Tag Archive for: GaudiyaVaisnava

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

If you ask twenty different initiated Gaudiya Vaisnavas (aka Chaitanya Vaisnavas) to explain what is a Gaudiya Vaisnava; who is their worshipable ishta-devata; what is the goal of attainment (sadhya); and what is the practice (sadhana) or means to attain that goal—you will get TWENTY DIFFERENT ANSWERS!

Now we will cite the sacred scriptures to correctly answer these questions. First of all, who is Sri Chaitanya? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is directly Bhagavan Sri Krishna, who, after immersing His heart in Srimati Radharani’s ecstatic loving emotions and covering Himself with Her supremely radiant golden color, appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago in Navadvipa Dhama, W. Bengal.

To put it simply, a Gaudiya Vaisnava is a Krishna devotee who follows the philosophy, teachings and the sadhana practices taught by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, the sole founder of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s personal words and exact teachings on the worshipable ishta-devata, the daily sadhana practices, and the spiritual goal i.e. sadhya are clearly presented in the books of the Gaudiya Vaisnava  mahajana  acharyas i.e. Six Goswamis, Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura, and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti.

So, if one is not following Sri Chaitanya’s teachings and practices to attain Mahaprabhu’s definition of spiritual perfection, he/she is not really a Gaudiya Vaisnava.

Here are Mahaprabhu’s personal instructions and answers to the opening questions.

In the beginning of Chaitanya-caritamrita, Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja presents the basis or foundation of Gaudiya Vaisnava dharma by quoting the direct words of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In one of His first teachings, Sri Krishna Chaitanya said, “I have come to this world to taste the essence of ecstatic Krishna prema and TO PREACH RAGANUGA-BHAKTI to the people [what to speak of the devotees!], prema-rasa-niryāsa, kariteāsvādana, rāga-mārga bhakti loke, karitepracāraṇa.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 1.4.15)

Sri Krishna Chaitanya said, “When My devotees hear about the immaculately pure love of the Vrajavasis, they will worship Me on the PATH OF RAGANUGA BHAKTI, and there by give up their duties within the varnashrama-system, vrajeranirmala raga, śunibhakta-gaṇa,  rāga-mārgebhajeyena, chāḍi dharma-karma.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 1.4.33)

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: “I relished the mellows of love in various ways. And through My pastimes I TAUGHT THE DEVOTEES HOW TO PRACTICE RAGANUGA-BHAKTI, prema-rasa āsvādila, vividhaprakāra, rāga-mārgebhakta bhakti, kare ye prakāre, tāhāśikhāilalīlā, ācaraṇadvāre.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 1.4.264-5)

Throughout Chaitanya-caritamrita, Mahaprabhu describes the Gaudiya sadhana of raganuga-bhakti (raga-marge)—both the physical practices and the internal mental practices of meditation on one’s siddha-deha and the eternal pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

Goal of Gaudiya Vaisnava

The essential teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Gaudiya Vaisnava dharma is fully described in just two chapters of Chaitanya-caritamrita (adi four, and madhya eight. Every Gaudiya Vaisnava should deeply study these two chapters. By this one will get a clear understanding of the actual true goal (sadhya) and proper means of attaining it (sadhana).

Chaitanya-caritamrita, madhyalila chapter eight is titled “Sri Ramananda Raya Samvad”. Here, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, inspires and empowers His devotee Sri Ramananda Raya to answer His questions concerning Gaudiya Vaisnava sadhana and sadhya.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked, “O Ramananda! WHAT IS THE GOAL OF LIFE, prabhukahepaḍaśloka, sādhyeranirṇaya?” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.57)

Sri Ramananda Raya answered by describing many paths to God realization including varnashrama-dharma, karma-yoga, karmarpanam, niskama karma-yoga, jnana-misra bhakti, shuddha-bhakti, dasya-bhakti, sakhya-bhakti, vatsalya-bhakti, madhurya-bhakti, pure Vrajaprema, Srimati Radharani’s mahabhava, and lastly prema-vilasa-vivarta—the melting of Radha-Madhava’s  hearts and identities in the union of ultimate divine love.

After listening to each of these paths and goals, Mahaprabhu would say, “This is not it, go further, go further.” When Sri Ramananda Raya described the Vrajasrngara-madhurya-bhava, and the love of Radha and Krishna relished in prema-vilasavivarta, Mahaprabhu confirmed, “YES! This is the topmost goal of life, prabhukahesādhyavastura, avadhieihaya.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.196)

Means to Attain the Goal

Mahaprabhu inquired, “But without practicing the proper sadhana, no one will attain this goal (sadhya). So please tell me the sadhana to attain this goal [i.e. Radha-Krishna premaseva in Vrindavana], sādhyavastusādhanavinu, kehanāhipāya, kṛpākari’ kaharāya, pābāraupāya?” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.197) 

Sri Ramananda Raya replied: “Those who develop the feelings and moods of the sakhis (sakhi/gopi-bhava) can attain the [Gaudiya Vaisnava] goal of life, Radha-Krishna’s seva in the beautiful bowers of Vrindavana. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO REACH THIS GOAL.”

sakhīvināeilīlāya, anyeranāhigati//sakhī-bhāve ye tāṅre, kareanugati
rādhākṛṣṇakuñjasevā, sādhyaseipāya//seisādhyapāiteāra, nāhikaupāya

Qualification to Start Raganuga Bhakti

Sri Ramananda Raya: “A Gaudiya Vaisnava who has “divine” greed to attain the gopīs’ nectareanprema (gopibhava amrita) will abandon the rites and rituals of the social/spiritual system i.e. varṇāśrama, and disregard the opinions or prohibitions of others to worship Krishna on the path of raganuga-bhakti, seigopī-bhāvāmṛte, yāṅralobhahaya, veda dharma lokatyaji, se kṛṣṇebhajaya.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.220)

Attaining Sri Krishna: Vraja or Vaikuntha? 

Sri Ramananda Raya: “One who practices raganugabhajana will attain Vrajendranandana Sri Krishna in Vraja, rāgānuga-mārgetāṅre, bhajeyeijana, sei-janapāyavraje, vrajendra-nandana. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.221)

“One, who follows the path of raganuga-bhakti, after accepting the gopi-bhava of one of Sri Krishna’s eternal associates in Vrindavana, will get a spiritual body (siddha deha), and the appropriate bhava and qualification to attain Sri Krishna in Vraja, vraja-lokerakonabhāva, lañāyeibhaje, bhāva-yogyadehapāñā, kṛṣṇapāyavraje.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.222)

Then Sri Ramananda Raya explains the importance of accepting/following the mood and feeling of a Vrajagopi like Sri Rupa or Tulasi manjari. By doing this the raganuga sadhaka will attain an eternal siddha deha in Vrindavana.

Sri Ramananda Raya: “If one follows the mood and bhava of a gopi, one will attain the spiritual body of a gopi, seibhāveanugati, gopī-deha-prāpti.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.225)

But then Sri Ramananda Raya gives a stern warning (verses 226, 230) that Gaudiya Vaisnava sadhakas WILL NEVER ATTAIN KRISHNA in Vrindavana without practicing raganuga-bhakti.

Sri Ramananda Raya: “One who just follows the path of vaidhi-sadhana will never attain Krishna’s association, taste the nectar of His lotus feet, nor attain Krishnachandra in Vraja, aṅghripadmasudhāyakahe, krishnasaṅgānanda, vidhimārgenāpāiye, vrajekrishna-candra.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.226)

The Gaudiya Vaisnava Sadhana & Sadhya

Sri Ramananda Raya concludes his teachings by presenting Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s essential instructions about the actual goal and path of practice for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas. This particular type of sadhana and sadhya is the unique gift to humanity by the Krishna Prema Avatara Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which He only gives every 310 billion years or so!

Sri Ramananda Raya: “Listen, O Gaudiya Vaisnavas! You all must accept gopi-bhava, and day and night think about Radha-Krishna’s pastimes while mentally serving the Divine Couple in your siddha deha. By practicing raganuga-bhakti like this, you will definitely attain sakhi/gopi-bhava and the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.6.228-229)

ataevagopī-bhāva, kariaṅgīkāra, rātri-dinacinterādhā, kṛṣṇeravihāra
siddha-dehecintikare, tāhāṅñisevana, sakhī-bhāvepāyarādhā, kṛṣṇeracaraṇa

After hearing Sri Ramananda Raya’s clear and exact explanations about His own teachings, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was extremely pleased and happy, so He warmly embraced Ramananda as they cried together in ecstatic Krishna prema, eta suniprabhutāṅre, kailaāliṅgana, dui janegalāgali, karenakrandana. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.233)

Later in madhya-lila, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself gave the same instructions on raganuga-bhakti sadhana and sadhya to Sri Rupa Gosvami and Sri Sanatana Goswami. Mahaprabhu empowered the divine brothers, and ordered them to describe the details of raganuga-bhakti in their books for the benefit of all Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “O Sanatana Gosvami! There are two types of sādhana in rāgānugā-bhakti: external and internal. In the external sādhaka body, the devotee performs śravaṇa and kīrtana. Internally, within the mind, one should meditate on one’s own siddha-deha and mentally serve Sri Krishna day and night in Vraja.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.22.156-157):

bāhyaantaraihāra, dui ta’ sādhana, bāhyesādhakadehekare, śravaṇa-kīrtana
manenija-siddha-deha, kariyābhāvana, rātri-dine karevraje, krishnerasevana

So…Who is a Gaudiya Vaisnava? It is a devotee who knows and follows the personal teachings of Sri Chaitanya  Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gaudiya Vaisnava dharma, regarding the goal and means of attainment. 

By reading this post, we hope all our devoted friends will now have a clear understanding about what is the Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta regarding the actual sadhana and sadhya needed to attain the goal of our precious human forms of life.

May all find the true path, follow it, and attain the eternal prema-seva of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Yugala in the groves of Vrindavana.

Raganuga-bhakti ki jai! Radha-Krishna nitya-sevaki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

 

You may also like  related articles:

GAUDIYA VAISNAVA, IDENTITY AND GOAL

25 ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS FOR GAUDIYA VAISNAVAS

ESSENCE OF RAGANUGA BHAKTI

ARE YOU A VAISNAVA?

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Life is too short, memory is very weak and time is less. Thus we offer the following 25 verses to summarize all the essential principles, practices and actual goal of Gaudiya Vaisnava Dharma. We have arranged them in a logical sequence to facilitate clear understanding. Devotees will obtain tremendous spiritual benefit by reflecting deeply upon each one; learning them and following their guidance.

 

** MOST IMPORTANT VERSE: Krishna Consciousness Essence.

Ishtadevata, Gati (destination), Sadhana, Pramana (Basis), Prayojana (Necessity) and the Originator. At least this one verse all should memorize, meditate and realize.

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa tanayas tad dhāma vṛndāvanaṁ

ramyā kācid upāsanā vrajavadhū vargeṇa yā kalpitā

śāstraṁ bhāgavatam pramāṇam amalaṁ prema pumārtho mahān

śrī caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatrādaro naḥ para

“Our worshipable form of Bhagavan [upasya] is Sri Krishna, Nandanandana, the son of Vraja’s King Nanda whom we worship in Vrindavana [the divya dhama goal of life]. Our [the upasakas] way to attain perfection [upasana] is to follow the delightful method of worship done by the newlywed gopis of Vraja (vraja vadhu).

“Our main scripture is the Srimad Bhagavatam, the spotless authority on Krishna-bhakti. The highest goal of human life is Krishna prema, pure love of God. These are the transcendental tenets of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and thus deserve our highest respect, love and care.”

(By Srinatha Cakravarti, disciple of Sri Advaita Prabhu; and guru of Kavi Karnapura)

 

KRISHNA: The Absolute Truth.

janmādy asya yato’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijṣaḥ svarāṭ

tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ

tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo’mṛṣā

dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

“We meditate on the Supreme Truth, from whom all this is born, Who is both present in everything and aloof from it, Who is omniscient and independent. It is He who revealed the Veda to Brahma, the first sage, within his heart. He deludes even the great gods, makes this threefold unreal world seem real, just as the sun’s rays are mistaken for water (in a mirage), water for earth or earth for water, but who is Himself forever free from illusion due to His divine energy (dhāmnā).” (SB 1.1.1)

 

KRISHNA: Best Definition of.

īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ saccidānanda vigraha

anādir ādir govinda sarva kārana kāranam

Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the Supreme God, and Sri Krishna’s transcendental body is sac cid ananda, full of awareness, reality and bliss. Sri Krishna is beginningless, the greatest of all, and the cause of all causes.” (Brahma Samhita 5.1)

 

KRISHNA: Beauty Meditation (as gopis see Krishna; revealed by Suka Muni)

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ

bibhrad-vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām

randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayā pūrayan gopa-vṛndair

vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

“Krishna’s head is adorned with a peacock feather crown. He has a body is shaped like the best of dancers and Krishna wears Karṇikāra-flowers on His ears. While wearing a golden hued garment and a vaijayanti flower mala, Krishna fills the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sing His glories as He enters the forest of Vrindavana, beautifying the earth with His lovely footprints.” (Venu Gita 10.21.5)

 

KRISHNA: Mahaprabhu is Krishna not Radha and Krishna.

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād

ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau

caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ

rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-subalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

“The transformations of love between Śrī Rādhā and Śrī Kṛṣṇa are manifestations of the hlādinī-śakti. These two, although one soul, have manifested in this world in separate forms since ancient times. He, who is known as Caitanya, has now manifest as the union of Radha-Krishna. Obeisances to Sri Chaitanya, who is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, beautifully endowed with the feelings and lustre (bhava, kanti) of Śrī Rādhā!”

 

SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU: Main inner purpose entire Gaura lila.

anarpita carīṁ cirāt karuṇayā avatīrṇa kalau, samarpayitum unnatojjvala rasa sva bhakti śriyaṁ

hariḥ puraṭa sundara dyuti kadamba sandīpitaḥ, sadā hṛdaya kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

“May the son of mother Śacī, who is Sri Hari Himself, appearing in a splendid beautiful golden form, and who has descended in the age of Kali to mercifully bestow the wealth of His own bhakti, which was never bestowed before, and which is endowed with the elevated amorous flavour [madhurya-rasa i.e. gopi-bhava], always be manifest within the cave of your heart.”

 

VRINDAVAN: Goloka realm is everywhere; not a planet.

śanakair bhagaval-lokān nṛ-lokaṁ punar āgataḥ.

vimṛjya netre viduraṁ prītyāhoddhava utsmayan

“[after breaking his deep lila meditation] “Gradually, Uddhava [mentally] returned from Bhagavān’s world to the external human world. Rubbing his eyes, Uddhava lovingly told Vidura in amazement…” (SB 3.2.6); Krishna Sandarbha 106).

 

VRINDAVAN: Living in to get Radha’s mercy.

vṛndāni sarva mahatām apahāya dūrāt, vṛndāṭavīm anusara pranayena cetaḥ

sat tāranī kṛta subhāva sudhā rasaugham, rādhā bhidhānam iha divya nidhānam asti

O Mind! Stay aloof [apahaya durat] from all great things or persons like Vrajavasis [sarva mahatam], and live in Vrindavana with love. In Vraja, there is a divine jewel of wonderful moods and feelings named RADHA, Who redeems all the sincere souls sheltered in Vraja!” (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 17)

 

SHUDDHA BHAKTI: Best & complete definition of pure devotion.

anyābhilāṣita śūnyaṁ jnāna-karmādy anāvṛtam

ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśilanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

Sri Rupa Gosvami said, “The topmost devotion [uttama bhakti] is devoid of all material desires, and not mixed with or covered by any practices of impersonal liberation (jnana) or fruitive activities [karma kanda, homas, yajnas etc]). Uttama bhakti is practiced deliberately and actively, solely for the pleasure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.” (Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.1.11)

 

SADHANA: Diksha Reveals Siddha Deha.

dīkṣā-kāle bhakta kore ātma-samarpaṇa; sei-kāle kṛṣṇa tāre kore ātma-sama

sei deha kore tāra cid-ānanda-moya; aprākṛta-dehe tāṅra caraṇa bhajoya

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “At the time of diksha, the devotee surrenders the very self. And at that time, Sri Krishna makes the devotee equal to Himself by making the devotee’s body transcendental. In such a spiritual body one can serve Krishna.” (Cc. 3.4.192-193)

 

SADHANA: Gita’s top secret [told 2x 9.34]; four main bhakti practices.

man manā bhava mad bhakto mad yāji māṁ namaskuru

mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo’si me

“Think of Me and be My devotee. Worship Me and offer your respects unto Me. Thus you will truly and certainly come to Me. I promise you this because you are dear to Me.”

 

SADHANA: The main 24/7 rule of sadhana.

smartavyaṁ satataṁ viṣṇor vismartavyo na jātūcit

sarva vidhi niṣedha syur etayor eva kinkarāḥ

“Always remember Krishna and never forget Him! All other rules and prohibitions are subservient to this.” Padma P. 6.71.100)

 

SADHANA: Summary all manah-shiksha; Ideal daily pranam mantra.

gurau goṣṭhe goṣṭhālayiṣu sujane bhū-sura-gaṇe, sva-mantre śrī-nāmni vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-śaraṇe

sadā dambhaṁ hitvā kuru ratim apūrvām atitarāṁ, aye svāntar bhrātaś caṭubhir abhiyāce dhṛta-padaḥ

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami said, “O brother mind! I clasp your feet and pray to you with flattering words: ‘Always give up hypocrisy and develop unprecedented love for Sri Guru, Vraja Dhama, the Vrajavasis, the saints, the brāhmaṇas, the diksha mantra, the Holy Names of Sri Krishna, and the shelter of the eternally youthful Couple of Vraja, Śrī-Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa!’” (Manaḥ Śikṣā 1)

 

SADHANA: 4 Points to Success in Bhakti & Nama Bhajan

tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā;

amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

“One should chant the Holy Name of Lord Hari in a humble state of mind, being more humble than a blade of grass, as tolerant as a tree, giving all respect unto others and not expecting any honor for oneself.” (Śrī Caitanya-śikṣāṣṭakam 3)

 

SADHANA: Krishna provides all—just do bhakti.

ananyaś cintayanto māṁ,  ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ, yoga kṣemaṁ vahāmyaham

“Whoever constantly worships Me, exclusively meditating on Me, I will provide him with all his needs and will preserve what he has.” (Bhagavad-gītā 9.22)

 

SADHANA: Mind—only Krishna can control ours.

cancalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham

tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram

“O Kṛṣṇa! The mind is so restless, agitating, powerful and obstinate. It seems harder to check than even the wind.” (Bhagavad-gītā 6.34)

 

SHASTRA: Must live by.

yaḥ śāstra-vidhiṁ utsṛjya vartate kāma kārataḥ

na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na paraṁ gatiṁ

“He who rejects scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims, will not attain perfection, nor will he become happy or attain the Supreme Abode.” (Bhagavad Gītā 16.23)

 

SHASTRA: Focus on essence of i.e. pure bhakti.

ananta-śāstraṁ bahulāśca vidyāḥ svalpaśca kālo bahu-vighnatā ca;

yat sāra-bhūtaṁ tad-upāsanīyaṁ  haṁso yathā kṣīram ivāmbu-madhyāt

“The scriptures are infinite and the branches of knowledge are many. Our time is limited and our lives are full of obstacles. Therefore we should worship the essence, just as the swan extracts only the milk from the water.” (Canakya-nīti-darpanam 15.10)

 

SHASTRA: Power of Hearing Rasa Lila.

vikrīḍitaṁ vrajavadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ, śraddhānvito’nuśṛṇuyed atha varṇayed yaḥ

bhaktiṁ paraṁ bhagavatiṁ pratilabhya kāmaṁ, hṛd-rogam āśvapahinotyacireṇa dhīraḥ

Suka Muni said [phala shruti for rasa-lila cp. 29-33] “Anyone who faithfully and continually hears and describes the pastimes of Krishna with the newlyweds of Vraja (gopīs) will attain the highest devotion to Bhagavān, swiftly become free from the heart’s disease of lust and become peaceful.”

 

SADHANA: Sri Chaitanya Orders Gopi Bhava

ataeva gopī-bhāva kari aṅgīkāra, rātri-dina cinte rādhā-kṛṣṇera vihāra

“Therefore one should accept the loving mood of the gopis [gopi-bhava], and day and night meditate on the pleasure pastimes of Radha and Krishna. (Cc. 2.8.228)

 

SADHANA (Must do two forms—Internal & External). [two verses]

bāhya antara ihāra dui to sādhana; bāhya sādhaka dehe kore śravaṇa kīrtana

mane nija siddha deha koriyā bhāvana; rātri dine kore vraje kṛṣṇera sevana

Mahaprabhu said, “O Sri Sanatana Goswami!  “There are two kinds of devotion in practise: external and internal. In the external practitioner’s body, one performs hearing and chanting of Krishna’s glories, and internally, in the mentally conceived spiritual body, one renders mental service to Krishna in Vraja day and night.” (Cc. 2.22.155-156)

 

SADHANA: Worship Shyama to get Sriji seva)

dhyāyantaṁ śikhi-piccha-mauli-maniśaṁ tan nāma-sankīrtayan

nityaṁ tac caraṇāmbujaṁ paricaran tan-mantra-varyaṁ japan

śrī rādhā padāsyam eva paramābhīṣṭaṁ hṛdā dhārayan

karhi syāṁ tad anugraheṇa param ādbhutānurāg otsavaḥ

“I always meditate on Krishna, wearing a crown of peacock feathers; I always sing Krishna’s name in saṅkīrtana; I always serve Krishna’s lotus feet (archa-murti) and repeat His best of mantras, all the while holding in my heart the desire for the supremely cherished service of Śrī Rādhā’s lotus feet. When by Krishna’s grace will that grand festival of Radha’s amazing anuraga arise in my heart?” (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 259)

 

SADHANA: The Desired Perfection of Manjari Bhava.

tavaivāsmi tavaivāsmi  na jīvāmi tvayā vinā, iti vijnaya devi tvaṁ naya māṁ caraṇāntikam

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami prays, “O Devi Radha! I am Yours, I am Yours! I cannot live without You!  Knowing this, please take me to Your lotus feet!” (Vilapa Kusumanjali 96)

 

SADHANA: Highest perfection demands most practice and patience.

krame krame pāya loka bhava-sindhu-kūla

Mahaprabhu said to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, “Slowly and gradually a person will cross the ocean of material existence [attain liberation].” (Cc. 2.16.237) (adapted madangopal.blogspot) Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!