Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das
#SrimadBhagavatam #Bhakti
#Krishna #Vaisnava #Shastra #GranthaRaja
Srimad Bhagavatam is called
the “king of all spiritual books” (Grantha Raja) for good reason. Within this
triguna-free, transcendental treatise, the amala-purana, which showcases the
absolutely selfless, divine love of Srimati Radharani, one can find all the
sweet, majestic and beautiful truths about the sadhana and sadhya (daily
practice and perfection) of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.
In his most compassionate and
wonderful shastra, Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita, Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja
summarizes the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamis of
Vrindavana by mentioning the same Bhagavatam verses that they used to
substantiate their sublime instructions.
To emphasize the importance of
these particular verses for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the same Bhagavatam verse is
often mentioned two, three or more times in the Sri Chaitanya Caritamrta.
This series of posts presents
these verses, along with selected tikas of our acharyas and the compiler. We
will cover the beautiful truths, tattvas, of Krishna, Radha, Vaisnavas, Sri
Guru, Bhakti Sadhana, Nama, Prema and more.
Srimad Bhagavatam is the
Rasika Essence of Vedanta
In Varanasi, for two months,
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Sri Sanatana Goswami in all the truths of
Krishna bhakti, shikaila-bhakti-siddhanta. (Caitanya-caritamrta 2.25.3)
While glorifying the
Bhagavatam, Mahaprabhu said, “Srila Vyasadeva, the author of the Vedanta,has
personally explained the sutras of Vedanta in the Srimad Bhagavatam.” Cc
2.25.142)
Mahaprabhu then quoted key
verses to establish the unique position of SrimadBhagavatam.
sarva-veda-itihasanam
saram-saram-samuddhrtam
Mahaprabhu said, “The
quintessence of all Veda and histories is collected in Bhagavatam.” (SB 1.3.41:
CC 2.25.145)
Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika
(SB 1.3.41: “Vyasa affectionately fed the Bhagavatam, the essence of the
essence of the Vedas, which is like butter appearing from churning yogurt, to
his son Shukadeva. This indicates that his effort of churning the Vedas was
successful. And Shukadeva, though the best of the self-realized souls, ate that
butter of the Bhagavata with great greed because of its wonderful taste.”
Continuing, Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu cites the Twelfth Canto to show the supreme power and effect of the
Srimad Bhagavatam.
sarva-vedanta-saram-hi
sri-bhagavatam-ishyate
tad-rasamrita-trptasya
nanyatra-syad–ratih-kvacit
“SrimadBhagavatam is the
essence of all Vedanta philosophy. One who has felt satisfaction from tasting
the rasa amrita of Bhagavatam will not be attracted to anything else.”(SB
12.13.15)
Just see the astonishing
effect of tasting the mellow beauty, sweetness and charm of the Srimad Bhagavatam!
The word ratih means attraction, attachment and love. The fabulous taste and
experience of the Bhagavatam makes one lose interest in anything else but Radha
and Krishna, and Their eternal loving service in the bowers of Vrndavana.
Srimati Radhika, in the
delirium of mahabhava in separation from Her Priyatam Shyam, reveals the
unlimited power of Bhagavata shravan.
Srimati Radharani said, “To
hear about the pastimes that Krishna regularly performs is nectar for the ears.
For those who relish just a single drop of that nectar, even once, their
dedication to material duality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly given
up their wretched homes and families and, themselves becoming wretched,
traveled here to Vrndavana to wander about like birds, begging for their
living.” (SB 10.47.18)
Commenting on this verse, Sri
Visvanatha Cakravarti pada says, “In this verse Srimati Radharani is saying,
‘Just hearing about Krishna’s pastimesis nectar for the ears. Even one drop of
this nectar completely destroys the propensities of mutual friendship between
men and women.
‘If a wife hears Krishna lila,
she will immediately give up affection for her husband. And so to the husband
will give up affection for his wife. If a mother hears about Krishna, she loses
all affection for her childrenThe same is also true for a child in connection
with his mother and father. Thus, by this mutual rejection they all become
totally ruined.
‘Just by hearing about Krishna
they immediately give up their homes and families, including even their parents
and sisters-in-law who then suffer with no other means of support, and without
even enough money for the next day’s food.
‘Alas! Alas! Even if we
disregard that their wives and children may die, even they themselves fail to
become happy. They are penniless after leaving their families, due to having
forgotten to tie up even a few coins in their cloth, because of the agitation
of their minds while leaving.’
But it may be questioned, “How
do they maintain their lives?”
Radha answers, ‘Like birds,
they live by begging, just collecting small amounts of wheat and other grains,
rather than taking substantial charity from one person. Or they come begging
here in Vrndavana, the place of suffering, and suffer even more in our
association.’
But someone may object, “Krishna
lila is like a poisonous mixture of sugarcane juice and powdered seeds of the
dhatura plant.”
To this, Radha replies, ‘For
this reason Krishna has accepted the role of the Supreme thinking, “Just like
the gopis, I will make all people fall into the ocean of suffering.”
‘Indeed,
seeing others’ suffering is Krishna’s only happiness. As a result, Krishna must
bear the consequence of giving such misery to others, not Vyasa and other
sages.’
Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti pada
concludes his amazing commentary, “As we can see there are thousands of
implications in this verse. Through condemnation Radha is indirectly praising Krishna,
and thus establishing the super excellence of shuddha-bhakti.”
Srimati Radharani ki jai!
Srimad Bhagavatam ki jai! Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti pada ki jai!
No comments:
Post a Comment