The Glories of Śrī Advaita Ācārya

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Advaita Ācārya, whose activities are all wonderful. By His mercy, even a foolish person can describe His characteristics.

Word meanings

vande — I offer my respectful obeisances ; tam — unto Him ; śrīmat — with all opulences ; advaita - ācāryam — Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; adbhuta - ceṣṭitam — whose activities are wonderful ; yasya — of whom ; prasādāt — by the mercy ; ajñaḥ api — even a foolish person ; tat - svarūpam — His characteristics ; nirūpayet — may describe .

Translation

All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityānanda! All glories to Advaita Ācārya! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; śrī - caitanya — to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jaya — all glories ; nityānanda — to Lord Nityānanda ; jaya advaita - candra — all glories to Advaita Ācārya ; jaya gaura - bhakta - vṛnda — all glories to the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

In five verses I have described the principle of Lord Nityānanda. Then in the following two verses I describe the glories of Śrī Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

pañca śloke — in five verses ; kahila — described ; śrī - nityānanda - tattva — the truth of Śrī Nityānanda ; śloka - dvaye — in two verses ; kahi — I describe ; advaita - ācāryera — of Advaita Ācārya ; mahattva — the glories .

Translation

Lord Advaita Ācārya is the incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu, whose main function is to create the cosmic world through the actions of māyā.

Word meanings

mahā - viṣṇuḥ — Mahā-Viṣṇu, the resting place of the efficient cause ; jagat - kartā — the creator of the cosmic world ; māyayā — by the illusory energy ; yaḥ — who ; sṛjati — creates ; adaḥ — that universe ; tasya — His ; avatāraḥ — incarnation ; eva — certainly ; ayam — this ; advaita - ācāryaḥ — Advaita Ācārya ; īśvaraḥ — the Supreme Lord, the resting place of the material cause .

Translation

Because He is nondifferent from Hari, the Supreme Lord, He is called Advaita, and because He propagates the cult of devotion, He is called Ācārya. He is the Lord and the incarnation of the Lord’s devotee. Therefore I take shelter of Him.

Word meanings

advaitam — known as Advaita ; hariṇā — with Lord Hari ; advaitāt — from being nondifferent ; ācāryam — known as Ācārya ; bhakti - śaṁsanāt — from the propagation of devotional service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; bhakta - avatāram — the incarnation as a devotee ; īśam — to the Supreme Lord ; tam — to Him ; advaita - ācāryam — to Advaita Ācārya ; āśraye — I surrender .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is indeed directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. His glory is beyond the conception of ordinary living beings.

Word meanings

advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; gosāñi — the Lord ; sākṣāt īśvara — directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; yāṅhāra mahimā — whose glories ; nahe — not ; jīvera gocara — within the reach of the understanding of ordinary living beings .

Translation

Mahā-Viṣṇu performs all the functions for the creation of the universes. Śrī Advaita Ācārya is His direct incarnation.

Word meanings

mahā - viṣṇu — the original Viṣṇu ; sṛṣṭi — creation ; karena — does ; jagat - ādi — the material world ; kārya — the occupation ; tāṅra — His ; avatāra — incarnation ; sākṣāt — directly ; advaita ācārya — Prabhu Advaita Ācārya .

Translation

That puruṣa creates and maintains with His external energy. He creates innumerable universes in His pastimes.

Word meanings

ye puruṣa — that personality who ; sṛṣṭi - sthiti — creation and maintenance ; karena — performs ; māyāya — through the external energy ; ananta brahmāṇḍa — unlimited universes ; sṛṣṭi — creation ; karena — does ; līlāya — by pastimes .

Translation

By His will He manifests Himself in unlimited forms, in which He enters each and every universe.

Word meanings

icchāya — by His will ; ananta mūrti — unlimited forms ; karena — does ; prakāśa — manifestation ; eka eka — each and every ; mūrte — form ; karena — does ; brahmāṇḍe — within the universe ; praveśa — entrance .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is a plenary part of that puruṣa and so is not different from Him. Indeed, Śrī Advaita Ācārya is not separate but is another form of that puruṣa.

Word meanings

se — that ; puruṣera — of the Lord ; aṁśa — part ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; nāhi — not ; kichu — any ; bheda — difference ; śarīra - viśeṣa — another specific transcendental body ; tāṅra — of Him ; nāhika viccheda — there is no separation .

Translation

He [Advaita Ācārya] helps in the pastimes of the puruṣa, with whose material energy and by whose will He creates innumerable universes.

Word meanings

sahāya karena — He helps ; tāṅra — His ; lā - iyā — with ; pradhāna — the material energy ; koṭi - brahmāṇḍa — millions of universes ; karena — does ; icchāya — only by the will ; nirmāṇa — creation .

Translation

Being a reservoir of all auspicious attributes, Śrī Advaita Ācārya is all-auspicious for the world. His characteristics, activities and name are always auspicious.

Word meanings

jagat - maṅgala — all-auspicious for the world ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; maṅgala - guṇa - dhāma — the reservoir of all auspicious attributes ; maṅgala - caritra — all characteristics are auspicious ; sadā — always ; maṅgala — auspicious ; yāṅra nāma — whose name .

Purport

Śrī Advaita Prabhu, who is an incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu, is an ācārya, or teacher. All His activities and all the other activities of Viṣṇu are auspicious. Anyone who can view the all-auspiciousness in the pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu also becomes auspicious simultaneously. Therefore, since Lord Viṣṇu is the fountainhead of auspiciousness, anyone who is attracted by the devotional service of Lord Viṣṇu can render the greatest service to human society. Rejected persons of the material world who refuse to understand pure devotional service as the eternal function of the living entities, and as actual liberation of the living being from conditioned life, become bereft of all devotional service because of their poor fund of knowledge.

In the teachings of Advaita Prabhu there is no question of fruitive activities or impersonal liberation. Bewildered by the spell of the material energy, however, persons who could not understand that Advaita Prabhu is nondifferent from Viṣṇu wanted to follow Him with their impersonal conceptions. The attempt of Advaita Prabhu to punish them is also auspicious. Lord Viṣṇu and His activities can bestow all good fortune, directly and indirectly. In other words, being favored by Lord Viṣṇu and being punished by Lord Viṣṇu are one and the same because all the activities of Viṣṇu are absolute. According to some, Maṅgala was another name of Advaita Prabhu. As the causal incarnation, or Lord Viṣṇu’s incarnation for a particular occasion, He is the supply agent or ingredient in material nature. However, He is never to be considered material. All His activities are spiritual. Anyone who hears about and glorifies Him becomes glorified himself, for such activities free one from all kinds of misfortune. One should not invest any material contamination or impersonalism in the Viṣṇu form. Everyone should try to understand the real identity of Lord Viṣṇu, for by such knowledge one can attain the highest stage of perfection.

Translation

Mahā-Viṣṇu creates the entire material world with millions of His parts, energies and incarnations.

Word meanings

koṭi aṁśa — millions of parts and parcels ; koṭi śakti — millions and millions of energies ; koṭi avatāra — millions upon millions of incarnations ; eta — all this ; lañā — taking ; sṛje — creates ; puruṣa — the original person, Mahā-Viṣṇu ; sakala saṁsāra — all the material world .

Translation

Just as the external energy consists of two parts — the efficient cause [nimitta] and the material cause [upādāna], māyā being the efficient cause and pradhāna the material cause — so Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumes two forms to create the material world with the efficient and material causes.

Word meanings

māyā — the external energy ; yaiche — as ; dui aṁśa — two parts ; nimitta — the cause ; upādāna — the ingredients ; māyā — the material energy ; nimitta - hetu — original cause ; upādāna — ingredients ; pradhāna — immediate cause ; puruṣa — the person Lord Viṣṇu ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; aiche — in that way ; dvi - mūrti ha - iyā — taking two forms ; viśva - sṛṣṭi kare — creates this material world ; nimitta — the original cause ; upādāna — the material cause ; lañā — with .

Purport

There are two kinds of research to find the original cause of creation. One conclusion is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the all-blissful, eternal, all knowing form, is indirectly the cause of this cosmic manifestation and directly the cause of the spiritual world, where there are innumerable spiritual planets known as Vaikuṇṭhas, as well as His personal abode, known as Goloka Vṛndāvana. In other words, there are two manifestations — the material cosmos and the spiritual world. As in the material world there are innumerable planets and universes, so in the spiritual world there are also innumerable spiritual planets and universes, including the Vaikuṇṭhas and Goloka. The Supreme Lord is the cause of both the material and spiritual worlds. The other conclusion, of course, is that this cosmic manifestation is caused by an inexplicable unmanifested void. This argument is meaningless.

The first conclusion is accepted by the Vedānta philosophers, and the second is supported by the atheistic philosophical system of the Sāṅkhya smṛti, which directly opposes the Vedāntic philosophical conclusion. Material scientists cannot see any cognizant spiritual substance that might be the cause of the creation. Such atheistic Sāṅkhya philosophers think that the symptoms of knowledge and living force visible in the innumerable living creatures are caused by the three qualities of the cosmic manifestation. Therefore the Sāṅkhyites are against the conclusion of Vedānta regarding the original cause of creation.

Factually, the supreme absolute spirit soul is the cause of every kind of manifestation, and He is always complete, both as the energy and as the energetic. The cosmic manifestation is caused by the energy of the Supreme Absolute Person, in whom all energies are conserved. Philosophers who are subjectively engaged in the cosmic manifestation can appreciate only the wonderful energies of matter. Such philosophers accept the conception of God only as a product of the material energy. According to their conclusions, the source of the energy is also a product of the energy. Such philosophers wrongly observe that the living creatures within the cosmic manifestation are caused by the material energy, and they think that the supreme absolute conscious being must similarly be a product of the material energy.

Since materialistic philosophers and scientists are too much engaged with their imperfect senses, naturally they conclude that the living force is a product of a material combination. But the actual fact is just the opposite. Matter is a product of spirit. According to the Bhagavad-gītā, the supreme spirit, the Personality of Godhead, is the source of all energies. When one advances in research work by studying a limited substance within the limits of space and time one is amazed by the various wonderful cosmic manifestations, and naturally one goes on hypnotically accepting the path of research work or the inductive method. Through the deductive way of understanding, however, one accepts the Supreme Absolute Person, the Personality of Godhead, as the cause of all causes, who is full with diverse energies and who is neither impersonal nor void. The impersonal manifestation of the Supreme Person is another display of His energy. Therefore the conclusion that matter is the original cause of creation is completely different from the real truth. The material manifestation is caused by the glance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is inconceivably potent. Material nature is electrified by the supreme authority, and the conditioned soul, within the limits of time and space, is trapped by awe of the material manifestation. In other words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is actually realized in the vision of a material philosopher and scientist through the manifestations of His material energy. For one who does not understand the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His diverse energies because of not knowing the relationship between the source of the energies and the energies themselves, there is always a chance of error, which is known as vivarta. As long as materialistic scientists and philosophers do not come to the right conclusion, certainly they will hover above the material field, bereft of proper understanding of the Absolute Truth.

The great Vaiṣṇava philosopher Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa has very nicely explained the materialistic conclusion in his Govinda-bhāṣya, a commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra. He writes as follows:

“The Sāṅkhya philosopher Kapila has connected the different elementary truths according to his own opinion. Material nature, according to him, consists of the equilibrium of the three material qualities — goodness, passion and ignorance. Material nature produces the material energy, known as mahat, and mahat produces the false ego. The ego produces the five objects of sense perception, which produce the ten senses (five for acquiring knowledge and five for working), the mind and the five gross elements. Counting the puruṣa, or the enjoyer, with these twenty-four elements, there are twenty-five different truths. The nonmanifested stage of these twenty-five elementary truths is called prakṛti, or material nature. The qualities of material nature can associate in three different stages, namely as the cause of happiness, the cause of distress and the cause of illusion. The quality of goodness is the cause of material happiness, the quality of passion is the cause of material distress, and the quality of ignorance is the cause of illusion. Our material experience lies within the boundaries of these three manifestations of happiness, distress and illusion. For example, a beautiful woman is certainly a cause of material happiness for one who possesses her as a wife, but the same beautiful woman is a cause of distress to a man whom she rejects or who is the cause of her anger, and if she leaves a man she becomes the cause of illusion.

“The two kinds of senses are the ten external senses and the one internal sense, the mind. Thus there are eleven senses. According to Kapila, material nature is eternal and all-powerful. Originally there is no spirit, and matter has no cause. Matter itself is the chief cause of everything. It is the all-pervading cause of all causes. The Sāṅkhya philosophy regards the total energy ( mahat-tattva ), the false ego and the five objects of sense perception as the seven diverse manifestations of material nature, which has two features, known as the material cause and efficient cause. The puruṣa, the enjoyer, is without transformation, whereas material nature is always subject to transformation. But although material nature is inert, it is the cause of enjoyment and salvation for many living creatures. Its activities are beyond the conception of sense perception, but still one may guess at them by superior intelligence. Material nature is one, but because of the interaction of the three qualities, it can produce the total energy and the wonderful cosmic manifestation. Such transformations divide material nature into two features, namely the efficient and material causes. The puruṣa, the enjoyer, is inactive and without material qualities, although at the same time He is the master, existing separately in each and every body as the emblem of knowledge. By understanding the material cause, one can guess that the puruṣa, the enjoyer, being without activity, is aloof from all kinds of enjoyment or superintendence. Sāṅkhya philosophy, after describing the nature of prakṛti (material nature) and puruṣa (the enjoyer), asserts that the creation is only a product of their unification or proximity to one another. With such unification the living symptoms are visible in material nature, but one can guess that in the person of the enjoyer, the puruṣa, there are powers of control and enjoyment. When the puruṣa is illusioned for want of sufficient knowledge, He feels Himself to be the enjoyer, and when He is in full knowledge He is liberated. In the Sāṅkhya philosophy the puruṣa is described to be always indifferent to the activities of prakṛti.

“The Sāṅkhya philosopher accepts three kinds of evidences, namely direct perception, hypothesis and traditional authority. When such evidence is complete, everything is perfect. The process of comparison is within such perfection. Beyond such evidence there is no proof. There is not much controversy regarding direct perceptional evidence or authorized traditional evidence. The Sāṅkhya system of philosophy identifies three kinds of procedures — namely, pariṇāmāt (transformation), samanvayāt (adjustment) and śaktitaḥ (performance of energies) — as the causes of the cosmic manifestation.”

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa, in his commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, has tried to nullify this conclusion because he thinks that discrediting these so-called causes of the cosmic manifestation will nullify the entire Sāṅkhya philosophy. Materialistic philosophers accept matter to be the material and efficient cause of creation; for them, matter is the cause of every type of manifestation. Generally they give the example of a waterpot and clay. Clay is the cause of the waterpot, but the clay can be found as both cause and effect. The waterpot is the effect and clay itself is the cause, but clay is visible everywhere. A tree is matter, but a tree produces fruit. Water is matter, but water flows. In this way, say the Sāṅkhyites, matter is the cause of movements and production. As such, matter can be considered the material and efficient cause of everything in the cosmic manifestation. Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa has therefore enunciated the nature of pradhāna as follows:

“Material nature is inert, and as such it cannot be the cause of matter, neither as the material nor as the efficient cause. Seeing the wonderful arrangement and management of the cosmic manifestation generally suggests that a living brain is behind this arrangement, for without a living brain such an arrangement could not exist. One should not imagine that such an arrangement can exist without conscious direction. In our practical experience we never see that inert bricks can themselves construct a big building.

“The example of the waterpot cannot be accepted because a waterpot has no perception of pleasure and distress. Such perception is within. Therefore the covering body, or the waterpot, cannot be synchronized with it.

“Sometimes the material scientist suggests that trees grow from the earth automatically, without assistance from a gardener, because that is a tendency of matter. They also consider the intuition of living creatures from birth to be material. But such material tendencies as bodily intuition cannot be accepted as independent, for they suggest the existence of a spirit soul within the body. Actually, neither the tree nor any other body of a living creature has any tendency or intuition; the tendency and intuition exist because the soul is present within the body. In this connection, the example of a car and driver may be given very profitably. The car has a tendency to turn right and left, but one cannot say that the car itself, as matter, turns right and left without the direction of a driver. A material car has neither tendencies nor intuitions independent of the intentions of the driver within the car. The same principle applies for the automatic growth of trees in the forest. The growth takes place because of the soul’s presence within the tree.

“Sometimes foolish people take it for granted that because scorpions are born from heaps of rice, the rice has produced the scorpions. The real fact, however, is that the mother scorpion lays eggs within the rice and by the proper fermentation of the rice the eggs give birth to several baby scorpions, which in due course come out. This does not mean that the rice gives birth to the scorpions. Similarly, sometimes bugs are seen to come from dirty beds. This does not mean, however, that the beds give birth to the bugs. It is the living soul that comes forth, taking advantage of the dirty condition of the bed. There are different kinds of living creatures. Some of them come from embryos, some from eggs and some from the fermentation of perspiration. Different living creatures have different sources of appearance, but one should not conclude that matter produces such living creatures.

“The example cited by materialists that trees automatically come from the earth follows the same principle. Taking advantage of a certain condition, a living entity comes from the earth. According to the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad, every living being is forced by divine superintendence to take a certain type of body according to his past deeds. There are many varieties of bodies, and because of a divine arrangement a living entity takes bodies of different shapes.

“When a person thinks ‘I am doing this,’ the ‘I am’ does not refer to the body. It refers to something more than the body, or within the body. As such, the body as it is has neither tendencies nor intuition; the tendencies and intuition belong to the soul within the body. Material scientists sometimes suggest that the tendencies of male and female bodies cause their union and that this is the cause of the birth of the child. But since the puruṣa, according to Sāṅkhya philosophy, is always unaffected, where does the tendency to give birth come from?

“Sometimes material scientists give the example that milk turns into curd automatically and that distilled water pouring from the clouds falls down to earth, produces different kinds of trees, and enters different kinds of flowers and fruits with different fragrances and tastes. Therefore, they say, matter produces varieties of material things on its own. In reply to this argument, the same proposition of the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad — that different kinds of living creatures are put into different kinds of bodies by the management of a superior power — is repeated. Under superior superintendence, various souls, according to their past activities, are given the chance to take a particular type of body, such as that of a tree, animal, bird or beast, and thus their different tendencies develop under these circumstances. The Bhagavad-gītā (13.22) also further affirms:

puruṣaḥ prakṛti-stho hi bhuṅkte prakṛti-jān guṇān kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

‘The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil among various species.’ The soul is given different types of bodies. For example, were souls not given varieties of tree bodies, the different varieties of fruits and flowers could not be produced. Each class of tree produces a particular kind of fruit and flower; it is not that there is no distinction between the different classes. An individual tree does not produce flowers of different colors or fruits of different tastes. There are demarcated classes, as we find them among humans, animals, birds and other species. There are innumerable living entities, and their activities, performed in the material world according to the different qualities of the material modes of nature, give them the chance to have different kinds of lives.

“Thus one should understand that pradhāna, matter, cannot act unless impelled by a living creature. The materialistic theory that matter independently acts cannot, therefore, be accepted. Matter is called prakṛti, which refers to female energy. A woman is prakṛti, a female. A female cannot produce a child without the association of a puruṣa, a man. The puruṣa causes the birth of a child because the man injects the soul, which is sheltered in the semen, into the womb of the woman. The woman, as the material cause, supplies the body of the soul, and as the efficient cause she gives birth to the child. But although the woman appears to be the material and efficient cause of the birth of a child, originally the puruṣa, the male, is the cause of the child. Similarly, this material world gives rise to varieties of manifestations due to the entrance of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu within the universe. He is present not only within the universe but within the bodies of all living creatures, as well as within the atom. We understand from the Brahma-saṁhitā that the Supersoul is present within the universe, within the atom and within the heart of every living creature. Therefore the theory that matter is the cause of the entire cosmic manifestation cannot be accepted by any man with sufficient knowledge of matter and spirit.

“Materialists sometimes give the argument that as straw eaten by a cow produces milk automatically, so material nature, under different circumstances, produces varieties of manifestations. Thus originally matter is the cause. In refuting this argument, we may say that an animal of the same species as the cow — namely, the bull — also eats straw like the cow but does not produce milk. Under the circumstances, it cannot be said that straw in connection with a particular species produces milk. The conclusion should be that there is superior management, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) , where the Lord says, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram: ‘This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, and it is producing all moving and unmoving beings.’ The Supreme Lord says, mayādhyakṣeṇa (‘under My superintendence’). When He desires that the cow produce milk by eating straw, there is milk, and when He does not so desire it, the mixture of such straw cannot produce milk. If the way of material nature had been that straw produced milk, a stack of straw could also produce milk. But that is not possible. And the same straw given to a human female also cannot produce milk. That is the meaning of the Bhagavad-gītā’s statement that only under superior orders does anything take place. Matter itself has no power to produce independently. The conclusion, therefore, is that matter, which has no self-knowledge, cannot be the cause of the material creation. The ultimate creator is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

“If matter were accepted as the original cause of creation, all the authorized scriptures in the world would be useless, for in every scripture, especially the Vedic scriptures like the Manu-smṛti, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is said to be the ultimate creator. The Manu-smṛti is considered the highest Vedic direction to humanity. Manu is the giver of law to mankind, and in the Manu-smṛti it is clearly stated that before the creation the entire universal space was darkness, without information and without variety, and was in a state of complete suspension, like a dream. Everything was darkness. The Supreme Personality of Godhead then entered the universal space, and although He is invisible, He created the visible cosmic manifestation. In the material world the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not manifested by His personal presence, but the presence of the cosmic manifestation in different varieties is the proof that everything has been created under His direction. He entered the universe with all creative potencies, and thus He removed the darkness of the unlimited space.

“The form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is described to be transcendental, very subtle, eternal, all-pervading, inconceivable and therefore nonmanifested to the material senses of a conditioned living creature. He desired to expand Himself into many living entities, and with such a desire He first created a vast expanse of water within the universal space and then impregnated that water with living entities. By that process of impregnation a massive body appeared, blazing like a thousand suns, and in that body was the first creative principle, Brahmā. The great Parāśara Ṛṣi has confirmed this in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. He says that the cosmic manifestation visible to us is produced from Lord Viṣṇu and sustained under His protection. He is the principal maintainer and destroyer of the universal form.

“This cosmic manifestation is one of the diverse energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As a spider secretes saliva and weaves a web by its own movements but at the end winds up the web within its body, so Lord Viṣṇu produces this cosmic manifestation from His transcendental body and at the end winds it up within Himself. All the great sages of the Vedic understanding have accepted that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original creator.

“It is sometimes claimed that the impersonal speculations of great philosophers are meant for the advancement of knowledge without religious ritualistic principles. But the religious ritualistic principles are actually meant for the advancement of spiritual knowledge. By performance of religious rituals one ultimately reaches the supreme goal of knowledge by understanding that Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the cause of everything. It is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gītā that even those who are advocates of knowledge alone, without any religious ritualistic processes, advance in knowledge after many, many lifetimes of speculation and thus come to the conclusion that Vāsudeva is the supreme cause of everything that be. As a result of this achievement of the goal of life, such an advanced learned scholar or philosopher surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Religious ritualistic performances are actually meant to cleanse the contaminated mind in the material world, and the special feature of this age of Kali is that one can easily execute the process of cleansing the mind of contamination by chanting the holy names of God — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

“A Vedic injunction states, sarve vedā yat padam āmananti ( Kaṭha Up. 1.2.15): all Vedic knowledge is searching after the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, another Vedic injunction states, nārāyaṇa-parā vedāḥ: the Vedas are meant for understanding Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Lord. Similarly, the Bhagavad-gītā also confirms, vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: by all the Vedas, Kṛṣṇa is to be known. Therefore, the main purpose of understanding the Vedas, performing Vedic sacrifices and speculating on the Vedānta-sūtra is to understand Kṛṣṇa. Accepting the impersonalist view of voidness or the nonexistence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead negates all study of the Vedas. Impersonal speculation aims at disproving the conclusion of the Vedas. Therefore any impersonal speculative presentation should be understood to be against the principles of the Vedas, or standard scriptures. Since the speculation of the impersonalists does not follow the principles of the Vedas, their conclusion must be considered to be against the Vedic principles. Anything not supported by the Vedic principles must be considered imaginary and lacking in standard proof. Therefore no impersonalist explanation of any Vedic literature can be accepted.

“If one tries to nullify the conclusions of the Vedas by accepting an unauthorized scripture or so-called scripture, it will be very hard for him to come to the right conclusion about the Absolute Truth. The system for adjusting two contradictory scriptures is to refer to the Vedas, for references from the Vedas are accepted as final judgments. When we refer to a particular scripture, it must be authorized, and for this authority it must strictly follow the Vedic injunctions. If someone presents an alternative doctrine he himself has manufactured, that doctrine will prove itself useless, for any doctrine that tries to prove that Vedic evidence is meaningless immediately proves itself meaningless. The followers of the Vedas unanimously accept the authority of Manu and Parāśara in the disciplic succession. Their statements, however, do not support the atheistic Kapila, because the Kapila mentioned in the Vedas is a different Kapila, the son of Kardama and Devahūti. The atheist Kapila is a descendant of the dynasty of Agni and is one of the conditioned souls. But the Kapila who is the son of Kardama Muni is accepted as an incarnation of Vāsudeva. The Padma Purāṇa gives evidence that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Vāsudeva takes birth in the incarnation of Kapila and, by His expansion of theistic Sāṅkhya philosophy, teaches all the demigods and a brāhmaṇa of the name Āsuri. In the doctrine of the atheist Kapila there are many statements directly against the Vedic principles. The atheist Kapila does not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He says that the living entity is himself the Supreme Lord and that no one is greater than him. His conceptions of so-called conditioned and liberated life are materialistic, and he refuses to accept the importance of immortal time. All such statements are against the principles of the Vedānta-sūtra. ”

Translation

Lord Viṣṇu Himself is the efficient [nimitta] cause of the material world, and Nārāyaṇa in the form of Śrī Advaita is the material cause [upādāna].

Word meanings

āpane — personally ; puruṣa — Lord Viṣṇu ; viśvera — of the entire material world ; nimitta kāraṇa — the original cause ; advaita - rūpe — in the form of Advaita ; upādāna — the material cause ; hana — becomes ; nārāyaṇa — Lord Nārāyaṇa .

Translation

Lord Viṣṇu, in His efficient aspect, glances over the material energy, and Śrī Advaita, as the material cause, creates the material world.

Word meanings

nimitta - aṁśe — in the portion as the original cause ; kare — does ; teṅho — He ; māyāte — in the external energy ; īkṣaṇa — glancing ; upādāna — the material cause ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; karena — does ; brahmāṇḍa - sṛjana — creation of the material world .

Translation

Although the Sāṅkhya philosophy accepts that the material ingredients are the cause, the creation of the world never arises from dead matter.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; sāṅkhya — Sāṅkhya philosophy ; māne — accepts ; pradhāna — ingredients ; kāraṇa — cause ; jaḍa ha - ite — from matter ; kabhu — at any time ; nahe — there is not ; jagat - sṛjana — the creation of the material world .

Translation

The Lord infuses the material ingredients with His own creative potency. Then, by the power of the Lord, creation takes place.

Word meanings

nija — own ; sṛṣṭi - śakti — power for creation ; prabhu — the Lord ; sañcāre — infuses ; pradhāne — in the ingredients ; īśvarera śaktye — by the power of the Lord ; tabe — then ; haye — there is ; ta’ — certainly ; nirmāṇe — the beginning of creation .

Translation

In the form of Advaita He infuses the material ingredients with creative energy. Therefore, Advaita is the original cause of creation.

Word meanings

advaita - rūpe — in the form of Advaita Ācārya ; kare — does ; śakti - sañcāraṇa — infusion of the energy ; ataeva — therefore ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; hayena — is ; mukhya kāraṇa — the original cause .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is the creator of millions and millions of universes, and by His expansions [as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu] He maintains each and every universe.

Word meanings

advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; koṭi - brahmāṇḍera kartā — the creator of millions and millions of universes ; āra — and ; eka eka — each and every ; mūrtye — by expansions ; brahmāṇḍera bhartā — maintainer of the universe .

Translation

Śrī Advaita is the principal limb [aṅga] of Nārāyaṇa. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam speaks of “limb” [aṅga] as “a plenary portion” [aṁśa] of the Lord.

Word meanings

sei — that ; nārāyaṇera — of Lord Nārāyaṇa ; mukhya aṅga — the primary part ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; aṅga - śabde — by the word aṅga ; aṁśa kari’ — taking as a plenary portion ; kahe — says ; bhāgavata — Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam .

Translation

“O Lord of lords, You are the seer of all creation. You are indeed everyone’s dearest life. Are You not, therefore, my father, Nārāyaṇa? ‘Nārāyaṇa’ refers to one whose abode is in the water born from Nara [Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu], and that Nārāyaṇa is Your plenary portion. All Your plenary portions are transcendental. They are absolute and are not creations of māyā.”

Word meanings

nārāyaṇaḥ — Lord Nārāyaṇa ; tvam — You ; na — not ; hi — certainly ; sarva — all ; dehinām — of the embodied beings ; ātmā — the Supersoul ; asi — You are ; adhīśa — O Lord ; akhila - loka — of all the worlds ; sākṣī — the witness ; nārāyaṇaḥ — known as Nārāyaṇa ; aṅgam — plenary portion ; nara — of Nara ; bhū — born ; jala — in the water ; ayanāt — due to the place of refuge ; tat — that ; ca — and ; api — certainly ; satyam — highest truth ; na — not ; tava — Your ; eva — at all ; māyā — the illusory energy .

Purport

This text is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.14) .

Translation

This verse describes that the limbs and plenary portions of the Lord are all spiritual; They have no relationship with the material energy.

Word meanings

īśvarera — of the Lord ; aṅga — limb ; aṁśa — part ; cit - ānanda - maya — all-spiritual ; māyāra — of the material energy ; sambandha — relationship ; nāhi’ — there is not ; ei śloke — this verse ; kaya — says .

Translation

Why has Śrī Advaita been called a limb and not a part? The reason is that “limb” implies greater intimacy.

Word meanings

aṁśa — part ; nā kahiyā — not saying ; kene — why ; kaha — you say ; tāṅre — Him ; aṅga — limb ; aṁśa haite — than a part ; aṅga — limb ; yāte — because ; haya — is ; antaraṅga — more .

Translation

Śrī Advaita, who is a reservoir of virtues, is the main limb of Mahā-Viṣṇu. His full name is Advaita, for He is identical in all respects with that Lord.

Word meanings

mahā - viṣṇura — of Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu ; aṁśa — part ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; guṇa - dhāma — reservoir of all attributes ; īśvare — from the Lord ; abheda — nondifferent ; teñi — therefore ; advaita — nondifferent ; pūrṇa nāma — full name .

Translation

As He had formerly created all the universes, now He descended to introduce the path of bhakti.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; yaiche — as ; kaila — performed ; sarva — all ; viśvera — of the universes ; sṛjana — creation ; avatari’ — taking incarnation ; kaila — did ; ebe — now ; bhakti - pravartana — inauguration of the bhakti cult .

Translation

He delivered all living beings by offering the gift of kṛṣṇa-bhakti. He explained the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in the light of devotional service.

Word meanings

jīva — the living entities ; nistārila — delivered ; kṛṣṇa - bhakti — devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kari’ — making ; dāna — gift ; gītā - bhāgavate — in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; kaila — performed ; bhaktira vyākhyāna — explanation of devotional service .

Purport

Although Śrī Advaita Prabhu is an incarnation of Viṣṇu, for the welfare of the conditioned souls He manifested Himself as a servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and throughout all His activities He showed Himself to be an eternal servitor. Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda also manifested the same principle, although They also belong to the category of Viṣṇu. If Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityānanda and Advaita Prabhu had exhibited Their all-powerful Viṣṇu potencies within this material world, people would have become greater impersonalists, monists and self-worshipers than they had already become under the spell of this age. Therefore the Personality of Godhead and His different incarnations and forms played the parts of devotees to instruct the conditioned souls how to approach the transcendental stage of devotional service. Advaita Ācārya especially intended to teach the conditioned souls about devotional service. The word ācārya means “teacher.” The special function of such a teacher is to make people Kṛṣṇa conscious. A bona fide teacher following in the footsteps of Advaita Ācārya has no other business than to spread the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. The real qualification of an ācārya is that he presents himself as a servant of the Supreme. Such a bona fide ācārya can never support the demoniac activities of atheistic men who present themselves as God. It is the main business of an ācārya to defy such imposters posing as God before the innocent public.

Translation

Since He has no other occupation than to teach devotional service, His name is Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

bhakti - upadeśa — instruction of devotional service ; vinu — without ; tāṅra — His ; nāhi — there is not ; kārya — occupation ; ataeva — therefore ; nāma — the name ; haila — became ; advaita ācārya — the supreme teacher ( ācārya ) Advaita Prabhu .

Translation

He is the spiritual master of all devotees and is the most revered personality in the world. By a combination of these two names, His name is Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

vaiṣṇavera — of the devotees ; guru — spiritual master ; teṅho — He ; jagatera ārya — the most respectable personality in the world ; dui - nāma - milane — by combining the two names ; haila — there was ; advaita - ācārya — the name Advaita Ācārya .

Purport

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is the prime spiritual master of the Vaiṣṇavas, and He is worshipable by all Vaiṣṇavas. Vaiṣṇavas must follow in the footsteps of Advaita Ācārya, for by so doing one can actually engage in the devotional service of the Lord.

Translation

Since He is a limb or part of the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, He also bears the name Kamalākṣa.

Word meanings

kamala - nayanera — of the lotus-eyed ; teṅho — He ; yāte — since ; aṅga — limb ; aṁśa — part ; kamala - akṣa — the lotus-eyed ; kari’ — accepting that ; dhare — takes ; nāma — the name ; avataṁsa — partial expansion .

Translation

His associates have the same bodily features as the Lord. They all have four arms and are dressed in yellow garments like Nārāyaṇa.

Word meanings

īśvara - sārūpya — the same bodily features as the Lord ; pāya — gets ; pāriṣada - gaṇa — the associates ; catur - bhuja — four hands ; pīta - vāsa — yellow dress ; yaiche — just as ; nārāyaṇa — Lord Nārāyaṇa .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is the principal limb of the Supreme Lord. His truths, names and attributes are all wonderful.

Word meanings

advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya Prabhu ; īśvarera — of the Supreme Lord ; aṁśa - varya — principal part ; tāṅra — His ; tattva — truths ; nāma — names ; guṇa — attributes ; sakali — all ; āścarya — wonderful .

Translation

He worshiped Kṛṣṇa with tulasī leaves and water of the Ganges and called for Him in a loud voice. Thus Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared on earth, accompanied by His personal associates.

Word meanings

yāṅhāra — whose ; tulasī - jale — by tulasī leaves and Ganges water ; yāṅhāra — of whom ; huṅkāre — by the loud voice ; sva - gaṇa — His personal associates ; sahite — accompanied by ; caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avatāre — in the incarnation .

Translation

It is through Him [Advaita Ācārya] that Lord Caitanya spread the saṅkīrtana movement and through Him that He delivered the world.

Word meanings

yāṅra dvārā — by whom ; kaila — did ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kīrtana pracāra — spreading of the saṅkīrtana movement ; yāṅra dvārā — by whom ; kaila — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jagat nistāra — deliverance of the entire world .

Translation

The glory and attributes of Advaita Ācārya are unlimited. How can the insignificant living entities fathom them?

Word meanings

ācārya gosāñira — of Advaita Ācārya ; guṇa - mahimā — the glory of the attributes ; apāra — unfathomable ; jīva - kīṭa — a living being who is just like a worm ; kothāya — where ; pāibeka — will get ; tāra — of that ; pāra — the other side .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is a principal limb of Lord Caitanya. Another limb of the Lord is Nityānanda Prabhu.

Word meanings

ācārya gosāñi — Advaita Ācārya ; caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mukhya — primary ; aṅga — part ; āra — another ; eka — one ; aṅga — part ; tāṅra — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhu nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda .

Translation

The devotees headed by Śrīvāsa are His smaller limbs. They are like His hands, face and eyes and His disc and other weapons.

Word meanings

prabhura upāṅga — Lord Caitanya’s smaller parts ; śrīvāsa - ādi — headed by Śrīvāsa ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; hasta — hands ; mukha — face ; netra — eyes ; aṅga — parts of the body ; cakra - ādi — the disc ; astra — weapons ; sama — like .

Translation

With all of them Lord Caitanya performed His pastimes, and with them He spread His mission.

Word meanings

e - saba — all these ; la - iyā — taking ; caitanya - prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vihāra — pastimes ; e - saba — all of them ; la - iyā — taking ; karena — does ; vāñchita pracāra — spreading His mission .

Translation

Thinking “He [Śrī Advaita Ācārya] is a disciple of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī,” Lord Caitanya obeys Him, respecting Him as His spiritual master.

Word meanings

mādhavendra - purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; iṅho — Advaita Ācārya ; śiṣya — disciple ; ei jñāne — by this consideration ; ācārya - gosāñire — unto Advaita Ācārya ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; guru — spiritual master ; kari’ — taking as ; māne — obeys Him .

Purport

Śrī Mādhavendra Purī is one of the ācāryas in the disciplic succession from Madhvācārya. Mādhavendra Purī had two principal disciples, Īśvara Purī and Śrī Advaita Prabhu. Therefore the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya is a disciplic succession from Madhvācārya. This fact has been accepted in the authorized books known as Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā and Prameya-ratnāvalī, as well as by Gopāla Guru Gosvāmī. The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (22) clearly states the disciplic succession of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas as follows: “Lord Brahmā is the direct disciple of Viṣṇu, the Lord of the spiritual sky. His disciple is Nārada, Nārada’s disciple is Vyāsa, and Vyāsa’s disciples are Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Madhvācārya. Padmanābha Ācārya is the disciple of Madhvācārya, and Narahari is the disciple of Padmanābha Ācārya. Mādhava is the disciple of Narahari, Akṣobhya is the direct disciple of Mādhava, and Jayatīrtha is the disciple of Akṣobhya. Jayatīrtha’s disciple is Jñānasindhu, and his disciple is Mahānidhi. Vidyānidhi is the disciple of Mahānidhi, and Rājendra is the disciple of Vidyānidhi. Jayadharma is the disciple of Rājendra. Puruṣottama is the disciple of Jayadharma. Śrīmān Lakṣmīpati is the disciple of Vyāsatīrtha, who is the disciple of Puruṣottama. And Mādhavendra Purī is the disciple of Lakṣmīpati.”

Translation

To maintain the proper etiquette for the principles of religion, Lord Caitanya bows down at the lotus feet of Śrī Advaita Ācārya with reverential prayers and devotion.

Word meanings

laukika — popular ; līlāte — in pastimes ; dharma - maryādā — etiquette of religious principles ; rakṣaṇa — observing ; stuti — prayers ; bhaktye — by devotion ; karena — He does ; tāṅra — of Advaita Ācārya ; caraṇa — lotus feet ; vandana — worshiping .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya, however, considers Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu His master, and He thinks of Himself as a servant of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

caitanya - gosāñike — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; kare — does ; prabhu - jñāna — considering His master ; āpanāke — unto Himself ; karena — does ; tāṅra — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dāsa — as a servant ; abhimāna — conception .

Purport

The Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu of Rūpa Gosvāmī explains the superexcellent quality of devotional service as follows:

brahmānando bhaved eṣa cet parārdha-guṇī-kṛtaḥ naiti bhakti-sukhāmbhodheḥ paramāṇu-tulām api

“If multiplied billions of times, the transcendental pleasure derived from impersonal Brahman realization still could not compare to even an atomic portion of the ocean of bhakti, or transcendental service.” (B.r.s. 1.1.38) Similarly, the Bhāvārtha-dīpikā states:

tvat-kathāmṛta-pāthodhau viharanto mahā-mudaḥ kurvanti kṛtinaḥ kecic catur-vargaṁ tṛṇopamam

“For those who take pleasure in the transcendental topics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the four progressive realizations of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation, all combined together, cannot compare, any more than a straw could, to the happiness derived from hearing about the transcendental activities of the Lord.” Those who engage in the transcendental service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, being relieved of all material enjoyment, have no attraction to topics of impersonal monism. In the Padma Purāṇa, in connection with the glorification of the month of Kārtika, it is stated that devotees pray:

varaṁ deva mokṣaṁ na mokṣāvadhiṁ vā na cānyaṁ vṛṇe ’haṁ vareśād apīha idaṁ te vapur nātha gopāla-bālaṁ sadā me manasy āvirāstāṁ kim anyaiḥ

kuverātmajau baddha-mūrtyaiva yadvat tvayā mocitau bhakti-bhājau kṛtau ca tathā prema-bhaktiṁ svakāṁ me prayaccha na mokṣe graho me ’sti dāmodareha

“Dear Lord, always remembering Your childhood pastimes at Vṛndāvana is better for us than aspiring to merge into the impersonal Brahman. During Your childhood pastimes You liberated the two sons of Kuvera and made them great devotees of Your Lordship. Similarly, I wish that instead of giving me liberation You may award me such devotion unto You.” In the Hayaśīrṣīya-śrī-nārāyaṇa-vyūha-stava, in the chapter called Nārāyaṇa-stotra, it is stated:

na dharmaṁ kāmam arthaṁ vā mokṣaṁ vā vara-deśvara prārthaye tava pādābje dāsyam evābhikāmaye

“My dear Lord, I do not wish to become a man of religion or a master of economic development or sense gratification, nor do I wish for liberation. Although I can have all these from You, the supreme bestower of benedictions, I do not pray for any of these. I simply pray that I may always be engaged as a servant of Your lotus feet.” Nṛsiṁhadeva offered Prahlāda Mahārāja all kinds of benedictions, but Prahlāda Mahārāja did not accept any of them, for he simply wanted to engage in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. Similarly, a pure devotee wishes to be blessed like Mahārāja Prahlāda by being thus endowed with devotional service. Devotees also offer their respects to Hanumān, who always remained a servant of Lord Rāma. The great devotee Hanumān prayed:

bhava-bandha-cchide tasyai spṛhayāmi na muktaye bhavān prabhur ahaṁ dāsa iti yatra vilupyate

“I do not wish to take liberation or to merge in the Brahman effulgence, where the conception of being a servant of the Lord is completely lost.” Similarly, in the Nārada-pañcarātra it is stated:

dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣeṣu necchā mama kadācana tvat-pāda-paṅkajasyādho jīvitaṁ dīyatāṁ mama

“I do not want any one of the four desirable stations. I simply want to engage as a servant of the lotus feet of the Lord.” King Kulaśekhara, in his very famous book Mukunda-mālā-stotra, prays:

nāhaṁ vande tava caraṇayor dvandvam advandva-hetoḥ kumbhī-pākaṁ gurum api hare nārakaṁ nāpanetum ramyā-rāmā-mṛdu-tanu-latā-nandane nābhirantuṁ bhāve bhāve hṛdaya-bhavane bhāvayeyaṁ bhavantam

“My Lord, I do not worship You to be liberated from this material entanglement, nor do I wish to save myself from the hellish condition of material existence, nor do I ever pray for a beautiful wife to enjoy in a nice garden. I wish only that I may always be in full ecstasy with the pleasure of serving Your Lordship.” ( M.m.s. 4) In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also there are many instances in the Third and Fourth cantos in which devotees pray to the Lord simply to be engaged in His service, and nothing else ( Bhāg. 3.4.15 , 3.25.34, 3.25.36, 4.8.22, 4.9.10 and 4.20.24).

Translation

He forgets Himself in the joy of that conception and teaches all living entities, “You are servants of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Word meanings

sei — that ; abhimāna - sukhe — in the happiness of that conception ; āpanā — Himself ; pāsare — He forgets ; kṛṣṇa - dāsa hao — You are servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; jīve — the living beings ; upadeśa kare — He instructs .

Purport

The transcendental devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so ecstatic that even the Lord Himself plays the part of a devotee. Forgetting Himself to be the Supreme, He personally teaches the whole world how to render service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

The conception of servitude to Śrī Kṛṣṇa generates such an ocean of joy in the soul that even the joy of oneness with the Absolute, if multiplied ten million times, could not compare to a drop of it.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - dāsa - abhimāne — under this impression of being a servant of Kṛṣṇa ; ye — that ; ānanda - sindhu — ocean of transcendental bliss ; koṭī - brahma - sukha — ten million times the transcendental bliss of becoming one with the Absolute ; nahe — not ; tāra — of the ocean of transcendental bliss ; eka — one ; bindu — drop .

Translation

He says, “Nityānanda and I are servants of Lord Caitanya.” Nowhere else is there such joy as that which is tasted in this emotion of servitude.

Word meanings

muñi — I ; ye — that ; caitanya - dāsa — servant of Lord Caitanya ; āra — and ; nityānanda — of Lord Nityānanda ; dāsa - bhāva — the emotion of being a servant ; sama — equal to ; nahe — not ; anyatra — anywhere else ; ānanda — transcendental bliss .

Translation

The most beloved goddess of fortune resides on the chest of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, yet she too, earnestly praying, begs for the joy of service at His feet.

Word meanings

parama - preyasī — the most beloved ; lakṣmī — the goddess of fortune ; hṛdaye — on the chest ; vasati — residence ; teṅho — she ; dāsya - sukha — the happiness of being a maidservant ; māge — begs ; kariyā — offering ; minati — prayers .

Translation

All the associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa, such as Brahmā, Śiva, Nārada, Śuka and Sanātana Kumāra, are very pleased in the sentiment of servitude.

Word meanings

dāsya - bhāve — in the conception of being a servant ; ānandita — very pleased ; pāriṣada - gaṇa — all the associates ; vidhi — Lord Brahmā ; bhava — Lord Śiva ; nārada — the great sage Nārada ; āra — and ; śuka — Śukadeva Gosvāmī ; sanātana — and Sanātana Kumāra .

Translation

Śrī Nityānanda, the wandering mendicant, is the foremost of all the associates of Lord Caitanya. He became mad in the ecstasy of service to Lord Caitanya.

Word meanings

nityānanda avadhūta — the mendicant Lord Nityānanda ; sabāte — among all ; āgala — foremost ; caitanyera dāsya - preme — in the emotional ecstatic love of being a servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ha - ilā pāgala — became mad .

Translation

Śrīvāsa, Haridāsa, Rāmadāsa, Gadādhara, Murāri, Mukunda, Candraśekhara and Vakreśvara are all glorious and are all learned scholars, but the sentiment of servitude to Lord Caitanya makes them mad in ecstasy.

Word meanings

śrīvāsa — Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; rāmadāsa — Rāmadāsa ; gadādhara — Gadādhara ; murāri — Murāri ; mukunda — Mukunda ; candraśekhara — Candraśekhara ; vakreśvara — Vakreśvara ; e - saba — all of them ; paṇḍita - loka — very learned scholars ; parama - mahattva — very much glorified ; caitanyera — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dāsye — the servitude ; sabāya — all of them ; karaye unmatta — makes mad .

Translation

Thus they dance, sing and laugh like madmen, and they instruct everyone, “Just be loving servants of Lord Caitanya.”

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; gāya — chant ; nāce — dance ; kare — do ; aṭṭa - hāsa — laughing like madmen ; loke — unto the people in general ; upadeśe — instruct ; hao — just become ; caitanyera dāsa — servants of Śrī Caitanya .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya thinks, “Lord Caitanya considers Me His spiritual master, yet I feel Myself to be only His servant.”

Word meanings

caitanya - gosāñi — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; more — unto Me ; kare — does ; guru - jñāna — consideration as a spiritual master ; tathāpiha — still ; mora — My ; haya — there is ; dāsa - abhimāna — the conception of being His servant .

Translation

Love for Kṛṣṇa has this one unique effect: it imbues superiors, equals and inferiors with the spirit of service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - premera — of love of Kṛṣṇa ; ei — this ; eka — one ; apūrva prabhāva — unprecedented influence ; guru — to those on the level of the spiritual master ; sama — equal level ; laghuke — unto the less important ; karāya — makes ; dāsya - bhāva — the conception of being a servant .

Purport

There are two kinds of devotional service: the way of pāñcarātrika regulative principles and the way of bhāgavata transcendental loving service. The love of Godhead of those engaged in pāñcarātrika regulative principles depends more or less on the opulent and reverential platform, but the worship of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is purely on the platform of transcendental love. Even persons who play as the superiors of Kṛṣṇa also take the chance to offer transcendental loving service to the Lord. The service attitude of the devotees who play the parts of superiors of the Lord is very difficult to understand, but it can be very plainly understood in connection with the superexcellence of their particular service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. A vivid example is the service of mother Yaśodā to Kṛṣṇa, which is distinct. In the feature of Nārāyaṇa, the Lord can accept services only from His associates who play parts in which they are equal to or less than Him, but in the feature of Lord Kṛṣṇa He accepts service very plainly from His fathers, teachers and other elders who are His superiors, as well as from His equals and His subordinates. This is very wonderful.

Translation

For evidence, please listen to the examples described in the revealed scriptures, which are corroborated by the realization of great souls.

Word meanings

ihāra — of this ; pramāṇa — evidence ; śuna — please hear ; śāstrera vyākhyāna — the description in the revealed scriptures ; mahat - anubhava — the conception of great souls ; yāte — by which ; su - dṛḍha — strong ; pramāṇa — evidence .

Translation

Although no one is a more respected elder for Kṛṣṇa than Nanda Mahārāja in Vraja, who in transcendental paternal love has no knowledge that his son is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, still ecstatic love makes him, what to speak of others, feel himself to be a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

anyera — of others ; kā — what ; kathā — to speak ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; nanda mahāśaya — Nanda Mahārāja ; tāra sama — like him ; guru — a superior ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āra — another ; keha — anyone ; naya — not ; śuddha - vātsalye — in transcendental paternal love ; īśvara - jñāna — conception of the Supreme Lord ; nāhi — not ; tāra — his ; tāhākei — unto him ; preme — ecstatic love ; karāya — makes ; dāsya - anukāra — the conception of being a servant .

Translation

He too prays for attachment and devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as the words from his own mouth give evidence.

Word meanings

teṅho — he also ; rati - mati — affection and attraction ; māge — begs ; kṛṣṇera caraṇe — unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; tāhāra — his ; śrī - mukha - vāṇī — words from his mouth ; tāhāte — in that ; pramāṇe — evidence .

Translation

“My dear Uddhava, please hear me. In truth Kṛṣṇa is my son, but even if you think that He is God, I would still bear toward Him my own feelings for my son. May my mind be attached to your Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

śuna uddhava — my dear Uddhava, please hear me ; satya — the truth ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āmāra tanaya — my son ; teṅho — He ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; hena — thus ; yadi — if ; tomāra — your ; mane — the mind ; laya — takes ; tathāpi — still ; tāṅhāte — unto Him ; rahu — let there be ; mora — my ; manaḥ - vṛtti — mental functions ; tomāra — your ; īśvara - kṛṣṇe — to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord ; hauka — let there be ; mora — my ; mati — attention .

Translation

“May our minds be attached to the lotus feet of your Lord Kṛṣṇa, may our tongues chant His holy names, and may our bodies lie prostrate before Him.

Word meanings

manasaḥ — of the mind ; vṛttayaḥ — activities (thinking, feeling and willing) ; naḥ — of us ; syuḥ — let there be ; kṛṣṇa — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; pāda - ambuja — the lotus feet ; āśrayāḥ — those sheltered by ; vācaḥ — the words ; abhidhāyinīḥ — speaking ; nāmnām — of His holy names ; kāyaḥ — the body ; tat — to Him ; prahvaṇa - ādiṣu — bowing down to Him, etc .

Translation

“Wherever we wander in the material universe under the influence of karma by the will of the Lord, may our auspicious activities cause our attraction to Lord Kṛṣṇa to increase.”

Word meanings

karmabhiḥ — by the activities ; bhrāmyamāṇānām — of those wandering within the material universe ; yatra — wherever ; kva api — anywhere ; īśvara - icchayā — by the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead ; maṅgala - ācaritaiḥ — by auspicious activities ; dānaiḥ — like charity and philanthropy ; ratiḥ — the attraction ; naḥ — our ; kṛṣṇe — in Kṛṣṇa ; īśvare — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Purport

These verses from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.47.66-67) were spoken by the denizens of Vṛndāvana, headed by Mahārāja Nanda and his associates, to Uddhava, who had come from Mathurā.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa’s friends in Vṛndāvana, headed by Śrīdāmā, have pure fraternal affection for Lord Kṛṣṇa and have no idea of His opulences.

Word meanings

śrīdāmā - ādi — Kṛṣṇa’s friends, headed by Śrīdāmā ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; yata — all ; sakhāra — of the friends ; nicaya — the group ; aiśvarya — of opulence ; jñāna — knowledge ; hīna — without ; kevala — purely ; sakhya - maya — fraternal affection .

Translation

Although they fight with Him and climb upon His shoulders, they worship His lotus feet in a spirit of servitude.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - saṅge — with Kṛṣṇa ; yuddha kare — fight ; skandhe — on His shoulders ; ārohaṇa — getting up ; tārā — they ; dāsya - bhāve — in the conception of being Lord Kṛṣṇa’s servants ; kare — do ; caraṇa - sevana — worship the lotus feet .

Translation

“Some of the friends of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, massaged His feet, and others whose sinful reactions had been destroyed fanned Him with hand-held fans.”

Word meanings

pāda - saṁvāhanam — massaging the feet ; cakruḥ — performed ; kecit — some of them ; tasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mahā - ātmanaḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; apare — others ; hata — destroyed ; pāpmānaḥ — whose resultant actions of sinful life ; vyajanaiḥ — with hand-held fans ; samavījayan — fanned very pleasingly .

Purport

This verse, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.15.17) , describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma were playing with the cowherd boys after killing Dhenukāsura in Tālavana.

Translation

Even the beloved girlfriends of Lord Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana, the gopīs, the dust of whose feet was desired by Śrī Uddhava and who are more dear to Kṛṣṇa than anyone else, regard themselves as Kṛṣṇa’s maidservants.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; preyasī — the beloved girls ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; yata — all ; gopī - gaṇa — the gopīs ; yāṅra — of whom ; pada - dhūli — the dust of the feet ; kare — does ; uddhava — Uddhava ; prārthana — desiring ; yāṅ - sabāra — all of them ; upare — beyond ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; priya — dear ; nāhi — there is not ; āna — anyone else ; tāṅhārā — all of them ; āpanāke — to themselves ; kare — do ; dāsī - abhimāna — the conception of being maidservants .

Translation

“O Lord, remover of the afflictions of the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana! O hero of all women! O Lord who destroy the pride of Your devotees by Your sweet, gentle smile! O friend! We are Your maidservants. Please fulfill our desires and show us Your attractive lotus face.”

Word meanings

vraja - jana - ārti - han — O one who diminishes all the painful conditions of the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana ; vīra — O hero ; yoṣitām — of women ; nija — personal ; jana — of the associates ; smaya — the pride ; dhvaṁsana — destroying ; smita — whose smile ; bhaja — worship ; sakhe — O dear friend ; bhavat - kiṅkarīḥ — Your servants ; sma — certainly ; naḥ — unto us ; jala - ruha - ānanam — a face exactly like a lotus flower ; cāru — attractive ; darśaya — please show .

Purport

This verse in connection with the rāsa dance of Kṛṣṇa with the gopīs is quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.6) . When Kṛṣṇa disappeared from His companions in the course of dancing, the gopīs sang like this in separation from Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

“O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Kṛṣṇa resides in Mathurā. Does He remember His father’s household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?”

Word meanings

api — certainly ; bata — regrettable ; madhu - puryām — in the city of Mathurā ; ārya - putraḥ — the son of Nanda Mahārāja ; adhunā — now ; āste — resides ; smarati — remembers ; saḥ — He ; pitṛ - gehān — the household affairs of His father ; saumya — O great soul (Uddhava) ; bandhūn — His many friends ; ca — and ; gopān — the cowherd boys ; kvacit — sometimes ; api — or ; saḥ — He ; kathām — talks ; naḥ — of us ; kiṅkarīṇām — of the maidservants ; gṛṇīte — relates ; bhujam — hand ; aguru - su - gandham — having the fragrance of aguru ; mūrdhni — on the head ; adhāsyat — will keep ; kadā — when ; nu — may be .

Purport

This verse appears in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.47.21) , in the section known as the Bhramara-gītā. When Uddhava came to Vṛndāvana, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, in complete separation from Kṛṣṇa, sang like this.

Translation

What to speak of the other gopīs, even Śrī Rādhikā, who in every respect is the most elevated of them all and who has bound Śrī Kṛṣṇa forever by Her loving attributes, serves His feet as His maidservant.

Word meanings

tāṅ - sabāra — of the gopīs ; kathā — talk ; rahu — let alone ; śrīmatī rādhikā — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; sabā haite — than all of them ; sakala - aṁśe — in every respect ; parama - adhikā — highly elevated ; teṅho — She also ; yāṅra — whose ; dāsī — maidservant ; haiñā — becoming ; sevena — worships ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; yāṅra — whose ; prema - guṇe — because of loving attributes ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; baddha — obliged ; anukṣaṇa — always .

Translation

“O My Lord, O My husband, O most dearly beloved! O mighty-armed Lord! Where are You? Where are You? O My friend, reveal Yourself to Your maidservant, who is very much aggrieved by Your absence.”

Word meanings

hā — O ; nātha — My Lord ; ramaṇa — O My husband ; preṣṭha — O My most dear one ; kva asi kva asi — where are You, where are You ; mahā - bhuja — O mighty-armed one ; dāsyāḥ — of the maidservant ; te — You ; kṛpaṇāyāḥ — very much aggrieved by Your absence ; me — to Me ; sakhe — O My friend ; darśaya — show ; sannidhim — nearness to You .

Purport

This verse is quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.30.39) . When the rāsa dance was going on in full swing, Kṛṣṇa left all the gopīs and took only Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī with Him. At that time all the gopīs lamented, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, being proud of Her position, requested Kṛṣṇa to carry Her wherever He liked. Then Kṛṣṇa immediately disappeared from the scene, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī began to lament.

Translation

In Dvārakā-dhāma, all the queens, headed by Rukmiṇī, also consider themselves maidservants of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

dvārakāte — in Dvārakā-dhāma ; rukmiṇī - ādi — headed by Rukmiṇī ; yateka — all of them ; mahiṣī — the queens ; tāṅhārāo — all of them also ; āpanāke — themselves ; māne — consider ; kṛṣṇa - dāsī — maidservants of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“When Jarāsandha and other kings, bows and arrows upraised, stood ready to deliver me in charity to Śiśupāla, He forcibly took me from their midst, as a lion takes its share of goats and sheep. The dust of His lotus feet is therefore the crown of unconquerable soldiers. May those lotus feet, which are the shelter of the goddess of fortune, be the object of my worship.”

Word meanings

caidyāya — unto Śiśupāla ; mā — me ; arpayitum — to deliver or to give in charity ; udyata — upraised ; kārmukeṣu — whose bows and arrows ; rājasu — among the kings headed by Jarāsandha ; ajeya — unconquerable ; bhaṭa — of the soldiers ; śekharita - aṅghri - reṇuḥ — the dust of whose lotus feet is the crown ; ninye — forcibly took ; mṛga - indraḥ — the lion ; iva — like ; bhāgam — the share ; aja — of the goats ; avi — and sheep ; yūthāt — from the midst ; tat — that ; śrī - niketa — of the shelter of the goddess of fortune ; caraṇaḥ — the lotus feet ; astu — let there be ; mama — my ; arcanāya — for worshiping .

Purport

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.83.8) was spoken by Queen Rukmiṇī.

Translation

“Knowing me to be performing austerities with the desire to touch His feet, He came with His friend Arjuna and accepted my hand. Yet I am but a maidservant engaged in sweeping the floor of the house of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

tapaḥ — austerity ; carantīm — performing ; ājñāya — knowing ; sva - pāda - sparśana — of touching His feet ; āśayā — with the desire ; sakhyā — with His friend Arjuna ; upetya — coming ; agrahīt — accepted ; pāṇim — my hand ; sā — that woman ; aham — I ; tat — His ; gṛha - mārjanī — keeper of the home .

Purport

Like the previous verse, this verse appears in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.83.11) in connection with the meeting of the family ladies of the Kuru and Yadu dynasties at Samanta-pañcaka. At the time of that meeting, the queen of Kṛṣṇa named Kālindī spoke to Draupadī in this way.

Translation

“Through austerity and through renunciation of all attachments, we have become maidservants in the home of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is satisfied in Himself.”

Word meanings

ātmārāmasya — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is satisfied in Himself ; tasya — His ; imāḥ — all ; vayam — we ; vai — certainly ; gṛha - dāsikāḥ — the maidservants of the home ; sarva — all ; saṅga — association ; nivṛttyā — fully bereft of ; addhā — directly ; tapasā — on account of austerity ; ca — also ; babhūvima — we have become .

Purport

During the same incident, this verse, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.83.39) , was spoken to Draupadī by a queen of Kṛṣṇa’s named Lakṣmaṇā.

Translation

What to speak of others, even Lord Baladeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is full of emotions like pure friendship and paternal love.

Word meanings

ānera — of others ; ki kathā — what to speak ; baladeva — Lord Baladeva ; mahāśaya — the Supreme Personality ; yāṅra — His ; bhāva — emotion ; śuddha - sakhya — pure friendship ; vātsalya - ādi - maya — with a touch of paternal love .

Purport

Although Lord Baladeva appeared before the birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa and is therefore Kṛṣṇa’s worshipable elder brother, He used to act as Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servitor. In the spiritual sky all the Vaikuṇṭha planets are predominated by the quadruple expansions of Kṛṣṇa known as the catur-vyūha. They are direct expansions from Baladeva. It is the singularity of the Supreme Lord that everyone in the spiritual sky thinks himself a servitor of the Lord. According to social convention one may be superior to Kṛṣṇa, but factually everyone engages in His service. Therefore in the spiritual sky or the material sky, in all the different planets, no one is able to supersede Lord Kṛṣṇa or demand service from Him. On the contrary, everyone engages in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa. As such, the more a person engages in the service of the Lord, the more he is important; and, conversely, the more one is bereft of the transcendental service of Kṛṣṇa, the more he invites the bad fortune of material contamination. In the material world, although materialists want to become one with God or compete with God, everyone directly or indirectly engages in the service of the Lord. The more one is forgetful of the service of Kṛṣṇa, the more he is considered to be dying. Therefore, when one develops pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he immediately develops his eternal servitorship to Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

He also considers Himself a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, who is there who does not have this conception of being a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Word meanings

teṅho — He also ; āpanāke — Himself ; karena — does ; dāsa - bhāvanā — considering a servant ; kṛṣṇa - dāsa - bhāva — the conception of being a servant of Kṛṣṇa ; vinu — without ; āche — is ; kona — what ; janā — person .

Translation

He who is Śeṣa, Saṅkarṣaṇa, with His thousands of mouths, serves Śrī Kṛṣṇa by assuming ten forms.

Word meanings

sahasra - vadane — with thousands of mouths ; yeṅho — one who ; śeṣa - saṅkarṣaṇa — Lord Śeṣa, the incarnation of Saṅkarṣaṇa ; daśa — ten ; deha — bodies ; dhari’ — accepting ; kare — does ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sevana — service .

Translation

Rudra, who is an expansion of Sadāśiva and who appears in unlimited universes, is also a guṇāvatāra [qualitative incarnation] and is the ornament of all the demigods in the endless universes.

Word meanings

ananta — unlimited ; brahmāṇḍe — in the universes ; rudra — Lord Śiva ; sadāśivera aṁśa — part and parcel of Sadāśiva ; guṇa - avatāra — an incarnation of a quality ; teṅho — he also ; sarva - deva - avataṁsa — the ornament of all the demigods .

Purport

There are eleven expansions of Rudra, or Lord Śiva. They are as follows: Ajaikapāt, Ahibradhna, Virūpākṣa, Raivata, Hara, Bahurūpa, Devaśreṣṭha Tryambaka, Sāvitra, Jayanta, Pināki and Aparājita. Besides these expansions there are eight forms of Rudra called earth, water, fire, air, sky, the sun, the moon and soma-yājī. Generally all these Rudras have five faces, three eyes and ten arms. Sometimes it is found that Rudra is compared to Brahmā and considered a living entity. But when Rudra is explained to be a partial expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is compared to Śeṣa. Lord Śiva is therefore simultaneously an expansion of Lord Viṣṇu and, in his capacity for annihilating the creation, one of the living entities. As an expansion of Lord Viṣṇu he is called Hara, and he is transcendental to the material qualities, but when he is in touch with tamo-guṇa he appears contaminated by the material modes of nature. This is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Brahma-saṁhitā. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Tenth Canto, it is stated that Lord Rudra is always associated with the material nature when she is in the neutral, unmanifested stage, but when the modes of material nature are agitated he associates with material nature from a distance. In the Brahma-saṁhitā the relationship between Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva is compared to that between milk and yogurt. Milk is converted into yogurt by certain additives, but although milk and yogurt have the same ingredients, they have different functions. Similarly, Lord Śiva is an expansion of Lord Viṣṇu, yet because of his taking part in the annihilation of the cosmic manifestation, he is considered to be changed, like milk converted into yogurt. In the Purāṇas it is found that Śiva appears sometimes from the heads of Brahmā and sometimes from the head of Viṣṇu. The annihilator, Rudra, is born from Saṅkarṣaṇa and the ultimate fire to burn the whole creation. In the Vāyu Purāṇa there is a description of Sadāśiva in one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets. That Sadāśiva is a direct expansion of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s form for pastimes. It is said that Sadāśiva (Lord Śambhu) is an expansion from the Sadāśiva in the Vaikuṇṭha planets (Lord Viṣṇu) and that his consort, Mahāmāyā, is an expansion of Ramā-devī, or Lakṣmī. Mahāmāyā is the origin or birthplace of material nature.

Translation

He also desires only to be a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Sadāśiva always says, “I am a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

teṅho — he ; karena — does ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dāsya - pratyāśa — expectation of being a servant ; nirantara — constantly ; kahe — says ; śiva — Lord Śiva ; muñi — I ; kṛṣṇa - dāsa — a servant of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

Intoxicated by ecstatic love for Lord Kṛṣṇa, he becomes overwhelmed and incessantly dances without clothing and sings about Lord Kṛṣṇa’s qualities and pastimes.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - preme — in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; unmatta — almost mad ; vihvala — overwhelmed ; digambara — without any dress ; kṛṣṇa — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; guṇa — attributes ; līlā — pastimes ; gāya — chants ; nāce — dances ; nirantara — constantly .

Translation

All the emotions, whether those of father, mother, teacher or friend, are full of sentiments of servitude. That is the nature of love of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

pitā — father ; mātā — mother ; guru — superior teacher ; sakhā — friend ; bhāva — the emotion ; kene naya — let it be ; kṛṣṇa - premera — of love of Kṛṣṇa ; svabhāve — in a natural inclination ; dāsya bhāva — the emotion of becoming a servant ; se — that ; karaya — does .

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa, the one master and the Lord of the universe, is worthy of being served by everyone. Indeed, everyone is but a servant of His servants.

Word meanings

eka kṛṣṇa — one Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sarva - sevya — worthy of being served by all ; jagat - īśvara — the Lord of the universe ; āra yata saba — all others ; tāṅra — His ; sevaka - anucara — servants of the servants .

Translation

That same Lord Kṛṣṇa has descended as Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone, therefore, is His servant.

Word meanings

sei — that ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; avatīrṇa — descended ; caitanya - īśvara — Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ataeva — therefore ; āra — others ; saba — all ; tāṅhāra kiṅkara — His servants .

Translation

Some accept Him whereas others do not, yet everyone is His servant. One who does not accept Him, however, will be ruined by his sinful activities.

Word meanings

keha māne — someone accepts ; keha nā māne — someone does not accept ; saba tāṅra dāsa — all His servants ; ye nā māne — one who does not accept ; tāra — of him ; haya — there is ; sei — that ; pāpe — in sinful activity ; nāśa — annihilation .

Purport

When a living entity forgets his constitutional position, he prepares himself to be an enjoyer of the material resources. Sometimes he is also misguided by the thought that service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not absolute engagement. In other words, he thinks that there are many other engagements for a living entity besides the service of the Lord. Such a foolish person does not know that in any position he either directly or indirectly engages in activities of service to the Supreme Lord. Actually, if a person does not engage in the service of the Lord, all inauspicious activities encumber him because service to the Supreme Lord, Lord Caitanya, is the constitutional position of the infinitesimal living entities. Because the living entity is infinitesimal, the allurement of material enjoyment attracts him, and he tries to enjoy matter, forgetting his constitutional position. But when his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened, he no longer engages in the service of matter but engages in the service of the Lord. In other words, when one is forgetful of his constitutional position, he appears in the position of the lord of material nature. Even at that time he remains a servant of the Supreme Lord, but in an unqualified or contaminated state.

Translation

“I am a servant of Lord Caitanya, a servant of Lord Caitanya. I am a servant of Lord Caitanya, and a servant of His servants.”

Word meanings

caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dāsa — servant ; muñi — I ; caitanyera dāsa — a servant of Lord Caitanya ; caitanyera dāsa muñi — I am a servant of Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅra dāsera dāsa — a servant of His servant .

Translation

Saying this, Advaita Prabhu dances and loudly sings. Then at the next moment He quietly sits down.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; nāce — dances ; gāya — sings ; huṅkāra — loud vibrations ; gambhīra — deep ; kṣaṇeke — in a moment ; vasilā — sits down ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; haiñā su - sthira — being very patient .

Translation

The source of the sentiment of servitude is indeed Lord Balarāma. The plenary expansions who follow Him are all influenced by that ecstasy.

Word meanings

bhakta - abhimāna — to think oneself a devotee ; mūla — original ; śrī - balarāme — in Lord Balarāma ; sei bhāve — in that ecstasy ; anugata — followers ; tāṅra aṁśa - gaṇe — all His parts and parcels .

Translation

Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is one of His incarnations, always considers Himself a devotee.

Word meanings

tāṅra avatāra — His incarnation ; eka — one ; śrī - saṅkarṣaṇa — Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa ; bhakta bali’ — as a devotee ; abhimāna — conception ; kare — does ; sarva - kṣaṇa — always .

Translation

Another of His incarnations, Lakṣmaṇa, who is very beautiful and opulent, always serves Lord Rāma.

Word meanings

tāṅra avatāra — His incarnation ; āna — another ; śrī - yuta — with all beauty and opulence ; lakṣmaṇa — Lord Lakṣmaṇa ; śrī - rāmera — of Rāmacandra ; dāsya — servitude ; tiṅho — He ; kaila — did ; anukṣaṇa — always .

Translation

The Viṣṇu who lies on the Causal Ocean is an incarnation of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, and, accordingly, the emotion of being a devotee is always present in His heart.

Word meanings

saṅkarṣaṇa - avatāra — an incarnation of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa ; kāraṇa - abdhi - śāyī — Lord Viṣṇu lying on the Causal Ocean ; tāṅhāra — His ; hṛdaye — in the heart ; bhakta - bhāva — the emotion of being a devotee ; anuyāyī — accordingly .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya is a separate expansion of Him. He always engages in devotional service with His thoughts, words and actions.

Word meanings

tāṅhāra — His ; prakāśa - bheda — separate expansion ; advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; kāya - manaḥ - vākye — by His body, mind and words ; tāṅra — His ; bhakti — devotion ; sadā — always ; kārya — occupational duty .

Translation

By His words He declares, “I am a servant of Lord Caitanya.” Thus with His mind He always thinks, “I am His devotee.”

Word meanings

vākye — by words ; kahe — He says ; muñi — I am ; caitanyera anucara — a follower of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; muñi — I ; tāñra — His ; bhakta — devotee ; mane — in His mind ; bhāve — in this condition ; nirantara — always .

Translation

With His body He worshiped the Lord by offering Ganges water and tulasī leaves, and by preaching devotional service He delivered the entire universe.

Word meanings

jala - tulasī — Ganges water and tulasī leaves ; diyā — offering together ; kare — does ; kāyāte — with the body ; sevana — worship ; bhakti — the cult of devotional service ; pracāriyā — preaching ; saba — all ; tārilā — delivered ; bhuvana — the universe .

Translation

Śeṣa Saṅkarṣaṇa, who holds all the planets on His heads, expands Himself in different bodies to render service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

pṛthivī — planets ; dharena — holds ; yei — that one who ; śeṣa - saṅkarṣaṇa — Lord Śeṣa Saṅkarṣaṇa ; kāya - vyūha kari’ — expanding Himself in different bodies ; karena — does ; kṛṣṇera sevana — service to Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

These are all incarnations of Lord Kṛṣṇa, yet we always find that they act as devotees.

Word meanings

ei saba — all of them ; haya — are ; śrī - kṛṣṇera avatāra — incarnations of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nirantara — constantly ; dekhi — I see ; sabāra — of all ; bhaktira ācāra — behavior as devotees .

Translation

The scriptures call them incarnations as devotees [bhakta-avatāra]. The position of being such an incarnation is above all others.

Word meanings

e - sabāke — all of them ; śāstre — the scriptures ; kahe — say ; bhakta - avatāra — incarnations as devotees ; bhakta - avatāra — of such an incarnation as a devotee ; pada — the position ; upari sabāra — above all other positions .

Purport

The Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in different incarnations, but His appearance in the role of a devotee is more beneficial to the conditioned souls than the other incarnations, with all their opulences. Sometimes a conditioned soul is bewildered when he tries to understand the incarnation of Godhead with full opulence. Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared and performed many uncommon activities, and some materialists misunderstood Him, but in His appearance as Lord Caitanya He did not show much of His opulences, and therefore fewer conditioned souls were bewildered. Misunderstanding the Lord, many fools consider themselves incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the result is that after leaving the material body they enter the species of jackals. Persons who cannot understand the real significance of an incarnation must attain such lower species of life as punishment. Conditioned souls who are puffed up by false egoism and who try to become one with the Supreme Lord become Māyāvādīs.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of all incarnations, and all others are His parts or partial incarnations. We find that the whole and the part behave as superior and inferior.

Word meanings

eka - mātra — only one ; aṁśī — source of all incarnations ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; aṁśa — of the part ; avatāra — incarnations ; aṁśī — is the source of all incarnations ; aṁśe — in the incarnation ; dekhi — we can see ; jyeṣṭha — as superior ; kaniṣṭha — and inferior ; ācāra — behavior .

Translation

The source of all incarnations has the emotions of a superior when He considers Himself the master, and He has the emotions of an inferior when He considers Himself a devotee.

Word meanings

jyeṣṭha - bhāve — in the emotion of being superior ; aṁśīte — in the original source of all incarnations ; haya — there is ; prabhu - jñāna — knowledge as master ; kaniṣṭha - bhāve — in an inferior conception ; āpanāte — in Himself ; bhakta - abhimāna — the conception of being a devotee .

Purport

A fraction of a particular thing is called a part, and that from which the fraction is distinguished is called the whole. Therefore the fraction, or part, is included within the whole. The Lord is the whole, and the devotee is the part or fractional part. That is the relationship between the Lord and the devotee. There are also gradations of devotees, who are calculated as greater or lesser. When a devotee is great he is called prabhu, and when he is lesser he is called bhakta, or a devotee. The supreme whole is Kṛṣṇa, and Baladeva and all Viṣṇu incarnations are His fractions. Lord Kṛṣṇa is therefore conscious of His superior position, and all Viṣṇu incarnations are conscious of Their positions as devotees.

Translation

The position of being a devotee is higher than that of equality with Lord Kṛṣṇa, for the devotees are dearer to Lord Kṛṣṇa than His own self.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — with Lord Kṛṣṇa ; samatā — equality ; haite — than this ; baḍa — greater ; bhakta - pada — the position of a devotee ; ātmā haite — than His own self ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; bhakta — a devotee ; haya — is ; prema - āspada — the object of love .

Purport

The conception of oneness with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is inferior to that of eternal service to the Lord because Lord Kṛṣṇa is more affectionate to devotees than to His personal self. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (9.4.68) the Lord clearly says:

sādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham mad anyat te na jānanti nāhaṁ tebhyo manāg api

“The devotees are My heart, and I am the heart of My devotees. My devotees do not know anyone but Me; similarly, I do not know anyone but My devotees.” This is the intimate relationship between the Lord and His devotees.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa considers His devotees greater than Himself. In this connection the scriptures provide an abundance of evidence.

Word meanings

ātmā haite — than His own self ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; bhakte — His devotee ; baḍa kari’ māne — accepts as greater ; ihāte — in this connection ; bahuta — many ; śāstra - vacana — quotations from revealed scripture ; pramāṇe — evidences .

Translation

“O Uddhava! Neither Brahmā, nor Śaṅkara, nor Saṅkarṣaṇa, nor Lakṣmī, nor even My own self is as dear to Me as you.”

Word meanings

na tathā — not so much ; me — My ; priya - tamaḥ — dearmost ; ātma - yoniḥ — Lord Brahmā ; na śaṅkaraḥ — nor Śaṅkara (Lord Śiva) ; na ca — nor ; saṅkarṣaṇaḥ — Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa ; na — nor ; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune ; na — nor ; eva — certainly ; ātmā — My self ; ca — and ; yathā — as ; bhavān — you .

Purport

This text is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.14.15) .

Translation

The sweetness of Lord Kṛṣṇa is not to be tasted by those who consider themselves equal to Kṛṣṇa. It is to be tasted only through the sentiment of servitude.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - sāmye — on an equal level with Kṛṣṇa ; nahe — not ; tāṅra — His ; mādhurya - āsvādana — relishing the sweetness ; bhakta - bhāve — as a devotee ; kare — does ; tāṅra — His ; mādhurya carvaṇa — chewing of the sweetness .

Translation

This conclusion of the revealed scriptures is also the realization of experienced devotees. Fools and rascals, however, cannot understand the opulences of devotional emotions.

Word meanings

śāstrera — of the revealed scriptures ; siddhānta — conclusion ; ei — this ; vijñera anubhava — realization by experienced devotees ; mūḍha - loka — fools and rascals ; nāhi jāne — do not know ; bhāvera vaibhava — devotional opulences .

Purport

When a person is liberated in the sārūpya form of liberation, having a spiritual form exactly like Viṣṇu, it is not possible for him to relish the relationship of Kṛṣṇa’s personal associates in their exchanges of mellows. The devotees of Kṛṣṇa, however, in their loving relationships with Kṛṣṇa, sometimes forget their own identities; sometimes they think themselves one with Kṛṣṇa and yet relish still greater transcendental mellow in that way. People in general, because of their foolishness only, try to become masters of everything, forgetting the transcendental mellow of servitorship to the Lord. When a person is actually advanced in spiritual understanding, however, he can accept the transcendental servitorship of the Lord without hesitation.

Translation

Baladeva, Lakṣmaṇa, Advaita Ācārya, Lord Nityānanda, Lord Śeṣa and Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa taste the nectarean mellows of the transcendental bliss of Lord Kṛṣṇa by recognizing Themselves as being His devotees and servants. They are all mad with that happiness, and they know nothing else.

Word meanings

bhakta - bhāva — the conception of being a devotee ; aṅgīkari’ — accepting ; balarāma — Lord Balarāma ; lakṣmaṇa — Lord Lakṣmaṇa ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; śeṣa — Lord Śeṣa ; saṅkarṣaṇa — Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurya — transcendental bliss ; rasa - amṛta — the nectar of such a taste ; kare pāna — they drink ; sei sukhe — in such happiness ; matta — mad ; kichu — anything ; nāhi — do not ; jāne — know ; āna — else .

Translation

What to speak of others, even Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself becomes thirsty to taste His own sweetness.

Word meanings

anyera — of others ; āchuk — let be ; kārya — the business ; āpane — personally ; śrī - kṛṣṇa — Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; āpana - mādhurya — personal sweetness ; pāne — in drinking ; ha - ilā — became ; sa - tṛṣṇa — very eager .

Translation

He tries to taste His own sweetness, but He cannot do so without accepting the emotions of a devotee.

Word meanings

svā - mādhurya — the sweetness of Himself ; āsvādite — to taste ; karena yatana — makes endeavors ; bhakta - bhāva — the emotion of being a devotee ; vinu — without ; nahe — there is not ; tāhā — that ; āsvādana — tasting .

Purport

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to relish the transcendental mellow of a devotee, and therefore He accepted the role of a devotee by appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa accepted the position of a devotee and descended in the form of Lord Caitanya, who is complete in every respect.

Word meanings

bhakta - bhāva — the ecstasy of being a devotee ; aṅgīkari’ — accepting ; hailā — became ; avatīrṇa — incarnated ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caitanya - rūpe — in the form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya ; sarva - bhāve pūrṇa — complete in every respect .

Translation

He tastes His own sweetness through the various emotions of a devotee. I have formerly explained this conclusion.

Word meanings

nānā - bhakta - bhāve — various emotions of a devotee ; karena — does ; sva - mādhurya pāna — drinking the sweetness of Himself ; pūrve — formerly ; kariyāchi — I discussed ; ei — this ; siddhānta — conclusion ; vyākhyāna — the explanation .

Purport

Lord Caitanya, who is known as Śrī Gaurahari, is complete in relishing all the different mellows, namely neutrality, servitorship, fraternity, parental affection and conjugal love. By accepting the ecstasy of different grades of devotees, He is complete in relishing all the mellows of these relationships.

Translation

All the incarnations are entitled to the emotions of devotees. There is no higher bliss than this.

Word meanings

avatāra - gaṇera — of all the incarnations ; bhakta - bhāve — in the emotion of a devotee ; adhikāra — there is the right ; bhakta - bhāva — the emotion of being a devotee ; haite — than ; adhika — greater ; sukha — happiness ; nāhi — not ; āra — any other .

Purport

All the different incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu have the right to play the roles of servitors of Lord Kṛṣṇa by descending as devotees. When an incarnation gives up the understanding of His Godhood and plays the part of a servitor, He enjoys a greater taste of transcendental mellows than when He plays the part of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

The original bhakta-avatāra is Saṅkarṣaṇa. Śrī Advaita is counted among such incarnations.

Word meanings

mūla — original ; bhakta — of a devotee ; avatāra — incarnation ; śrī - saṅkarṣaṇa — Lord Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇa ; bhakta - avatāra — the incarnation of a devotee ; taṅhi — as that ; advaite — Advaita Ācārya ; gaṇana — counting .

Purport

Although Śrī Advaita Prabhu belongs to the Viṣṇu category, He displays servitorship to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu as one of His associates. When Lord Viṣṇu appears as a servitor, He is called an incarnation of a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is an incarnation of Viṣṇu in the spiritual sky known as the greater Vaikuṇṭha, is the chief of the quadruple incarnations and is the original incarnation of a devotee. Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu, who is lying on the Causal Ocean, is a manifestation of Saṅkarṣaṇa. He is the original Personality of Godhead who glances over the material and efficient causes of the cosmic manifestation. Advaita Prabhu is accepted as an incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu. All the plenary manifestations of Saṅkarṣaṇa are indirect expansions of Lord Kṛṣṇa. That consideration also makes Advaita Prabhu an eternal servitor of Gaura Kṛṣṇa. Therefore He is accepted as a devotee incarnation.

Translation

The glories of Śrī Advaita Ācārya are boundless, for His sincere vibrations brought about Lord Caitanya’s descent upon this earth.

Word meanings

advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; gosāñira — of the Lord ; mahimā apāra — unlimited glories ; yāṅhāra — of whom ; huṅkāre — by the vibration ; kaila — brought ; caitanya - avatāra — the incarnation of Lord Caitanya .

Translation

He liberated the universe by preaching saṅkīrtana. Thus the people of the world received the treasure of love of Godhead through the mercy of Śrī Advaita.

Word meanings

saṅkīrtana pracāriyā — by preaching the cult of saṅkīrtana ; saba — all ; jagat — the universe ; tārila — delivered ; advaita - prasāde — by the mercy of Advaita Ācārya ; loka — all people ; prema - dhana pāila — received the treasure of loving God .

Translation

Who can describe the unlimited glories of Advaita Ācārya? I write here as much as I have known from great authorities.

Word meanings

advaita - mahimā — the glories of Advaita Ācārya ; ananta — unlimited ; ke — who ; pāre — is able ; kahite — to say ; sei — that ; likhi — I write ; yei — whatever ; śuni — I hear ; mahājana haite — from authority .

Translation

I offer my obeisances ten million times to the lotus feet of Śrī Advaita Ācārya. Please do not take offense at this.

Word meanings

ācārya - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Advaita Ācārya ; mora — my ; koṭi namaskāra — offering obeisances ten million times ; ithe — in this connection ; kichu — some ; aparādha — offense ; nā labe — please do not take ; āmāra — my .

Translation

Your glories are as fathomless as millions of oceans and seas. Speaking of its measure is a great offense indeed.

Word meanings

tomāra mahimā — Your glories ; koṭi - samudra agādha — as unfathomable as the millions of seas and oceans ; tāhāra — of that ; iyattā — the measure ; kahi — I say ; e — this ; baḍa — great ; aparādha — offense .

Translation

All glories, all glories to Śrī Advaita Ācārya! All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the superior Lord Nityānanda!

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; jaya — all glories ; śrī - advaita ācārya — to Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; jaya jaya — all glories ; śrī - caitanya — to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; ārya — the superior .

Translation

Thus in two verses I have described the truth concerning Advaita Ācārya. Now, O devotees, please hear about the five truths [pañca-tattva].

Word meanings

dui śloke — in two verses ; kahila — described ; advaita — Advaita ; tattva - nirūpaṇa — ascertaining the truth ; pañca - tattvera — of the five truths ; vicāra — consideration ; kichu — something ; śuna — please hear ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees .

Translation

Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.

Word meanings

śrī - rūpa — Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ; raghunātha — Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; pade — at the lotus feet ; yāra — whose ; āśa — expectation ; caitanya - caritāmṛta — the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta ; kahe — describes ; kṛṣṇa - dāsa — Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, sixth chapter, describing the glories of Śrī Advaita Ācārya.