The Practice of Divine Love Part II

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Ṭhakura

শ্রী গৌड़िয-কন্ঠহার

Gaudiya Kanṭhahāra:

13th Jewel

SĀDHANA-BHAKTI-TATTVA

The Practice of Divine Love

The Jeweled Necklace of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas

Being a compendium of quotations from revealed scriptures

concerning the truths about the cult of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu

Compiled under the authority and direction of

His Divine Grace

Bhaktisiddhānta Sāraswāti Goswāmī

Prabhupada

Translated and edited, with original Sanskrit and Bengali and Roman transliteration by

B. V. Mahāyogi, Michael Dolan

१३.१७

इति पुंसार्पिता बिष्णौ भक्तिश् चेन् नब-लक्षणा 

क्रिय़ेत भगबत्य़् अद्धा तन् मन्य़े ऽधीतम् उत्तमम्

13.17

iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā 

kriyeta bhagavaty addhā tan manye 'dhītam uttamam

These nine are the processes of pure devotional service. One who has dedicated

his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be considered

most learned, for he has acquired full knowledge. (Bhāg. 7.5.24)

१३.१८

श्री बिष्णोः श्रबणे परीक्शिदभबद्-बैय़ासकिः कीर्तने

प्रह्लादः स्मरणे तद् अङ्घ्रिभजने लक्ष्मीः पृथुः पूजने

अक्रूरस्-त्बभिबन्दने कपि-पतिर्-दास्य़ेऽथ सर्ह्य़ेऽर्जुनः

सर्बस्बात्म-निबेदने बलिरभुत् कृष्णाप्तिरेषां परम्

13.18

śrī viṣṇoḥ śravaṇe parīkśidabhavad-vaiyāsakiḥ kīrtane

prahlādaḥ smaraṇe tad aṅghribhajane lakṣmīḥ pṛthuḥ pūjane

akrūras-tvabhivandane kapi-patir-dāsye'tha sarhye'rjunaḥ

sarvasvātma-nivedane balirabhut kṛṣṇāptireṣāṁ param

The following devotees attained Kṛṣṇa and thus realized the ultimate goal of life

by following one of the nine methods of devotional service: Mahārāja Parikṣita

realized Kṛṣṇa by hearing about His glories (śravanam),

 Śukadeva Gosvāmī realized Kṛṣṇa by speaking the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

(kīrtanam). 

Prahlāda realized Him by devotional remembrance

(smaraṇam).

 Lakṣmīdevī attained His mercy by serving His lotus feet (pādasevanam). 

Mahārāja Pṛthu attained Him by worship (arcanam). 

Akrūra attained Him through prayer (vandanam). 

Hanuman attained Him through personal service (dāsyam). 

Arjuna attained Him through friendship (sakhyam).

Bali Maharaja attained Him through complete surrender of body, mind, and

words (ātmā-nivedanam). 

(Padyāvali 53) 

Śravaṇa and Smaraṇa are Best

१३.१९

तस्मात् सर्बात्मना राजन् हरिः सर्बत्र सर्बदा 

श्रोतब्य़ः कीर्तितबय़श् च स्मर्तब्य़ो भगबान् नृणाम्

13.19

tasmāt sarvātmanā rājan hariḥ sarvatra sarvadā 

śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavayaś ca smartavyo bhagavān nṛṇām

O King, it is therefore essential that every human being hear about, glorify, and remember the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead always and everywhere. 

(Bhāg. 2.2.36) 

Śravaṇa

१३.२०

तब कथामृतं तप्त-जीबनं कबिभिर् ईडितं कल्मषापहम् 

श्रबण-मङ्गलं श्रीमद् आततं भुबि गृणन्ति य़े भूरि-दा जनाः

13.20

tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham 

śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ

O Kṛṣṇa, just hearing the nectar of Your words and the narrations of Your

pastimes gives life to us, who are always suffering in the material world. This

nectar is broadcast all over the world by great souls. It removes all sinful

reactions. It is all-auspicious and filled with spiritual power. Those who spread

this message of Godhead are certainlv doing the greatest relief work for human

society; they are the most magnanimous welfare workers. 

(Bhāg. 10.31.9)

१३.२१

निबृत्त-तर्षैर् उपगीय़मानाद् भबौषधाच् छ्रोत्र-मनो-ऽभिरामात्

क उत्तमश्लोक-गुणानुबादात् पुमान् बिरज्य़ेत बिना पशुघ्नात्

13.21

nivṛtta-tarṣair upagīyamānād bhavauṣadhāc chrotra-mano-'bhirāmāt

ka uttamaśloka-guṇānuvādāt pumān virajyeta vinā paśughnāt

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the

parampāra system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. 

Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right

medicine for all the conditioned souls undergoing repeated birth and death.

Therefore, who will cease hearing glorification of the Lord except a butcher or

one who is killing his self? 

(Bhāg. l0.l.4)

The Gradation of What is Obtained by Śravaṇa

१३.२२

तच्-च नाम-रूप-गुण-लीलामय़-शब्दानां श्रोतस्पर्शः

प्रथमं नाम्नः श्रबणम्-अन्तः-करण- शुद्ध्य़र्थम्-पेक्षाम्

शुद्धे चान्तः-करणे रूप-श्रबबेन तद्-उदय़- य़ोग्य़ता भबति

सम्य़गुदिते च रूपे गुणानां स्फुरणं सम्पद्य़ेत, सम्पन्ने च गुणानां

स्फुरणे परिकर-बैशिष्थ्य़ेन तद्-बैशिष्थ्य़ं सम्पद्य़ते 

ततस्-तेषु नाम-रूप-गुण- परिकरेषु सम्य़क् स्फुरितेषु 

लीलानां स्फुरणं सुष्ठु भबति

तत्रापि श्रबणे श्री भागबत-श्रबणस्तु परम- श्रेष्ठम्

13.22

tac-ca nāma-rūpa-guṇa-līlāmaya-śabdānāṁ śrotasparśaḥ.

prathamaṁ nāmnaḥ śravaṇam-antaḥ-karaṇa- śuddhyartham-pekṣām.

śuddhe cāntaḥ-karaṇe rūpa-śravavena tad-udaya- yogyatā bhavati.

samyagudite ca rūpe guṇānāṁ sphuraṇaṁ sampadyeta, sampanne ca guṇānāṁ

sphuraṇe parikara-vaiśiṣthyena tad-vaiśiṣthyaṁ sampadyate 

tatas-teṣu nāma-rūpa-guṇa- parikareṣu samyak sphuriteṣu 

līlānāṁ sphuraṇaṁ suṣṭhu bhavati.

tatrāpi śravaṇe śrī bhāgavata-śravaṇastu parama- śreṣṭham.

Hearing of the name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord and His devotees

is called śravaṇa. The practice of sādhana-bhakti depends on hearing the holy

name. 

It begins with śravaṇa, which purifies the heart of the devotee. This

hearing process purifies the heart and gives liberation from the filthiness of

sense gratification.

 In this way, by hearing transcendental sound about the form

of Kṛṣṇa, gradually the complete form of the Lord awakens within the heart.

Then gradually the qualities of the Lord arise within the heart. 

As His qualities fully manifest themselves, the different specific aspects of His service and

pastimes gradually awaken. In this way, the holy name gradually reveals the

Lord's form, qualities, and pastimes in all their splendor and beauty and in all

their different branches. 

Of all kinds of hearing, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the

best. 

(Krama Sandarbha 7.5.18) 

The Glories of Śravaṇa

१३.२३

पिबन्ति ये भागवत आत्मनः सतां कथामृतं श्रवण-पुटेषु सम्भृतम् पुनन्ति ये विषय-विदूषिताशयं व्रजन्ति तच्-चरण-सरोरुहान्तिकम्

१३.२३

पिबन्ति ये भागवत आत्मनः सतां कथामृतं श्रवण-पुटेषु सम्भृतम् पुनन्ति ये विषय-विदूषिताशयं व्रजन्ति तच्-चरण-सरोरुहान्तिकम्

13.23

pibanti ye bhāgavata ātmanaḥ satāṁ kathāmṛtaṁ śravaṇa-puṭeṣu sambhṛtam punanti ye viṣaya-vidūṣitāśayaṁ vrajanti tac-caraṇa-saroruhāntikam

Those who drink through their ears the nectarean topics of Kṛṣṇa who is dear

to His devotees cleanse themselves of filthy desires for material pleasures and

attain the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet. 

(Bhāg. 2.2.37)

१३.२४

शृण्वतां स्व-कथाः कृष्णः पुण्य-श्रवण- कीर्तनः

हृद्य् अन्तः स्थो ह्य् अभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत् सताम्

13.24

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa- kīrtanaḥ

hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛt satām

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as the Supersoul within everyone's heart and the friend of the

truthful, cleanses the desire for material enjoyment from the hearts of those who

have developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous

when properly heard and chanted. 

(Bhāg. 1.2.17)

१३.२५

शृण्वतः श्रद्धया नित्यं गृणतश् च स्व- चेष्टितम्

कालेन नातिदीर्घेण भगवान् विशते हृदि

13.25

śṛṇvataḥ śraddhayā nityaṁ gṛṇataś ca sva- ceṣṭitam

kālena nātidīrgheṇa bhagavān viśate hṛdi 

Those who always seriously listen to Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam and who apply its

teachings will soon realize the Supreme Lord within their heart of hearts.

(Bhāg. 2.8.4)

The Meaning of the Word Kīrtana

१३.२६

नाम-लीला-गुणादीनाम्-उच्चैर्-भाषा तु कीर्तनम्

13.26

nāma-līlā-guṇādīnām-uccair-bhāṣā tu kīrtanam

Kīrtanam is defined as loudly giving voice to the glories of the Lord, beginning

with the names, pastimes, and qualities of Kṛṣṇa. 

(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Pūrva-vibhāga 2.145)

The Material Senses Cannot Appreciate the Transcendental Nature  of Hearing and Chanting About Kṛṣṇa

१३.२७

निजेन्द्रियमनः-काय चेष्टारूपां न विद्धि ताम् 

नित्य-सत्य-घना-नन्द रूपा सा हि गुणातिगा

13.27

nijendriyamanaḥ-kāya ceṣṭārūpāṁ na viddhi tām 

nitya-satya-ghanā-nanda rūpā sā hi guṇātigā

You should know that bhakti is not the activity of your senses, mind and body.

Bhakti is completely transcendental and full of bliss and certainly beyond the

modes of nature. 

(Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta, Pūrva- vibhāga 2.3.133)

१३.२८

अतः श्री कृष्ण-नामादि न भवेद् ग्राह्यम्- इन्द्रियैः

सेवोन्मुखे हि जिह्वादौ स्वयम् एव स्फूरत्यदः

13.28

ataḥ śrī kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam- indriyaiḥ

sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphūratyadaḥ

Therefore, [because the name of Kṛṣṇa is identical with Himself, and is beyond

the senses] the name; form, qualities, associates, and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa are

beyond the senses. When, however, a devotee engages the senses, beginning with

the tongue, in the service of the Lord, Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself to the purified

senses of that devotee. 

(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Pūrva-vibhāga 2.234)

Kīrtana

१३.२९

कृते यद् ध्यायतो विष्णुं त्रेतायां यजतो मखैः

द्वापरे परिचर्यायां कलौ तद् धरि-कीर्तनात्

13.29

kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ

dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt 

What was attained by meditation in Satya-yuga, by sacrifice in Tretā-yuga, and by Deity worship in Dvāpara-yuga is attained in Kali-yuga by hari-kīrtana. (Bhāg. 12.3.52)

The Glories of Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana

१३.३०

सकृद् उच्चारितं येन हरिर्-इत्यक्षरद्वयम्

बद्धः परिकरस्तेन मोक्षाय गमनं प्रति

13.30

sakṛd uccāritaṁ yena harir-ityakṣaradvayam

baddhaḥ parikarastena mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati 

One who vibrates the two syllables Ha-ri without offense attains liberation from

repeated birth and death. He never again has to walk the path of material

bondage. 

(Padma-Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 80.161)

१३.३१

ध्यायन् कृते यजन् यज्ञैस् त्रेतायां द्वापरेऽर्चयन्

यद्-आप्नोति तद्-आप्नोति कलौ सङ्कीर्त्य केशवम्

13.31

dhyāyan kṛte yajan yajñais tretāyāṁ dvāpare'rcayan

yad-āpnoti tad-āpnoti kalau saṅkīrtya keśavam 

What was realized in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Tretā-yuga by sacrifice, and in Dvāpara-yuga by worship (arcana) , is realised in Kali-yuga by Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana.

(Padma-purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 42)

Kīrtana Describing the Lord's Qualities is the
Aim of All Knowledge

१३.३२

इदं हि पुंसस् तपसः श्रुतस्य वा स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धि-दत्तयोः 

अविच्युतो ऽर्थः कविभिर् निरूपितो यद् उत्तमश्लोक-गुणानुवर्णनम्

13.32

idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ 

avicyuto 'rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito yad uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam

One's advancement of knowledge is furthered by austerities, study of the Vedas,

sacrifice, chanting of hymns, and charity. Those who are wise, however, have

concluded that knowledge finds its culmination in the transcendental

descriptions of the Lord, who is glorified with selected verses. 

(Bhāg. 1.5.22)

१३.३३

श्रुतस्य पुंसां सुचिर-श्रमस्य नन्व् अञ्जसा सूरिभिर् ईडितो ऽर्थः

तत्-तद्-गुणानुश्रवणं मुकुन्दपादारविन्दं हृदयेषु येषाम्

13.33

śrutasya puṁsāṁ sucira-śramasya nanv añjasā sūribhir īḍito 'rthaḥ

tat-tad-guṇānuśravaṇaṁ mukundapādāravindaṁ hṛdayeṣu yeṣām

O sage! Persons who hear from a spiritual master with great labor and for a long time must hear from the mouths of pure devotees the glorification of the character and activities of pure devotees. 

Pure devotees always think within their hearts of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who awards liberation to His devotees. 

(Bhāg. 3.13.4)

The Glories of the Qualities of the Supreme Lord

१३.३४

आत्मारामाश् च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्य् उरुक्रमे 

कुर्वन्त्य् अहैतुकीं भक्तिम् इत्थम्-भूत-गुणो हरिः

13.34

ātmārāmāś ca munayo nirgranthā apy urukrame 

kurvanty ahaitukīṁ bhaktim ittham-bhūta-guṇo hariḥ

All varieties of ātmārāmās, especially those established on the path of self-realization,

though freed from all kinds of material bondage, desire to render unalloyed devotional service to the Personality of Godhead. 

This means the Lord has transcendental qualities and therefore can attract everyone, including even liberated souls. 

(Bhāg. 1.7.10) 

Nāma-kīrtana is the Best

१३.३५

परं श्रीमत् पदाम्भोज- सदा-सङ्गत्य् अपेक्षया

नाम-सङ्कीर्तन-प्रायाम् विशुद्धां भक्तिमाचर

13.35

paraṁ śrīmat padāmbhoja- sadā-saṅgaty apekṣayā

nāma-saṅkīrtana-prāyām viśuddhāṁ bhaktimācara

O Gopa Kumāra! If you desire to have the eternal association of the lotus feet of

the Lord then you should perform pure devotional service which is prominent in

chanting of the holy name. 

(Bṛhad- bhāgavatāmṛta 2.3.144)

Nāma-kīrtana is the Only Way in Kali-yuga

१३.३६

हरेर् नाम हरेर् नाम हरेर् नामैव केवलम् 

कलौ नास्त्य् एव नास्त्य् एव नास्त्य् एव गतिर् अन्यथा

13.36

harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam 

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā 

The name of Hari, the name of Hari, the name of Hari is absolutely the only

way, the only way, the only way in this age of Kali. There is absolutely no other way. 

(Cc. Ādi 17.21)

The Hari-nāma Verse Explained

১৩.৩৭

কলি-কালে নাম-রূপে কৃষ্ণ-অবতার নাম হৈতে হয় সর্ব-জগত্-নিস্তার 

দার্ঢ্য় লাগি হরের্ নামঽ-উক্তি তিন-বার জড লোক বুঝাইতে পুনঃ ঽেবঽ-কার

ঽকেবলঽ-শব্দে পুনরপি নিশ্চয়-করণ জ্ঞান-য়োগ-তপ-কর্ম-আদি নিবারণ 

অন্য়থা য়ে মানে, তার নাহিক নিস্তার নাহি, নাহি, নাহি-এ তিন এব-কার

13.37

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra 

dārḍhya lāgi' 'harer nāma'-ukti tina-vāra jaḍa loka bujhāite punaḥ 'eva'-kāra

'kevala'-śabde punarapi niścaya-karaṇa jñāna-yoga-tapa-karma-ādi nivāraṇa 

anyathā ye māne, tāra nāhika nistāra nāhi, nāhi, nāhi-e tina 'eva'-kāra

In this age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the avatar of Kṛṣṇa. 

Simply by chanting these names, one associates with the Lord directly. 

Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. 

This verse repeats the word eva (certainly) three times for emphasis. It also repeats three times the words harer nāma just to make common people understand. 

The use of the word kevala (only) prohibits all other processes, such as cultivation of knowledge, practice of mystic yoga, and performance of austerities and fruitive activities.

(Cc. Ādi 17.22-25)