Sri Sri Guru
Gaurangau Jayatah
Chapter 3
Sri Bhakta-vacanamrtam - Words of Nectar from the
Devotees
Anakulyasya Sankalpah - Acceptance of the Favorable
3.1
krsna-karsnaga-sad-bhakti-,
prapannatvanukulake
krtyatva-niscayas-canu-, kulya-sankalpa ucyate
Everything should be done that encourages the
service of Sri Krsna and His devotee, and whatever is
conducive to the state of exclusive surrender must be
executed: such a firm conviction is called
anukulyasya-sankalpah - Acceptance of the Favorable.
3.2
sri-krsna-sankirtanam eva tat padasritanam paramanukulam
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ceto-darpana-marjanam
bhava-mahadavagni-nirvapanam
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sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam
vidya-vadhujivanam
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anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam
purnamrtasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate
sri-krsna-sankirtanam
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Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya
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Of everything favorable, Hari-sankirtana performed by souls
surrendered unto the lotus feet of Lord Hari is paramount
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"May the Sri Krsna Sankirtana be all-victorious in its
pristine glory! This congregational chanting of the holy names
of the Lord cleanses the looking-glass of consciousness,
extinguishes the raging forest fire of material existence, and
spreads the benediction moonrays that cause the lotus of the
heart to bloom. This chanting is the life and soul of divine
consorthood. Expanding the ocean of pure ecstasy, it is the
flavor of full nectar at every moment, bathing and cooling the
entire self."
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- the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra
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3.3
tatra sampatti-catustayam paramanukulam -
trnad api sunicena, taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena, kirtaniyah sada harih
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Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya
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These four jewels are accepted as the greatest treasure
favorable to the performance of Hari-kirtana -
"One who knows himself more insignificant than a blade
of grass, who is as forbearing as a tree, and who gives due
honor to others without desiring it for himself, is qualified to
sing the glories of Lord Hari constantly."
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- the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra
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3.4
karsnanam adhikaranurupa sevaiva bhajananukula -
krsneti yasya giri tam manasadriyeta
diksasti cet pranatibhis ca bhajantam isam
susrusaya bhajana-vijnam ananyam anya
nindadi-sunya-hrdam ipsita-sanga-labdhya
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Sri Rupapadanam
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- Sri Rupa Goswami
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To render service to the devotees according to their
respective qualifications is conducive to pure devotion -
krsna saha krsna-nama abhinna janiya, aprakrta
eka-matra sadhana maniya
yei nama laya, name diksita haiya, adara karibe mane
sva-gosthi janiya
namera bhajane yei krsna-seva kare, aprakrta vraje
vasi' sarvada antare
madhyama vaisnava jani' dhara tara paya, anugatya kara
tara mane ara kaya
namera bhajane yei svarupa labhiya, anya vastu nahi
dekhe krsna teyagiya
krsnetara sambandha na paiya jagate, sarva-jane
sama-buddhi kare krsna-vrate
tadrsa bhajana-vijne janiya abhista, kaya-mano-vakye
seva' haiya nivista
susrusa karibe tanre sarvato-bhavete, krsnera carana
labha haya tanha haite
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(Bengali verse by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Thakura)
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"Knowing Krsna and His name to be identical
truth,
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one embraces exclusively the holy name's path;
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and thus who is initiated into chanting the name
properly
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should be mentally respected as a member of the
family.
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And he who serves Krsna by constant worship of the
name,
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within his heart e'er residing at Sri Vrndavana
Dhama -
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know him an intermediate devotee, make obeisance at
his feet
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and keep him as a faithful friend in your thought
and deed.
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And who, by internal service to the name, knows his
divine identity,
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sees Krsna, only Krsna in every form and entity;
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seeing nothing separate from Krsna in the entire
creation,
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he sees all souls equally serving Krsna's
predilection -
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know such a veteran votary most honored and most
cherished,
serve him in thought, word, and deed, with heart's
fulfillment relished:
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with obeisance, inquiry, service, him in all
respects entreat -
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by the grace of such a great soul we can reach Lord
Krsna's feet."
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(Bengali verse translation of instructions to an
intermediate devotee)
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3.5
utsahadi-guna anakulatvad adaraniyah -
utsahan niscayad dhairyat, tat tat
karma-pravartanat
sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh, sadbhir bhaktih
prasiddhyati
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Sri Rupapadanam
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- Sri Rupa Goswami
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Because of their favorability, the six qualities beginning
with enthusiasm should be honored -
bhajane utsaha yara bhitare bahire, sudurllabha
krsna-bhakti pabe dhire dhire
krsna-bhakti prati yara visvasa niscaya, sraddhavan
bhaktiman jana sei haya
krsna-seva na paiya dhira-bhave yei, bhaktira sadhana
kare bhaktiman sei
yahate krsnera seva krsnera santosa, sei karme vrati
sada na karaye rosa
krsnera abhakta-jana-sanga parihari', bhaktiman
bhakta-sange sada bhaje hari
krsna-bhakta yaha kare tad anusarane, bhaktiman acaraya
jivane marane
ei chaya jana haya bhakti adhikari, visvera-mangala
kare bhakti paracari
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(Bengali verse by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Thakura)
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"Within, without, he who serves with (1)
enthusiasm
will gradually attain to the rarest pure
devotion.
In devotion to Lord Krsna, one who has (2) firm
faith
is a person loyal and devoted on the path.
And if Sri Krsna's service he fails to attain,
yet practices with (3) patience - devout is such a
man.
(4) That which serves Lord Krsna, for only Krsna's
pleasure,
in such action, the devotee can never feel anger.
(5) Abandoning the company of the non-devotee,
ever with devotees, the devout serve Sri Hari.
(6) Following the pure devotees' direction on the
path,
the true devout practice, as a matter of life and
death.
Who follow these six qualities qualify for pure
devotion -
they purify the universe by their preaching
mission."
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(Bengali verse translation)
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3.6
yukta-vairagyam evanukulam -
yavata syat sva-nirvahah, svikuryat tavad
arthavit
adhikye nyunatayan ca, cyavate paramarthatah
Only renunciation in devotion (yukta-vairagya) is favorable
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"A person with genuine insight will accept only as much
facility as needed to fulfill his personal necessity. Over or
under acceptance of one's due measure may cause a fall from
spiritual practices."
3.7
tatra krsna-sambandhasyaiva pradhanyam -
tvayopabhukta-srag-gandha-, vaso
'lankara-carccitah
ucchista-bhojino dasas, tava mayam jayema hi
Within renunciation in devotion (yukta-vairagya), the
foremost principle is to see everything in relationship to Lord
Krsna (Krsna-sambandha-jnana) -
"Adorned with the articles that have been offered to
You, such as garlands, fragrant clothing, and ornaments, we,
Your personal servitors who partake of Your holy remnants alone,
will certainly be able to conquer Your illusory energy
(maya)."
3.8
sarvatha hari-smrti-raksanam eva tatparyam -
alabdhe va vinaste va, bhaksyacchadana-sadhane
aviklava-matir bhutva, harim eva dhiya smaret
The fundamental objective is to maintain constant
remembrance of Sri Hari in every time, place and circumstance
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"If persons engaged in the devotional service of Lord
Hari are unable to obtain food and shelter despite their
attempts, or if their acquisitions are lost or destroyed, they
should, without anxiety, absorb their hearts deeply in the
thought of Lord Hari."
3.9
sarvatra tad anukampa darsanad eva tat-siddhih -
tat te 'nukampam susamiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak
This is accomplished only when one can see the grace of the
Supreme Lord in every situation -
"One who, in the hope of achieving Your grace, goes on
enduring the inauspicious fruit of his own karma, and passes his
days practicing devotion unto You in every thought, word, and
deed - such a person is heir to the land of freedom: he attains
to the plane of positive immortality."
3.10
sadhu-sangat sarvam eva sulabham -
tulayama lavenapi, na svargam napunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya, martyanam kim utasisah
Only by the association of pure devotees (sadhu-sanga) is
everything happily achieved -
"The attainment of heaven or liberation cannot even
slightly compare with the immeasurable fortune gained by the
association of an associate of the Supreme Lord. What, then, can
be said of the petty dominion and assets of mortal men?"
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- the sages of Naimisaranya, headed by Saunaka Rsi
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3.11
guru-padasraya eva mukhyah -
tasmad gurum prapadyeta, jijnasuh sreyah uttamam
sabde pare ca nisnatam, brahmany upasamasrayam
Of all sadhu-sanga, the foremost is the service of the lotus
feet of the bona fide Spiritual Master or Sad-guru -
"Thus, a person in search of the ultimate good should
surrender to the Guru who knows well the Vedic scriptures
(Sabda-brahman) and the Supreme Absolute Lord (Para-brahman),
and for whom the mundane world holds no charm whatsoever."
3.12
tatra siksa-seva-phalaptis ca -
tatra bhagavatan dharman, siksed
gurvatma-daivatah
amayayanuvrttya yais-, tusyed atmatmado harih
At the lotus feet of that Sad-guru, divine relationship,
practice, and objective (sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana)
are all achieved -
"Those divine practices of pure devotional service that
please the Self-giving Sri Hari (who gives Himself to His
devotees) will be learned by continuously serving such a Guru
with full sincerity, knowing him to be one's dearmost
well-wishing friend and the supremely worshipful embodiment of
Sri Hari."
3.13
tadiyaradhanam parama-phaladam -
maj-janmanah phalam idam madhu-kaitabhare
mat prarthaniya mad anugraha esa eva
tvad bhrtya-bhrtya-paricaraka-bhrtya-bhrtya
bhrtyasya bhrtyam iti mam smara lokanatha
Devotional service rendered to the devotee bestows the
highest fruit -
"O Supreme Lord of all beings, O slayer of the demons
Madhu and Kaitabha, this is the purpose of my life, this is my
prayer, and this is Your grace - that You will remember me as
Your servant, a servant of a servant of a Vaisnava, a servant of
a servant of such a servant of a servant of a Vaisnava, and a
servant of a servant of the servant of a servant of a Vaisnava's
servant's servant."
3.14
tadiya-sevanam na hi tuccham -
jnanavalambakah kecit, kecit karmavalambakah
vayam tu hari-dasanam, padatranavalambakah
Service to the Lord's devotee is not a trifling matter
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"Some people take shelter in the path of action (karma)
while others take shelter in the path of knowledge (jnana). But
as far as we are concerned, we have chosen the sandals of the
servants of Lord Hari as the only refuge."
3.15
asmad ananya-nistha -
tyajantu bandhavah sarve, nindantu guravo janah
tathapi paramanando, govindo mama jivanam
Exclusive dedication is born from service to the devotees
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"My friends may forsake me and my (traditional)
teachers may denounce me, but the light of my life will always
be Sri Govinda, the personification of divine ecstasy."
Sri Kulasekhara
3.16
aprakrta-raty-udayas ca -
yat tad vadantu sastrani, yat tad vyakhyantu
tarkikah
jivanam mama caitanya-, padambhoja-sudhaiva tu
Supramundane attachment also develops -
"The Scriptures may say whatever they have to say (in
their various areas of jurisdiction), and the expert logicians
may interpret them as they wish. But as far as I am concerned,
the sweet nectar of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanyacandra is my
life and soul."
Sri Prabodhananda Saraswati
3.17
sadhya-seva-sankalpah -
bhavantam evanucaran nirantarah
prasanta-nihsesa-mano-rathantarah
kadaham aikantika-nitya-kinkarah
praharsayisyami sanatha-jivitam
An earnest aspiration to achieve perfection in devotional
service -
"When will I bloom in a life of servitude as Your
eternal devotee, my heart pacified due to all other desires
being consumed by engagement in Your uninterrupted
service?"
3.18
parikara-siddher-akanksa -
sakrt tvad akara vilokanasaya
trni-krtanuttama-bhukti-muktibhih
mahatmabhir mam avalokyatam naya
ksane 'pi te yad viraho 'ti duhsahah
The aspiration to attain to the perfection of becoming an
associate servitor of the Lord -
"O my Lord, please lead me into the glance of those
great devotees who, in their heart's aspiration to only once
behold Your divine form, consider sense enjoyment and liberation
to be like straw, and whose separation is unbearable for even
You."
Sri Yamunacarya
3.19
nirupadhika-bhakti-svarupopalabdhih -
bhaktis tvayi sthiratara bhagavan yadi syat
daivena nah phalati divya-kisora-murtih
muktih svayam mukulitanjali sevate 'sman
dharmartha-kama-gatayah samaya-pratiksah
The realization of the nature of unconditional devotion
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"O Supreme Lord, if our devotion for You were more
steadfast, Your adolescent form would naturally arise (appear)
within our hearts. Then (there would not be the slightest
necessity to pray for the triple pursuits of religiosity, gain,
and sensual desire [dharma, artha, kama], and their negation in
the form of liberation [mukti], because) mukti will personally
attend us (as a concomitant subsidiary fruit of devotion, in the
form of deliverance from ignorance), her hands cupped in prayer
(like a preordained maidservant); and the fruits of bhukti
(transitory pleasure culminating in attainment of heaven) will
eagerly await their orders (from us, should any necessity arise
for them in the service of Your lotus feet)."
3.20
vraja-rasa-sresthatvam -
srutim apare smrtim itare bharatam anye bhajantu
bhava-bhitah
aham iha nandam vande yasyalinde param brahma
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Sri Raghupati Upadhyayasya
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The superexcellence of devotion in the mood of Vrndavana
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"Of persons afraid of material existence, some worship
the Sruti Scriptures (Vedas), some worship the Smrti Scriptures
(supplementary Religious Codes), and others worship the
Mahabharata. But as far as I am concerned, I worship Sri Nanda
Maharaja, in whose courtyard the Supreme Absolute Truth is
playing."
3.21
tatra bhajana-paddhatih -
tan-nama-rupa-caritadi-sukirtananu
smrtyoh kramena rasana-manasi niyojya
tisthan vraje tad anuragi-jananugami
kalam nayed akhilam ity upadesa-sarah
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Sri-Rupapadanam
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Sri Rupa Goswami
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The path to devotion in the Vrndavana conception -
krsna nama-rupa-guna-lila catustaya, guru-mukhe
sunilei kirtana udaya
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kirtita haile krame smarananga paya, kirtana
smarana-kale krama-pathe dhaya
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jata-ruci-jana jihva mana milaiya, krsna-anuraga
vraja-jananusmariya
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nirantara vraja-vasa manasa bhajana, ei upadesa-sara
karaha grahana
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(Bengali verse by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Thakura)
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"When Krsna's name, form, nature, and pastimes
divine,
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are heard from Sri Gurudeva, one's heart awakes in
song.
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As pure chanting ensues, remembrance is
attained;
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thus chanting and remembering, step-by-step ascent
is gained.
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Those engaging tongue and mind, who begin to relish
nectar:
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adore Sri Krsna, following the residents of
Vraja.
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Reside always in Vraja, within the heart's devotion .
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surely, you must accept this nectar of
instruction."
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(Bengali verse translation)
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3.22
vraja-bhajana-taratamyanubhutih -
vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi
rasotsavad-
vrndaranyam udara-pani-ramanat tatrapi
govardhanah
radha-kundam ihapi gokula-pateh premamrtaplavanat
kuryyad asya virajato giri-tate sevam viveki na kah
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Sri Rupapadanam
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Sri Rupa Goswami
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The comparative ontological conception of devotion in
Vrndavana -
vaikuntha haite srestha mathura nagari,
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janama labhila yatha krsnacandra hari
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mathura haite srestha vrndavana dhama,
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yatha sadhiyache hari rasotasava-kama
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vrndavana haite srestha govardhana-saila
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giridhari-gandharvika yatha krida kaila
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govardhana haite srestha radha-kunda-tata
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premamrte bhasaila gokula lampata
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govardhana giri-tata radha-kunda chadi'
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anyatra ye kare nija kunja puspa-badi
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nirbbodha tahara sama keha nahi ara
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kunda-tira sarvottama sthana - premadhara
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(Bengali verse by Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Thakura)
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"Higher than Vaikuntha is Mathura city,
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since there occurred the Advent of Sri Krsnacandra
Hari.
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Better than Mathura is Vrndavana, the holy
place
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where Lord Hari enjoyed the joyous dance of amorous
grace.
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Above Vrndavana Dhama is Govardhana Hill,
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the lifter of the Hill, and His Consort, there did
intimately revel.
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Even higher than Govardhana Hill is the banks of
Radha-kunda
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that the Sweetheart of Gokula overfloods sweet love
abound.
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Who would select for his worship, any other
place,
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disregarding this sacred pond at Govardhana's
base?
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Such a foolish fellow surely can't be found!
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The highest abode of love divine is the banks of
Radha-kunda."
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(Bengali verse translation)
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3.23
vraja-rasa-svarupa-siddhau sambandha-jnanodaya-prakarah
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gurau gosthe gosthalayisu sujane bhu-suragane
sva-mantre sri-namni
vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-sarane
sada dambham hitva kuru ratim apurvam atitaram
aye svantar bhratas catubhir abhiyace dhrta-padah
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Sri-Raghunathapadanam
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Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami
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The proper approach to realize one's eternally perfect
divine identity in the Vrndavana mellow of devotion -
gurudeve, vraja-vane, vraja-bhumi-vasi jane,
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suddha-bhakte, ara vipra-gane
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ista-mantre, hari-name, yugala bhajana kame,
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kara rati apurva yatane
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dhari mana carane tomara -
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janiyachi ebe sara, krsna-bhakti vina ara,
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nahi ghuce jivera samsara
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karma, jnana, tapah, yoga, sakalai ta
karma-bhoga,
sakala chadiya bhai, sraddha-devira guna gai,
yanra krpa bhakti dite pare
chadi' dambha anuksana, smara asta-tattva mana,
sei rati prarthanaya, sri-dasa-gosvami paya,
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e bhakativinoda kare nati
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(Bengali verse by Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura)
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"(1) The Divine Master (2) Sri Vrndavana
(3) The residents of Sri Vrndavana
(4) The pure Vaisnavas (5) The brahmana section
(6) The worshipful mantra (7) The holy name
(8) A yearning to serve the Couple Divine:
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adore these eight with utmost dedication.
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O dear mind, I implore thee at thy feet -
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Already we have learned the essence:
nothing but Lord Krsna's service
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dispels the soul's illusory experience.
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Duty, knowledge, penance, meditation -
all are really exploitation:
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none can free us from action and reaction;
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Cast them all aside, O my brother,
sing the glory of good faith, our mother
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whose grace alone bestows pure devotion.
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Banish your pride forever,
O my mind, your eight goals remember:
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adore them with a heart that is sincere.
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Aspiring for that devoted heart,
at Sri Dasa Goswami's feet
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this Bhaktivinoda makes his prayer."
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(Bengali verse translation)
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3.24
namabhinna-vraja-bhajana-prarthana -
aghadamana-yasodanandanau nanda-suno
kamalanayana-gopicandra -vrndavanendrah
pranatakaruna-krsnav ity aneka-svarupe
tvayi mama ratir uccair varddhatam nama-dheya
A prayer to taste the nectar of devotion in Vrndavana
(Vraja-rasa), nondifferent from serving the holy name in pure
devotion (nama bhajana) -
"O Aghadamana, O Yasodanandana, O Nandasuno, O
Kamala-nayana, O Gopicandra, O Vrndavanendra, O Pranatakaruna, O
Krsna - You have appeared in many divine forms, such as these.
Therefore, O Lord, who are known by these holy names, kindly let
my fondness for You flourish."
3.25
parama-siddhi-sankalpah -
kadaham yamuna-tire, namani tava kirtayan
udbaspah pundarikaksa, racayisyami tandavam
Divine aspiration in separation is favorable to perfection
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"O lotus-eyed Lord, when will I dance on the banks of
the Yamuna, chanting Your holy name with tears in my
eyes?"
3.26
vipralambhe milana-siddhau nama-bhajananukulyam -
nayanam galad-asru-dharaya, vadanam gad-gada-ruddhaya
gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada, tava nama-grahane
bhavisyati
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Sri Sri Bhagavatas Caitanyacandrasya
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Serving the holy name in pure devotion (nama-bhajana) in the
pain of separation is favorable to achieve union with the Lord
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"O Lord, when will my eyes be adorned with tears of
love, flowing like waves? When will my words choke with ecstasy,
and when will the hairs of my body stand erect while chanting
Your holy name?"
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- the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyacandra
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iti sri-prapanna-jivanamrte
sri-bhakta-vacanamrtantargata-
anukulyasya-sankalpo nama trtiyo 'dhyayah
thus ends the third chapter
Acceptance of the Favorable - Words of Nectar from the
Devotees
in
Life-Nectar of the Surrendered Souls
Positive and Progressive Immortality
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