Prātar-arcā-samāpanaḥ — Completing the Morning Worship

I worship Sri Krsna Caitanya, by whose influence this fallen soul, who has surrendered at His lotus feet, has attempted to collect various jewels from their sources—the ocean of transcendental literature.

While offering incense to the Lord, one should wave the incense in circles, up to His navel, while ringing a bell with the left hand and chanting the holy name of Krsna. This should be followed by displaying the appropriate dhupa'tnudrd.

188 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA WVu\e offering incense, \vYii\e fanning the aromatic smoke to disperse it, and in all aspects of Deity worship, one should chant the holy names of Lord Visnu. One should glorify the origin of the universe, Lord Hari, recite auspicious prayers, sing songs that glorify Him, and offer prayers, such as those spoken by Brahma.

After touching the incense holder with the index finger of the left hand, one should offer dhupa, or incense, to Sri Hari while ringing the bell and chanting, "Jaya! Jaya!"

O Lord, kindly accept this incense, which is meant to be enjoyed by godly personalities, and which is made from the essence of trees, plants, and fragrant flowers.

vdmarui'purdne (In the Vdmana Purana it is stated) ruhikakhyarh kano daru- sihlakarh cdguruh sitd sankho jdti-phalarh srlse dhupdni syuh priydni vai

Dhupa made of jatdmdmsl, gugula, daru, sihdloka, aguru, sarkara, sankha and nutmeg is very dear to Sri Visnu.

One should prepare dhupa by mixing gugula, aguru, usira, sarkara, ghee, honey and sandalwood with charcoal, or the powder of some excellent burnt wood.

O Lord of the universe! O subduer of the demons! People who know the principles of religion always worship Lord Vasudeva with the best quality fragrant dhupa.

One should not prepare dhupa from the products of any living being.

190 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Except musk (from a type of deer), all other products derived from living beings should be rejected.

One should never offer to Lord Madhava dhupa made from the bark, resin, or extract of a sdla tree.

An intelligent devotee should not offer dhupa to Lord Krsna made from the leaves, branches, or bark of the sallaki tree, as well as from grass, such as usira, or from the extract derived from the salka tree.

that is found in the Nrsirhha Purdna, it is stated) mahisakhyam guggulurh ca djya-yuktarh sa-sarkaram dhiiparh daddti rajendra narasirhhasya bhaktimdn sa dhupitah sarva-diksu sarva-pdpa-vivarjitah apsaro-gana-yuktena vimdnena virdjatd

vdyulokarh samdsddya visnuloke mahlyate O foremost of kings, those who devotedly offer dhupa made of mahisa, gugulu, ghee and sugar to Lord Nrsirhhadeva first go to Vayuloka, riding on a chariot and accompanied by celestial women, after being freed from all sinful reactions, and then ascend to the abode of Lord Visnu, where they are greatly honored by the residents.

O best of kings, those who offer dhupa made of camphor and black aguru to Sri Krsna in this age of Kali attain the liberation of having the same bodily features as the Lord.

By offering incense prepared with ghee and gugulu to Lord Janardana, devotees can attain His eternal abode.

One hundred generations of a person's family become delivered if he offers, with love and devotion, incense made from camphor, aguru, and sandalwood powder to Lord Hari every day.

192 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

If best quality dhupa is offered to the Lord then all of one's desires become fulfilled. By offering the Lord dhupa made of turaska, one obtains the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. By offering best quality artificially scented dhupa to the Lord, all the desires of the worshiper become fulfilled.

By offering camphor powder to the Lord, one receives the merit of performing a horse sacrifice and by offering gugulu to the Lord in the spring, one achieves the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. One who offers dhupa made from sandalwood in the summer receives the merit of performing 3 a Rajasuya sacrifice. Offering dhupa made from turaska in the rainy season awards one advancement in all aspects of life. By offering camphor to

the Lord in the autumn, one receives the merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice.

By offering musk to the Lord during the dewy season, a devotee achieves the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. The offering of aguru dhupa in the winter blesses one with the merit of performing all kinds of sacrifices.

Those who offer dhupa to the Supreme Lord achieve prosperity in this life and access to Vaikuntha in the next. As the flame or smoke of dhupa goes upward, the devotee who offers dhupa every day advances toward an exalted destination as a result of his devotional activities.

One who offers dhupa made from tulasi wood obtains the merit of performing one hundred sacrifices and giving ten thousand cows in charity.

194 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA dhupa-sesarh tato bhaktyd svayarh seveta vaisnavah A Vaisnava should always make the temple of Lord Hari fragrant with offerings of dhupa. After doing so, he should honor the remnants of dhupa.

O King, do you honor the remnants of dhupa that were offered to Lord Krsna with devotion? Do you offer Him obeisances after performing arati7.

A devotee who offers dhupa made from black aguru within the temple of Lord Visnu, the husband of Laksmi, will be delivered from the ocean of hellish material conditions. *

that is found in the Padma Purana it is stated) tlrtha-koti-satair dhauto yathd bhavati nirmalah

karoti nirmalarh deharh dhupa-sesas tathd hareh The purification one achieves by bathing in hundreds of millions of holy places can be achieved simply by smelling the remnants of dhupa offered to Lord Hari.

He whose entire body is perfumed by the sweet aroma of the remnants oi dhupa offered to the Lord has nothing to fear from any place, whether it be heaven, earth, or hell.

One who regularly smells the sweet aroma of dhupa after offering it to Lord Visnu will not suffer from any difficulties in life.

There is no scarcity of happiness for a person who enjoys the remnants of dhupa offered to Lord Visnu, whose transcendental activities are most wonderful. Such a person need have no fear of any mental or physical distress.

196 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sevayitvd harer dhupam nirmalyam padayor jalam Those who honor the remnants of dhupa, flowers, and water that washed the lotus feet of Lord Hari have nothing to fear from wild animals or thieves.

If people who are bitten by the poisonous snake of material life smell the sweet aroma of dhupa offered to Lord Hari then the Lord destroys that poison, which is in the form of material distress.

Not only those who offer dhupa to the Lord but even those who watch them offering dhupa attain the same result. This will be described later on.

Like dhupa, one should also offer dipa to the Lord while ringing a bell with the left hand. One should chant the appropriate mantra, display the proper mudrd, and offer the ghee lamp, beginning from the Lord's lotus feet, up to His eyes.

gautamiye (In the Qautamiya-tantra it is stated) su-prakdso mahd-tejah sarvatas timirdpahah sa-bdhydbhyantara-jyotir dlpo 'yam pratigrhyatdm Please accept this ghee lamp, which is very bright, full of effulgence, the destroyer of darkness, and which illuminates both internally and externally.

According to one's capacity, one should light a ghee lamp with the wick coated with camphor. If one is unable to afford this then he can use perfumed oil in the lamp.

One should faithfully offer dhupa made from gugulu mixed with ghee, and dipa, using cow's ghee, to Lord Hari and His associates.

O King, one should offer a lamp to the Lord, using either ghee or oil.

198 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Offering a lamp that burns ghee is best. If one is unable to afford ghee then he can offer a lamp that burns mustard, sesame, or kusumbha oil.

bhavisyottare (In the uttara section of the Bhavisya Purana it is stated) vasdmajjddibhir dlpo na tu deyah kaddcana One should never offer a lamp that burns bone marrow or animal fat.

Those who wish for material enjoyment should never offer a lamp with bone marrow or animal fat.

One should not offer a lamp having a blue or red flame to the Lord.

O Bhairava, a lamp should be offered that is made of metal or some other pure material. One should never place a dipa on the ground.

that is found in the Skanda Purdrut it is stated) prajvalya deva-devasya karpurena ca dlpakam asvamedham avdpnoti kularh caiva samuddharet By offering a lamp with camphor to the Lord of the demigods, one obtains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice and he delivers his entire family.

O King, one who offers a lamp before Lord Krsna is liberated from all sinful reactions. At the end, he goes to the effulgent abode of the Lord in the spiritual sky, Vaikuntha.

200 SRI HARI-BH AKTI-VILASA svayam-prabhesu desesu tasyotpattir vidhlyate O Devi! O beautiful one, a person who offers Me with devotion and a controlled mind a dlpa does not fall into the darkness of illusion during his next seven lifetimes. Those who faithfully offer a ghee lamp to Me will achieve either Brahmaloka or Svetadvipa.

By offering its light to the self-illuminated Supreme Lord, a lamp increases the understanding of the worshiper and destroys the darkness of illusion born of sinful activities.

Listen carefully as I explain about the merit one receives by offering a ghee lamp or oil lamp in full devotion to Lord Visnu.

Such a person is freed from all sinful reactions and becomes as brilliant as thousands of suns. He is then seated on a shining chariot and taken to the abode of Lord Visnu, where he resides with great honor.

O son of a Daitya, a person who offers a lamp that burns tulasi wood achieves the merit of offering thousands and millions of ordinary lamps.

A Vaisnava should first offer a ghee lamp and then offer his obeisances to it. Just as watching the offering of dhupa awards one merit, watching the offering of dipa also awards one the same merit as the worshiper.

Some Vaisnavas, during a grand arati ceremony, desire to worship the Lord by offering a ghee lamp to His head and then His body.

described in the book Ramdrcana'candrikd as follows) drdtrikarh tu visama- bahu-vartti-samanvitam abhyarcya rdmacandrdya vdma-madhyam athdrpayet

202 SRJ HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA namo dipesvardyeti daddydt puspdnjalirh tatah avadhupyddhyarccya vddair murdhni nlrdjayet prabhurh After worshiping the dipa, which may have one flame or many flames, with flowers and other offerings, one should offer it to Lord Ramacandra. This should be followed by offering some flowers to the Lord while chanting, dvipesvaraya namah. One should offer the lamp to the Lord, especially to His head, while ringing a bell.

Therefore, Vaisnavas who are attached to the worship of Lord Rama recite prayers while joining their palms and offering a lamp having one or many ghee wicks, of an odd number.

At present, we are describing the glories of offering dipa to the Lord in general, and not specifically about offering lamps to the Lord during the month of Karttika.

There has neither been any greater offering nor will there ever be any greater offering than dipa to the Lord. One who offers one or more dipas in the temple of Lord Kesava goes to reside in the heavenly planets and enjoy life there.

Those who offer a garland of dipas in the temple room of Lord Hari will go to reside in the abode of the demigods and receive honor, like the moon- god.

One who goes to a temple of Lord Kesava and illuminates it by offering dipas acquires the prowess of Indra in this very life.

204 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA ekddasyarh ca dvddasydrh prati-paksarh tu yo narah diparh daddti krsndya tasya punya-phalam srnu suvarna-mani-muktddhyarh manojnam ati-sundaram dipa-mdldkulam divyam vimdnam adhirohati O Yadava, as dipa shines brightly, the person who offers dlpa also receives a brightly shining form and enjoys life in the abode of the demigods. Such a person becomes successful in life, just as one's eyes feel comfortable in an illuminated place. Now, hear about the piety of one who offers dipa to Lord Krsna on Ekadasi and Dvadasi during either the waxing or waning moon. Such a person becomes qualified to board a celestial airplane decorated with many lamps made of jewels, gold, and pearls.

One who offers dipa with wicks made from a lotus stem and soaked in fragrant oil becomes relieved from all diseases and attains good fortune. When offering dipa to the demigods yields so much piety, where is the doubt that one will achieve even greater piety by offering dlpa to the unlimited Lord Vasudeva?

Lamps give us vision and upliftment. The more a devotee offers lamps to the Lord, the more he makes advancement.

A worshiper who offers a lamp to the lord will be honored in Vaikuntha for as many thousands of years as he blinks his eyes while offering the lamp.

the following statement is found in the Brhan-ndradiya Purana) pradlpah sthdpitas tatra suratdrtharh dvijottama tendpi mama duskarma nihsesam ksayam dgatam O noble brahmana, the fact is, 1 lit a ghee lamp in the temple of Lord Hari for the purpose of fulfilling my lusty desires and yet, as a result, all of my sinful reactions became immediately exhausted.

206 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA mahd-phalo visnu-grhe na datto narakdya sah Even if a lamp is extinguished while being offered to the Lord, the worshiper attains great fortune. Indeed, such an offering checks the degradation of the worshiper.

Rukmarigada and Mohini that is recorded in the Narada Purana) tisthantu bahu-vittdni ddndrtharh vara-varnini hrdaydydsakrt turni dipa-ddndd divarh vrajet tasydpy abhdve iubhage para-dlpa-prabodhanam kartavyam bhakti-bhdvena sarva-ddnddhikas ca yat. iti. O enchanting lady, charity causes the exhaustion of wealth and so it is troublesome to the heart of the donor. You need not perform such an activity. Simply by offering dipa, one can ascend to heaven. O fortunate one, if one does not have dipa, he can offer someone else's dipa with devotion because such an offering is better than all types of charity.

The glories of offering a large dipa every day, and especially on the new moon day, in the temple of the Supreme Lord, are now being described.

O King, one should always offer a big ghee lamp to the Lord. On Dvadasi and the new moon day during the fortnight of the waning moon, such an offering awards one even greater merit. O King, on the Dvadasi of the waning moon and on the new moon day in the month of Asvin, one should offer a lamp having one hundred and eight wicks made of fresh, clean cotton and containing one hundred and eight palas of pure oil. Along with this offering, one should observe a fast and carefully control his senses.

208 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA rastre ca jayate svasmin dese ca nagare tathd kule ca rdja-sardula tatra sydt dipavat-prabhah pratyujjvalas ca bhavati yuddhesu kalahesu ca khydtirh ydti tathd loke sad-gundndm ca sad-gunaih ekam apy atha yo dadydd abhistatamayor dvayoh mdnusye sarvam dpnoti yad uktarh te mahdnagha svarge tathdtvam dpnoti bhoga-kdle tu yadava O broad-minded one, a devotee who offers two large dipas to Lord Hari, as previously described, even once, becomes qualified to enjoy life in heaven for a long time and when he returns to this world, he is born as one who is rich, influential, and victorious. O foremost of kings, such a devotee continues to shine brightly in his kingdom, country, city, and family, just like the lamp that he offered to the Lord. In battle, he always comes out victorious. He possesses all good qualities, like an exalted personality. O Yadava! O sinless one! Such an exalted position is achieved by a devotee, even if he offers only one large dipa to Lord Hari. He enjoys heavenly pleasure and opulence before once again being born in human society.

O King, it is very difficult to estimate the extent of the merit one receives. by offering a large dipa because the offering of an ordinary dipa awards such great benefit.

E l G H t H VlLASA 209

One should never offer to the Lord a lamp with ghee wicks made from old, torn, or used cotton cloth, especially if it is red.

One who wishes his own welfare should not extinguish a lamp that he has offered to the Lord, nor should he take it to another place, or let it become extinguished due to a lack of ghee or oil. He should also not allow anyone else do these things.

It is grave sin to remove a burning ghee lamp after offering it to the Deities. To extinguish a dipa and to commit violence are both sinful. Those - - -• " : v, , - , . .

210 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA who allow a lamp to go out due to a lack of ghee or oil will suffer from cataracts. One who steals a dipa will become blind, and one who puts it out rather than letting it burn out on its own will also become blind.

residents of hell is found in the Visnu-dharmottara) yusmabhir yauvanonmadarh uditair avivekibhih dyutodyotdya govinda- gehdd dipah. purd hrtah tenddya narake ghore ksut-trsna-pariplditah bhavanti patitds tivre slta-vdta-viddritdh Being intoxicated by the pride of youthfulness, you had previously taken a lamp from the temple of Lord Govinda and used it so that you could enjoy playing chess. Obviously, you had lost all good sense. That is why you are now suffering from hunger, thirst, and freezing cold, having fallen into a hellish condition of life.

O foremost brahmana, you should always offer dlpa in the temple of Lord Visnu and never put it out or let it go out by itself, due to a lack of oil.

One who puts out a burning lamp that was offered to the Lord becomes dumb and blind in this life and at the end of his life, he goes to the darkest regions of hell. There is no doubt about this.

kahka-purdne (In the Ktflika Purana it is stated) dlpa-vrksas ca kartavyas taijasddyais ca bhairava vrksesu dlpo ddtavyo na tu bhumau kaddcana O Bhairava, you should have a stand made from metal, or some other suitable material, and keep the lamp placed upon it. Never put the lamp on the bare floor.

After offering flowers, a sitting place, pddya, and dcamaniya to the Lord, one should offer palatable food, following the prescribed rules and regulations. (In this connection, one should also offer some water to the Lord for washing His hands, while chanting, amrto pastaranarh asi svdhd.)

212 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA dhydtvd kara-tale 'nyat tat prsthe samyojya darsyate tad-uttha-vahnind tasya suska-dosam hrdd dahet tatah kara-tale savye amrta-bijarh vicintayet First, one should sprinkle some purified water on the food while chanting, astryaya phat and protect it by displaying the cakra-mudra over it. Then, one should sprinkle a few more drops of water on the food after purifying the water by chanting, yarn, twelve times. Next, one should chant, rarh, while displaying the mudra by holding the right palm on top of the left palm. While doing this, one should think that all of the food has become completely purified of all contamination, with the help of fire. After this, one should chant the amrta-bija mantra, tharh.

Thereafter, one should display the mudra by holding his left palm upside down, below his right palm, while thinking that the food is being showered with nectar. Then, one should purify the food by sprinkling a few drops of purified water on it while chanting the mida mantra and considering the entire offering to be nectarean. After this, one should touch the offering plate and chant the mala mantra eight times.

Thereafter, one should display the dhenu-mndra and think that the food has become complete and perfect. He should then worship that food, along with Lord Krsna, with offerings of water and sandalwood. This should be followed by an offering of flowers to the Lord while requesting Him, "O Krsna, let fire emanate from Your lotus mouth to accept this offering." One should think that this is actually happening. After that, one should take a small quantity of water mixed with sandalwood paste, along with some flowers, in his right palm, while holding the offering plate with his left hand and then throw the water onto the ground while chanting the miila mantra, ending with the word, svahd. He should also chant, sri krsndya idarh naivedyarh kalpaydmi.

Next, one should place tulasi leaves on top of each of the preparations that are on the plate, and then pick up the plate with two hands-and hold it before the Lord. One should offer the food to the Lord while chanting the offering mantra, with love and devotion.

214 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA / / amrtopdstaranam asi svdhety uccdrayan hareh dattvdtha vidhivad vari- gandusarh vdma-pdnind darsayed grdsa-mudrdm tu praphullotpala-sannibham Nivedaydmi bhavate jusdnedarh habirhare. I am offering this food to You and so, kindly accept it. After chanting this mantra, one should offer a little water to the Lord with his left hand while chanting, amrtopastaranam asi svdhd. One should display the grdsa-mudrd by displaying his two palms, like a fully blossomed lotus flower.

Then, with his right hand, one should display the five prdnddi'mudrds while pronouncing each word in the fourth dative case, ending with svdhd. For example, prdndya svdhd, apdndya svdhd, and so on. (When one places the tips of the little finger, ring finger, and thumb together, that is called the prdna'mudra. When one places the tips of the index finger, middle finger, and thumb together, that is called the apdna- mudra. When one places the tips of the ring finger, middle finger and thumb together, that is called the vyana-mudrd. When one places the tips of the ring finger, middle finger, index finger, and thumb together, that is called the uddna-mudrd. When one places the tips of all five fingers together, that is called the samdna-mudrd.)

After doing this, one should display the nivedya-mudrd by touching the tips of all the fingers of both hands together.

(When the tips of all five fingers are brought together and held upwards, that is known as the nivedya-mudrd. Also, by touching the thumbs of both -hands with the tips of the ring fingers, one can form the nivedya-mudra.

is described in the Krama-dipikd as follows) nandajo 'mbu-manu-bindu-yug natih pdrsva-ra-marud-avdtmane ni ca ruddha-de-yuta~nivedyam dtma-bhu-masa- pdrsvam anila-sthami-yug id While displaying the nivedya-mudrd, the following mantra should be chanted, thaum namah pardya avdtmane niruddhdya nivedyam kalpamlti

The devotees of the Lord chant their worshipable gdyatri'mantra as the nivedya-mantra, and they display the grdsa-mudrd. They do not like to think that fire is emanating from the Lord's mouth to accept the food offering. Instead, they take great pleasure in feeding the Lord as a humble devotee feeding his master.

216 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA 0 my Lord, please be happy to relish this nectarean food that I am offering to You. Here is the best quality white rice, sweet rice, milk cake, soup, chutney, drink, and fresh fruit, along with many varieties of fried rice, spinach, and other vegetable preparations made with ghee, cardamom, black pepper, and other ingredients.

A devotee who is aware of the proper etiquette should ring the bell and glorify the Lord while offering food to Him with love and devotion. He should make sure that the Lord's sitting place remains and that the ghee lamp keeps burning until the prescribed time for offering is over.

that is found in the Skanda Purquyn it is stated) naivedya-patram vaksydmi kesavasya mahdtm,anah hairanyarh rdjatam tdmrarh karhsyarh mrn-mayam eva ca pdlasarh padma-patrarh ca pdtrarh visnor ati-priyam 1 will now describe the plates used for offering food to Lord Kesava, who is most magnanimous. Golden plates, silver plates, copper plates, and bell metal plates, as well as plates made of clay, lotus leaves, and palasa leaves are very dear to Lord Visnu.

These who offer plates to Lord Hari will not have to traverse the path to hell.

devi-purdne (In the Devi Purana it is stated) sat-trirhsad-angularh pdtrarh uttamarh pariklrtitam madhyamarh ca tribhdgonarh kanyasam dvddasdngularh vasv-angula-vihlnarh tu na pdtrarh kdrayet kvacit A plate that is about thirty-six inches in diameter is considered to be best. A plate that is about twenty-four inches in diameter is considered average. One should never use a plate whose diameter is less than eight inches.

Within his means, the devotee should arrange to offer Me sugar candy, sweet rice, ghee, saskuli [rice-flour cakes], apupa [various sweet cakes], modaka [steamed rice-flour dumplings filled with sweet coconut and sugar], sarhyava [wheat cakes made with ghee and milk and covered with sugar and spices], yogurt, vegetable soups and other palatable foods.

218 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Whatever is most desired by one within this material world, and whatever is most dear to oneself—one should offer that very thing to Me. Such an offering qualifies one for eternal life.

The offerings of food should be of varieties of tastes. In this way, one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Lord Visnu's offering should consist of various types of delicious rice, vegetables, and drinks. In the absence of these things, one may simply offer Him sweet rice mixed with ghee.

Barley, wheat, rice, sesame seeds, mung ddl, urad &a\, and chick peas mixed with ghee are very dear to Lord Hari.

One should faithfully offer home made, pure, high quality, and delicious food of four kinds to Lord Hari.

O King, one should devotedly offer to the Lord flowers, dhupa, dlpa and excellent food, such as sugar candy, laddus, sweet balls, varieties of cakes, condensed milk, sweet sesame cake, milk sweets, and varieties of ripe fruit, such as oranges.

220 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA prinitas tisthate 'sau vd bahu-janmani mddhavi sarva-vrlhi-mayam grhyarh subharh sarva-rasdnvitam mantrena me pradlyeta na kincid api sarhsprset O Madhavi! O Devi! Those who satisfy the Vaisnavas by feeding them palatable food and who offer Me varieties of pure and delicious food while chanting the appropriate mantras but do not accept anything for themselves live a happy and prosperous life in many future births.

Fruit of the tdpasa tree, as well as bael, badari, drnalaki, dates, cdravija, coconut, parusaka, sdla, fig, plaksa, pippli, jackfruit, tumburu, priyangu, maruvaka, sisu, bhalldtaka, karamardaka, grapes, and pomegranates are favorite fruit of the Supreme Lord.

Fruit of the saubira, kelika, pinddraka, punndga, sami, and kavira trees, as well as dates, kimuda, bahedd, aja, karkotaka, palmyra, kadamba, and kaumuda fruit, two kinds of lotus that grow on land, roots of pindi, vamsinipa, madhu, mahisa, and karmadaka, blue lotus, lotus stems, puskara fruit, water lily fruit, along with all those fruit and roots that I have already described are My food.

222 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA drdrakasya ca idkam vai pdldnkam idkam eva ca ambilodaka-iakam ca idkam kaumdrakarh tathd iuka-mandala-patram ca dvdv eva taru-vdnakau carasya caiva idkam ca madhu-koddumbaram tathd ete cdnye ca bahavah iataio 'tha sahasraiah karmanydi caiva sarve vai ye mayd parikirtitdh Sdk, or spinach, as well as green leafy vegetables, such as the leaves of raddish and cinca, urad gram, mustard, varhsaka, kalambi, ginger, palanka, ambilodaka, kasa, kaumaraka, sukamandala, dry leaves of the dvividha tree, cara. madhuka, udumbara and all those leafy vegetables that I have already described to you are fit for My offering.

O beautiful one! O Madhavi! Now listen with attention as I describe to you the different types of grains, such as rice.

O beautiful lady, know for certain that dharmorakta rice, adhormarakta rice, dirghasuka rice, mahasali rice, kumkumpatra gramasaU rice, madrasia rice, srisa rice, kusa rice, and the two kinds of barley are fit for My offering. Mung beans, sesame seeds, black urad gram, wheat, green mung dot, and the other eight kinds of mung ddl are also suitable for My worship. All of these, as well as the vegetables that I have already mentioned—I gladly accept from My devotees.

Cow's milk, cow yogurt, and cow ghee are fit for My offering.

that is found in the Skanda Purdrux it is stated) havih sdlyodanam divyam ajya-yuktam sa-sarkaram naivedyam deva-devdya ydvakarh pdyasam tathd naivedydndm abhave tu phaldni vinivedayet phaldndm dpy abhdve tu trna-gulmausadhir api "v.

224 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA ausadhlndm aldbhe tu toyam ca vinivedyet tad-aldbhe tu sarvatra mdnasam pravaram smrtam One should offer cow ghee, best quality sdli rice, rice mixed with ghee and sugar, and barley powder cooked in milk and sugar to the Lord of the demigods, Sri Visnu. If one cannot afford these things then he should simply offer fruit to the Lord. If he cannot afford fruit then he should offer roots, twigs, or even herbs. If even these are not available then one should just offer water to the Lord. If nothing is available then one should offer the Lord's favorite food within the mind.

Those who offer tulasl leaves cooked in ghee to Lord Madhava go to live with their forefathers in the abode of Lord Visnu until the end of the kalpa.

hdrita-smrtau (In the Hdrit-smrti it is stated) ndbhaksyarh naivedydrthe bhaksyesv apy ajd-mahisl- kslrarh panca-nakhd matsyds ca Things that are unfit for eating should not be offered to the Lord. Among the things that are fit to eat, one should avoid offering goat's milk, buffalo milk, fish, or the flesh of any animal that has got five nails.

Those who grow nili in their field and eat radish cannot gain freedom from their hellish condition of life even after hundreds of millions of kalpas.

It has been ascertained that sheep, goat, and buffalo ghee are not suitable for use in sacrificial performances.

If one would like to offer Me ghee, milk, or yogurt then he must avoid that of the buffalo.

One should never offer uneatable and tasteless food to the Lord. Prohibited food, food containing the hair of a monkey, food that has been

226 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA rejected, and food upon which someone has sneezed are unfit for offering to the Lord. Wood apple, lemon, and udumbara should not be offered to the Lord.

Eggplant, jdli sdk, knsurnbha sdk, asmantaka sdk, palandu, garlic, and kdnjika should be avoided. If a brdhmana eats gmjana, kimsuka, kumkundu, udumbara and ash gourd, he will become degraded.

O King, you should not eat forbidden things, such as pinyaka.

Lord Hari stays far away from a person who eats eggplant.

Lord Hari keeps Himself far away from a person who eats eggplant, ash gourd, burnt rice, and masura gram.

How can a shameless person who eats gourd, burnt rice, or kalambi sak claim that he is a devotee of Lord Janardana?

Unalloyed devotional service to Lord Hari does not manifest in a place where there is meat, eggplant, wine, and radish.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) naivedydni manojndni krsnasydgre nivedayet kalpdntarh tat-pitrndrh tu trptir bhavati idsvati phalani yacchate yo vai suhrdydni naresvara kalpdntarh jdyate tasya sa-phalarh ca manorathah

By offering palatable food to Lord Krsna, one' forefathers enjoy unending happiness for the duration of a day of Brahma. O foremost of kings, for one who offers fine fruit to the Lord, all of his desires become fulfilled for the duration of a day of Brahma.

Those who offer Lord Nrsimhadeva the best quality ghee, best quality rice cooked with ghee and sugar, and barley powder cooked in milk and sugar enjoy supreme happiness in the abode of Lord Visnu, along with His associates, for as many years as there are particles of grains in these preparations.

One who offers rice to the Lord becomes satisfied in this life and goes to heaven after death. By offering rice to Lord Hari, the three worlds become pleased and the worshiper at once becomes qualified to achieve great merit.

The heavenly kingdom becomes the destination of one who offers rice, along with delicious vegetable preparations, to the Lord. Indeed, the forefathers of that person also enjoy unlimited rice and vegatables.

By offering sweet rice to the Lord, one achieves unlimited happiness, a residence in the abode of Lord Visnu, and the deliverance of his family members. One who offers rice with pure ghee receives a long duration of life. By offering rice with yogurt, one attains great wealth, by offering rice mixed with milk, one enjoys a long duration of life, and by offering sugarcane to the Lord, one amasses good fortune.

By offering sugar candy, one obtains the merit of performing a fire sacrifice and by offering guda, or jaggery, all of one's desires become fulfilled.

230 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Those who devotedly offer sugarcane juice to the Lord become greatly fortunate. By offering honey, all of one's desires will certainly be fulfilled. By offering chilled honey to the Lord, one obtains the merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice. Offering barley powder cooked with milk and sugar awards one the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. Those who offer the Lord cakes receive the merit of performing an airdtra sacrifice.

By offering mung gram or chick peas that had been soaked in water, all of one's desires become fulfilled. By offering milk cake to the Lord, one is awarded a long duration of life. One who offers modaka laddus to the Lord will find that all of his desires become fulfilled.

Those who offer varieties of chewable food to the Lord attain the abodes of the demigods. By offering cooked preparations to the Lord, one feels great satisfaction. By offering food that is to be licked up, one achieves good fortune and by offering food that is to be sucked, one is awarded strength and beauty.

By offering roasted wad gram and lassi, one obtains the result of performing an agnyddhdna sacrifice. By offering khichdi to the Lord, one receives the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. By offering sdka, one obtains the merit of one who is observing the vanaprastha order of life. Those who offer roasted rice powder, or barley powder mixed with honey, attain the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. A similar result can be attained by offering haritaka saka to the Supreme Lord.

232 SRI HARI-BHAKTI»VILASA su-kule labhate janma kanda-mula-nivedakah nilotpala-viddrlndm tarutasya tathd dvijdh kanda-ddndd avdpnoti vdnaprastha-phalarh subham trapuser vdrukarh dattvd pundarlka-phalam labhet By giving fresh and nice sdk and other vegetables to the devotees for offering to the Lord, one will not become afflicted by lamentation. One who offers roots to the Lord will be born in a noble family. O brdhmanas, by offering the roots of the blue lotus, viddri, and padmavija, one receives the merit of observing the vanaprastha dsrama status of life. Those who give cucumbers,and other similar vegetables are awarded the merit of giving lotus flowers in charity.

All endeavors of a person who offers karkundhu, badar, pdraivata, parHsaka, mangoes, jack fruit, coconuts, kdmaranga, bananas, coca, dates, pomegranates, hog plums, sruva, amlota, phalanxdna, piyalaka, blackberries, bael, embolic myrobalan, jatya, vindtaka, oranges, vijapura, vdjam, phalgu, and many other varieties of sweet and ripe fruit and roots to the Lord of the demigods, Sri Visnu, become successful. At the end of his life, he will go to the heavenly planets. One remains free from disease if he offers grapes to the Lord. If one offers a mango to the Lord of the demigods, Sri Hari, he attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

Fruit, such as mocaka, jack fruit, blackberries, kumbhali, prdcindmalaka and madhuko dumbara, are considered excellent. Good bananas, even if they have been artificially ripened, are acceptable to the Lord.

234 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA pratibhojayati frlsas tad-ddtrn sva-sukharh drutam iti. Even a little quantity of food, offered to the Lord with love and devotion, can quickly enable a devotee to enjoy transcendental happiness.

After offering varieties of food to the Lord, one should offer various kinds of excellent, fragrant, pure, and cool drinks.

If one offers fragrant and cool drinks to the Lord of the demigods, he can receive the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

The Supreme Lord becomes very pleased with a person who offers Him varieties of drinks and juice made with cardamom, cinnamon, yogurt,

ndgakusuma, camphor, vijapura, sugar, honey, jaggery, oranges and other fruit. Such an offering awards a devotee the merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice.

A devotee who offers fresh coconut water to the Supreme Lord will attain a heavenly abode where there are many rivers that fulfill all of one's desires, and many beautiful women as well. He also earns the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice.

After concluding the offering, one should come out of the Deity room and chant the holy name while meditating on the Lord to the best of his ability.

Lord Narayana, the husband of Laksmi, surrounded on all sides by the demigods, headed by Brahma and Siva, as well as the great sages, enjoys the fresh air while being fanned by the goddess of fortune, causing her bangles to make a very sweet sound. The Lord induces His close associates to laugh by

236 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA joking as He relishes the six types of food that had been placed on a golden plate.

Devotees should meditate on how mother Yosoda feeds her beloved son, Sri Krsna, along with His friends, food that she has personally cooked in Gokula.

According to his ability, a devotee should perform the prescribed fire sacrifices every day. If he is unable to do this then he should chant the required mantras four times more than is prescribed for the performance of the fire sacrifices.

According to some opinion, fire sacrifice must be conducted daily. However, if one is unable to perform the fire sacrifices that have been recommended during the period of purascarana, he should chant the mantras four times more than if he were performing the sacrifices. The process of

performing fire sacrifices is described in the literature that discusses the rules and regulations pertaining to initiation. Therefore, if someone is especially interested in this subject, he should consult these books.

Thinking that the Lord has finished eating, an intelligent devotee should offer Him some water for washing His hands and mouth while chanting, amrtdpidhdnam asi svaha. Then, he should cause fire that had emanated from the Lord's mouth to be withdrawn by displaying the samhara-mudra. However, Vaisnavas do not perform this activity. They neither invoke the fire from the Lord's mouth, nor withdraw it.

After offering dcamana in this way, a wise devotee should open the curtain and offer a portion of the Lord's remnants of food to Visvaksena while following the prescribed rules.

238 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA pddodakarh prasddarh ca linge candesvardya ca One-hundredth portion of the Lord's remnants of food, as well as the water that has washed His lotus feet, should be offered to Visvaksena. If Lord Siva has been worshiped as the Siva-liriga then some remnants should also be offered to Candesvara.

Take a small portion of the Lord's remnants from the northeast corner of the plate and place it to the left of Sri Krsna, which is the place of Visvaksena, while chanting, sarva deva svarupdya pardya paramatmane sri krsna seva yuktdya visvaksendya to namah. The quantity should be one-hundredth or one thousandth portion of the prasada, and it should be offered along with some water that was used to bathe the Lord. To receive tangible benefit, one should adhere to this formula.

Vaisnavas should simply chant the following two slokas and distribute one-hundredth portion of the Lord's remnants to the other devotees.

O Bali! O Vibhisana! O Bhisma! O Kapila! O Narada! O Arjuna! O Prahlada! O Ambarisa! O Vasu! O Hanuman! O Siva! O Visvaksena! O Uddhava! O Akrura! O devotees, such as Sanaka and Sukadeva—please accept this prasada of Lord Krsna.

Although it is recommended that mahd'prasdda should be distributed only after showing a mirror to the Lord, it can done at this time, in consideration of the Lord's affection for His devotees.

ndrasimhe (In the Nrsimha Purdna it is stated) tatas tad-anna-sesena pdrsadebhyah samdntatah puspaksatair vimisrena balirh yas tu prayacchati balind vaisnavendtha trptdh santo divaukasah

240 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA santirh tasya prayacchanti sriyam arogyam eva ca The demidgods become very pleased with the devotee who offers the Lord's remnants, such as flowers, rice, and so on, to the other devotees. Indeed, they are so pleased that they award him sufficient wealth and a healthy life.

First, one should clean the offering area nicely and then pour three spoonfuls of water in front of Lord Krsna for washing His mouth. Then, one should offer Him a toothpick made from dry grass. This should be followed by again offering some water for washing the Lord's hands and legs. Finally, one should take a clean towel and wipe the Lord's face, hands, and legs.

Thereafter, one should change the Lord's clothes and then offer Him an asana, pddya, and dcamaniya once again, like before.

One should offer sandalwood powder and aguru powder to the Lord so that He can rub His hands with it. After this, one should offer Him a mouth freshener, such as camphor, cloves, betel nuts, and tulasi leaves.

By offering betel nuts, nutmeg, leaves of nutmeg, cloves, kakola, kanta phala, and betel leaves to the Lord, one will be transferred to the heavenly planets, where he will enjoy a life of good fortune after receiving a very handsome body.

Lord Krsna remains satisfied with a person who offers Him, with love and devotion, camphor, puga, and betel leaves.

242 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One should once again apply a variety of fragrant substances to the body of the Lord. At this time, one may decorate His forehead with tilaka. Apart from this, one should smear various types of fragrant and natural cosmetics onto the Lord's forehead, as well as other parts of His body. One can also decorate the Lord's limbs with beautiful marks of tilaka.

The Lord's body should be decorated with tilaka. His forehead, chest, two sides, two arms, and throat should be adorned with enchanting tilaka.

One should decorate Lord Krsna with various garments, such as a shirt, and various ornaments, such as a turban and a waist band. According to his taste, a devotee should decorate the Deity with an opulent crown and various kinds of beautiful necklaces.

After that, one should offer the Deity things that are befitting a king, such as a flag, camara, umbrella, and decorative shoes. This should be followed by showing Him a mirror.

One will become a king if he offers the Lord royal symbols, according to the time and place. There is no question of an argument in this regard.

244 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA By offering a camara, or by fanning the Lord with a camara, one will become rich in this very life. Such a devotee will become freed from all sins and after death, he will go to the heavenly planets.

A person who offers an umbrella to the Lord that is made of costly cloth and is decorated with fringe, and that has a golden handle, will himself become surrounded by hundreds and thousands of umbrellas that are carried by the demigods. Such devotees are glorified by the demigods as they enjoy the company of their forefathers.

O best of brahmanas, those who offer an umbrella to the Lord will become kings in this world and they will not have to suffer at the hands of their enemies. Such devotees will easily defeat their opponents in battle.

Those who offer shoes to the Lord become qualified to board a celestial airplane. They will be as influential as the demigods and they will be able to wander about as they choose.

One who offers a beautiful flag to Lord Visnu will becomes prominent, just like a flag, in human society. Such a person will become eligible to live in the abode of Indra.

O exalted brdhmanas, one who offers a yellow flag that is decorated with the symbol of Garura to Lord Kesava will be worshiped throughout the universe.

One should know for certain that the glorification of the merit of placing a flag on top of a temple that is mentioned in various Vedic literatures can be obtained by anyone. One should not have any doubt in this matter.

246 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Learned devotees should prepare a nice flag having a handle made of gold and offer it to Lord Visnu. The color of the flag should be yellow and it should be placed next to Garuda.

By offering a fan made from a palm leaf to the Lord, one will achieve great happiness.

By offering a canopy to the Lord, one becomes relieved of all sinful reactions. Such a person will obtain immense happiness wherever he may be born.

One will never be defeated by his enemy if he offers a nice trident to Lord Visnu. By offering a box for keeping the trident, one is awarded the merit of performing a sacrifice.

One who offers a spitoon to the Lord achieves auspiciousness. One will always be victorious by offering a mat for keeping the Lord's shoes. By providing a mirror to the Lord, the donor becomes attractive and prestigious. By cleaning the mirror before offering it to the Lord, one attains good fortune.

It is certain that no matter what one devotedly offers to Sri Visnu, the Lord of demigods, he will achieve unlimited benefit and become qualified to attain the heavenly planets.

248 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sraddadhdnair bhakti-parair ydny uddisya jandrdanam bali-ddndni dlyante aksaydni vidur budhdh Whatever one offers to Lord Janardana with faith and devotion will yield unending merit. This is the conclusion of learned personalities.

Some people are of the opinion that at this point, one should offer flowers three times and then display the ten mudrds, beginning with the sankha-mndrd.

Thereafter, one should please Lord Krsna—either by personally singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments, or by having others engage in this way.

When devottes are chanting and dancing, no one should watch while sitting down. No one should stand before the Lord, or along with the dancing devotees, keeping his back to the Deities or the devotees. One should not walk through the assembled devotees in a disturbing manner. O foremost of kings, a person who watches a Vaisnava dancing in ecstatic love while sitting down will become a lame man in his subsequent births. Apart from devotees, those who obstruct the view of the Deities or His devotees will next be born as animals.

ndrasirhhe (In the 'Narasirhha Purana it is stated) gita-vddyddikarh ndtyarh sankha-turyddi-nisvanam yah kdrayati visnos tu sandhydydrh mandire narah sarva-kdle visesena kdmagah kdma-rupavan su-sanglta-vidagdhais ca sevyamdno 'psaro-ganaih vimanena vicitrena virdjdta svargdt svargam anuprdpya visnuloke mahlyate A person who daily, especially in the evening—sings, plays musical instruments, performs dramas, blows the conch or plays drums—either

250 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA himself or engages others to do so—becomes qualified to go anywhere he likes, take any form he likes, and enjoy the company of celestial women who are expert in the art of music. Such a devotee can freely travel from one planet to another while sitting on a celestial chariot. At the end of all this material enjoyment, he returns to the abode of Lord Visnu.

that is found in the Skanda Pur ana it is stated) gitarh vddyarh ca nrtyarh ca ndtyarh visnu-kathdrh mune yah karoti sa punydtmd trailokyopari sarhsthitah O sage, the pious soul who sings, plays musical instruments, dances, and enacts dramas while engaged in glorifing the name, forms, qualities, and pastimes of Lord Visnu surpassess the three worlds and ascends to the abode of the Lord, Vaikuntha.

in the Brhan-ndradiya Purana the following verses are found) devatdyatane yas tu bhakti-yuktah pranrtyati gltdni gdyaty athavd tat-phalarh srnu bhu-pate gandharva-rdjatdrh gdnair nrtydd rudra-ganesatdm prapnoty asta-kulair yuktas tatah sydn moksa-bhdn narah O King, hear now about the merit one achieves by chanting and dancing in the temple of the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee becomes qualified to be installed a king of the Gandharvas because of his singing, and a king of the

tollowers of Rudra because of his dancing. He not only delivers himself but also, eight generations of his family.

is recorded in the Linga Pur ana these verses are found) visnu-ksetre tu yo vidvdn kdrayed bhakti-samyutah. gdna-nrtyddikarh caiva visnv-dkhydrh ca kathdrh tathd jdtirh smrtirh ca medhdrh ca tathaiva paramarh sthitim prdpnoti visnu-sdlokyam satyam etan narddhipa visrjya lajjdrh yo 'dhlte gdyate nrtyate 'pi ca kula-koti-samayukto labhate mamakarh padam O King, a learned person who devotedly makes arrangements for chanting and dancing in glorification of Lord Hari, especially in a holy place of pilgrimage, or in a temple of the Lord, attains a noble birth, good intelligence, a sharp memory, and steadyness in devotional service to the Supreme Lord. There is no doubt that such a person will eventually go back to the abode of Lord Visnu. One who gives up shyness and recites verses or sings in glorification of t h e Lord, or dances before the Deity, ascends to My abode, along with ten million generations of his family.

252 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One should spontaneously chant and dance before the Deities while glorifying Him with one's own words, or verses compiled by the sage, Bharata. To please the Lord, one shoud spontaneously sing His glories and dance in ecstasy. This is the opinion of the sage, Saunaka.

O brahmana, it is the duty of all devotees to sing about the Lord, perform dramas depicting His pastimes, and dance before the Deity of Lord Visnu, for His satisfaction.

For the pleasure of the Supreme Lord and His devotees, one should sing the glories of the Lord and dance in a joyful mood. However, one should never do this simply for the purpose of earning his livelihood. A person who does so incurs sin.

Exalted devotees have always recommended chanting and dancing before the Deities because it is very pleasing to Lord Krsna. It is especially recommended to chant and dance before the Deities on Ekadasi.

Does not a person who fails to chant and dance before Lord Kesava, especially on auspicious days, such as Ekadasi, become burnt in a fire or else, later on, enter hell? One must surely sing and dance before Lord Kesava, for His pleasure.

that is recorded in the Dvdraka'mahdtmya these verses are found) krsnarh santosayed yas tu su-gltair madhura-svanaih sarva-veda-phalarh tasya jdyate ndtra samsayah One who satisfies Lord Krsna by singing His glories for His pleasure undoubtetly receives the merit of studying all the Vedic literatures.

By chanting mantras one achieves ten million times the benefit derived by studying the Vedas. By offering food to the Lord one receives the merit of chanting ten million mantras. Singing the Lord's glories is equal to offering

254 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA food to the Lord ten million times. There is nothing equal to singing the Lord's glories.

that is found in the Kasi-khanda it is stated) yadi gitam kvacid gitam srimad-dhari-hardnkitam moksam tu tat phalarh prahuh sannidhydm athavd tayoh Glorification of Lord Hari or His devotees, headed by Siva, awards one either liberation, or the association of Lord Hari or Lord Siva.

If your heart is attracted by melodious songs then simply engage your mind in thinking of Me, hearing about Me, and singing songs in glorification of My pastimes, such as the rdsa-lild, in the association of devotees.

A devotee who is accustomed to loudly chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord certainly becomes qualified to destroy the sinful reactions of all the people of this world. Doesn't one's house become illuminated by sunlight, even if there is a lack of artificial light?

The tears of love that are shed by the devotees when they sing the glories oi the Lord in choked voices nullifies their sinful reactions and awards them the merit of being born in all the holy places.

O beautiful lady, if a brahmarux sings songs in glorification of Lord Vasudeva, having properly mastered the art of musical composition, he certainly attains the abode of Kuvera, where he enjoys life for nine thousand nine hundred celestial years. Thereafter, according to his will, he wanders over the world and ultimately achieves devotional service to Me.

256 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA daddti tustah sthdnarh svarh yathdsmai kausikdya vai Among all the prescribed duties for human society, and among all types of sddhana prescribed for the worship of the Supreme Lord, singing the glories of the Lord has been ascertained as the foremost. The knowledge, influence, and glory of a person who worships Lord Visnu by singing His glories gradually increase. Being pleased with such a devotee, the Lord awards him a place in His own abode.

O foremost sages, I have already described to you how the great sage, Narada, had learned the art of music. If brahrna-nas always engage themselves in singing the glories of Lord Vasudeva, they will attain the liberation of remaining with the Lord in His abode. They may also receive the chance to become even more expert in the art of music than Rudra. By chanting and dancing before Lord Visnu, thus utilizing one's body, mind, and words, one certainly attains His lotus feet. Therefore, it must be concluded that for attaining the shelter of the Supreme Lord, singing His glories is the principal means.

The Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, whose glories and activities are pleasing to hear, at once appears on the seat of my heart, as if called for, as soon as I begin to chant His holy activities.

the Twelveth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam) mrsd giras ta hy asatir asat-kathd na kathyate yad bhagavdn adhoksajah tad eva satyam tad uhaiva mangalam tad eva punyam bhagavad-gunodayam tad evam ramyarh rucirarh navarh navam tad eva iaivan manaso mahotsavam tad eva iokdrnava-iosanam nrndrh yad uttama-sloka-yaso 'nuglyate Words that do not describe the transcendental Personality of Godhead but instead deal with temporary matters are simply false and useless. Only those words that manifest the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord are actually truthful, auspicious and pious. Those words describing the glories of the all-famous Personality of Godhead are attractive, relishable and ever fresh. Indeed, such words are a perpetual festival for the mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.

258 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA O pious living entities, those who worship the Supreme Lord by arranging for singing and dancing will receive the opportunity to play music with the Gandharvas. One who worships Lord Visnu by personally singing His glories becomes an eternal associate of the Lord.

mahatmya section of the Padma Purdna, these verses were quoted by the Lord, as spoken by Him to Narada) ndharh vasdmi vaikunthe na yogi-hrdayesu vd mad-bhaktd yatra gdyanti tatra tisthdmi narada tesdrh pujddikarh gandha- padyddyaih kriyate naraih tena pritirh pardrh ydmi na tathd mat-pujandt O Narada, I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I live within the hearts of the yogis. I always reside where My devotees sing My glories. I do not become as pleased by being worshiped as I do by the worship of My devotees with offerings of pddya, arghya, and sandalwood paste.

Because the brahmanas are qualified to worship the Supreme Lord, they are addressed as the servants of Visnu by the compilers of the scriptures. It is therefore said that a brahmana will always become pleased by singing the Lord's glories.

For a person who dances in ecstasy before the Deities, in a mood of pure devotion—all of his sinful reactions that were accumulated in hundreds of previous lifetimes become immediately burnt to ashes.

When a devotee of Lord Visnu joyfully dances, the earth becomes purified by the touch of his feet, the four directions become purified by the sight of him, and the heavenly planets become purified by his raised hands.

260 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O beautiful lady, one who dances before the Deity, in the way that is prescribed in the literature spoken by the sage, Bharata, is next born in Puskara-dvipa, where he enjoys life for thirty-three thousand thirty-three hundred years. Thereafter, when he falls down from that position, he will wander over the earth, according to his will, before ultimately returning to My abode in the spiritual sky, as a result of his fixed devotion for Me.

By arranging a dancing program for the glorification of the Lord, one undoutedly attains the abode of Rudra. If a devotee personally dances before the Deities, he will become one of the Lord's associates.

For those who repeatedly dance before the Deity of the husband of Laksmi while clapping thier hands—all the birds of sinful reactions fly away from their bodies.

sangita'Sdstre (In the Sarigita-sdstra it is stated) vlnd-vddana-tattva-jnah sruti-jdti-visdradah tdlajnas cdpraydsena moksa-mdrgarh niyacchati

One who is expert at playing a stringed instrument, who has great knowledge of the subjects described in sruti and jdti, and who is expert at playing various musical compositions can easily gratify Lord Visnu, the master of liberation.

If a brahmana arranges a musical performance at the time of worshiping Lord Visnu in the temple, he will attain the position of Indra. If he personally takes part in the performance while the worship of the Lord is in progress, he will become an associate of the Lord. Among all types of musical instruments, the sound of the tantri is very pleasing to the Lord. Those who worship the Lord while playing the tantri will be transfered to the abode of Ganapati.

.(Offering of worship once again, if one is able to do so) saktas cet sa-parlvdrarh krsnarh gandhddibhih punah pancopacdrair mulena sampujydrghyarh samarpayet Thereafter, if one is able to, he should once again worship Sri Krsna and His associates by offering Them flowers and sandalwood paste while chanting the mula mantras.

262 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tatas ca mula-mantrena dattvd puspdnjali-trayam mahd-nirdjanarh kurydn mahd-vddya-jaya-svanaih prajjvdlayet tad-artharh ca karpurena ghrtena vd drdtrikarh subhe patre visamdneka-vartikam Afterwards, one should offer flowers to the Deities three times while chanting the mula mantra and then perform a grand arati, accompanied by singing and the playing of musical instruments. For the articles to be offered, it is best if one uses a plate made of gold. If possible, the ghee lamp should also be made of gold and the ghee wicks should be covered with camphor. There should be an odd number of ghee wicks.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna it is stated) bahu-vartti-samdyuktarh jvalantarh kesavopari kurydd drdtrikarh yas tu kalpa-kotirh vased divi The person who offers arati to Lord Kesava with a nice lamp having many ghee wicks will reside in the heavenly planets for ten million kalpas.

O foremost of sages, one who devotedly offers a ghee lamp with camphor to the head of Lord Kesava is qualified to become an associate of the Supreme Lord, Visnu.

O King, one who worships Lord Krsna with a ghee lamp whose wicks are covered with camphor resides in His abode for seven kalpas.

that is found in the Skanda Pur ana it is stated) mantra-hinam kriyd-hlnarh yat krtarh pujanam hareh sarvarh sampurnatdm eti krte nlrdjane sive O Parvati, simply by offering drati to the Supreme Lord, even if one's worship is performed without the chanting of mantras and the performance of other rituals, it becomes perfect and complete.

Lust, anger, and pride that are born of ignorance, as well as one's material entanglement, are destroyed simply by worshiping Lord Visnu with a beautiful ghee lamp.

264 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA dahaty aloka-matrena visnoh sdrdtrikarh mukham. iti. Just be seeing Lord Visnu's face, which looks very bright and beautiful at the time of drati, all of one's sins, even the killing of millions of brdhrnanas and having sexual relations with degraded women, are burnt to ashes.

The glories of offering a ghee lamp after offering dhupa, as mentioned earlier, are also applicable to the offering of a ghee lamp during a grand drati ceremony.

Thereafter, all the devotees should stand up and very respectfully take darsana of the ghee lamp and offer prayers to it, in the manner previously described.

By taking darsana of both dhupa and dlpa, and offering prayers with folded hands, as they are being offered to the Supreme Lord, ten million generations of one's family are awarded liberation to that they can return back to Godhead.

One who watches the drati ceremony of the Lord of the demigods, who holds a cakra in His hand, will be born as a brdhrnana in his next seven births and then return to the supreme abode of the Lord.

in the Brhan-ndradiya Purdna, the following verse is found) kesavayatane rdjan kurvan sankha-ravarh narah sarva-pdpa-vinirmukto brahmand saha modate O King, anyone who blows a conch in the temple of Lord Kesava is relieved of all sinful reactions so that after death, he will go to reside in the abode of the Supreme Lord.

Those who clap their hands in the temple of Lord Kesava are liberated from all sins and thereafter, enjoy life while being carried in celestial chariots for a period of two milleniums.

266 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA yat phalam labhate rajan srnusva gadato mama sarva-pdpa-vinirmukto vimdna-sata-sankulah glyamdnas ca gandharvair visnund saha modate O King, please hear now about the benefit one achieves by playing a gong or karatdlas in the temple of Lord Visnu. Such a person becomes freed from all sinful reactions and then enjoy life in the association of Lord Visnu while boarding hundreds of celestial airplanes. At that time, the Gandharvas sing of his glories.

Now, I will tell you about the benefit one attains by playing mrdangas, other large drums, and flutes, thereby pleasing the Lord of the demigods, Sri Visnu. Such a person attains the planets of the demigoes and enjoys life there in the company of hundreds of celestial women. Indeed, he remains in the heavenly planets for five kalpas.

Thereafter, one should take a small conch shell, fill it with water, and" offer it to the Lord by waving it in three circles above His head.

One who offers a conch filled with water by waving it in circles above the Lord's head will reside in the abode of Lord Visnu in the ocean of milk for a period of one kalpa.

Some people offer arati to the Lord after offering tdmbula, or betel nuts, while other people offer arati to the Lord after showing Him a mirror.

After offering dcamaniya a second time, washing one's hands, and giving betel nuts with camphor to the Lord, one should offer arati. Learned devotees should also offer a mirror to the Lord after decorating Him with ornaments.

268 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

After the offering of food, one should offer water mixed with camphor, and this should be followed by an offering of betel nuts, sandalwood paste, and flowers. Then, one should reverently show a mirror to the Lord. If one has the means, he should then offer a lamp with camphor.

If, while offering arati, the lamp becomes very dim due to a lack of ghee then one can extinguish it, prepare a fresh lamp, and then continue the worship. There is no fault in extinguishing such a lamp, although this was prohibited earlier.

A person who, after completing his worship, offers a ghee lamp to Lord Krsna's head during arati, will certainly become eligible to enjoy life as one of the Lord's associates.

Some devotees like to offer obeisances to the Lord after drati, followed by circumambulation of the Deities, offering prayers to the Lord, and continuous chanting and dancing.

In this way, according to their particular sampraddya, Vaisnavas should worship the Lord with love and devotion because anything done with devotion becomes perfect and complete. Thereafter, one should offer flowers on the head of Lord Hari three times and then began to offer Him very nice prayers.

mahdbhdrate (In the Mahabhdrata it is stated) drirddhdyisuh krsnarh vacam jigddisdmi yam tayd vydsa-samdsinyd prlyatdrh madhusudanah. id. May all words spoken by the devotee as he worships Lord Krsna, whether they were brief or elaborate, give the killer of the Madhu demon pleasure.

270 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Before offering prayers to the Lord, one should chant the above- mentioned sloka, and after ending the prayers, one should chant the following sloka, beginning with iti: O Lord Janardana, You are unborn, You are the source of all knowledge and You are the object of all penance. You are adored by words of glorification and the performance of sacrifice. May You be pleased with me.

I glorify Lord Vasudeva with the following twelve mantras. O Supreme Lord, the entire universe is a manifestation of Your form. Because of this, You can be seen everywhere. I offer my respectful obeisances to You. You are the protector and destroyer of the universe. You are the supreme controller and the Lord of the universe because there is nothing separate from You. As Lord Govinda, You are the hero of Gokula. You always give protection to the cows, cowherd men and cowherd women of Vrndavana. You reveal Your glories through the medium of the Vedas. I offer my repeated obeisances to You.

You are the source of that transcendental knowledge, on the strength of which everything is revealed. You are the original source of all transcendental bliss. You are Sri Krsna, the all-blissful personality. You are all-attractive, the giver of pleasure to everyone. You are Gopinatha, the Lord of the gopis. O Govinda, I offer my obeisances to You, again and again.

O lotus-eyed Lord, simply by Your glance, everything becomes soothing and purified. You are decorated with a garland o{ lotus flowers. You enact Your transcendental pastimes with the support of Yogamaya. Brahma, the creator, appears from a lotus flower that sprouted from Your are the Lord of the gopis and Laksmis, the goddesses of fortune. My obeisances unto You.

O Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna, when You perform Your pastimes in this material world, You decorate Yourself with peacock feathers. How beautiful You look! Lord Ramacandra is Your plenary portion. Knowledge of You is completely transcendental. You enjoy freely in the lake of the mind of Laksmidevi, just like a swan. O Govinda, my obeisances unto You, again and 334 kamsa-vamsa-vindsdya kesi-cdnura-ghdtine

272 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA vrsabhadhvaja-vandydya pdrtha-sdrathaye namah O Lord, You are the source of unlimited potencies. You are the destroyer of many demons, such as Kamsa. Indeed, You killed innumerable demons, such as Kesi and Canura. You are worshipable, even by exalted personalities, like Mahadeva. You displayed Your affection towards Your devotees by accepting the role of a chariot driver for Your friend, Arjuna.

You enjoy eternal pastimes. You attract Your devotees towards You by the sweet sound of Your flute. You always protect the Vedas, the earth, and the cows. Because You maintain the cows, cowherd men, and cowherd women, You are known as Gopala. You saved the lives of the residents of Gokula by killing innumerable demons, such as Kaliya and Agha. You are fond of enjoying pastimes on the bank of the River Yamuna. You look most enchanting with Your curly hair. My obeisances unto You.

O beloved Lord of the gopis, the cowherd girls have placed their faces in front of You so that You may kiss them. You take great pleasure in experiencing their ecstatic love for You. O maintainer of the surrendered souls! O Krsna, You are sac-cid-dnanda, the eternal form of knowledge and bliss. Please accept my repeated obeisances at Your lotus feet.

O Krsna, You perform unlimited inconceivable pastimes. You destroy the sinful reactions of those who take shelter of You. You are the lifter of Govardhana Hill, the killer of Putana, and the destroyer of Trnavarta. I offer my obeisances to You.

O Lord Vasudeva, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are beyond the jurisdiction of maya, the illusory energy. Indeed, illusion is dissipated by Your mercy. You are the form of pure goodness. You are devoid of the faults that are associated with nescience. You annihilate the miscreants. No one is equal to or greater than You. You are one without a second. O Krsna, my humble obeisances to You.

O most blissful Supreme Lord, You are capable of favoring or punishing anyone. Please be kind to me. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, please have mercy on me. My heart is afflicted with pain because of not having Your association. As a result, I have been bitten by the snake of material distress. O supreme doer, please deliver me from the three-fold material miseries.

O sac-cid-dnanda Lord Krsna! O beloved Lord of Rukmini! O enchanter of the gopisl You are the spiritual master of the universe. I have fallen into this insurmountable ocean of material existence and so, please deliver me by awarding me devotional service at Your lotus feet.

274 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Kesava! O remover of the distress caused by ignorance! O shelter of all living entities! O Janardana! O Govinda! O supremely blissful Lord Madhava! Please deliver me.

We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Him, the Lord, upon whom one should always meditate. He destroys insults to His devotees. He removes the distresses of His devotees and satisfies their desires. He, the abode of all holy places and the shelter of all sages, is worshipable by Lor ~ Siva and Lord Brahma. He is the boat of the demigods for crossing the ocean of birth and death.

We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord, upoc whom one should always meditate. He left His householder life, leaving | aside His eternal consort, whom even the denizens of heaven adore. He went into the forest to deliver the fallen souls, who are put into illusion H material energy.

Prayers from the Vedas, Puranas, and tantras, as well as those composed by modern Vaisnava poets, are suitable for offering to Lord Krsna.

O foremost sages, by glorifying the Lord with suitable words, composed by one's self, ail of one's desires will be fulfilled.

visriU'dharme (In the Visnu-dharma it is stated) sarva-devesu yat punyarh sarva-desvesu yat phalam naras tat phalam dpnoti stutvd devarh jandrdanam The merit one achieves by worshiping the demigods, or by studying the Vedas, can be achieved simply by offering prayers to Lord Janardana.

276 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILAS A O respected brahmana, Lord Madhusudana is not as pleased by an offering of a huge amount of wealth as He is by an offering of suitable prayers.

A devotee who glorifies Lord Madhusudana with prayers and the chanting of mantras becomes freed from all sinful reactions and ultimately attains the abode of Lord Visnu.

One who describes the unlimited glories of the Supreme Lord while offering prayers that were composed with pure devotion becomes qualified to receive the mercy of the Supreme Lord, which is rarely achieved, even by the demigods, headed by Brahma.

The father of the universe does not become as satisfied by prayers offered by learned scholars as He does by sincere prayers offered by innocent devotees.

Just as a mother picks up her child and feeds him her breast milk, the compassionate Lord affectionately gives shelter to the sincere yet innocent persons who offer Him prayers with love and devotion.

Those whose tongues are decorated with jewels in the form of prayers to Lord Krsna are glorified by perfected beings, great sages, and demigods.

O great sage, you need not offer thousands of prayers. Instead, recite the one thousand names of Lord Visnu, which is the best of all prayers.

O foremost sage, simply by constantly reciting the one thousand names of Lord Visnu, the Lord of the demigods remains pleased with one for hundreds of millions of yugas.

The glories of offering prayers that are mentioned in this section are comparable to the glories of bathing the Deities, as well as the glories of chanting the holy names, which will be described later on.

The tongue that does not glorify the characteristics of Lord Hari is to be considered a liability, or afflicted by a disease.

One should offer obeisances to the Deities by falling flat onto the ground. He should display the appropriate mudra and say, "O my Lord, kindly be pleased with me."

The devotee should offer homage to the Lord with all kinds of hymns and prayers, both from the Puranas and from other ancient scriptures, and also from ordinary traditions. Praying, "O Lord, please be merciful to me!" he should fall down flat like a rod to offer his obeisances.

tatraiva (In the same section, it is also stated) siro mat-padayoh krtvd bahubhydm ca parasparam prdpannarh pdhi mam Isa bhitam mrtyu-grahdrnavdt Placing his head at the feet of the Deity, he should then stand with folded hands before the Lord and pray, "O my Lord, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You. I am most fearful of this ocean of material existence, standing as I am in the mouth of death."

Astdhga prandma refers to offering one's obeisances by means of the hands, legs, knees, chest, head, eyes, mind, and speech. Pancdnga prandma is performed with the knees, hands, head, intelligence, and speech. Both of these obeisances are widely used in the course of worshiping the Supreme Lord.

280 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

A learned devotee should keep the Supreme Lord to his left and Garuda to his right while offering obeisances. One should offer obeisances to the Lord three times. If one has got the strength, there is certainly no harm in offering more obeisances.

It is recommended that one should offer obeisances first to Lord Hari and then to the spiritual master, either forty-eight, thirty-six, eighteen, or nine times.

O brdhmanas, one should offer obeisances to Lord Madhusudana whenever one sees Him. There is no doubt about this. Whatever one sees after seeing the Deity of the Supreme Lord is considered to be auspicious.

ndrasirhhe (In the Nrsimha Purana it is stated) namaskdrah smrto yajnah sarva-yajnesu cottamah namaskdrena caikena narah puto harirh vrajet Offering obesiances to the Lord is equal to performing a sacrifice. Indeed, it is the crest jewel of all types of sacrifices. Simply by offering obeisances to the Lord, even once, a person becomes purified and thus eligible to go back to Godhead.

The number of particles of dust that stick to a person while offering obeisances to Lord Visnu, with devotion, is the number of manvantaras, times one hundred, that he will reside in the planets of the demigods.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) pranamya dandavad bhumau namaskdrena yo 'rcayet sa yam gatim avdpnoti na tarn kratu-satair api namaskdrena caikena narah puto harirh vrajet The worship of the Lord performed by a person who offers obeisances by falling flat onto the ground, like a stick, yields more benefit than the

282 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA performance of hundreds of sacrifices. Just by offering obeisances to Lord Hart, even once, a devotee can attain His transcendental abode.

recorded in the Skanda Purana, this verse is found) bhumim dpldya jdnubhydrh sira dropya vai bhuvi pranamed yo hi devesam so 'svamedha-phalarh labhet One who offers obeisances to the Lord of the demigods by placing his knees and head on the ground obtains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

Even a fraction of the merit one receives by offering obeisances to Lord Narayana cannot be obtained by visiting hundreds of thousands of holy places. Even if one offers obeisances to Lord Hari, who carries a bow in His hand, with duplicity, all of his sinful reactions that had been accumulated during hundreds of previous lives are at once eradicated.

The number of particles of dust that stick to one's body while offering obeisances to the Supreme Lord—that many thousands of years he will reside in the abode of Lord Visnu.

The life of a person who offers respectful obeisances to the Lord of the universe certainly becomes successful. Indeed, he is freed from ail kinds of sinful reactions.

If intelligent persons offer obeisances to the Lord by touching their knees, hands, and head to the floor, they can achieve anything they desire.

Those who offer obeisances every day to the Supreme Lord, who is unlimited, the destroyer of the demons, and beginningless, can avoid taking the trip to the abode of Yamaraja.

284 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O brahmanas, those who always offer obeisances to the Lord of the universe, Sri Hari, will not have to return to this material world again.

Even a single offering of obeisances to Lord Krsna awards one more benefit than the performance often horse sacrifices and other similar rituals. A person who performs ten horse sacrifices may be born again in this world but one who offers obeisances to Lord Krsna will not have to experience birth in the material world again because he will attain the Lord's abode in the spiritual sky.

When a devotee falls flat onto the floor to offer obeisances to Lord Visnu, all of his sinful reactions also fall to the floor. When he gets up, his sinful reactions no longer accompany him.

that is found in the Padma Purdna it is stated) tapas taptvd naro ghorarh aranye niyatendriyah yat phalarh samavdpnoti tan natvd garuda-dhvajam The benefit one obtains by performing severe austerities within a forest while controlling his senses can be obtained simply by offering obeisances to

the Supreme Lord, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda.

If a person who is totally in illusion, and who has commited unlimited sinful activities, offers obeisances to Lord Hari, he will not have to traverse the path to hell.

Just as an owl cannot look at the sun, the Yamadutas cannot look at the sinful and wretched people who have offered obeisances to Lord Hari.

this verse that is found in the Visnu Purdna) harim amara-gandrcitdnghri-padmam pranamati yah paramdrthato hi martydh tarn apagata-samasta-pdpa-bandham vraja parihrtya yathdgnim djya-siktam All of the sinful reactions of a person who bows down with devotion before the Supreme Lord, Hari, whose lotus feet are worshiped by the demigods, are eliminated. Therefore, you should stay far from such a person and instead, approach someone else.

Those who bow down before Lord Hari, who is the protector of the surrendered souls, never fall back into the ocean of material existence. Even if, somehow, they were to fall down, the Supreme Lord would personally deliver them, out of compassion.

What a wonderful effect there is in even attempting to offer respectful obeisances to You! I merely endeavored to offer You obeisances, but nonetheless the attempt was as successful as those of pure devotees. The causeless mercy You have shown to me, a fallen demon, was never achieved even by the demigods or the leaders of the various planets.

Alas! How fortunate are those people whose heads bow down with respect before the lotus feet of Lord Hari.

I offer my repeated obeisances to those who offer respect to Lord Visnu, who assumed the form of Lord Nrsimhadeva, and who possesses unlimited prowess.

I bow down again and again at the feet of that person who offers obeisances to Lord Janardana, the master and maintainer of the universe.

found in the Brhan-ndradiya Purdna it is stated) sakrd vd na named yas tu visnave sarma-kdrine savoparam vijdnlydt kaddcid api ndlapet The body of a person who does not offer obeisances, even once, to the all-auspicious Lord Visnu is no better than a dead body. As such, one should never talk to such a person.

288 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

recorded in the Padma Purana, the following verse is found) pasyanto bhagavad-dvdram ndma sastra-paricchadam akrtvd tat-prandmddi ydnti te narahauhasah Those who do not take darsana of the Deity and offer obeisances to the temple of the Supreme Lord, which is decorated with the holy names of Krsna, and the Lord's weapons, such as the Sudarsana chakra, will certainly reside in hell.

visnusmrtau (In the Visnusmrti it is stated) janma-prabhrti yat kificit pumdn vai dharmam dcaret sarvarh tan nisphalarh ydti eka-hastdbhivddandt If a person bows down before the Lord with one hand then all the relegious practices that he followed become null and void.

One who offers obeisances to Me while covering his entire body with a cloth will suffer from white leprosy during his next seven lifetimes while falling into the pool of foolishness.

One should not chant, perform sacrifices, or offer obeisances to the Lord inside the Deity room, or right in front of, in back of, or on the left side of the Lord.

One should not offer obeisances again and again while lying down on the floor. He should get up after offering obeisances and then offer obeisances once again by falling to the floor.

Thereafter, one should circumambulate Lord Hari and chant His holy names with a heart filled with devotion. If one has the ability to do so then he should circumambulate the Lord while offering obeisances.

ndrasirhhe (In the Nrsimha Purdna it is stated) ekarh candy dm r avail sapta tisro dadydd vindyake catasrah kesave dadydt sive tv ardha-pradaksindm

290 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA It is recommended that one should circumumbulate the sun-god seven times, Lord Visnu four times, Ganapati three times, Candi once, and Mahadeva half way.

varahe (In the Varaha Parana it is stated) pradaksinarh ye kurvanti bhakti-yuktena cetasd na te yama-purarh ydnti ydnti punya-krtdrh gatim Those who circumambulate Lord Hari with devotion attain the destination that is suitable for devotees. They never go to the abode of Yamaraja.

There is no doubt that one who offers obeisances to the Lord by falling flat onto the floor and then circumambulates Him three times achieves the merit of performing ten horse sacrifices.

that is found in the Skanda Parana it is stated) visnor vimanarh yah kurydt sakrd bhaktyd pradaksinam asvamedha-sahasrasya phalam dpnoti mdnavah Simply by circumambulating the temple of Lord Visnu, or the chariot of the Lord, even once with love and devotion, one attains the merit of performing one thousand horse sacrifices.

O sage, circumambulating the Supreme Lord four times amounts to circumambulating the entire universe of moving and non-moving living entities. Such circumambulation yields more benefit than traveling to holy places of pilgrimage.

One who circumambulates Lord Hari with devotion is taken on a celestial airplane that is drawn by swans and taken to the abode of Lord Yisnu.

O prince, listen to the benefit one achieves by circumambulating the :emple of Lord Hari, the Lord of the demigods, even once. Such a devotee

292 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA obtains the merit of circumambulating the entire earth and ultimately attains the lotus feet of Lord Hari.

One who circumambulates Lord Hari twice in this way and chants the one thousand names of the Lord obtains the merit of giving away or circumambulating the entire earth, which consists of seven islands, with each step.

One who circumambulates Lord Visnu, even once, will not have to come back to this material world again.

is fo'md in the Brhan-ndradiya Purana it is stated) pradaksina-trayam kurydd yo visnor manujesvara -pdpa-vinirmukto evendratvarh samasnute O ruler of human society, one who circumambulates Lord Visnu three times is cleansed of all sinful reactions and later on, he attains the position of Indra.

narrated in the same literature, this verse is found) bhaktyd kurvanti ye visnoh pradaksina-catustayam te 'pi ydnti pararh sthdnarh sarva-lokottamottamam. iti Those who circumambulate Lord Visnu four times will surpass all other planets and attain the highest destination—the abode of the Supreme Lord.

It is a well known fact that, as a result of circumambulating Lord Krsna in his previous life as a vulture, Sudharma received an exalted next birth.

visnU'Smrtau (In the Visnu>smrti it is stated) eka-hasta-prandmas ca eka caiva pradaksind akdle darsanam visnor hanti punyarh purd-krtam By circumambulating the Lord only once, by offering obeisances with one hand, by seeing the Lord while He is eating or sleeping—all of one's pious merit that had been accumulated during his previous births is spoiled.

294 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA kurydd bhramarikd-rupam vaimukhydpadanlrh prabhoh One should not circumambulate the sun-god in front of Sri Krsna because by doing so, one would have to show his back to the Lord.

Such a circumambulation has been prohibited because it creates aversion to the Lord.

Thereafter, just like a menial servant, one should surrender all of his activities at the lotus feet of Krsna while chanting the three appropriate mantras. This should be followed by surrendering one's very self to the Lord.

"Let all the activities performed by my life, intelligence, and body—let all my religious principles that I have followed in the states of wakefulness, dreaming, and deep sleep—let whatever I have contemplated, let whatever I have said, and let whatever I have done with my hands, legs, belly, and genitals be offered at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. I surrender myself and all the

objects that are related to me at the lotus feet of Lord Hari." At the end, one should chant the mantra, orh tat sat.

One who has developed detatchment from enjoying the results of his karma should surrender all his activities at the lotus feet of Krsna by saying: O Lord, please be satisfied with me.

May the Supreme Lord, who is the supreme controller, and who possesses an eternal form of bliss and knowledge, be pleased with me. By offering all of one's activities, and the results of all such activities, to the Supreme Lord, one is not bound by the reactions of karma. Rather, one becomes freed from material bondage and is reinstated as an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord.

296 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA nidhaya krsna-pdddbja- samipe prdrthayed idam pdda-traya-kramdkrdntd trailokesvara kesava tvat-prasaddd idam toyam pddyarh te 'stu jandrdana One should take a small quantity of water from the plate of arghya, placing it in his right palm, and slowly pour it near the lotus feet of Sri Krsna while saying: O Lord of the three worlds! O Trivikrama! O Kesava! O Janardana! By Your mercy, let this water become pddya, for Your worship.

brhan-ndradlye (In the Brhan-naradiya Purana it is stated) para-loka-phala-prepsuh kurydt karmdny atandritah harer nivedayet tdni tat sarvam tv aksayam bhavet A pious person, who desires benefit in his next life, and who therefore performs all activities with great care, offering the results at the lotus feet of Lord Hari, will obtain inexhaustible merit.

Those who are inclined to perform devotional service to Lord Visnu offer the results of their activities at His lotus feet and engage in His worship, according to their status of life. Such persons are most glorious and so we offer our repeated obeisances to them.

"I am an eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, I am His eternal servant. I aspire for His mercy at every moment." Thinking in this way, one should surrender himself.

O Lord! O master! When the illusion that separates the Supreme Lord from this material world is removed, I will realize that I am an integral part of You—an eternal servant. I am not the Supreme Brahman. Just as the waves of the ocean, which are parts and parcels of the ocean, can never be addressed as the complete ocean, as part and parcel, I can never be considered the Supreme Lord.

Religion, economic development and sense gratification—these are described in the Vedas as tri-varga, or three ways to salvation. Within these

298 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA three categories are education and self-realization; ritualistic ceremonies performed according to Vedic injunction; logic; the science of law and order; and the various means of earning one's livelihood. These are the external subject matters of study in the Vedas, and therefore I consider them material. However, I consider surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Visnu to be transcendental.

recorded in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [11.29.34] this verse is found) martyo yadd tyakta-samasta-karmd niveditdtmd viciklrsito me taddmrtatvam pratipadyamdno maydtma-bhuydya ca kalpate vai A person who gives up all fruitive activities and offers himself entirely unto Me, eagerly desiring to render service unto Me, achieves liberation from birth and death and is promoted to the status of sharing My own opulences.

Before chanting mantras, a learned person should practice prdndydma three times, contemplate the meaning of the mantra, and then chant the mula mantras one hundred and eight times on his beads, according to the prescribed rules and regulations. If one is capable of doing so then he should

EIGHTH VILAS A 299 chant the mula mantras one thousand and eight times. After finishing his chanting, one should again perform pranayama three times and offer a little water to the hand of Sri Krsna. Text 424 tatra cayam mantrah (The mantra is:) guhyati-guhya-gopta tvam grhdnasmat-krtam japam siddhir bhavatu me deva tvat-prasadat tvayi sthite. iti. O Lord, knowledge of You is very confidential and You protect the most confidential subjects of Vedic understanding. Kindly accept this chanting of my mantra. May 1 attain the same perfection as that which is enjoyed by Your unalloyed devotees.

The particular procedure and rules regarding the chanting of mantras will be described later on, in the purascarana section of this book. One should think that the Supreme Lord has acknowledged his chanting of mantras. Thereafter, one should glorify the Lord and pray to Him in the following manner, after offering obeisances.

dgame (In the Agamas it is stated) mantra-hlnam kriyd-hlnarh bhakti-hlnam janardana yat pujitam maya deva paripurnarh tad astu me

300 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O Janardana! O Lord, I do not properly know any mantra or any religious ritual, nor do I have any devotion for You. May my worship to You become complete, by Your mercy.

O Lord, kindly accept whatever leaves, flowers, fruit, and water I have offered to You with devotion. I do not know any mantras, I am not aware of the prescribed rules and regulations, and I do not know how to perform the required rituals. Still, it is my fervent hope that You will kindly forgive all my offenses.

Please forgive all the offenses that I have committed, knowingly or unknowingly, for I am Your eternal servant. O Lord Visnu, may my existence, service, destination, movements, remembrance, thoughts, prayers, and speech be aimed at pleasing You.

O Krsna! O Rama! O Mukunda! O Vamana! O Vasudeva! O spiritual master of the universe! O Matsya! O Varaha! O Nrsimha! O Kurma! O Raghava! Please protect me and maintain me. O my Lord, who is worshiped by the demigods and the demons! O ocean of mercy! O son of Devaki! May You award me unflinching devotional service at Your lotus feet.

O my Lord! O Acyuta! Among the many thousands of species of life, wherever I am born, may I always possess unflinching devotional service for Your lotus feet in each of my births.

Materialistic people are always attached to sense gratification. Still, may the love and devotion that I have developed by remembering Your lotus feet remain constantly fixed within my heart without interruption.

302 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Kesava, it does not matter if I become an animal, a bird, an insect, a deer, a reptile, a demon, a ghost, or a human being, according to my own misdeeds. Please be kind to me so that I may always have firm faith and fixed devotional service unto You.

May my mind always remain attached to You just as the mind of a young man remains attached to a young woman.

Thereafter, one should beg forgiveness from Lord Krsna, who naturally forgives His devotees, by humbly reciting selected verses that are appreciated by his sampraddya.

O my Lord, I am committing thousands of offenses, throughout the day and night. Please accept me as Your eternal servant and thus forgive all of my offenses.

O Govinda, You have promised: My devotee never perishes. I simply remain in this world by remembering this statement of Yours.

One should not enter the temple while seated on a palanquin or with shoes on his feet. One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmastami and Ratha-yatra. One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity. One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed one's hands and feet after eating. One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. One should not bow down on one hand. One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krsna. One should not spread his legs before the Deity. One should not sit before the Deity while holding his ankles, elbows, or knees. One should not lie down before the Deity of Krsna. One should not accept prasada before the Deity. One should never speak a lie before the Deity. One should not talk very loudly before the Deity. One should not talk with others before the Deity. One should not cry or howl before the Deity. One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity. One should not chastise anyone before the Deity. One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity. One should not speak very harshly to others

EIGHTH VILAS A before the Deity. One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity. One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity. One should not speak profanity before the Deity. One should not pass air before the Deity. One should not fail to worship the Deity according to one's means. One should not eat anything that is not offered first to Krsna. One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Krsna, according to the season. After food has been cooked, no one should be offered any of it unless it has first been offered to the Deity. One should not sit with his back toward the Deity. One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances. One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master. One should not praise himself before the spiritual master. One should not deride the demigods before the Deity. These are the thirty-two sevdparddhas that should be avoided by Vaisnavas.

306 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA padhukahhyam tatha visnor mandirdyopasarpanam kukkurocchista-kalanam mauna-bhango 'cyutdrcane tatha pujana-kdle ca vid-utsargaya sarpanam sraddhddikam akrtvd ca navdnnasya ca bhaksanam adattvd gandha-mdlyddi dhupanam madhughdtinah akarmany aprasunena pujanam ca hares tatha akrtvd danda-kdstham ca krtvd nidhuvanarh tatha sprstvd rajasvaldrh diparh tatha mrtakam eva ca raktarh nllam adhautam ca parakyarh malinarh patam paridhdya mrtarh drstvd vimucydpdna-marutam krodharh krtvd smasdnarh ca gatvd bhutvapy ajlrna-bhuk bhaksayitvd kroda-mdrhsarh pinydkarh jala-pddakam tatha kusumbha-sdkarh ca taildbhyangarh vidhdya ca hareh sparso hareh karma- kdranam pdtakdvaham mama sdstram bahis-krtya asmdkam yah prapadyate muktvd ca mama sdstrdni sdstram anyat prabhdsate

madyapas tu samdsddya pravised bhavanarh mama yo me kusumbha-sdkena prapanam kurute narah mama drster abhimukham tdmbularh carcayet tu yah kuruvaka-palasa-sthaih puspaih kuryan mamarcanam mamarcdm asure kale yah karoti vimudha-dhlh plthasanopavisto yah pujayed va nirasanah vama-hastena mam dhrtva snapayed va vimudha-dhlh pujd paryusitaih puspaih sthivanam garva-kalpanam tiryak-pundra-dharo bhutva yah karoti mamarcanam yacitaih patra-puspadyair yah karoti mamarcanam apraksalita-pado yah pravisen mama mandiram avaisnavasya pakvannam yo mahyam vinivedayet avaisnavesu pasyatsu mama pujdm karoti yah apujayitvd vighnesarh sambhasya ca kapalinam narah pujdm tu yah kurydt snapanarh ca nakhambhasd amauni gharma-liptdhgo mama pujdm karoti yah

Lord Varaha had instructed the earth, saying that Vaisnavas should avoid these offenses. Those who fail to do so will fall down from their observance of religious principles and perpetually dwell in hell. Eating food given by a king is a grave offense. One should always avoid eating such food, even if he is starving. One should not touch the Deity in a dark room. One should not enter the temple without first making some sound. One should not offer flesh to the Deity. One should not enter the temple wearing shoes. One should not offer any food to the Deity that has been seen by dogs, or other lower animals. One should not break the silence while worshiping. One should not pass urine or evacuate while engaged in worshiping the Deities. One should not eat newly grown crops without first performing the sraddha ceremony. One should not offer incense without offering some flowers. Useless flowers that are without any fragrance should not be offered. One should not fail to brush his teeth very carefully every day. One should not enter the temple directly after having sexual intercourse. One should not touch a woman during her menstrual period. One should not enter the temple after touching a dead body. One should not enter the temple wearing red or blue garments, or garments that are unwashed. One should not enter the temple wearing dirty clothes or clothes that were borrowed. One should not enter the temple after seeing a dead body. One should not pass air within the temple. One should not become angry within the temple. One should not enter the temple after visiting a crematorium. One should not belch before the Deity and so, until one has fully digested his food, he should not enter the temple. One should not enter the temple after eating meat, fish, eggs, or kusumbha sak. One should not enter the Deity room or touch the Deity after having smeared oil over his body. One should not show disrespect to a scripture that teaches the supremacy of the Lord. One should not introduce any opposing scripture. One should not enter the temple after associating with a drunkard. One should not offer kusumbha sak to the Deity. One should not chew betel before the Deity. One should not offer kuruvaka and paldsa flowers to the Deity. One should not worship the Deity at an inapproriate time. One should not worship the Lord while sitting on the bare floor—one must have a sitting mat or carpet. One should not bathe the Deity while holding Him with his left hand. One should not offer old or wilted flowers to the Deity. One should not spit in the temple. One should not display pride within the temple. One should not decorate his forehead with three-lined tilaka. One should not beg flowers from

others when he can collect them without doing so. One should not enter the temple without washing his hands and feet. One should not offer food that was cooked by a nondevotee. One should not worship the Deity in front of a nondevotee. One should not worship the Deity without first worshiping Ganapati. One should not worship the Deity after conversing with a tannic. One should not bathe the Deity with water that had been contaminated by the touch of his nails. One should not break the silence while worshiping, and one should not worship the Deity with a sweaty body.

Apart from these offenses, one should avoid transgressing the other rules that are mentioned in sdstra. One should never display disrespect for the remnants of Lord Krsna's food.

O foremost of kings, never show disrespect to the remnants of Lord Nrsimhadeva's food, nor to the demigods.

310 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One who desires to please Lord Krsna should never swear in His name. One should never pertake of the remnants of the demigods and goddesses.

O brahmana, Lord Kesava is pleased with a person who, even during times of danger or distress, does not swear by uttering His name. The Supreme Lord also becomes satisfied with one who never accepts the remnants of food that was offered to the demigods.

An offender can become purified of his offenses by residing at saukara ttrtha while completely fasting and bathing in the Ganges if this penance is performed within one year from the time of commiting the offense. The same penance can be observed while residing at Mathura. Anyone who engages

in the service of the Supreme Lord while residing in these two holy places is certainly pious. In fact, all of his offenses that were accumulated during his previous one thousand lifetimes can be atoned for in this way.

A person who recites a chapter of the Bhagavad-glta every day will gradually become free from the effects of the thirty-two kinds of offenses.

Lord Kesava forgives the thirty-two kinds of offenses when a devotee worships the salagrama-sila with offerings of tulasi leaves.

Lord Kesava certainly forgives the thirty-two types of offenses when a devotee remains awake during the night of Dvadasi and recites prayers in glorification of tulasi.

312 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA aparadha-sahasrani nityarh harati kesavah. iti. Lord Kesava forgives thousands of offenses when a devotee decorates his body with the symbols of Krsna's weapons.

Thereafter, while thinking that the Lord has mercifully given him His remnants, one should chant the word mahd-prasada while touching the prasdda to his head.

is recorded in the Padma Pur ana, this verse is found) ambarisa harer lagnarh nirarh pusparh vilepanam bhaktyd na dhatte sirasa svapacdd adhiko hi sah O Ambarisa, one who does not honor Lord Hari's remnants, such as the water that has washed His lotus feet, and the flowers and sandalwood paste that were offered to Him, is certainly lower than a dog-eater.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated)

krsnottirnarh tu nirmdlyarh yasydngarh sprsate mune sarva-rogair tathd pdpair muhto bhavati ndrada O sage, one who touches the Lord's remnants to his body, after removing them from the Deity, is cured of all diseases and relieved of all sinful reactions.

All sinful reactions and illnesses of a person become destroyed when he smears the remnants of Lord Visnu over his body. The contamination of Kali cannot affect a person who touches Lord Visnu's remnants to his head, mouth, and other parts of his body after removing them from the Deity. O sage, I have revealed this to you for your benefit.

O foremost brahmana, all the sinful reactions that one may have accumulated during the previous four yugas are immediately nullified when

314 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA one touches the sanctified remnants of Lord Visnu to his head. There is no need for a person who is accustomed to touching to his head tulasl leaves that have been offered to Lord Visnu to bathe in the Ganges.

There is no limit to the pious merit that is earned by a person who accepts a tulasl leaf that remained, day and night, on the lotus feet of Lord Visnu. No sin can contaminate a person whose head is adorned with a tulasl leaf that was offered to Lord Visnu, just as water cannot remain on a lotus leaf.

One who honors with heartfelt devotion a tulasl leaf that fell from the head of Lord Visnu will come to experience that all of his desires have been fulfilled.

O brahmana, the body of a Vaisnava who places the remnants of tulasi leaves on his body becomes as sanctified as the holy places of pilgrimage.

Vaisnavas who honor the tulasi wood paste and other remnants of the Lord obtain the merit of visitng ten million holy places of pilgrimage.

Simply by honoring a tulasi leaf that has been offered along with food to Lord Visnu, one becomes freed from all sinful reactions and obtains more merit than he would by observing one hundred candrdyana vratas.

O Goddess, listen to this wonderful statement. Any sin, even the killing of a brahmana, can be burnt to ashes in the fire of the Lord's remnants.

316 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tvayopayukta-srag-gandha- vaso-'lahkdra-carcitah ucchista-bhogino ddsds tava may am jayema hi Simply by decorating ourselves with the garlands, fragrant oils, clothes and ornaments that You have already enjoyed, and by eating the remnants of Your meals, we, Your servants, will indeed conquer Your illusory energy.

this verse, as found in the Skanda Purdna) pddodaka-ratd ye ca harer nirmdlya-dhdrakdh visnu-bhakti-ratd ye vai te tu tydjydh su-duratah. iti. You should never arrest and bring to me those who are attached to the water that washed Lord Visnu's lotus feet, who honor Lord Hari's remnants, and who are attached to the Lord's devotional service because they are not under my jurisdiction.

If one has to immerse a Deity then he should first take off all the cloth and ornaments and immerse the Deity within one's heart, after displaying the visarjani mudra.

O my Lord, I have worshiped You and Goddess LaksmI with devotion. O husband of Kamala, please enter my heart and rest there.

After praying in this way, one should offer shoes to the Lord and then immerse Him, along with His associates, after performing the appropriate prdndydma and sadanga-nydsa, and displaying the visarjanl'mudrd.

Whatever processes that were described so far should be diligently followed so that one can achieve the perfection of chanting mantras. On the other hand, there are no hard and fast rules for performing procedures such as nydsa for devotees who worship the Lord in devotional service.

Worship of the Deity in the temple can be an eternal function of a worshiper, or it can be performed for some ulterior motive. However, worship of the Lord within one's house must not be discontinued.

318 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One should follow all the rules and regulations relating to the service of the Supreme Lord while worshiping Him in the temple. In one's house, however, one can worship Him according to one's capacity. The point to be noted here is that one should not break any vow that one has made in the course of his worship of the Lord.

One should bathe Lord Visnu by pouring ghee over Him and then applying sandalwood paste to His transcendental body. Then, one should offer white flowers, dress Him in white clothes with a chddara, and offer muktdphala, incense perfumed with camphor, milk, sweet rice, and a lamp with ghee wicks. This kind of worship awards all benediction to the devotee. It is certain that one who worships the Deity in this way will quickly get

relief from all diseases. A distressed person will become happy and a prisoner will be freed. As a result of such worship, a criminal can avoid punishment by the king's men, and a traveler can wander about anywhere he likes without fear or danger.