NBS#155

Çré Bhaimé Ekädaçé

Issue no:155

23rd February 2021

Universal Religion The System of Universal Management Srila Sukadeva Goswami

What Is Sanatana Dharma?

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

What Is Universal Religion?

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Pure Vaiñëava-dharma

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

The Ultimate Goal of Life

Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

Markine Bhägavata-dharma

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Circulaton 31,150

Issue no 155, Page — 2 The System of Universal Management Srila Sukadeva Goswami

Maharaja Pariksit inquired: O most opulent Sukadeva Goswami, please explain to me how Manu and the others in each manvantara are engaged in their respective duties, and by whose order they are so engaged.

Sukadeva Goswami said: The Manus, the sons of Manu, the great sages, the Indras and all the demigods, O King, are appointed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His various incarnations such as Yajna. O King, I have already described to you various incarnations of the Lord, such as Yajna. The Manus and others are chosen by these incarnations, under whose direction they conduct the universal affairs. At the end of every four yugas, the great saintly persons, upon seeing that the eternal occupational duties of mankind have been misused, reestablish the principles of religion. Thereafter, O King, the Manus, being fully engaged according to the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, directly reestablish the principles of occupational duty in its full four parts. To enjoy the results of sacrifices [yajñas], the rulers of the world, namely the sons and grandsons of Manu, discharge the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead until the end of Manu’s reign. The demigods also share the results of these sacrifices. Indra, King of heaven, receiving benedictions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus enjoying highly developed opulences, maintains the living entities all over the three worlds by pouring sufficient rain on all the planets. In every yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, assumes the form of Siddhas such as Sanaka to preach transcendental knowledge, He assumes the form of great saintly persons such as Yajnavalkya to teach the way of karma, and He assumes the form of great yogés such as Dattatreya to teach the system of mystic yoga. In the form of Prajapati Marici, the Supreme Personality of Godhead creates progeny; becoming the king, He kills the thieves and rogues; and in the form of time, He annihilates everything. All the different qualities of material existence should be understood to be qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. People in general are bewildered by the illusory energy, and therefore they try to find

nityaà bhägavata-sevayä the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, through various types of research and philosophical speculation. Nonetheless, they are unable to see the Supreme Lord.

In one kalpa,, or one day of Brahma, there take place the many changes called vikalpas. O King, all of these have been previously described to you by me. Learned scholars who know the past, present and future have ascertained that in one day of Brahma there are fourteen Manus.

— Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations » Chapter Fourteen » Verses: 11.

What is Sanatana Dharma?

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Sanätana means "eternal," and dharma means "occupational duties." From Satya-yuga to Kali-yuga, the principles of religion and occupational duty gradually deteriorate. In Satya-yuga, the religious principles are observed in full, without deviation. In Tretä-yuga, however, these principles are somewhat neglected, and only three fourths of the religious duties continue. In Dväpara-yuga only half of the religious principles continue, and in Kali-yuga only one fourth of the religious principles, which gradually disappear. At the end of Kali-yuga, the principles of religion, or the occupational duties of humanity, are almost lost. Indeed, in this Kali-yuga we have passed through only five thousand years, yet the decline of sanätana-dharma is very prominent.

The duty of saintly persons, therefore, is to take up seriously the cause of sanätana-dharma and try to reestablish it for the benefit of the entire human society. The Krishna consciousness movement has been started according to this principle. As stated in Çrémad-Bhägavatam (12.3.51): kaler doña-nidhe räjan asti hy eko mahän guëaù kértanäd eva kåñëasya mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet The entire Kali-yuga is full of faults. It is like an unlimited ocean of faults. But the Krishna consciousness movement is very authorized. Therefore, following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Ma-

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä haprabhu, who five hundred years ago inaugurated the movement of saìkértana, kåñëa-kértana, we are trying to introduce this movement, according to superior orders, all over the world. Now, if the inaugurators of this movement strictly follow the regulative principles and spread this movement for the benefit of all human society, they will certainly usher in a new way of life by reestablishing sanätana-dharma, the eternal occupational duties of humanity. The eternal occupational duty of the human being is to serve Krishna. Jévera 'svarüpa' haya-kåñëera 'nitya-däsa.' [Cc. Madhya 20.108].

This is the purport of sanätana-dharma. Sanätana means nitya, or "eternal," and kåñëa-däsa means "servant of Krishna." The eternal occupational duty of the human being is to serve Krishna. This is the sum and substance of the Krishna consciousness movement.

— Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations » Chapter Fouteen » Verses : 4 Purport.

What Is Universal Religion?

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

People in this world currently regard activities such as following religious principles or serving our fellow citizens as the topmost religion, but they are nothing but attempts at sense gratification by the atheistic community through the artificial processes of karma, jïäna, and yoga. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-gétä that we should give up all varieties of religion and take complete shelter of Him, but by creating concocted religious systems in the name of synthesizing all religions, even as they transgress the Supreme Lord’s instructions, the atheists are themselves cheated, just as they cheat others. Even though the people accept such concocted religious systems as truth, they distance themselves from actual truth. The endeavors of godless people, proud of their material knowledge, can never be accepted as supreme religious principles or sanätana-dharma. The only supreme religion for all humanity is unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service to the transcendental Lord Hari. Sanätana-dharma is the eternal occupational duty of the spirit soul and gives benefit to all. The Padma Puräëa states: ärädhanänäà sarveñäà, viñëor ärädhanaà param/ tasmät parataraà devi, tadéyänäà samarcanam: “Of all types of worship, worship of Lord Visnu is best, and better than the worship of Lord Visnu is the www.ibmedu.org

Issue no 155, Page—3 worship of His devotee, the Vaiñëava.” Therefore, better than worship of Krishna is the worship of the daughter of Vrsabhanu, of Nanda and Yasoda, of Sridama and Sudama, and of Raktaka and Patraka.

— Amåta Väëé: Nectar of Instructions of Immoratality His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura Prabhupäda Compiled by Çrépäda Bhakti Mayukha Bhägavat Mahäraja Adapted and Published by Éçvara däsa

Pure Vaiñëava-dharma

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

“Actually, there is no dharma other than vaiñëava-dharma. All other religions propagated in the world, including those to be propagated in future years, factually comprise different steps upon the ascension to vaiñëava-dharma, or alternatively they are deviations from the essential vaiñëava-dharma. When another religion complements vaiñëava-dharma, the devotee should respect that religion in accordance with its degree of purity.

Thus, the followers of those religions, which actually constitute different stages on the path to pure vaiñëava-dharma, must be accorded proper appreciation and respect. And, on the other hand, whilst dealing with groups that have deviated from pure vaiñëava-dharma, one must never bear malice, but engage oneself in the culture of one’s own devotional truth. Thus, devotees should never be hateful and show intolerance towards other religious practices. When the auspicious moment comes in a person’s life, he will easily embrace pure vaiñëava-dharma, of this there is no doubt.”

Sri Nityananda dasa Babaji, “Is it necessary to actively propagate vaiñëava-dharma?”

Sri Haridasa Babaji, “Indeed, by all means, it is the duty of everyone to do so. Our beloved Lord Sriman Mahaprabhu has entrusted everyone with the responsibility to preach, as stated in the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 7.92 and 9.36: näca, gäo, bhakta-saìge kara saìkértana kåñëa-näma upadeçi’ tära’ sarva-jana “’My dear child, continue dancing, chanting and performing saìkértana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of chanting kåñëa-näma, for by this process You will be able to deliver all fallen souls.’

Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya

Issue no 155, Page — 4

nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

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ataeva ämi äjïä diluì sabäkäre yähäì tähäì prema-phala deha’ yäre täre “’Therefore, I order every man within this universe to accept this Krishna consciousness movement and distribute it everywhere.’

“However, one should remember that an unworthy candidate must first be made qualified before one instructs him in the glories of kåñëa-näma. In certain situations, for instance in speaking to inimical persons, upekñä is required and so one should not speak anything that would spark off bitter controversy and thus cause impediments in the preaching work.”

The nectarean words of Sri Haridasa Babaji had had a wonderful effect upon Sri Nityananda dasa Babaji—he was overcome with prema and began to roll upon the ground. The assembled Vaiñëavas broke out into loud chanting of kåñëa-näma, and they all paid prostrated obeisances to Sri Haridasa Babaji. Thereafter, the meeting in that secluded grove broke up and everyone gradually went away to their individual dwellings.

— Jaiva-dharma Translated by Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Int. & Sarvabhävana däsa.

The Ultimate Goal of Life

Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

ye vai bhagavatä proktä upäyä hy ätma-labdhaye aïjaù puàsäm aviduñäà viddhi bhägavatän hi tän yän ästhäya naro räjan na pramädyeta karhicit dhävan nimélya vä netre na skhalen na pated iha The Lord's instructions to people in general who are ignorant about the ultimate goal of life regarding God realization is factually true religion and is also preached in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Those on this path of perfection may run blindfolded but will never trip over and fall down to illusion.

Anyone who wholeheartedly takes up devotional service (bhagavata-dharma) even with knowledge of its deep philosophy and its many practical aspects, may act contrary to the rules of one or some of its various practices much like the

neophyte may. However, such a devotee still does not incur sin, nor is his advancement depreciated.

In this case the word “blindfolded" cannot be interpreted to mean being blind or ignorant of the rules of the çruti and småti scriptures, otherwise this would obscure the principal purport of the text. The word “blindfolded" does not mean that one should ignore the thirty-two offences in devotional service just because the Lord said that “one may run blindfolded but will never ... fall down to illusion. (Two examples of these thirty-two offences [seva aparädha] to avoid are that one cannot enter the temple with shoes on or whilst one is riding on a palanquin. Both of these are offences prohibiting certain actions.)

A person who offends the Supreme Lord is referred to as a two-legged animal. It is mentioned that offences committed against the holy name may be old offences or new ones; if either of the offences are done unwittingly then certain symptoms will surely reveal as much. Constant chanting of the holy name will lead to unflinching faith in devotional service. This constant chanting gradually diminishes the effects of the offences.

But if the offences were committed knowingly, right from the start, then special arrangements for counteracting them are recommended.

Now we shall discuss the ten offences against the holy name: The first offence is to criticize and blaspheme the devotees. Blaspheming in this context means to be envious of, and antagonistic towards, the saintly devotee. If one even accidentally commits this offence against a Vaiñëava he must bitterly repent of his low behavior. just as poison is counteracted by poison, similarly, the offender, having set aflame his spiritual life with blasphemy, must be purified in the fire of contrition. The offender must go and fall at the feet of the devotee he reviled and beg forgiveness until he is again able to please that Vaiñëava. He must approach the devotee with trepidation in his heart and think that by pleading, praising, offering repeated obeisances, or by any means he must satisfy the offended devotee. Yet, if for some reason he is unable to appease the devotee then the offender must continue to serve him for many days in a way that will impress and satisfy him, In case the offence is of such a serious nature that the Vaiñëava's are remains unpacified, then

Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

the offender must strongly condemn his own abominable action and think, “Oh, how shameful!

I have blasphemed a Vaiñëava' I shall have to suffer millions of years in the fire of hell.” With a heavy heart, the aparadhi must then take complete shelter of the holy name and chant incessantly, knowing this to be his only hope.

The holy name of Krishna is all-powerful and can absolve any offence, however serious. The offender may incorrectly think, “If this is true about chanting, their why should I have to fall at the Vaiñëava's feet in such a humble manner and demean myself?

After all the scriptures ensure that for one who commits näma-aparädha chanting on its own will clear away all offences, hence I shall certainly be again pardoned.” Such thinking is incorrect. Instead, the offender becomes enmeshed in another heinous näma-aparädha, that of committing sin on the strength of chanting the holy name.

The offender may once again try to rationalize his misbehavior by saying, “According to the scriptures (SB 11.11.29) only those who are compassionate, peaceful, and tolerant are called sädhus, or saintly persons. Therefore, the offence of blaspheming a devotee is appropriate only when someone who possesses these characteristics is criticized, not for one who has not developed these qualities. In reply, the scriptures state that even if reprobates, cheaters, hypocrites, pretenders, outcastes, and worse take up devotional service, needless to say they are still considered to be sädhus. They must not be criticized for their past, however terrible it may have been, and they cannot be barred from being accepted as Vaiñëava devotees. nor can their devotion be deprecated.

Issue no 155, Page—5

The çästra further declares that if a mahä-bhagavata, or an elevated pure devotee, is offended, he simply brushes aside the entire episode because he possesses immense compassion, and he will not acknowledge the behavior as an offence. As for the guilty party, he must fall at the sädhu's feet and beg forgiveness so that his heart may be purified. We learn from the çästra and the sädhus that even if the maha-bhagavata effortlessly tolerates the foolish person's blasphemy, his followers cannot bear this atrocity; they punish the offender by wishing him to suffer appropriately for his offence.

The pure devotees are incorruptible and independent in thought. They do not require a reason to shower their causeless mercy on any soul, however wretched he may be. Sometimes they display great magnanimity by showing profound mercy to a downright offender and harsh critic. At the same time they are not swayed by praise in order to make them act compassionately. The story of the elevated devotee Jada Bharat is a good example.

King Rahugana once engaged Jada Bharat to carry his palanquin. After going some way, the king began to rudely criticize Jada Bharata who simply showered him with mercy. In another incident, the atheistic Daityas were very offensive to Uparicara Vasu, the King of Cedi. A third example is that of the despicable Madhai who threw a stone at Lord Nityananda, causing His forehead to bleed profusely, yet the Lord showed him causeless mercy.

So far we have discussed the first näma-aparädha, that of offending a devotee. The same principle is applied to another offence against the holy name that of disobeying the orders of the spiritual master.

—Madhurya-Kadambini - Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura Translated

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Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya

Issue no 155, Page — 6

Märkine Bhägavata-dharma

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

baro-kåpä kaile kåñëa adhamer prati ki lägiyänile hethä koro ebe gati My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. äche kichu kärja taba ei anumäne nahe keno äniben ei ugra-sthäne But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place? rajas tamo guëe erä sabäi äcchanna bäsudeb-kathä ruci nahe se prasanna Most of the population here is covered by the material modes of ignorance and passion. Absorbed in material life, they think themselves very happy and satisfied, and therefore they have no taste for the transcendental message of Vasudeva. I do not know how they will be able to understand it.

nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

tabe jadi taba kåpä hoy ahaituké sakal-i sambhava hoy tumi se kautuké But I know Your causeless mercy can make everything possible because You are the most expert mystic. ki bhäve bujhäle tärä bujhe sei rasa eta kåpä koro prabhu kori nija-baça How will they understand the mellows of devotional service? O Lord, I am simply praying for Your mercy so that I will be able to convince them about Your message. tomära icchäya saba hoy mäyä-baça tomära icchäya näça mäyär paraça All living entities have become under the control of the illusory energy by Your will, and therefore, if You like, by Your will they can also be released from the clutches of illusion. taba icchä hoy jadi tädera uddhär bujhibe niçcai tabe kathä se tomär I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore if You so desire their deliverance, then only will they be able to understand Your message.

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä bhägavater kathä se taba avatär dhéra haiyä çune jadi käne bär bär The words of Çrémad-Bhägavatam are Your incarnation, and if a sober person repeatedly receives it with submissive aural reception, then he will be able to understand Your message. rajas tamo hate tabe päibe nistär hådayer abhadra sate ghucibe tähär He will become liberated from the influence of the modes of ignorance and passion and thus all inauspicious things accumulated in the core of the heart will disappear. ki ko're bujhäbo kathä baro sei cähi khudra ämi déna héna kono çakti nähi How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified and the most fallen.

Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own.

Issue no 155, Page—7 will certainly feel engladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of life. äniyächo jadi prabhu ämäre näcäte näcäo näcäo prabhu näcäo se-mate käñöhera puttali jathä näcäo se-mate O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands.

So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, make me dance as You like. bhakti näi beda näi näme khub daro "bhaktivedänta" näm ebe särthak kor I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Krishna. I have been designated as Bhaktivedänta, and now, if You like, You can fulfill the real purport of Bhaktivedänta.

—Signed–the most unfortunate, insignificant beggar A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, on board the ship Jaladuta, Commonwealth Pier, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.dated 18th of September, 1965.

athaca enecho prabhu kathä bolibäre je tomär icchä prabhu koro ei bäre Somehow or other, O Lord, You have brought me here to speak about You. Now, my Lord, it is up to You to make me a success or failure as You like. akhila jagat-guru! bacana se ämär alaìkåta koribär khamatä tomär O spiritual master of all the worlds! I can simply repeat Your message, so if You like You can make my power of speaking suitable for their understanding. taba kåpä ha'le mor kathä çuddha habe çuniyä sabära çoka duùkha je ghucibe Only by Your causeless mercy will my words become pure. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts they www.ibmedu.org

!! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!

ISKCON Bhagavata Mahävidyalaya is a branch of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada Editor Brajsunder Das Copy Editor Isha Prakash Das Sanskrit Editor, Vrajsevika Devi Dasi Assistance Vamsidhari Gauri Devi Dasi Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. ©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective artists.

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