REGRAS QUE DEVEM SER OBSERVADAS PARA PRATICA DE CONSCIÊNCIA DE KRSNA
DE ACORDO COM O BHAKTI-RASAMRTA-SINDHU
NÉCTAR DA DEVOÇÃO
DE A.C. BHAKTIVENDHANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA
DE ACORDO COM O ENSIMENTOS DE
SRILA RUPA GOSVAMI PRABHUPADA
EDIÇÃO ORIGINAL EM INGLÊS
Chapter Six
How to Discharge Devotional Service
PARTE I
(1) accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master,
(2) becoming initiated by the spiritual master and learning how to discharge devotional service from him,
(3) obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion,
(4) following in the footsteps of great acaryas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master,
(5) inquiring from the spiritual master how to advance in Krsna consciousness,
(6) being prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna (this means that when we are engaged in the devotional service of Krsna, we must be prepared to give up something which we may not like to give up, and also we have to accept something which we may not like to accept),
(7) residing in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvaraka or Vrndavana,
(8) accepting only what is necessary, or dealing with the material world only as far as necessary,
(9) observing the fasting day on Ekadasi and
(10) worshiping sacred trees like the banyan tree.
PARTE II
(1) One should rigidly give up the company of nondevotees.
(2) One should not instruct a person who is not desirous of accepting devotional service.
(3) One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries.
(4) One should not try to read too many books, nor should one develop the idea of earning his livelihood by lecturing on or professionally reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita.
(5) One should not be neglectful in ordinary dealings.
(6) One should not be under the spell of lamentation in loss or jubilation in gain.
(7) One should not disrespect the demigods.
(8) One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity.
(9) One should carefully avoid the various offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord or in worshiping the Deity in the temple.
(10) One should be very intolerant toward the blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, or His devotees.
PARTE III
(1) One should decorate the body with tilaka, which is the sign of the Vaisnavas. (The idea is that as soon as a person sees these marks on the body of the Vaisnava, he will immediately remember Krsna. Lord Caitanya said that a Vaisnava is he who, when seen, reminds one of Krsna. Therefore, it is essential that a Vaisnava mark his body with tilaka to remind others of Krsna.)
(2) In marking such tilaka, sometimes one may write Hare Krsna on the body.
(3) One should accept flowers and garlands that have been offered to the Deity and the spiritual master and put them on one's body.
(4) One should learn to dance before the Deity.
(5) One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing the Deity or the spiritual master.
(6) As soon as one visits a temple of Lord Krsna, one must stand up.
(7) When the Deity is being borne for a stroll in the street, a devotee should immediately follow the procession. (In this connection it may be noted that in India, especially in Visnu temples, the system is that apart from the big Deity who is permanently situated in the main area of the temple, there is a set of smaller Deities which are taken in procession in the evening. In some temples it is the custom to hold a big procession in the evening with a band playing and a nice big umbrella over the Deities, who sit on decorated thrones on the cart or palanquin, which is carried by devotees. The Deities come out onto the street and travel in the neighborhood while the people of the neighborhood come out to offer prasada. The residents of the neighborhood all follow the procession, so it is a very nice scene. When the Deity is coming out, the servitors in the temple put forward the daily accounts before Them: so much was the collection, so much was the expenditure. The whole idea is that the Deity is considered to be the proprietor of the whole establishment, and all the priests and other people taking care of the temple are considered to be the servants of the Deity. This system is very, very old and is still followed. So, therefore, it is mentioned here that when the Deity is on stroll the people should follow behind.)
(8) A devotee must visit a Visnu temple at least once or twice every day, morning and evening. (In Vrndavana this system is followed very strictly. All the devotees in town go every morning and evening to visit different temples. Therefore during these times there are considerable crowds all over the city. There are about five thousand temples in Vrndavana city. Of course it is not possible to visit all the temples, but there are at least one dozen very big and important temples which were started by the Gosvamis and which should be visited.)
(9) One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times. (In every temple there is an arrangement to go around the temple at least three times. Some devotees go around more than three times--ten times, fifteen times--according to their vows. The Gosvamis used to circumambulate Govardhana Hill.) One should also circumambulate the whole Vrndavana area.
(10) One must worship the Deity in the temple according to the regulative principles. (Offering arati and prasada, decorating the Deity, etc.--these things must be observed regularly.)
(11) One must render personal service to the Deities.
(12) One must sing.
(13) One must perform sankirtana.
(15) One must offer prayers.
(16) One must recite notable prayers.
(17) One must taste maha-prasada (food from the very plate offered before the Deities).
(18) One must drink caranamrta (water from the bathing of the Deities, which is offered to guests).
(19) One must smell the incense and flowers offered to the Deity.
(20) One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.
(21) One must see the Deity with great devotion.
(22) One must offer arati (aratrika) at different times.
(23) One must hear about the Lord and His pastimes from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and similar books.
(24) One must pray to the Deity for His mercy.
(25) One should remember the Deity.
(26) One should meditate upon the Deity.
(27) One should render some voluntary service.
(28) One should think of the Lord as one's friend.
(29) One should offer everything to the Lord.
(30) One should offer a favorite article (such as food or a garment).
(31) One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Krsna's benefit.
(32) In every condition, one should be a surrendered soul.
(33) One should pour water on the tulasi tree.
(34) One should regularly hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and similar literature.
(35) One should live in a sacred place like Mathura, Vrndavana or Dvaraka.
(36) One should offer service to Vaisnavas (devotees).
(37) One should arrange one's devotional service according to one's means.
(38) In the month of Karttika (October and November), one should make arrangements for special services.
(39) During Janmastami (the time of Krsna's appearance in this world) one should observe a special service.
(40) One should do whatever is done with great care and devotion for the Deity.
(41) One should relish the pleasure of Bhagavatam reading among devotees and not among outsiders.
(42) One should associate with devotees who are considered more advanced.
(43) One should chant the holy name of the Lord.
(44) One should live in the jurisdiction of Mathura.
Chapter Eight
Offenses to Be Avoided
PARTE I
(1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet.
(2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmastami and Ratha-yatra.
(3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity.
(4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed one's hands and feet after eating.
(5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brahmana their contamination period is twelve days, for the ksatriyas and vaisyas it is fifteen days, and for sudras thirty days.)
(6) One should not bow down on one hand.
(7) One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krsna. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity's right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.)
(8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity.
(9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with one's hands.
(10) One should not lie down before the Deity of Krsna.
(11) One should not accept prasada before the Deity.
(12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity.
(13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity.
(14) One should not talk with others before the Deity.
(15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
(16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity.
(17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity.
(18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity.
(19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity.
(20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity.
(21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity.
(22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity.
(23) One should not pass air before the Deity.
(24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to one's means. (In Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the Lord is satisfied if some devotee offers Him even a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers and nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.)
(25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to Krsna.
(26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Krsna, according to the season.
(27) After food has been cooked, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity.
(28) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity.
(29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances.
(30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master.
(31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master.
(32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity.
PARTE II
VAHARA PURANA
(1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet.
(2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmastami and Ratha-yatra.
(3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity.
(4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed one's hands and feet after eating.
(5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brahmana their contamination period is twelve days, for the ksatriyas and vaisyas it is fifteen days, and for sudras thirty days.)
(6) One should not bow down on one hand.
(7) One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krsna. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity's right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.)
(8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity.
(9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with one's hands.
(10) One should not lie down before the Deity of Krsna.
(11) One should not accept prasada before the Deity.
(12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity.
(13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity.
(14) One should not talk with others before the Deity.
(15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
(16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity.
(17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity.
(18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity.
(19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity.
(20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity.
(21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity.
(22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity.
(23) One should not pass air before the Deity.
(24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to one's means. (In Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the Lord is satisfied if some devotee offers Him even a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers and nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.)
(25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to Krsna.
(26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Krsna, according to the season.
(27) After food has been cooked, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity.
(28) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity.
(29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances.
(30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master.
(31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master.
(32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity.
PARTE III
Other rules are that one should not offer foodstuff which is cooked by a non-Vaisnava,
one should not worship the Deity before a nondevotee, and
one should not engage himself in the worship of the Lord while seeing a nondevotee.
One should begin the worship of the demigod Ganapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Ganapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva and in that way has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Ganapati. The Deities should not be bathed in water which has been touched by the nails or fingers. When a devotee is perspiring, he should not engage himself in worshiping the Deity. Similarly,
there are many other prohibitions. For example,
one should not cross or step over the flowers offered to the Deities,
nor should one take a vow in the name of God.
These are all different kinds of offenses in the matter of executing devotional service, and one should be careful to avoid them.
PARTE IV
The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows:
(1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.
(2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Visnu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, if someone thinks that he can chant "Kali, Kali!" or "Durga, Durga!"and it is the same as Hare Krsna, that is the greatest offense.) (
3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. (
4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version. (
5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krsna to be imagination. (
6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord. (7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (It should not be taken that because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reaction, one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Krsna to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.)
(8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krsna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda). (
9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)
(10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
Accepting Initiation from the Spiritual Master
and
Receiving Instructions from Him
Sage Prabuddha continued to speak to the King as follows: "My dear King, a disciple has to accept the spiritual master not only as spiritual master, but also as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul. In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God, because he is the external manifestation of Krsna. This is confirmed in every scripture, and a disciple should accept the spiritual master as such. One should learn Srimad-Bhagavatam seriously and with all respect and veneration for the spiritual master. Hearing and speaking Srimad-Bhagavatam is the religious process which elevates one to the platform of serving and loving the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
The attitude of the disciple should be to satisfy the bona fide spiritual master. Then it will be very easy for him to understand spiritual knowledge. This is confirmed in the Vedas, and Rupa Gosvami will further explain that for a person who has unflinching faith in God and the spiritual master, everything becomes revealed very easily.
Accepting Initiation from the Spiritual Master
and
Receiving Instructions from Him
Sage Prabuddha continued to speak to the King as follows: "My dear King, a disciple has to accept the spiritual master not only as spiritual master, but also as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul. In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God, because he is the external manifestation of Krsna. This is confirmed in every scripture, and a disciple should accept the spiritual master as such. One should learn Srimad-Bhagavatam seriously and with all respect and veneration for the spiritual master. Hearing and speaking Srimad-Bhagavatam is the religious process which elevates one to the platform of serving and loving the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
The attitude of the disciple should be to satisfy the bona fide spiritual master. Then it will be very easy for him to understand spiritual knowledge. This is confirmed in the Vedas, and Rupa Gosvami will further explain that for a person who has unflinching faith in God and the spiritual master, everything becomes revealed very easily.
Serving the Spiritual Master with Faith and Confidence
Regarding accepting initiation from the spiritual master, in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Seventeenth Chapter, verse 27, it is stated by Lord Krsna, "My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative, but as My very self. He must never be considered on the same level with an ordinary human being. One should never be envious of the spiritual master, as one may be envious of an ordinary man. The spiritual master should always be seen as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by serving the spiritual master one is able to serve all the demigods."
Following in the Footsteps of Saintly Persons
In the Skanda Purana it is advised that a devotee follow the past acaryas and saintly persons, because by such following one can achieve the desired results, with no chance of lamenting or being baffled in his progress.
The scripture known as Brahma-yamala states as follows: "If someone wants to pose himself as a great devotee without following the authorities of the revealed scriptures, then his activities will never help him to make progress in devotional service. Instead, he will simply create disturbances for the sincere students of devotional service." Those who do not strictly follow the principles of revealed scriptures are generally called sahajiyas--those who have imagined everything to be cheap, who have their own concocted ideas, and who do not follow the scriptural injunctions. Such persons are simply creating disturbances in the discharge of devotional service.
In this connection, an objection may be raised by those who are not in devotional service and who do not care for the revealed scriptures. An example of this is seen in Buddhist philosophy. Lord Buddha appeared in the family of a high-grade ksatriya king, but his philosophy was not in accord with the Vedic conclusions and therefore was rejected. Under the patronage of a Hindu king, Maharaja Asoka, the Buddhist religion was spread all over India and the adjoining countries. However, after the appearance of the great stalwart teacher Sankaracarya, this Buddhism was driven out beyond the borders of India.
The Buddhists or other religionists who do not care for revealed scriptures sometimes say that there are many devotees of Lord Buddha who show devotional service to Lord Buddha, and who therefore should be considered devotees. In answer to this argument, Rupa Gosvami says that the followers of Buddha cannot be accepted as devotees. Although Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Krsna, the followers of such incarnations are not very advanced in their knowledge of the Vedas. To study the Vedas means to come to the conclusion of the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. Therefore any religious principle which denies the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead is not accepted and is called atheism. Atheism means defying the authority of the Vedas and decrying the great acaryas who teach Vedic scriptures for the benefit of the people in general.
Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but in the same Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that Lord Buddha appeared in order to bewilder the atheistic class of men. Therefore his philosophy is meant for bewildering the atheists and should not be accepted. If someone asks, "Why should Krsna propagate atheistic principles?" the answer is that it was the desire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to end the violence which was then being committed in the name of the Vedas. The so-called religionists were falsely using the Vedas to justify such violent acts as meat-eating, and Lord Buddha came to lead the fallen people away from such a false interpretation of the Vedas. Also, for the atheists Lord Buddha preached atheism so that they would follow him and thus be tricked into devotional service to Lord Buddha, or Krsna.
Inquiring About Eternal Religious principles
In the Naradiya Purana it is said, "If one is actually very serious about devotional service, then all of his purposes will be served without any delay."
Being Prepared to Give Up Everything Material for Krsna's Satisfaction
In the Padma Purana it is stated, "For one who has given up his material sense enjoyment and has accepted the principles of devotional service, the opulence of Visnuloka [the kingdom of God] is awaiting."
Accepting Only What Is Necessary
In the Naradiya Purana it is directed, "One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service." The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. For example, it may be said that one should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least one hundred thousand times daily on his beads. But if this is not possible, then one must minimize his chanting according to his own capacity. Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life.
Observing Fasting on Ekadasi
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love for Govinda, or Krsna. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name constantly.
Giving Up the Company of Nondevotees
Lord Caitanya was once asked by one of His householder devotees what the general behavior of a Vaisnava should be. In this connection, Lord Caitanya replied that a Vaisnava should always give up the company of nondevotees. Then He explained that there are two kinds of nondevotees: one class is against the supremacy of Krsna, and another class is too materialistic. In other words, those who are after material enjoyment and those who are against the supremacy of the Lord are called avaisnava, and their company should be strictly avoided.
In the Katyayana-samhita it is stated that even if one is forced to live within a cage of iron or in the midst of a blazing fire, he should accept this position rather than live with nondevotees who are through and through against the supremacy of the Lord. Similarly, in the Visnu-rahasya there is a statement to the effect that one should prefer to embrace a snake, a tiger or an alligator rather than associate with persons who are worshipers of various demigods and who are impelled by material desire.
In the scriptures it is instructed that one may worship a certain demigod if he is desirous of achieving some material gain. For example, one is advised to worship the sun-god if he is desirous of getting rid of a diseased condition. For a beautiful wife, one may worship Uma, the wife of Lord Siva, and for advanced education one may worship Sarasvati. Similarly, there is a list in the Srimad-Bhagavatam for worshipers of all demigods, according to different material desires. But all of these worshipers, although they appear to be very good devotees of the demigods, are still considered to be nondevotees. They cannot be accepted as devotees.
The Mayavadis (impersonalists) say that one may worship any form of the Lord and that it doesn't matter, because one reaches the same destination anyway. But it is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gita that those who are worshipers of the demigods will ultimately reach only the planets of those demigods, while those who are devotees of the Lord Himself will be promoted to the Lord's abode, the kingdom of God. So actually these persons who are worshipers of demigods have been condemned in the Gita. It is described that due to their lusty desires they have lost their intelligence and have therefore taken to worshiping the different demigods. So in the Visnu-rahasya these demigod worshipers are forcefully condemned by the statement that it is better to live with the most dangerous animals than to associate with these persons.
Not Accepting Unfit Disciples,
Constructing Many Temples
or Reading Many Books
Another stricture is that a person may have many disciples, but he should not act in such a way that he will be obliged to any of them for some particular action or some favor. And one should also not be very enthusiastic about constructing new temples, nor should one be enthusiastic about reading various types of books, save and except the ones which lead to the advancement of devotional service. Practically, if one very carefully reads Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya and this Nectar of Devotion, that will give him sufficient knowledge to understand the science of Krsna consciousness. One need not take the trouble of reading other books.
In the Seventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Thirteenth Chapter, verse 8, Narada Muni, while discussing with Maharaja Yudhisthira the various functions of the different orders in society, especially mentions rules for the sannyasis, those persons who have renounced this material world. One who has accepted the sannyasa order of life is forbidden to accept as a disciple anyone who is not fit. A sannyasi should first of all examine whether a prospective student is sincerely seeking Krsna consciousness. If he is not, he should not be accepted. However, Lord Caitanya's causeless mercy is such that He advised all bona fide spiritual masters to speak about Krsna consciousness everywhere. Therefore, in the line of Lord Caitanya even the sannyasis can speak about Krsna consciousness everywhere, and if someone is seriously inclined to become a disciple, the sannyasi always accepts him.
The one point is that without increasing the number of disciples, there is no propagation of the cult of Krsna consciousness. Therefore, sometimes even at a risk, a sannyasi in the line of Caitanya Mahaprabhu may accept even a person who is not thoroughly fit to become a disciple. Later on, by the mercy of such a bona fide spiritual master, the disciple is gradually elevated. However, if one increases the number of disciples simply for some prestige or false honor, he will surely fall down in the matter of executing Krsna consciousness.
Similarly, a bona fide spiritual master has no business reading many books simply to show his proficiency or to get popularity by lecturing in different places. One should avoid all these things. It is also stated that a sannyasi should not be enthusiastic about constructing temples. We can see in the lives of various acaryas in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that they are not very enthusiastic about constructing temples. However, if somebody comes forward to offer some service, the same reluctant acaryas will encourage the building of costly temples by such servitors. For example, Rupa Gosvami was offered a favor by Maharaja Mansingh, the commander-in-chief of Emperor Akhbar, and Rupa Gosvami instructed him to construct a large temple for Govindaji, which cost vast amounts of money.
So a bona fide spiritual master should not personally take any responsibility for constructing temples, but if someone has money and wants to spend it in the service of Krsna, an acarya like Rupa Gosvami may utilize the devotee's money to construct a nice, costly temple for the service of the Lord. Unfortunately, it happens that someone who is not fit to become a spiritual master may approach wealthy persons to contribute for temple constructions. If such money is utilized by unqualified spiritual masters for living comfortably in costly temples without actually doing any preaching work, this is not acceptable. In other words, a spiritual master needn't be very enthusiastic for constructing temple buildings simply in the name of so-called spiritual advancement. Rather, his first and foremost activity should be to preach. In this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja recommended that a spiritual master print books. If one has money, instead of constructing costly temples, one should spend his money for the publication of authorized books in different languages for propagating the Krsna consciousness movement.
Straightforwardness in Ordinary Dealings
and
Equilibrium in Loss and Gain
There is a statement in the Padma Purana: "Persons who are engaged in Krsna consciousness should never be disturbed by some material gain or loss. Even if there is some material loss, one should not be perturbed, but should always think of Krsna within himself." The purport is that every conditioned soul is always absorbed in thinking of materialistic activities; he has to free himself from such thoughts and transfer himself completely to Krsna consciousness. As we have already explained, the basic principle of Krsna consciousness is to always think of Krsna. One should not be disturbed in material loss, but, rather, should concentrate his mind upon the lotus feet of the Lord.
A devotee should not be subjected to lamentation or illusion. There is the following statement in the Padma Purana: "Within the heart of a person who is overpowered by lamentation or anger, there is no possibility of Krsna's being manifested."
Not Giving Pain to Any Living Entity
This is the statement of Mahabharata: "A person who does not disturb or cause painful action in the mind of any living entity, who treats everyone just like a loving father does his children, whose heart is so pure, certainly very soon becomes favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
In so-called civilized society there is sometimes agitation against cruelty to animals, but at the same time regular slaughterhouses are always maintained. A Vaisnava is not like that. A Vaisnava can never support animal slaughter or even give pain to any living entity.
Sankirtana
When a person loudly chants the glories of the Lord's activities, qualities, form, etc., his chanting is called sankirtana. Sankirtana also refers to the congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord.
In the Visnu-dharma there is a statement glorifying this process of congregational chanting: "My dear King, this word Krsna is so auspicious that anyone who chants this holy name immediately gets rid of the resultant actions of sinful activities from many, many births." That is a fact. There is the following statement in Caitanya-caritamrta: "A person who chants the holy name of Krsna once can counteract the resultant actions of more sinful activities than he is able to perform." A sinful man can perform many, many sinful activities, but he is unable to perform so many that they cannot be wiped out by one single uttering of Krsna.
In the Seventh Canto, Ninth Chapter, verse 18, of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Maharaja Prahlada offers the following prayers to the Lord: "My dear Lord Nrsimha, if I can be elevated to the position of Your servant, then it will be possible for me to hear about Your activities. You are the supreme friend, the supreme worshipable Deity. Your pastimes are transcendental, and simply by hearing of them one can counteract all his sinful activities. Therefore, I shall not care for all those sinful activities, because simply by hearing about Your pastimes I shall get out of all the contamination of material attachment."
There are many songs about the Lord's activities. For example, there is the Brahma-samhita, sung by Lord Brahma; Narada-pancaratra, sung by Narada Muni; and Srimad-Bhagavatam, sung by Sukadeva Gosvami. If these songs are heard by any person, he can easily get out of the clutches of material contamination. There should be no difficulty in hearing these songs of God. They are coming down from many, many millions of years ago, and people are still taking advantage of them. So why, at this time, should one not take full advantage and thus become liberated?
In the First Canto, Fifth Chapter, verse 22, of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada Muni tells his disciple Vyasadeva, "My dear Vyasa, you should know that persons who are engaged in executing austerities and penances, studying the Vedas, performing big sacrifices, chanting the hymns of the Vedas, speculating on transcendental knowledge and performing charitable functions have for all their auspicious activities simply to gain a place in the association of devotees and chant the glories of the Lord." It is indicated here that chanting about and glorifying the Lord is the ultimate activity of the living entity.
Japa
Chanting a mantra or hymn softly and slowly is called japa, and chanting the same mantra loudly is called kirtana. For example, uttering the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) very softly, only for one's own hearing, is called japa. Chanting the same mantra loudly for being heard by all others is called kirtana. The maha-mantra can be used for japa and kirtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kirtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.
In the Padma Purana there is a statement: "For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open."
COMPORTAMENTO
a Krsna conscious boy, even if he is not very well educated by the university standard, can immediately give up all illicit sex life, gambling, meat-eating and intoxication, whereas those who are not in Krsna consciousness, although very highly educated, are often drunkards, meat-eaters, sexmongers and gamblers. These are practical proofs of how a Krsna conscious person becomes highly developed in good qualities, whereas a person who is not in Krsna consciousness cannot do so. We experience that even a young boy in Krsna consciousness is unattached to cinemas, nightclubs, naked dance shows, restaurants, liquor shops, etc. He becomes completely freed. He saves his valuable time from being extravagantly spent in the way of smoking, drinking, attending the theater and dancing.
One who is not in Krsna consciousness usually cannot sit silently even for half an hour. The yoga system teaches that if you become silent you will realize that you are God. This system may be all right for materialistic persons, but how long will they be able to keep themselves silent? Artificially, they may sit down for so-called meditation, but immediately after their yogic performance they will engage themselves again in such activities as illicit sex life, gambling, meat-eating and many other nonsensical things. But a Krsna conscious person gradually elevates himself without endeavoring for this so-called silent meditation. Simply because he is engaged in Krsna consciousness he automatically gives up all this nonsense and develops a high character. One develops the highest character by becoming a pure devotee of Krsna.(CAP.1 PAG. 12)
AS TRÊS GRANDES ONDAS DE SRI CAITANYA
(História do Movimento Hare Krsna no Brasil )
por Vyasa Dasa
