In course of the spiritual path, many seekers who take shelter of Srila Prabhupada in their initial days of spiritual journey, often meet with 'devotees' from different sampradaya or mood, and get this doubt that remains mostly unanswered.
It is a bold, straight-forward, and very important discussion for those who want to be attached further in the Lotus Feet of our most beloved and most merciful Srila Prabhupada, or even for those who want to understand or get a direct answer of the topic.
There was no one before, and there will be no one after, who can match the karuna (compassion), dular (love) and reciprocation as that of Srila Prabhupada! A sincere seeker can relate to the previous sentence by the end of this article. It's a long read, but do read till the end if Sriji inspires you.
A simple note before reading this chapter - please do read every single article on this site to relate to the complete context of this confidential discussion.
I was made to write this for my own meditation of my dear Vrindavan Dham and Divine Couple as instructed by my Guru Tattva. The glories of Harinam Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabhu under the supervision of Srila Prabhupada and our predecessor Acharyas makes the heart enthusiastic and blissful, and here I attempt to just revise it for my own cintan (meditation) as have mercifully received from my dear Guru Tattva inspite of my absolute zero qualification.
This article is a bit on the confidential side and should be read only by sincere kripa patra seekers who aspire to learn about the deeper meaning of Gaudiya literature Prayojana (conclusion). It’s a long read but do read it till the end to relate to the inner context.
In his 1997 Srila Prabhupada Vyas Puja offering lecture at Krishna Balaram Mandir in Sri Vrindavan Dham, Sripad Aindra Prabhu boldly states that THIS ISKCON HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT IS COMPLETE! Here is an excerpt from the lecture:
The book 'Demystifying The Mystical Vrindavan' is the essence and crux of this entire website.
If you are considering to dive into the final goal of our Vedic Scriptures and spiritual life, and if Radharani inspires you, do get a copy of the book .
“Krishna is always accessible. My Guru is always accessible. The instructions of my spiritual master are always accessible.
Krishna is All-Attractive. Krishna’s Swarup Shakti is also all-attractive as Krishna is also All-Attractive. And as saktyavesh, my Guru is also all-attractive. His instructions are all-attractive.
There is no reason why I shouldn’t have everything at my disposal to be attracted to the Lotus Feet of Krishna. THIS ISKCON MOVEMENT IS COMPLETE. We should never neglect this point. We should never misunderstand under some illusion, bewilderment that we don’t have (crying and choking voice) all the facility for complete perfection at the feet of Srila Prabhupada in this ISKCON movement.
This ISKCON movement is complete because everything is here. If you want it, if you want to have complete perfection you can have it because Srila Prabhupada is dying to give us that thing. He wants to give us that thing. But he wants to see who is receptive. Who wants to get that thing?
Who wants eternal relationship with Krishna or who wants to be satisfied here with lobha, puja and pratistha and various other grosser manifestations of material consciousness in the name of Krishna Consciousness?
You can have all perfection. There is no doubt. Srila Prabhupada would give you all perfection. From him, everything is coming. It is not limited to words written in the book. It is a hearts affair between the sincere disciple and spiritual master.”
- Sripad Aindra Prabhu (Srila Prabhupada Vyas Puja
Lecture 1997, Vrindavan)
Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu gave the teaching of confidential Rasa Science (Prema Bhakti) to Srila Rupa Goswamipada on the banks of Mother Ganga at Dashashvamedha Ghat for 10 days. The most confidential book of Krishna Consciousness - Krishna Bhavamantra and Govinda Lilamrta are derived from the book “Nikunj Rahasya Tattva" by Srila Rupa Goswamipada.
Gaudiya Vaishnavas, or the followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are also called as Rupanugas, or the followers of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada.
The most primitive book of Krishna Consciousness - Updesamrta or The Nectar of Instruction is written by Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada (Translated in english by our Srila Prabhupada). He wrote this book at Ter Kadamba. Ter Kadamba is no ordinary. In Bhauma Vrindavan (where earthly pastimes of Divine Couple happens), Ter Kadamba is most intimate place in the entire Vraj Mandal (The subject is discussed in the previous chapter in intricate detail). It is place of exemplary display of Param Parakiya Bhav.
In “Bhagavad Gita As It Is” as well as “Chaitanya Caritamrta” translation, Srila Prabhupada writes a beautiful offering about Srila Rupa Goswamipada in the very first sentences.
As discussed in last chapter 'The confidential mercy of Ananga Manjari and Rupa Manjari', our Diksha Sampradaya and Mantra, as Aindra Prabhu states, comes from Jahnava Nitai, and our Siksha Sampradaya from Srila Rupa Goswamipada (Sri Rupa Manjari). The Siksha of Diksha is also under the supervision of Srila Rupa Goswami hence we are called followers of Srila Rupa Goswami (Rupanugas). In prakat Gaur Lila, Srila Rupa Goswami and six Goswamis took shelter of Jahnava Maiya at Radha Kund.
Sri Jahnava Maiya is Sri Ananga Manjari, and Srila Rupa Goswami is Sri Rupa Manjari in Nitya Goloka Vrindavan. The Guru Tattva offer the seeker unto Sri Rupa Manjari, who offers the seeker to Sri Ananga Manjari, who offers them to Radha Krishna! (The subject has been well described in the previous chapter).
The main part is ‘Sriji is mine’. The chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra guides all in the heart of sincere Kripa Patra seeker.
The above subject is just a teaser of the beautiful rasa that is given mercifully by our Rasika Acharyas. Everything is given by our Srila Prabhupada and is there in Hare Krishna Movement, if the seeker is sincerely surrendered to feet of our Srila Prabhupada and is desperately crying to him to reveal the purpose and intent of the entire movement. Chanting Nama guides all!
Srila Prabhupada is specially empowered saktyakesh avatar. Aindra Prabhu states that Srila Prabhupada is Param Rasika number one!
As what Sri Vrindavan and Guru Tattva have guided, very very few Kripa Patra seekers have realised about the identity of Srila Prabhupada! Most thought of him as somebody who came and did some preaching, went to USA at the age of 70, and created Hare Krishna Movement. But even amongst Vrindavan saints, very few came to know about Srila Prabhupada’s real identity, which Aindra Prabhu has mercifully revealed in his lectures as Nityananad Swarup Shakti, who appears under will of Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Six Goswamis and entire Guru Shishya Parampara to reclaim us back to the most inner confidential groves of Goloka Vrindavan where the Divine Couple sport their most confidential pastimes!
“We have no stock except chanting. But why do we talk of philosophy? Because the fools want to talk of philosophy. Otherwise, there is no
need of talking philosophy. Simply by chanting,
everything is complete.”- Srila Prabhupada lecture on Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi Lila 7.39-47, San Francisco, Feb 1, 1967
One who takes Srila Prabhupada’s shelter, there is no need to go anywhere else! Srila Gaur Kishore Baba Ji Maharaj says that Hare Krishna Mahamantra is alone enough to give Nitya Swarup (eternal constitutional position). All the potency is directly there in Hare Krishna Mahamantra in most esoteric form (Please read The inner confidential meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra). Those who are object of Guru Kripa can relate to this.
Aindra Prabhu tells that don’t be in illusion that chanting Hare Krishna will not produce desired result. Rasikajana guide to take Nama as final all in all conclusion, and be nidhar (fearless) like a baby is around their mother by simply just depending on Hare Krishna Mahamantra and Lotus Feet of Srila Prabhupada!
“When Krishna, the embodiment of compassion, chooses to send to you as your Guru, that person alone will manifest before you externally as the Mahanta-Guru, the Guru in the form of foremost living sadhu. By the mercy of Bhagavan, we will obtain a Guru, and by the mercy of the Guru, we can attain Bhagavan.
A person will get a Guru according to his particular destiny. People of different types vary in their disposition, and therefore Bhagavan, who is omniscient, sends them each a particular type of Guru.
There are those who want niskapata-kripa, the real mercy of Bhagavan, and who depend entirely on Bhagavan for their eternal welfare. Being pleased with such simple-hearted, sincere persons, Bhagavan Himself manifests before them as the Guru, to bestow mercy upon them. But for those who want kapata-kripa, the deceptive mercy of Bhagavan, Bhagavan’s maya, or external potency, will send them a ‘Guru’ according to the particular disposition of their heart.
There is no impediment for one who is sincere. He will very
quicklymeet a bonafide Guru.”- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada
While searching for Guru, one shouldn’t see good qualities (guna) of Guru and be attracted. Because if guna is seen, short time remains before which avguna (bag qualities) will be seen resulting in frustration and lack of faith in no time. To be very frank, it’s impossible for Jiva Tattva to identify a Guru, but rather if they are sincere, simple hearted, then the Guru finds them, and gives them vision to identify him.
Srila Prabhupada has given us most confidential treasure which is revealed in due course of time as a sincere seeker chants Hare Krishna Mahamantra with humility and sincerity. Staying in Guru Nistha is root to realisation of our original eternal constitutional position.
Rasikjana guide that during tests, first thing mayadevi tries is to cut the faith in Guru Charan (Lotus Feet of Guru). If a seeker fails here, then the path is quite longer, but will depend on sincerity of the seeker. Of course, this applies for a bonafide Guru, and if the seeker is sincere and simple-hearted, it is quite possible that mayadevi may stage that test or situation just to direct the seeker to actual bonafide Guru.
Guru Charan cuts all material bondage as well the pride and ego of all endeavours of the spiritual path. It is never one’s own endeavour of bhajan but only and only exclusive kripa (mercy) of Guru Tattva that brings fruit.
When one does bhajan, pride automatically pops in and they feel superior unless mayadevi strikes. It is very difficult and a seeker has to burn internally owing to tests, which makes him humble, and it is for the best, as it makes the seeker eligible for inner aspects of Vrindavan Prema Rasa.
In this path, one should not think much and offer themselves to Divine Couple and Guru Tattva first by words, and then mind and action will be automatically taken care by Divine Couple Themselves. One can’t do it on own!
All Rasikajana are in their own Guru Nistha. All will just mention about their Gurujana and not specifically name other, as all to them are none other than manifestation of their Gurujana. Even if we hear glories of Divine Couple from any Rasikjana or any Kripa Patra of Divine Couple, we should be in our own Guru Nistha for Srila Prabhupada, and see them just as manifestation of our Gurujana, and only take those secrets of spiritual life which are in resonance with our Guru Rasa, and ignore those not in resonance with our Guru’s instructions. A point to be noted is to not be attracted to them and think of our Guru as supposedly not giving all, and rather seek initiation from them.
For this sole reason, Srila Prabhupada had strictly barred devotees then to stop going to hear Katha (lectures) outside our temple in Vrindavan. It was for the reason that the seeker’s inspite of their fallen condition will judge their Guru by listening to others, and stray away from devotional life.
During one time, Srila Prabhupada's own disciple came to ask him for his blessings as he was about to take initiation from some new Guru, and Srila Prabhupada blessed him to never return back to home, back to Godhead.
The devotional life is revealed based on simplicity, surrender and primarily Guru Nistha and Guru Kripa. As seen in devotional community, no matter which sampradaya, there is always a fuss made about diksha, whereas Srila Prabhupada at all places, either in his lectures, books or room conversations, simply instructs us to just chant Hare Krishna and that ‘Guru will see’! There is lot of fear mongering, and in not right knowledge, it all goes topsy turvy for sincere seeker’s (discussed in detail in next section of this article itself).
Vraj bhakti, as Rasika Achayaras tell is that it is very simple, but to find somebody bonafide who can guide is very very rare. As followers of Srila Prabhupada and six Goswamis lead by Sri Rupa Goswamipada, we should strictly be in our own Guru Nistha (faith).
As discussed in introduction to this article, Srila Prabhupada’s identity in true form has been first revealed by Aindra Prabhu in the most detailed manner before anybody whatsoever. Nityananda Swarup Shakti!
It has been seen that many devotees are “leaving” on pretext that everything is not there. It is all nothing but mayadevi potecy of Lord acting. Rasika Acharyas tell that to change rasa is for one thing, but if a seeker does it for any reason beyond that, then it simply means that those seekers are not sincere candidates as they will see quality and comparison as basis to choose Guru, and the cycle repeats for them. Tomorrow another quality attracts them and they will leave them and go again to new place.
Aindra Prabhu says, “This ISKCON movement is complete because everything is here. If you want it, if you want to have complete perfection, you can have it because Srila Prabhupada is dying to give us that thing. He wants to give us that thing. But he wants to see who is receptive. Who wants to get that thing?”
Mayadevi potency of Lord tests a seeker repeatedly until the seeker’s mind is killed again and again, and then he surrenders to Lord and Guru Tattva stating their helplessness.
Institution is necessary evil as stated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. Aindra Prabhu reveals in his book that institution is not brick temple but it is the core siddhanta (philosophy) contained in the vani and scriptures of Acharyas in the particular sampradaya. The core siddhanta of Gaudiya Parampara as given by Mahaprabhu is ‘Kirtaniya Sada Hari’!!!
We are not pious, sinful, learnt or ignorant. We are carriers of dust of feet of Supreme Lord Shri Hari and we are initiated by the mantra ‘Kirtaniya Sada Hari’.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada has foretold that the movement may fail, everything may fail, but my books will go on! Sripad Aindra Prabhu says that movement may fail, but Nama Sankirtan will happen in every town and village across the planet because this is the desire of our Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada says that the purpose of him writing all these books is just to convince us to chant Hare Krishna! Basically, Nama Nama Nama!!!
In any institution, no matter which sampradaya, it has been seen again and again that those around Rasikajana or serving them have often created disturbances. This is to show lethal potency of Kali Yuga and block access to main thing that they desire to give us. Only a simple Kripa Patra seeker can cross this path who is ONLY searching and hankering for Sriji and nothing else deep down in their heart.
The apparent shift to social causes and lifestyle as seen in recent times is not siddhanta of Gaudiya Parampara.
So, institution does provide a brilliant setup for similar minded devotees to practice Krishna Consciousness, but as not every practicing member is Rasika Mahabhagavat Vaishnav, and as all devotees in an institutional setup are learning in the devotional path, there is easy spotting of politics and topsy turvy situations usually. Hence, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada cleary mentions that institutionalisation is a necessary evil for preaching.
Rasika Acharyas tell that the reason for balance in world is only because Nama Sankirtan is going on globally. Everything else other than Nama, Radharani, Krishna, Guru Tattva and Vrindavan (Dham) is just illusionary potency and will disturb and distract.
The entire essence of Vaidhi Bhakti is to know that I can’t do it! It is very difficult to keep a check on the mind. The seeker fails and turns to Guru Tattva and Divine Couple helplessly.
There’s a big reason why Krishna Consciousness movement is complete, not in terms of temple size or number of books distributed, but for those few sincere seekers, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and teachings of Srila Prabhupada are all in all as it directly reveals the most intimate prayojana (goal) of human birth - complete perfection of spiritual life in service of Divine Couple and Gurujana in our eternal constitutional position (Purna Swarup) in Nitya Goloka Vrindavan. Everything required has been provided by Srila Prabhupada in his books!!! The meaning of it all is revealed by due course of sincere desperate bhajan when one gets sufficient adhikar owing to Guru Kripa. The most important of all is simple heart.
Only those with simple heart can embrace Guru Kripa in true terms and develop Guru Nistha in an unalloyed manner. Guru Nistha bypasses all locks and tests of spiritual path.
Many devotees tend to hear another Sampradaya Acharya after their initial days of spiritual life, and inspite of the other Sampradaya Acharya’s telling the seeker to be in their own Guru Nistha, the seeker upon seeing their qualities chooses to leave their own Guru thinking that “My Guru Maharaj has not given me all hence I should join a new Guru.” This vicious cycle goes on and on. Rasikajana straight away tell that a sincere seeker who desires Radharani and Krishna should just be in their Guru Nistha, else that is the beginning of the end of their spiritual life for many births! The tests of mayadevi are simply to cut faith in Guru, as if one is firm in one’s Guru’s Lotus Feet, Krishna becomes bound to the devotee.
Sincere seekers should cry and take shelter of Srila Prabhupada, Vrindavan and chant Nama with firm faith that ‘Sriji is mine’, and let this simple thing do the magic. As Aindra Prabhu says, it is simple for the simple and complex for the complex!
For sincere Kripa Patra seekers who are desperate for inner aspects of Vrindavan Prema Rasa, whenever Srila Prabhupada was asked about esoteric aspects of Radharani and Krishna, he would simply say that ‘Guru will see. You just chant Hare Krishna’. There is a deep meaning to this that is revealed by chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra sincerely. Guru Tattva is not limited by any material conditions.
The real form of bhajan begins to pop up when the eternal form of Guru, even though blurred, begins to sprout in the seekers heart.
Only a bonafide Rasika Guru can give Krishna. Aindra Prabhu once told that to get Prema, you need to be with Premis. Guru Tattva manifests through various Premi Rasika Acharyas, books, signs or kirtan, and guide the seeker when they are eligible to receive it. The wealth is right there in the simple sentence that ‘Sriji is mine, and I belong to Srila Prabhupada’
Sripad Aindra Prabhu quotes Srila Prabhupada as Rasika Number 1, as mentioned in first section of this article. Rasikajana teach that every sincere seeker should regard their Guru Maharaj as most revered Vaishnav!
So, Srila Prabhupada being Rasika Number 1 knows clear in and out of material world, and hence has always stressed that his books are complete. Once Srila Prabhupada declared, “I shall never die. I shall always live on through my books and you shall utilise!”
“If you are serious, that is real initiation. If you have understood this Krishna philosophy and if you have decided that you will take Krishna consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others, that is your initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your
determination. That is initiation.”- Śrīla Prabhupāda Conversation, ‘The Search for the Divine’, Back to Godhead (49), 1972)
Vaikunthanatha Das, a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada shares a very beautiful anecdote. In 1972, Srila Prabhupada gave the famous NOD (The Nectar of Devotion) lectures at Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan. The Nectar of Devotion (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu), written by Srila Rupa Goswamipada (and translated in english by Srila Prabhupada) is one of most confidential book for sincere seekers. Vaikunthanatha Prabhu Ji was also one amongst few Kripa Patra devotees who had the fortune of attending those rasamayi lectures in person.
In 1972, when Prabhupada gave a series of lectures on The Nectar of Devotion for one month in Vrindavan, a thought was plaguing me. When I first joined, I'd been taught that the parampara system is like a chain, and if you're not initiated, if you're not linked up to this chain, then you can't go back to Godhead. I thought, "We're distributing so many books, but if the people who read them are not initiated, then they can't go back to Godhead."
So, one day I followed Prabhupada from Rupa Goswami's samadhi, where he lectured, and just before Prabhupada stepped onto his courtyard, I said, "We're distributing so many books but if people aren't initiated, then they can't go back to Godhead." Prabhupada turned, looked at me right in the eyes and said, "Just by reading my books they are initiated." I thought, "That is an incredible example of compassion.”
- His Grace Vaikunthanatha Das
Srila Prabhupda stresses, “Just by reading my books they are initiated!!!”
He mercifully puts in the 10 & 18 lettered Gopal Mantra, as well as 24.5 lettered Kama Gayatri Mantra (Both are second initiation or Diksha Mantra of Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu received the 10 syllable Gopal Mantra through Srila Ishwar Puri Prabhupada) in his Chaitanya Caritamrta translation that has the full potency of revealing eternal constitutional position (Purna Swarup) of a sincere seeker.
To approach it will depend on the sincerity of the seeker. At the right time, it will automatically unfold before a sincere desperate seeker of Vraj Prema Bhakti. To find a prakat bonafide fully realised Guru in their eternally constitutional position (Purna Swarup) is rarest of rare, but till 10000 years, if a seeker is sincere and desperate for Sriji, they will get the chance of taking all possible initiation just by reading Srila Prabhupada books and tapes, which is nothing but divine arrangement by Mahaprabhu & Nityananda Prabhu’s Kripa (mercy).
(Paraphrasing it a bit here) Once Aindra Prabhu mentions in one of his lectures that once, Srila Prabhupada was mentioning that a devotee in Krishna Consciousness should follow a fully realised Vrajvasi. To this, a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada, “Which Vrajvasi should we follow Srila Prabhupada?” Srila Prabhupada said, “I am that Vrajvasi!!!”
So, we should simply stick to Lotus Feet of Srila Prabhupada, and he is always there with us and will guide personally.
“I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically, as I am getting personal
guidance from my Guru Maharaj!”- (Room Conversation of Srila Prabhupada, July 14, 1977)
“We are not pious, sinful, learnt or ignorant. We are carriers of dust of feet of Supreme Lord Shri Hari and we are initiated by the
mantra Kirtaniya Sada Hari.”- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada
“Any good soul who approaches me for spiritual enlightenment is supposed to be depending on my responsibility to get him back to Krishna, back to home”
- Srila Prabhupada Letter, (Nov 23, 1967)
During the initial phase of movement, Srila Prabhupada gave first, second, and sanyas initiation to his disciples, and later due to old age and expanding movement, he couldn’t be at all places so he simply delegated it to his disciples and instructed them to accept disciples on his behalf. Some of his sanyas disciples or senior disciples used to carry out the fire sacrifice for initiation ceremony and for second initiation, Srila Prabhupada’s Gayatri tape was played to the devotees seeking initiation.
Professor: How many levels of initiation do you have?
Prabhupāda: Two.
Professor: Two. The first...
Prabhupāda: First initiation, experimental...
Professor: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Then, as he practices, becomes more purified, then second initiation. Gāyatrī. Gāyatrī-mantra. But the first initiation, according to Jīva Gosvāmī, that is sufficient.Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, that is sufficient. But still, to purify them more, the second initiation, Gāyatrī, is given. So we are creating
brāhmaṇas in the western countries.(Room Conversation with Sanskrit Professor - August 13, 1973, Paris)
Srila Prabhupada, in his room conversations with his disciples, and through his letters has always instructed his few disciples to initiate on his behalf (The detailed and specific references about Srila Prabhupada’s instruction on the subject are available on article titled ‘Srila Prabhupada’s instruction on initiation’).
There is a lot of fuss in name of Diksha going on even today just because sincere devotees are not aware about Srila Prabhupada’s simple instructions on the subject! It’s a simple thing that is made to appear complex!
Gayatri Mantra that Srila Prabhupada gives us has 7 Mantras, with two being Gopal Mantra and Kama Gayatri respectively. These two mantras are very special and it’s meaning manifests in heart of sincere seeker by Guru Kripa and due course of helpless chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Difficulty is not to be find Guru, but to find a disciple who follows the order of Guru. When Guru promises, even Krishna is bound!
I thank you all very much for accepting me
as your spiritual master. I promise to take you back.- Srila Prabhupada letter to Nityananda (Delhi, 12 November, 1971)
Srila Prabhupada has given us all, and Hare Krishna Mahamantra is all in all!!! There are a lot of Vrajvasi’s who till date mention that there are many devotees who came and preached, but no one had the same faith on Hare Krishna Mahamantra and his Guru Maharaj as Srila Prabhupada!
If we stick to Hare Krishna Krishna Mahamantra, all will be revealed.
Hare Krishna Mahamantra doesn’t requires initiation to act! Anybody who says it once is initiated. Srila Prabhupada never never never imposed about diksha exclusively. His instructions, as mentioned above, are all in clear details and simple.
To find an idealistic guru as per shastra, one should remain in shelter of Guru for 12 years, serve them, be convinced that Guru is 100% bonafide. Then, Guru will test the seeker about the level of their surrender and seriousness in bhajan. The essence is that Vraj Prema Bhkati is not about idealism, and it is more about heart to heart thing, and the heart is the proof!
Gopal Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, Radha Mantra or any mantra required for perfection in spiritual life will be automatically provided by Guru Tattva in due course of time if the seeker is desperate, simple, and follows the instructions of Gurujana as their life! To be very frank, Hare Krishna Mahamantra is alone and alone suffient as it is King of all mantras!!!
It is all about Guru Nistha (faith in Guru). If a devotee is eager and super desperate, mantra is revealed by some divine arrangement unfathomable to the seeker. Guru Tattva is not limited by time, space or any constraint. And to be very frank, when the relationship, Prema (love) and Apnapan (loving familiarity) with Sriji and Guru sprouts in the heart of seeker, Guru and Sriji will come, give whatever is required for final perfection, and immediately bestow the seeker with their eternal constitutional position.
It is very tough to describe the depth of who Srila Prabhupada actually is! Best way to understand it is to chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra desperately. His books will go on for 10000 years as stated by him! Some of the books that are printed have been “edited”, however by Radharani’s arrangement, many 1972 Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS original edition books are being distributed and BBT’s trustees should make sure that they stop all the editing and distribute only the original books without any changes. There should be no if’s and buts here if they are sincere representatives of Srila Prabhupada. Let’s see how Sriji manifests this.
“There is a verse in Srimad-Bhagavatam that a book or poetry in which the Holy Name of Krishna is depicted, such language is revolutionary in the matter of purifying the material atmosphere. Even though such literature is presented in broken language or grammatical inconsistency or rhetorical irregularity, still, those who are
saintly persons adore such literature.”(Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Krishna Dasa -
Los Angeles 13 February, 1969)
So, let there be any small grammatical mistakes. Srila Prabhupada clearly mentions above that such texts even if they are a bit grammatically inconsistent makes no difference!!
Another important cheat-code for sincere seekers to advance spiritually by million times is to read “Krishna Bhavanamrta” helplessly and yearn to participate in Nitya Lilas of Yugal under the shelter of servant of servant of servant (Dasi Anudasi) of Sri Radhika!
Sripad Aindra Prabhu writes, “To not be fully absorbed in thinking of Radha Krishna’s Nitya Lila throughout the day and night is to be totally in illusion!” Chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra sincerely, desperately and greedily guides all the way! All path will be revealed by Guru Kripa to the sincere seekers in due course of time!
Guru is not limited by body but is actually a tattva who guides the seeker in his devotional path.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krishna Himself in the mood of Radharani, is the Acharya of Gaudiya Sampradaya.
He introduced the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra which was further spread all over the world by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
Many times, a sadhaka (seeker) is attracted in different cults or Sampradaya by the words like swarup.
Swarup is nothing but the eternal constitutional position in which the jiva tattva serves the Divine Couple. It can be very easily revived by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, which is laden with Prema Rasa directly descending from the Groves of Vrindavan!
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given that mood (bhav) which was never distributed before, nor is present in any other Sampradaya - that mood by which the seeker worships the Divine Couple in maha-madhurya rasa in topmost vipralambha bhav (love in separation).
Lord Gauranga assuming the role of Radharani used to feel ecstasy in mood of separation from Krishna.
Anyone who doesn’t accept Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the combination of Radha and Krishna Themselves is STRICTLY NOT TO BE FOLLOWED OR HEARD.
In this context, Srila Bhaktisiddhant Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada writes:
"If we accept them as 'devotees', there is no one more foolish than us. 99.9% of the world's population are chopping with an axe at Chaitanyacandra's lotus feet in the name of offering flowers."
It clearly gives us the understanding that praising Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as a great devotee but not accepting Him as Krishna Himself is nothing but a great illusionary deceiving.
Not many can really understand the position of Lord Gauranga and for that matter, even the position of Srila Prabhupada.
Aindra Prabhu glorifies Srila Prabhupada calling him Rasika Number 1. In Vyasa Puja offering of 1997, Sripad Aindra Prabhu, with a choked up voice and tears gliding down his face, mentioned that Srila Prabhupada has given us everything, and that he is dying to give us everything, and just wants to see who is receptive.
Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to not hear from outside sources but instead simply hear his lectures and read his books. It was for the reason that the seeker’s inspite of their fallen condition will judge their Guru by listening to others, and stray away from devotional life.
Unable to stick to the regulative principles of devotional life, and owing to their incapability to constantly chant and remember the Divine Couple’s name, form, and activities, many devotees leave the shelter of SRILA PRABHUPADA thinking that his teachings are not sufficient to make them enter into the intimate pastimes of the Divine Couple.
Running here and there and comparing Srila Prabhupada with any other Acharya or so called Guru is the biggest foolery one can commit.
Aindra Prabhu, by performing the Yuga Dharma Harinama Sankirtana for over 24 years in Vrindavan, concluded to the point that one can have complete perfection at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.
For those running to some who may be a great orator or to some who may have hundreds and thousands of followers will end up nowhere if they leave Srila Prabhupada whimsically after taking his shelter in their initial days of devotional life.
Although Srila Prabhupada never leaves anyone who has even once accepted him, still for the external teachings to his disciples, Srila Prabhupada chastised them.
During one time, Srila Prabhupada's own disciple came to ask him for his blessings as he was about to take initiation from some new Guru, and Srila Prabhupada blessed him to never return back to home, back to Godhead.
It's the incapability of the seeker to completely understand the teachings of Acharyas like Srila Prabhupada and Srila Rupa Goswami, due to which he runs here and there doing Vaishnav Aparadha (offense) and not the incapability of Srila Prabhupada or institution.
Even though physically not present on the external manifest plane, we still can receive the instructions of the great Acharyas, but for this the disciple has to be advanced and receptive by sincerely surrendering themselves to the holy names. A humble seeker will automatically attain the mercy of Guru Tattva by crying at their lotus feet instead of changing Gurus like changing clothes.
Srila Prabhupada used to daily cry and beg to Srila Rupa Goswamipada at his samadhi in the courtyard of Radha Damodar Temple before heading out to the West to preach.
Having unflinching faith in the Lotus Feet of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Gauranga will open the doors to Goloka Vrindavan for sincere seeker’s in due course of time!
Also, the association should be kept strictly in those with similar Guru Bhav and mood, as at a certain stage of spiritual life, all the philosophy is at one place, and the lotus feet of Guru Tattva single handedly outweighs all aspects. One would want to hear more about their Guru Rasa and Divine Couple.
Inspite of knowing all philosophy and application, the hankering for Divine Couple and Guru Tattva Lotus Feet (charan) is something else. To be very frank, the knowledge doesn’t satisfy the heart but it is just the loving caress of Guru Tattva that is dear to heart of sincere seekers.
Also, as a spiritual seeker, one should be very careful in personal talks with anybody to use references and shastra to prove themselves superior or to be in a corrective spirit, unless instructed by Guru Tattva.
The main reason of references and all is to be humble for ourself. All those are meant for us and nobody else. At such point, instead of argument and fighting which path is superior, a sincere seeker should just be in their Guru Nistha.
Arguments and fights in name of philosophy is just mayadevi potency acting to stage an apparent blockage of spiritual path (marg) in order to kill the traces of false pride in seeker’s heart.
Srila Prabhupada emphasised devotees to sing glories of Lord, or in simple words, preach for two reasons - one as Guru Tattva, he is inviting all Jiva Tattva to participate in blissful process of Krishna Consciousness, and two for the “preacher” to remind himself of glories of Krishna and no way to boost their false pride.
Rasikajana tell that pride is very easy in this path, and when one dislikes the idea of name, fame, money and respect, then the preaching takes real effect! Hare Krishna Mahamantra guides all the way.
The inner confidential meaning of Hare Krishna Mahamantra is contained in few last pages of the book “Krishna Bhavamantra” by Srila Vishwanath Chakravarti Thakurpada. It is description of Astayam Lila or the eight fold pastimes of Divine Couple.
As the intensity of meditation (cintan) on Divine Couple goes deeper owing to Guru Kripa, the seeker realises that both Radharani and Krishna are always together in Nav Nivritta Nikunj. They are not separated for even a fraction of second! The revelation of inner aspects of Vrindavan Prema Rasa is singularly based on Guru Kripa. If the seeker aspires for most confidential tattva of Raga Bhakti, Hare Krishna Mahamantra directs the sadhaka (seeker) straight to Nav Nivritta Nikunj Goloka Vrindavan transcending even Bhauma Vrindavan!
In esoteric aspects, Goloka Vrindavan real meaning is ‘Gopi Loka Vrindavan’! Vrindavan meaning is ‘Vrinda Devi Van’.
Bhauma lila is where lilas of Divine Couple happen in Their earthly pastimes, like it happened here 5000 years ago. So in idealistic path of devotional life, a seeker when is purified takes birth in Bhauma lila, but in Mahaprabhu’s Hare Krishna Movement, if the seeker is desperate and object of Guru Kripa, they can directly go back to groves of Goloka Vrindavan in this one single lifetime, where Divine Couple sport their pastimes eternally in Nav Nivritta Nikunj Vrindavan (as stated in Madhurya Kadambini by Srila Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur)!
Hare Krishna Mahamantra gives direct access to this region where Sri Ananga Manjari and Sri Rupa Manjari allot direct personal service to Yugal Kishor Kishori!
In an institutional setup, most devotees with deep lalsa (hankering) and lobha (greed) for Vrindavan are discouraged by the senior devotees to not attempt to read into the esoteric aspects of Vrindavan Prema Rasa.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakurpada mentions that the esoteric aspects of Radharani and Krishna are our real wealth! Sripad Aindra Prabhu writes in his book that if an eligible seeker is not guided at right time in Vrindavan Prema Tattva, then it is well a probability that he might get trapped into further vicious cycle of birth and death. It is actually an emergency situation.
Sripad Aindra Prabhu mentioned that more important than being a Gostanandi (preacher) is being a Bhajananandi (immersed in Bhajan). One has to have it to give it. How can one artificially preach what one doesn’t know about? Sripad Aindra Prabhu stresses this point at various places in his lectures and book, and guides a sincere seeker to take only and only shelter of Harinam Sankirtan.
Raga Bhajan is nothing but ‘Sriji is mine’. This simple statement can cross all barriers no matter what. Simple heart is primary. By Guru Kripa, everything is revealed to the sincere Kripa Patra sadhaka (seeker) in due course of time.
Sri Hariram Vyas Ji writes, “Kahu ke bal bhajan kau, kahu ke achar, vyas bharose kuwri ke, sowat pao pasar!” (Some have strength of bhajan and tapa, some have strength of good behaviour and actions, but I am absolutely unqualified and worst, and hence I just have shelter of Lotus Feet of my Swamini Ji, and by strength of Her Lotus Feet, I sleep peacefully knowing that She will take care!)
Owing to material conditioning and hankering, it takes a tough path of mayadevi to realise that Krishna was all the way with us. If a rich person gives you one million dollar’s, you will be like what, but if he asks you to do some hard-work and then gives it, then you will be like okay.
Similarly this path is like Radharani, Krishna and Gurujana giving us all Their mercy via Holy Names, Books, Vrindavan Dham, Prasad, Kirtan, but we don’t really have faith in chanting of Holy Names (Hare Krishna Mahamantra), and hence mayadevi potency takes over and makes us go a long way to realise this simple fact!
What to talk about Srila Prabhupada who is giving it all for free on will of Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Gadadhara Pandit, Advaitya Acharya, Srivas Acharya, Six Goswamis, and all our Guru Shishya Parampara?
They are literally distributing it. Just one impediment to it - our untamed mind! When we surrender our mind to Srila Prabhupada Lotus Feet (charan) in mood that, “Hey Srila Prabhupada, I am full of mistakes and most lowly. I give myself to you. Please please protect me and take me back in presence of yourself, Radharani and Krishna.”
Once a sincere seeker makes heartfelt prayers to Srila Prabhupada, henceforth they should stop worrying and let Srila Prabhpada guide the way. Guru is Tattva not limited by body. He mercifully guides via some or other arrangement!
Srila Prabhupada states us to just hold his dhoti, and that he knows the back door of Goloka Vrindavan (in a laughing manner)!
Nama Nama Nama!!! Srila Prabhupada, in all his writings, lectures and preaching has just stressed on one constant point - Chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra guides the way!
Sripad Aindra Prabhu mentions that we are unqualified Kali Yuga rejects. We can’t fight back this illusionary dark material world on own. Let Krishna be the doer and us being simply seer. Even if you can’t do traces of bhajan, just keep murmuring to yourself, “Sriji is mine. I am Sriji’s. I belong to Srila Prabhupada.”
Chant daily 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra, follow four regulative principles, and listen to Srila Prabhupada and Aindra Prabhu’s Shudh Nama Kirtan on loop on your headphones or bluetooth speakers as much possible. Beg them for direction.
All aspects of their heart which is their hidden wealth will manifest in sincere seeker’s heart shortly. The confidential meaning of all their words will take shape and will make a devotee’s heart brimming with blissfulness.
Sri Vrindavan Dham awaits you!
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Jai Jai Shri Radhe!
Hare Krishna!