Bhajana Rahasya 2.42 : Sruti Smriti Puranadi
This verse gets bandied about a lot. I noticed something in Jiva's commentary that helps clarify the meaning.
Exclusive devotion to Lord Hari which ignores the regulative principles outlined in the Sruti, Smriti, Puranas and Pancharatra scriptures will simply cause a disturbance. (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.101)
Extended translation : Since the path taken by the great authorities has been canonized in the revealed scriptures, it is a flaw to ignore the edicts found in these texts. Vaishnavas should seek out the scriptures or sections of the scriptures that fit their level of qualification and inclination.
If someone out of deliberate faithlessness refuses to accept the scriptural directives, then even if they make a show of exclusive devotion, it will cause a disturbance. If one does not follow these injunctions out of ignorance or laziness, then the same degree of criticism does not apply. (Jiva Goswami)
The idea, I think, is that it would be impossible to follow all the directives, because many of them are contradictory, or are irrelevant. So it is possible to be selective and not be considered to act in opposition to the shastra.
Bhaktivinode Thakur's comment: The easiest path of spiritual realization to follow is the one shown by the previous Mahajans. A newly imagined process is a disturbance and leads to spiritual destruction. A person who never makes any effort to get rid of the anarthas will attain nothing but misfortune, and not the mercy of the Holy Name. Without the mercy of the Holy Name, one may make countless efforts, but the anarthas will never loosen their grip on him. On the other hand, if one sincerely takes shelter of the Holy Name, crying at the Name’s lotus feet, then the anarthas will quickly disappear. Give up all the anarthas and engage in hearing and chanting. Take shelter of the Holy Name with single-minded devotion.
śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi
pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā
aikāntikī harer bhaktir
utpātayaiva kalpate
Exclusive devotion to Lord Hari which ignores the regulative principles outlined in the Sruti, Smriti, Puranas and Pancharatra scriptures will simply cause a disturbance. (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.101)
Extended translation : Since the path taken by the great authorities has been canonized in the revealed scriptures, it is a flaw to ignore the edicts found in these texts. Vaishnavas should seek out the scriptures or sections of the scriptures that fit their level of qualification and inclination.
If someone out of deliberate faithlessness refuses to accept the scriptural directives, then even if they make a show of exclusive devotion, it will cause a disturbance. If one does not follow these injunctions out of ignorance or laziness, then the same degree of criticism does not apply. (Jiva Goswami)
The idea, I think, is that it would be impossible to follow all the directives, because many of them are contradictory, or are irrelevant. So it is possible to be selective and not be considered to act in opposition to the shastra.
Bhaktivinode Thakur's comment: The easiest path of spiritual realization to follow is the one shown by the previous Mahajans. A newly imagined process is a disturbance and leads to spiritual destruction. A person who never makes any effort to get rid of the anarthas will attain nothing but misfortune, and not the mercy of the Holy Name. Without the mercy of the Holy Name, one may make countless efforts, but the anarthas will never loosen their grip on him. On the other hand, if one sincerely takes shelter of the Holy Name, crying at the Name’s lotus feet, then the anarthas will quickly disappear. Give up all the anarthas and engage in hearing and chanting. Take shelter of the Holy Name with single-minded devotion.
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