Jagat

Jai Sri Radhe! So, today another year of the Jiva Ratna courses by Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji at the Jiva Institute came to an end. The Jiva Institute is slowly growing each year through the online courses which allow Babaji Maharaj to remain in Vrindavan with a core group of students while still shepherding a small international group from around the world. These students have developed a taste for his teaching method -- basically studying the Sandarbhas line by line from beginning to end, accompanied by a second field of study based on the six philosophical systems and other aspects of the Sanskrit literary tradition such as Alankara. This appeals to those who seek a more profound analysis of the philosophical basis of the Gaudiya Vaishnava doctrine. Babaji rightly believes that for Gaudiya Vaishnavism to prosper, this kind of thorough scholarship is absolutely necessary. That is arguably following in the footsteps of Jiva Goswami himself, the last of the six Goswamis and the one who ...

Tatiya Sthan I posted some material about śraddhā. This appears to  be the result of a discussion I was having with Babaji. My opinion on Hindu nationalist reactions to things like Ganesh on toilet seats and so on was that it was a bit hysterical and diminished Hindu gravitas. Babaji did not agree. This was stated in relation to Vaishnavas distress at the popular Radha-Krishna TV serial, which I saw in fact was popular with many devotees in Vrindavan. Other links:  Śraddhā and Bhakti Sandarbha ;  Label shraddha

Thank goodness today's post has something more edifying in it. The negative Vrindavan Today memories have been coming back from 2018 and they are here too. I would rather not remember that whole episode, but I am keeping to the discipline of cross-posting the memories being sent daily by Facebook. At the very least, I am finding it interesting to observe.  There is always something redeeming, however, and the post from last year is one such. I keep talking about Prīti Sandarbha, and the progress is slower than it should be. I am doing practically nothing else for the time being. I was rather surprised to see it had not been posted here before. And I added some material about Bhagavata Niwas, since there are more memories related to this place, which is just around the corner from Jiva and with which Babaji has been long connected due to his guru's having been intimately involved with the history of that locale. It has a powerful aura. (Memories from May 20.)

It is hard to find a title that covers the spread of topics in these posts, which usually cover a variety of topics very briefly. What struck me here is the pretty defensive post about Satyanarayana Dasaji that comes out of one of the events  from 2018 that was preoccupying me. All this was hashed out on the blog over a fairly extended period of time. At some point I took the risk of being a little public and that particular philosophy of life has obviously had the expected results. Anyway, four years ago I decided I had to state the nature of my relationship with Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji, and you may find other such statements on this blog. I am bound to Babaji until at least the end of the Sandarbhas project, which is currently in its final phase, but I am feeling the pressure to get it done. There is still quite a bit to do, but naturally Babaji is anxious to get it completed. So really it is topmost in my mind at the present time. I don't want to get too sentimental about it; ...

The following article by Babaji's verdict on Babajis, Sahajiyas and Apasampradayas . I am keeping it here primarily for references. I will make a couple of points below: Another allegation made by the author is that bābājīs are sahajiyās . When we use a word it has a specific meaning but here it is not clear what the word sahajiyā  means for the author. The word sahajiyā is derived from the Sanskrit word sahaja  which literally means ‘born with or natural’ (saha+ja | saha = with; ja = born). The sahajiyā theory consists of two premises, namely: 1. Kṛṣṇa-prema is dormant in the heart and 2. This prema can be awakened by practicing love with a female partner. It should be also noted here that a practicing sahajiyā has only one female partner, not two or three. Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava bābājīs do not accept either of these two premises. Associating with women is not part of their practice but is instead warned against. It is considered a deviation from one’s spiritual practi...

This is the second last installment of Bhakti Sandarbha. Remember, these are not the final version that will be published and so I ask you to be judicious in your sharing and remember to give credit to Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji Maharaj when you do. Anuccheda 339 Keep Your Realizations Secret तत्र ते भक्तिमार्गाः दर्शिताः। अत्र च श्रीगुरोः श्रीभगवतो वा प्रसादलब्धं साधनसाध्यगतं स्वीयसर्वस्वभूतं यत् किमपि रहस्यं, तत्तु न कस्मैचित् प्रकाशनीयम्, The path of devotion has thus been outlined in this book. If by the mercy bestowed by one’s guru or Bhagavān, one has realized some confidential truth regarding the practice or the goal of devotion, and which has become one’s very existence, it should not be disclosed to anybody. यथाह (भा. ८.१७.२०)— नैतत् परस्मा आख्येयं पृष्टयापि कथञ्चन। सर्वं सम्पद्यते देवि देवगुह्यं सुसंवृतम्॥ सम्पद्यते फलदं भवति॥ As Śrī Viṣṇu told Aditi Devī: O goddess, never reveal this matter to anyone even if requested. All that is hidden to the go...

Anuccheda 338 Worship of Kṛṣṇa Along With Rādhā Is Supreme अथ गोकुलेऽपि श्रीमद्व्रजवधूसहितरासादिलीलात्मकस्य परमवैशिष्ट्यमाह (भा. १०.३३.३९)— विक्रीडितं व्रजवधूभिरिदं च विष्णोः श्रद्धान्वितो यः शृणुयादथ वर्णयेद्वा। भक्तिं परां भगवति परिलभ्य कामं हृद्रोगमाश्वपहिनोत्यचिरेण धीरः॥ And even as regards Kṛṣṇa in Gokula, the glory of Śrī Kṛṣṇa when He performs pastimes such as the rāsa-līlā along with the gopīs of Vraja is even greater still, as described by Śrī Śukadeva: A faithful person endowed with fortitude, who hears or relates this sport of Śrī Viṣṇu with the damsels of Vraja as well is blessed with supreme devotion to Bhagavān and is quickly freed from lust, the disease of the heart. (SB 10.33.39) चकारादन्यच्च। अथ इति वाथ। शृणुयाद्वा वर्णयेद्वा। उपलक्षणं चैतद्ध्यानादेः। परां यतः परा नान्या कुत्रचिद्विद्यते, तादृशीम्। हृद्रोगं कामादिकमपि शीघ्रमेव त्यजति। "As well" ( ca ) implies other pastimes as well. The word atha is used in the sense of “or,” whi...

Somebody got to use their zombie art on this one. We are approaching the final anucchedas of the Bhakti Sandarbha here. Remember, these postings are NOT the final draft and were posted as a psychological stratagem for me to get the work finished by giving me the illusion of getting some personal public recognition and glory. Alas, how weak is my spiritual will! But at least it got done. Now we are doing the same thing with the Priti Sandarbha videos. I will only get a small fraction of the spiritual benefit of the work I do. Nevertheless, better it gets done. I only wish, as I reread these translations yet again, how glad I am that someone else is there to clean up after me. Anuccheda 335 A Pure Devotee Desires Only Service पुनरेवमेव श्रीमदुद्धवोऽपि प्रार्थितवान् (भा. ११.२९.४०)— नमोऽस्तु ते महायोगिन् प्रपन्नमनुशाधि माम्। यथा त्वच्चरणाम्भोजे रतिः स्यादनपायिनी॥ Further, Śrīman Uddhava also petitioned Bhagavān in the very same manner: Salutations to You, O Supreme Master of...

Here conclude the teachings from Uddhava-saṁvāda. . I find it rather interesting that after all that rāgānigā talk he returns to something as weak sounding as engaging in one's dharmic duties in consciousness of Him. It reminds me of the inquiry I made into āropa-siddhā bhakti way back in the early days of this blog. [Āropa-siddhā was discussed in Bhakti Sandarbha posts from 217 to 225 (five posts in all). You can see those early posts here: Ahangrahopasana III and IV . I have yet to find a devotee who understands these articles. Anuccheda 333 Dharma Offered to Kṛṣṇa Brings Perfection अथ तामेव कैमुत्येनाप्याह (भा. ११.२९.२१)— यो यो मयि परे धर्मः कल्प्यते निष्फलाय चेत्। तत्रायासोऽनिरर्थः स्याद्भयादेरिव सत्तम॥ Bhagavān expressed this superiority of His own worship by the a fortiori or kaimutya principle: O pious Uddhava, whatever dharma is offered to Me, the Supreme, if it is done without fruitive purpose, then the effort undertaken never goes in vain, just as was seen...

Anucchedas 331-332:  Worship of Kṛṣṇa is Superior to That of Paramātmā ततश्च (भा. ११.२९.१३-१४)— इति सर्वाणि भूतानि मद्भावेन महाद्युते। सभाजयन् मन्यमानो ज्ञानं केवलमाश्रितः॥ ब्राह्मणे पुक्कसे स्तेने ब्रह्मण्येऽर्के स्फुलिङ्गके। अक्रूरे क्रूरके चैव समदृक् पण्डितो मतः॥ Thereafter, Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: My dear effulgent Uddhava, one who thus taking recourse to non-dual knowledge, honors all living beings, perceiving My presence in them all, and who thus regards with equal vision a brāhmaṇa or an outcaste, a thief or one devoted to the brāhmaṇas, the sun or a mere spark, one of tender heart or a cruel person, is understood to be wise. (SB 11.29.13-14) केवलं ज्ञानमन्तर्यामिदृष्टिमाश्रितोऽपि। इति पूर्वोक्तप्रकारेण सर्वाणि भूतानि मद्भावेन तेषु मम श्रीकृष्णरूपस्य यो भावोऽस्तित्वं तद्विशिष्टतया मन्यमानः सभाजयन् पण्डितो मतः। मद्दृष्ट्या ब्राह्मणादिषु समदृक् समं मामेव पश्यतीति॥ "Taking recourse to non-dual knowledge" means to take shelter of a vision of the Indwelling Supreme Se...

The Bhakti Sandarbha texts that appear here are not the official version , which still has to go through more editorial changes. It represents the state of the work after I have looked at it and made my changes. The Jiva Institute edition of the Bhakti Sandarbha should be finished and published later this year, and also made available in electronic form soon thereafter. This is only meant to give a foretaste, but better not to quote or use it. Thank you. N.B. Many e-books are now available from jiva.org, as are the  other first four Sandarbhas  in hard copy. Remember that the  Jiva Tirtha courses  with Satyanarayana Dasaji are ongoing. You can also take beginner or advanced Sanskrit with me. Registration is now open.  Register here .  The opportunity to study with an extraordinary Vaishnava scholar like Babaji in the holy dham of Vrindavan is unequaled anywhere in this world. Rare and most fortunate are the souls who can take advantage. Jai Radhe. ...

The Bhakti Sandarbha texts that appear here are not the official version , which still has to go through more editorial changes. It represents the state of the work after I have looked at it and made my changes. The Jiva Institute edition of the Bhakti Sandarbha should be finished and published later this year, and also made available in electronic form soon thereafter. This is only meant to give a foretaste, but better not to quote or attribute it to Babaji Maharaj. Thank you. N.B. Many e-books are now available from jiva.org, as are the  other first four Sandarbhas in hard copy. Someone wrote and said they thought these e-books were being given freely. That is not the case. In order to produce texts of high quality, a team of scholars and volunteers, etc., participate in the production at all levels. The costs of production are high, and any profits are reinvested in further publication and other projects of the Jiva Institute. Scholarly publications everywhere are expe...