṛṣṇe ātma-samarpaṇa

kṛṣṇa tāre kare tat-kāle ātma-sama

SYNONYMS

śaraṇa lañā—taking shelter; kare—does; kṛṣṇe—unto Kṛṣṇa; ātma-samarpaṇa—fully surrendering; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; tāre—him; kare—makes; tat-kāle—immediately; ātma-sama—one of His confidential associates.

TRANSLATION

"When a devotee thus fully surrenders unto Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, Kṛṣṇa accepts him as one of His confidential associates.

Madhya22.103

TEXT 103

martyo yadā tyakta-samasta-karmā

niveditātmā vicikīrṣito me

tadāmṛtatvaṁ pratipadyamāno

mayātma-bhūyāya ca kalpate vai

SYNONYMS

martyaḥ—the living entity subjected to birth and death; yadā—as soon as; tyakta—given up; samasta—all; karmā—fruitive activities; nivedita-ātmā—a fully surrendered soul; vicikīrṣitaḥ—desired to act; me—by Me; tadā—at that time; amṛtatvam—immortality; pratipadyamānaḥ—attaining; mayā—with Me; ātma-bhūyāya—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 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.29.34). Kṛṣṇa 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.

Madhya22.104

TEXT 104

ebe sādhana-bhakti-lakṣaṇa śuna, sanātana

yāhā haite pāi kṛṣṇa-prema-mahā-dhana

SYNONYMS

ebe—now; sādhana-bhakti—regulative principles for executing devotional service; lakṣaṇa—the symptoms; śuna—please hear; sanātana—My dear Sanātana; yāhā haite—from which; pāi—one can get; kṛṣṇa-prema-mahā-dhana—the most valuable treasure of love for Kṛṣṇa.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanātana, 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.

Madhya22.105

TEXT 105

kṛti-sādhyā bhavet sādhya-

bhāvā sā sādhanābhidhā

nitya-siddhasya bhāvasya

prākaṭyaṁ hṛdi sādhyatā

SYNONYMS

kṛti-sādhyā—which is to be executed by the senses; bhavet—should be; sādhya-bhāvā—by which love of Godhead is acquired; sā—that; sādhana-abhidhā—called sādhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice; nitya-siddhasya—which is eternally present; bhāvasya—of love of Godhead; prākaṭyam—the awakening; hṛdi—in the heart; sādhyatā—potentiality.

TRANSLATION

" ’When transcendental devotional service by which love for Kṛṣṇa is attained is executed by the senses, it is called sādhana-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-rasāmṛta-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 śravaṇa kīrtana, 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 Kṛṣṇa mantra chanted by a pure Vaiṣṇava. One who hears the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra thus vibrated is awakened to spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In this way one’s mind gradually becomes purified, as stated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam). 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 Kṛṣṇa is awakened.

Madhya22.106

TEXT 106

śravaṇādi-kriyā--tāra ’svarūpa’-lakṣaṇa

’taṭastha’-lakṣaṇe upajāya prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

śravaṇa-ādi-kriyā—the process of hearing, chanting and so forth; tāra—of that; svarūpa-lakṣaṇa—symptoms of the nature; taṭastha-lakṣaṇe—marginal symptoms; upajāya—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 Kṛṣṇa.

Madhya22.107

TEXT 107

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ’sādhya’ kabhu naya

śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

SYNONYMS

nitya-siddha—eternally proved; kṛṣṇa-prema—love of Kṛṣṇa; sādhya—to be gained; kabhu—at any time; naya—not; śravaṇa-ādi—by hearing, etc.; śuddha—purified; citte—in the heart; karaye udaya—awakens.

TRANSLATION

"Pure love for Kṛṣṇa 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.

Madhya22.108

TEXT 108

ei ta sādhana-bhakti--dui ta’ prakāra

eka ’vaidhī bhakti’, ’rāgānugā-bhakti’ āra

SYNONYMS

ei ta—this; sādhana-bhakti—process of devotional service; dui ta’ prakāra—two kinds; eka—one; vaidhī bhakti—the regulative devotional service; rāgānugā-bhakti—spontaneous devotional service; āra—and.

TRANSLATION

"There are two processes of practical devotional service. One is regulative devotional service, and the other is spontaneous devotional service.

Madhya22.109

TEXT 109

rāga-hīna jana bhaje śāstrera ājñāya

’vaidhī bhakti’ bali’ tāre sarva-śāstre gāya

SYNONYMS

rāga-hīna—who are without spontaneous attachment to Kṛṣṇa; jana—persons; bhaje—execute devotional service; śāstrera ājñāya—according to the principles and regulations described in the revealed scriptures; vaidhī bhakti—regulative devotional service; bali’-calling; tāre—that; sarva-śāstre—all revealed scriptures; gāya—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 vaidhī 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. Ahaitukī, apratihatā. 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 vaidhī bhakti and spontaneous bhakti. Dormant love for Kṛṣṇa 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 kṛṣṇa-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 maṅgala-ārati 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 vaidhī bhakti.

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