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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Two Vedas in Vaishnavism

The first one is Sanskrit Veda. The other one, Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Northern-branch Vaisnavism gives precedence to the Sanskrit (Vatakalai) and the Southern-branch, Vaisnavism (Tenkalai) to the Tamil Pasurams.

Vaishnava Mantras

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Essence of the four Vaisnava philosophies.

[Gauracandra to Nimbarka:]“`Later, when I begin the sankirtana movement, I Myself will preach the essence of the four Vaisnava philosophies.

From Madhva I will receive two essential items: his complete defeat of the Mayavada philosophy [kevale-advaita-nirasana], and his service to the Deity of Krsna, accepting the Deity as an eternal spiritual being [krsna-murti-sevana].

From Ramanuja I will accept two great teachings: the concept of bhakti unpolluted by karma and jnana [ananya-bhakti], and service to the devotees [bhakta-jana-seva].

From Visnusvami's teachings I will accept two main elements: the sentiment of exclusive dependence on Krsna [tadiya-sarvasva-bhava], and the path of raga-bhakti [raga-marga].

And from you [Nimbarka] I will receive two excellent principles: the necessity of taking shelter of Radha [ekanta-radhikasraya], and the high esteem for the gopis' love of Krsna [gopi-bhava].

-'”Sri Bhaktivinod Thakur "Navadvipa-dhama Mahatmya", Chapter Sixteen

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Way to Perfection

Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 1.4
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad
Mayapur, March 28, 1975

And Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is written for this purpose so that a person who is serious about Krsna consciousness may understand Krsna through the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is wanted. You cannot jump over Krsna consciousness without going through the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And to go through Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu means to go through the six Gosvamis. This is parampara system. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says,

ei chay gosai jar-tar mui das
ta-sabara pada-renu mora panca-gras

This is parampara system. You cannot jump over. You must go through the parampara system. You have to approach through your spiritual master to the Gosvamis, and through the Gosvamis you will have to approach Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and through Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu you have to approach Krsna. This is the way. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura said, ei chay gosai jar-tar mui das. We are servant of servant. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction, gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. The more you become servant of the servant, the more you are perfect.

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