Montreal
Montreal
etad eva hi sac-chisyaiḥ
kartavyam guru-niskrtam
yad vai visuddha-bhavena
sarvarthatmarpanam gurau
kartavyam guru-niskrtam
yad vai visuddha-bhavena
sarvarthatmarpanam gurau
"In order to repay the debt to the divine master (guru), the only thing a sincere disciple should do is offer everything he has, including his very being, favorably in the eternal service of his guru." (SB 10.80.41)
Srila Prabhupada, only your disciples will be able to understand the meaning of this verse. Generally speaking, the karmis (non-devotees) like to feel themselves independent, and the controllers of their lives:
prakrteḥ kriyamanani
gunaiḥ karmani sarvasaḥ
ahahkara-vimūḍhatma
kartaham iti manyate
gunaiḥ karmani sarvasaḥ
ahahkara-vimūḍhatma
kartaham iti manyate
"The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature." (Bg 3.27)
But by your mercy we have learned our real constitutional position in relation to this temporary world, and more important, in relation to Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Jnana refers to knowledge of self as distinguished from matter. Vijnana refers to the specific knowledge of the self in relation to the Supreme Self. It is explained thus in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
jnanam parama-guhyam me
yad vijnana-samanvitam
sarahasyam tad-ahgam ca
grhana gaditam maya
yad vijnana-samanvitam
sarahasyam tad-ahgam ca
grhana gaditam maya
"Knowledge of the self and the Supreme Self is very confidential and mysterious, being veiled by maya, but such knowledge and specific realization can be understood if it is explained by the Lord Himself." (SB 2.9.31)
Of course the Bhagavad-gita gives us that knowledge, and it is spoken by the Lord Himself. But how is it that of al the translations of the Gita, only yours has led people to become devotees of God, Krsna? It is because you are a self-realized soul and pure devotee of Krsna. Krsna explains how this knowledge is taught in the Gita:
sa evayam maya te 'dya
yogaḥ proktaḥ puratanaḥ
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti
rahasyam hy etad uttamam
[Bg 4.3]
yogaḥ proktaḥ puratanaḥ
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti
rahasyam hy etad uttamam
[Bg 4.3]
"The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku. This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in the course of time, the succession was broken, and the science as it is appears to be lost. That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told to you by Me because you are my devotee as well as my friend; therefore you can understand the transcendental mystery of this science."
In other words the Bhagavad-gita is not an imaginary theological, philosophical treatise meant to be studied and understood by mundane scholarship. It is the Absolute Truth spoken by God Himself. It is specifically meant for devotees, and it must be received through the disciplic succession of pure devotee spiritual masters, who alone can deliver this message purely on behalf of the Lord.
saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ sri-caranaravindam
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ sri-caranaravindam
"The spiritual master is honored as much as God on account of his being the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna]." (Sri Gurvastakam, 7th sloka)
Also in the Srimad-Bhagavatam Krsna says to His friend Uddhava that one should accept the spiritual master as the Lord's very self. No one can understand the glories of the spiritual master without following completely his instructions. And if a person is not able to engage his disciples in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, he should not pose himself as a spiritual master. But you are engaged in Krsna's service, and have given us that boon also. You are serving Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and we are serving Him by serving you.
One serves the spiritual master according to the desires of the spiritual master, not according to his own desires. A servant means one who carries out the orders of the master. That you have taught us by your own example. It was the desire of your spiritual master that Krsna consciousness be presented before the English-speaking people, and you have done it. In doing so, you have not compromised, but have spoken it as it is. That is the success and perfection of you activities, and our success is to assist you in your life's mission without selfish motivation or desires for personal sense gratification.
Vicaru dasa / Bhartrhari dasa / Gokulananda dasa / Praghosa dasa / Sivarama dasa / Harakumara dasa / Jayabalarama dasa / Bhakta Kevin / Premaniketana dasa / Bhakta Rick / Priyabhakta dasa / Bhakta Barry / Sukra dasa / Bhakta Michael / Bhakta John / Uttamasoka dasa adhikari / Bahirsmati devi dasi / Mayapur sha sha dasa / Sarvamayi devi dasi / Jotiraditya devi dasi / Sashvi devi dasi / Srikari devi dasi / Bhaktin Cindy / Candra devi dasi / Bhaktin Leona / Mohini devi dasi / Radha Gopinatha dasa
|
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/svp/vyasa-puja-homages/montreal/montreal
|