Jagat

Buddha giving first lecture in "Deer Park." This is at the Raman Reti Udasin Ashram in Gokul where there is a sanctuary for deer, which has been ordered closed . I find myself often refering to Bhakti Sandarbha 202 (as today in VMA 1.6 ). So, for the record, I am extracting the translation of that Anuccheda from Satyaarayana Dasaji's edition, along with his commentary, for the record. This passage is significant because it arises in the context of guru-tattva and firmly indicates that the mantra-guru is determined on the basis of one's ruci . The Anuccheda is a long one and so it has been divided in three parts, but only the second and third parts are given here. 202.2 The paths of taste and discernment तदेवं तेषां बहुभेदेषु सत्सु तेषामेव प्रभावतारतम्येन कृपातारतम्येन भक्तिवासनाभेदतारतम्येन सत्सङ्गात् कालशैघ्र्यस्वरूपवैशिष्ट्याभ्यां भक्तिरुदयते। एवं ज्ञानिसङ्गाच्च ज्ञानं ज्ञेयम्। Thus by associating with devotees among the various types that have...

vṛndāvaneśaika-pada-spṛho’pi mahattamānāṁ śruta-bhāṣito’pi | vidann api svārtha-vighāti sarvaṁ hā dhik na vṛndāvanam āśrayāmi || Alas! How shameful! Although I yearn exclusively for the feet of Vrindavan's Lord and Lady, although I have heard the speeches spoken by the greatest saints, and although I know that everything in this world is an obstacle to my attaining the ultimate good, I still do not take shelter of Sri Vrindavan Dham. (1.99) Commentary Prabodhananda Saraswatipada is now once again talking about the adhikāra for residing in Vrindavan. These are more important than the vairāgya spoken of earlier, even though the spirit of renunciation is present here too. He does this through this dainya-bodhikā vijñapti , or a statement expressing humility and utter dependence on the mercy of the Lord. And that is the point of the verse: despite having all qualifications, without grace of the Dham herself, Vrindavan- vāsa is not possible. And yet, ...

I left Birnagar yesterday, a day early, because of worries that on Wednesday there will be a disruptive widespread politically motivated strike. This is an unpleasant feature of life in India. The other day I made a quick visit to see Gadadhar before leaving. On my return to Birnagar, I had a bit of an argument with Harigopal Dasji, since he and Gadadhar don't see eye-to-eye on many issues. As a matter of fact, it is quite clear that Gadadhar is a complete outlier. Nobody, not the Radha Kund guardians of Gaudiya Vaishnava orthodoxy, what to speak of the Gaudiya Math and ISKCON, and not even our own goṣṭhī leave any wiggle room on what is acceptable -- mañjarī bhāva in Golok Vrindavan is the only permissible goal, and kāntā-bhāva ( here and here ) and Gaura-nāgara bhāva are considered apasampradāyas , and no distinction is made between them and the Sahajiyās or Bauls.. Poor Gadadhar Pran is mad for Gaura in Nabadwip lila, the Gaura that was seen by the Nabadwip Nagari...