Sat-saṅgaḥ — Association with Devotees

I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of the devotees, who are just like bumblebees at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. By the association of devotees even a dog -like person can become attracted to the sweet aroma of Lord Krsna's lotus feet.

After honoring mahd-prasada and other remnants of the Deity, one should decorate his body with tllaka and symbols of the Lord's weapons, as well as a flower garland. He should then humbly enter an assembly of Krsna's devotees and engage in listening to the nectrean topics of the Lord.

One should spend the sixth and seventh parts of the day (which is considered to consist of eight parts) discussing literature such as the Mahdbhdrata, the histories, and the Purdnas.

sdmanyatah lavage (In the Lihga Purdna the general symptoms are stated) visnureva hi yasyaisa devatd vaisnavah smrtah

428 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA A Vaisnava is one whose worshipable Lord is Visnu.

Observing fasts, performing religious rituals, displaying compassion, possessing knowledge of the distinction between spirit and matter, enjoying life in the mode of goodness, birth in a noble family, and possessing spiritual knowledge are some of the general characteristics by which the devotees of Lord Krsna can be known.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) dasaml sesa sarhyuktam dinarh vaisnava vallabham nopdsate mahipdla te vai bhdgavatd nardh O King, those who do not fast on Ekadasi when it overlaps Dasami are certainly bona-fide devotees of the Lord.

Know for certain that one who completely fasts on Ekadasi and who remains awake that night, even if it causes him great inconvenience, is an elevated devotee.

He is to be considered a pure devotee who fasts on Ekadasi, stays awake that night, and then performs the necessary rituals on Dvadasi.

Pure devotees are those who never fall down from the vows they had made to their spiritual master, such as fasting on Ekadasi, and whose object of love is the husband of the goddess of fortune, Laksmi.

the Supreme Lord is counted as a limb of devotional service) dharmmdrtharh jlvitam yesdm santdndrthanca maithunam pacanam vipra mukhdrtham jneydste vaisnavd nardh One should be considered a Vaisnava whose very life is dedicated to executing the mission of his spiritual master, who engages in sex only for begetting nice children, and who cooks with the intention of feeding qualified brdhmanas.

430 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One who affectionately feeds a guest who has arrived at his house exhausted due to traveling, is undoubtedly a Vaisnava.

Those who properly exhibit Vaisnava etiquette, who follow the rules and regulations prescribed in the scriptures, who are merciful to all living entities, who are pure-hearted, and who are not attached to the fruits of their activities, are to be considered pure devotees.

that is found in the Padma Purdna it is stated) jivitarh yasya dharmmdrthe dharmmo haryyarthameva ca ahordtrdni punydrthe tarn manye vaisnavarh janam A Vaisnava is one whose very life is dedicated to executing the orders of the Lord, and who spends his wealth for the sake of spreading Krishna consciousness and advancing in devotional service, throughout the entire day and night.

One should be considered a Vaisnava who becomes pleased upon seeing those who are devoted to Lord Visnu, and who performs his activities based upon the rulings of sruti and smrti.

as mercifulness, as a result of devotional service) skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) paraduhkhena dtmaduhkharh manyante ye nrpottama bhagavad dharmma niratdste nard vaisnavd nrpa Those who feel unhappiness while seeing others' unhappiness, and whose attachment for the Supreme Lord continually increases are to be considered Vaisnavas.

is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam it is stated) titiksavah kdrunikah suhrdah sarvvadehindm ajdtasatravah sdntd sddhavah sddhubhusandh A saintly person is characterized as follows: he is tolerant, merciful, friendly to everyone, without enemies, and peaceful. He strictly follows the principles of religion and indeed, all his characteristics are sublime.

which is found in the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam) mahatsevdrh dvdram dhurvimukte yositdrh sangisangam mahdntaste samacittdh prasdntd vimanyavah suhrdah sddhavo ye

432 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA My dear sons, it has been ascertained by learned authorities that service to great souls is the gateway to liberation whereas association with those who are overly fond of women is the gateway to hell. Great souls are those who treat everyone equally, who are peaceful, who are devoid of anger, who are the well-wishers of all living entities, and who never act in an abominable manner.

which are found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.11.29-31]) krpdlurakrtadrohastitiksuh sarvvadehindm satyasdro 'navadydtmd samah sarvvopakdrakah kdmdksubhitadhlrddnto mrduh sucirakincanah aniho mitabhuk sdntah sthiro maccharano munih apramatto gabhlrdtmd jitasangunah amdni mdnadah kalyo maitrah kdrunikah kavih The Supreme Lord said: O Uddhava, one who is compassionate, forgiving, truthful, free from envy, equal to everyone, a benefactor to all, not agitated by lust, self-controlled, sober, well-behaved, without any material possessions, unattached to worldly activities, austere in his eating, peaceful, steady, thoughtful, not bewildered, unchanging, patient, victorious over the six enemies, such as hunger and thirst, without desire for honor, always ready to give respect to others, expert in instructing others, sincere, merciful, and knowledgeable, is worthy of being called a Vaisnava.

that is found in the Visnu Pur ana it is stated)

na calati nijavarna dharmmato yah samamatir dtma suhrd vipaksa pakse na harati na calati kincid uccaih sthiramanasarh tamavehi visnubhahtam One must be considered a Vaisnava who is steadfast in the devotional service of the Lord, who treats friends and enemies equally, who is never arrogant, who does not hanker after others' property, and whose determination is fixed.

A first-class Vaisnava sees Lord Hari as the Supersoul residing within all living entities, and he sees how all living beings are situated within the Lord.

A first-class Vaisnava does not make a distinction, thinking that something is his whereas something else belongs to another. He considers all living entities in the light of his equal vision and thus remains peaceful.

434 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

My devotees may or may not understand My transcendental nature but if they worship Me with unalloyed devotion, I consider them to be first-class devotees.

A madhyama'adhikdri Vaisnava is one who loves the Supreme Lord, makes friendship with His devotees, displays compassion toward ignorant people, and who avoids those who are averse to the Supreme Lord. A kanistha-adhikdri Vaisnava is one who worships the Deity of Lord Hari in the temple but does not know how to behave toward other devotees or people in general.

enjoyment can be a cause of devotional service)

ekddase haviyogesvarottare • (The nava~yogendra, Havi, spoke this verse that is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [11.2.48]) grhltvdplndriyair arthdn yo na dvesti na hrsyati visnor mdydm idarh pasyan sa vai bhdgavatottamah In spite of accumulating wealth with the help of the senses, if one realizes this material world to be the illusory energy of Lord Visnu and thus feels neither happiness nor distress due to contact with the objects of the senses, he is to be considered an uttama-adhikdri Vaisnava.

education that may be a cause of devotional service) ekddase haviyogesvarottare (Havi also spoke this verse that is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.2.51]) na yasya janma-karmabhydrh na varndsrama-jdtibhih sajjate 'sminn dehe vai sa hareh priyah Anyone who is not proud of his material body, which is made of the five material elements; his birth; his activities; or his position in the varndsrama system is certainly very dear to Lord Hari.

The qualities of not expecting any respect for oneself and steady detachment from the objects of sense enjoyment are especially helpful when they support devotional service to the Supreme Lord. For this reason, these two qualities are considered superior to the ones previously mentioned.

436 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

between Krsna and Siva are to be considered Vaisnavas) vrhanndradlye (In the Brhan-ndradiya Purana it is stated) iive ca paramesdne visnau ca paramdtmani samabuddhayd pravarttante te vai bhdgavatotamah Those who consider the Supersoul, Lord Visnu, and the master of material nature, Siva, to be non-different are to be considered excellent Vaisnavas.

Although there are innumerable characteristics ascribed to devotees, I will herein describe the principle symptoms of those who are properly engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) yesdrh bhdgavatarh sdstrarh sadd tisthati sannidhau pujayanti ca ye nityarh te syurbhdgavata nardh yesdrh bhdgavatarh sdstrarh jlvitddadhikarh bhavet mahdbhdgavatdh sresthd visnuna kathitd nardh

Those who worship the Srimad-Bhagavatam as their very life and soul are to be addressed as bhdgavatas, or exalted devotees. The Supreme Lord has glorified those who consider the Srimad-Bhagavatam to be more dear than their own life as mahd-bhdgavatas.

lainge (In the Lingo. Purana it is stated) visnubhaktam athdydtarh yo drstvd sumukhah priyah prandmddi karotyeva vdsudeve yathd tathd sa vai bhakta iti jneyah sa pundti jagattrayam ruksdksara girah srnvan tathd bhdgavateritdh prandmapurvvakam ksdntvd yo vadedvaisnavo hi sah Oi 'ho offers his obeisances to the devotees of Lord Visnu with devotior \J. a smiling face, just as one offers his obeisances to Lord Vasudeva is to be cV; :. 'ered a Vaisnava. Such a devotee is capable of purifying the three worldv I, .^ e who, in spite of being chastised by a devotee of the Lord, offers him ofe^Mf\ces ar*d converses with him politely is to be considered a Vaisnava.

One must be considered toji^;.a devotee of the Supreme Lord who always supplies food grains, clot) §»d other necessities of life, according to his capacity, to other devotees.

438 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

A person who has completely fixed his mind in devotional service to Lord Visnu and has surrendered himself at the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas is to be considered a pure devotee.

that is found in the Brhan'ndradiya Purana it is stated) tulasikdnanarh drstvd ye namaskurvvate nardh tatkdsthdnkita karnd ye te vai bhdgavatottamdh tulasi gandham dghrdya santosarh kurvvate tu ye tanmulam udhrtd yaisca te vai bhdgavatottamdh Those who offer respects to tulasi as soon as they see her and who decorate their ears with ornaments made of tulasi wood are certainly to be considered Vaisnavas. Those who are pleased to smell the sweet aroma of tulasi and who decorate their foreheads with tilaka made of tulasi pulp are also to be considered Vaisnavas.

that is found in the Brhan'tiaradiya Purana it is stated)

matkathdsravane yesdrh varttate sdttviki matih tadvaktari subhaktisca te vai bhdgavatottmdh Those who have developed a special attachment for hearing about Me and those who are similarly attached to glorifying Me, as well as those who are respectful to such devotees are also to be considered Vaisnavas.

Arjuna that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) matkathdrh kurute yastu matkathdnca srnoti yah hrsyate matkathdndnca sa vai bhdgavatottamah He is to be considered a first-class Vaisnava who continuously speaks about Me, hears about Me, and takes pleasure in discussions about Me.

Saintly devotees do not suffer from the three-fold miseries of material existence because their minds are fully absorbed in hearing and chanting My glories.

440 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA manndma Sravana saktds te vai bhdgavatottamdh Those whose minds are fixed upon Me, who live in the association of My devotees, and who are fond of hearing and chanting about My transcendental names, forms, qualities, and pastimes are to be considered pure devotees.

Those who take great pleasure in hearing the holy names of the Lord, exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy, such as the standing of the hair on end, are to be considered exalted Vaisnavas.

Those who are very happy to see others progress in spiritual life and who take pleasure in chanting the holy names of Lord Hari are to be considered exalted devotees.

devotional activities, he becomes fixed in remembering the Lord) sri visnupurane yama-tadbhata'samvade (In a conversation between Yamaraja and his messengers that is found in the Visnu Pur&na it is stated)

na calati ya uccaih srl bhagavat paddravinde sitamandstam avehi visnubhaktam It should be understood that one whose mind has become purified as a result of thinking about the lotus feet of the Lord and who is thus never deviated from his engagement in devotional service is a devotee of Lord Visnu.

One whose heart remains unpolluted by the contamination of Kali because he keeps the Lord within his heart is to be known as a very dear devotee of Lord Hari.

The exalted personality who feels no attraction, even if he sees gold lying in a solitary place, because his mind is fully absorbed in thought of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord without any deviation is to be known as a devotee of Lord Visnu.

What is the position of envious people and what is the position of Lord Visnu, who is as pure as crystal? In other words, contamination, such as envy, cannot be found in the mind of a person who is absorbed in Krsna consciousness, just as heat cannot remain with the appearance of the full moon.

442 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Lord Vasudeva constantly resides within the heart of a devotee who is non-envious, peaceful, pure in his dealings with others, the benefactor of all living entities, dear to all, free from pride and false ego, and speaks in a pleasing manner.

Just as a sdla tree supplies an excellent extract from its soft bark, Lord Visnu, who is the oldest of all, makes a devotee most attractive and glorious while residing within his heart.

Due to constant remembrance of Lord Hari, when one remains unbewildered by the activities of this material world, such as birth, death, hunger, fear, the thirst for knowledge, and the gratification of the senses— he must certainly be considered an exalted devotee. A first-class Vaisnava is one who does not deviate, even for a moment, from the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, which are sought after by demigods, such as Indra, even if he becomes the proprietor of all the wealth within the three worlds. Indeed, such a devotee has accepted the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord as the essence of his existence. As heat vanishes as soon as the full moon appears in the sky, the three-fold miseries of material existence are mitigated by the cooling rays emanating from the toenails of the Supreme Lord, Trivikrama.

Those who are always engaged in the purified activities of devotional service of Lord Hari, the Lord of sacrifice, should be accepted as pure devotees.

444 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VUASA ndrdyana paro nityarh bhupa bhdgavato hi sah O best of men, one who resides in a holy place connected with the pastimes of the Lord and who celebrates the festivals commemorating the Lord's appearance and other such holy days and who regularly worships the Deity with love and devotion is to be considered a pure devotee. Indeed, anyone who engages in the devotional service of Lord Narayana with his body, mind, and speech must be accepted as an exalted devotee.

A brdhmana who has undergone the five kinds of purificatory processes, who is engaged in the nine kinds of devotional service, and who knows the true purport of the five kinds of knowledge, is considered to be a pure devotee.

garude (In the Qaruda Purana it is stated) ekdntena sadd visnau yasmdd deve pardyandh tasmdd ekdntinah proktds tadbhdgavata cetasah Those who are completely surrendered unto Lord Visnu and whose minds are always filled with thoughts of Him are to be considered unalloyed devotees.

these verses were spoken by the Supreme Lord) jndtvdjndtvdtha ye vai mam ydvdn yas cdsmi yddrsah bhajanty ananya-bhdvena te me bhaktatamd matdh na kdma-harma-bljandm yasya cetasi sambhavah vasudevaika-nilayah sa vai bhdgavatottamah My devotees may or may not understand My transcendental nature and existence but if they worship Me with unalloyed love, I consider them to be first-class devotees. One who has actually taken shelter of the Lord Vasudeva gives up the desire for fruitive activities, which are all based on material lust. Indeed, thoughts of enjoying sex, social prestige, and wealth cannot develop within his mind. Thus he is considered to be a first-class devotee of the Lord.

lessening of the desire to follow the principles of mundane religion.) sri maduddhava-prasnottare eva (In reply to a question of Uddhava, the Supreme Lord spoke this verse of the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [11.11.32]) djndyaivam gundn dosdn mayddistdn api svakdn dharmdn santyajya yah sarvdn mam bhajet sa ca sattamah

446 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O Uddhava, one who worships Me, giving up the occupational duties that are prescribed by Me in the Vedas, knowing their faults and good qualities, is to be considered a first-class devotee.

O Arjuna, give up all varieties of religious and occupational duties and just surrender unto Me. I will deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

When the Supreme Lord becomes the object of one's meditation, so that he receives the Lord's mercy, he gives up all attachment for following the rules and regulations prescribed in the Vedic literature. Because the Vedas do not directly give information about the son of Nanda, it requires His mercy to understand Him.

and Uddhava in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [11.26.27] this verse is found) santo 'napeksd mac-cittdh prasdntdh sama-darsinah nirmamd nirahankdrd nirdvandvd nispar, igrahdh

Those who are peaceful, who view others with equal vision, who are indifferent to material conditions, who are fully absorbed in thought of Me, devoid of all sense of false proprietorship, free from false ego and the dualities of material existence, and do not depend on others are to be considered first- class devotees.

that is found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [3.25.24] it is stated) ta ete sddhavah sddhvi sarva-sanga-vivarjitdh sangas tesv atha te prdrthyah sanga-dosa-hard hi te My dear mother, saintly devotees are those who are freed from all kinds of material attachment. You should seek out the association of such saintly devotees because this counteracts the evil effects of mundane association.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) yasya krcchra gatasydpi kesave ramate manah na vicyutd ca bhaktirvai sa vai bhdgavato narah dpad gatasya yasyeha bhaktir avyabhicdrinl ndnyatra ramate cittarh sa vai bhdgavato narah One whose mind does not deviate from the lotus feet of Lord Kesava even if he is put into great difficulty, and thus never gives up his engagement in devotional service, is certainly a first-class devotee. An exalted devotee is one who remains constantly engaged in unalloyed devotional service to Lord

448 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Hari, even in the face of calamities. Indeed, his mind and intelligence are never diverted to anything other than the service of Lord Hari.

verse, which is found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [5.5.3]) ye vd maylse krta-sauhrddrthd janesu dehambhara-vdrtikesu grhesu jdydtmaja-rdtimatsu na priti-yuktd ydvad-arthds ca loke Those who are interested in becoming fully Krsna conscious by developing their love of Godhead are not interested in anything that is not related to the Lord. They give up the association of people who are simply absorbed in the bodily concept of life. They are not attached to their wives, children, friends, and possessions, even though they may be householders. Indeed, they endeavor to earn only enough money to maintain a simple existence.

According to the degree of love of God, there are three classes of devotees—uttama, madhyama and kanistha adhikdris.

O King, one who sees the Supreme Lord within all living entities and sees all living entities as being situated within the Supreme Lord is an uttama bhdgavata.

One who realizes the existence of his worshipable Lord within all living entities and sees all living beings as being situated within the Supreme Lord is considered to be a devotee on the highest platform.

Such a devotee has the determination to engage in devotional service to the Lord without deviation. For the sake of the Lord, he renounces his family relationships and friendships.

The Supreme Lord is so kind upon the conditioned souls that if they call out to Him by chanting His holy name, even unconsciously, He destroys innumerable sinful reactions within their hearts. What then to speak of a devotee who has taken shelter at the Lord's lotus feet and chants His holy

450 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA name with devotion? A devotee who has thus captured the Supreme Lord within his heart is to be known as bhdgavata-pradhdna, the most advanced devotee.

One who loves the Supreme Lord, makes friendship with His devotees, displays mercy to those who are ignorant, and avoids those who are envious of the Supreme Lord, is known as a madhyama--adhikari Vaisnava.

A devotee who worships the Deity in the temple but does not know how to behave toward other devotees and people in general is a kanisdw-adhikari Vaisnava.

When a devotee worships the Lord with faith, he is displaying the primary characteristic of one who aspires to attain love of God. Other qualities will gradually develop as a natural consequence.

Among all the above-mentioned symptoms of mahd'bhdgavatas and devotees in general, some are primary and some are secondary.

The number of people who possess these characteristics are very few, just as invaluable jewels, such as touchstones, are very rare.

One upon whom the Supreme Lord, Madhusudana, has cast His merciful glance is said to be situated in the mode of goodness. Such a person develops firm determination to achieve devotional service.

452 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Thus, the principal glories of Vaisnavas have been briefly described. Now, some additional characteristics will be discussed.

of the Lord's devotees, which is found in the Qaruda Purana) kalau bhdgavatam ndma yasya pumsah prajdyete janani puttrini tena pitrrndntu dhurandharah If someone becomes a devotee of the Supreme Lord in the age of Kali, he will be able to beget a son who will give great satisfaction to his forefathers.

The aim of life in this age of Kali is to become a devotee of the Supreme Lord. Brhaspati informed me that the position of being a bhakta (devotee of the Supreme Lord ) is superior to that of Rudra.

O sage, there is no doubt that those who constantly chant the holy name of Lord Hari are equal in every respect to the demigods.

Even a most sinful person who killed a brahmana can attain the supreme destination if he is surrounded by Vaisnavas at the time of death.

that is found in the Ndradiyot Parana this verse appears) svapaco'pi mahlpdla visnor bhakto dvijadhikah visnu bhakti vihino yo yatisca ivapacadhikah O foremost king, if a dog-eater becomes a Vaisnava then he is superior to a brahmana who is not a devotee. However, even a person in the renounced order of life, if he is devoid of devotional service to Lord Hari, He must be considered lower than a dog-eater.

O Lord Kesava, if You are pleased then even a dog-eater can come to the platform of Indra, Siva, Brahma, or even the Supreme Lord.

454 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sa karttd sarvvapdpdndrh yo na bhaktastavdcyuta dharmmo bhavati adharmmo'pi krto bhaktaistavdcyuta pdparh bhavati dharmmo'pi tavdbhaktaih krto hare nihsesa dharmmakarttd vaoyabhakto narake hare sada tisthati bhaktaste brahmahdpi visudhyati niscald tvayi bhaktiryd saiva muktir jandrddana muktd eva hi bhaktaste tava visno yato hare • O Lord Acyuta, if You become displeased then even demigods like Brahma and Siva can fall to a position lower than that of dog-eaters. O Lord Acyuta, Your devotees certainly appreciate the importance of religious principles. One who does not engage in Your devotional service will certainly become contaminated by all kinds of sinful activities. This is the verdict of the scriptures. O Acyuta! O Hari! Even the sinful activities performed by Your devotees are counted as pious activities, whereas the pious activities performed by non-devotees are considered to be sinful. O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O Janardana! One who is devoid of Your devotional service lives in hell. On the other hand, one who has devotion for Your lotus feet becomes purified even if he was a killer of a brahmana. Unalloyed devotional service unto You is glorified as being superior to mere liberation. There is no doubt that Your devotees are already acting on the liberated platform.

is recorded in the Skanda Purdna, this verse is found)

nunarh bhdgavatd loke loka raksdvisdraddh vrajanti visnunddistd hrdisthena mahdmune O great sage, according to the order of Lord Hari, who is always situated within their hearts, the devotees, who are very expert in delivering the fallen, conditioned souls, wander throughout this material world.

O Narada, just to afford them protection, the Supreme Lord, Janardana, appears within this world as a devotee and compassionately preaches to the conditioned souls.

is recorded in the Skanda Parana, these verses are found) yastu visnuparo nityarh dyda bhaktir jitendriyah svagrhe'pi vasan ydti tadvisnoh paramarh padam asvamedha sahasrdndrh sahastrarh ya karoti vai ndsau tat phalam dpnoti tadbhaktair yadavdpyate Those who display firm devotion at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, who are naturally inclined to worship Lord Hari, and who have learned to control their senses, can attain the supreme abode of Lord Visnu, despite maintaining an ordinary household life. A person who has performed one million horse sacrifices cannot obtain the merit that a devotee of Lord Hari receives.

456 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

that is found in the Amrta-saroddharo it is stated) sarvvatra vaisnavdh pujydh svarge martye rasdtale devatdndrh manusydndm tathaiva oraga raksasdm yesdrh smaranamdtrena pdpa-laksasatdni ca dahyante ndtra sandeho vaisnavdndrh mahdtmandm Everywhere, whether it be heaven, earth, or hell, Vaisnavas are worshipable by demigods, human beings, and demons. There is no doubt that simply by remembering the lotus feet of an exalted Vaisnava, even hundreds and millions of sinful reactions are destroyed.

How can I describe the glories of the carandmrta of those devotees, the dust of whose feet is as sanctified as the water of the Yamuna, Ganga and Narmada, as is the water, in the form of glorification of Lord Hari emanating from their mouths, in which everyone can bathe without traveling to the innumerable holy places of pilgrimage?

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Until a son who has devotion for the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord is born, the forefathers of that family wander about this world, being attracted by the offering of oblations. Only the devotees of Lord Hari are actually famous as persons of great knowledge, perfect yogis, and renowned performers of sacrifice.

in the Kdsi Khanda, these verses are found) na cyavante hi yadbhaktayd mahatydrh pralaydpadi ato'cynto'khile loke sa ekah sarvvago'vyayah na tasmad bhagavad bhaktdd bhetavyarh kenacit kvacit niyatam visnu bhaktd yeh na te syuh paratdpinah Even when there is total annihilation of the universe, the minds of the great devotees of Lord Hari remain steady. There is no question of fear for the liberated devotees of Lord Hari, nor do they cause fear for others. Like the Supreme Lord, they travel everywhere just to deliver the fallen, conditioned souls.

458 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

A devotee of Lord Hari becomes famous as the foremost person in all human society, irrespective of his varna or asrama. There is no question of sinful activities for a great soul whose body is decorated with symbols of a conch and disc, whose head is adorned with tulasl manjaris, and whose forehead is decorated with gopicandana tilaka.

The devotees of Lord Hari, under whose supervision the material nature is working, and who is the original cause of creation and destruction, easily cross beyond the insurmountable ocean of material existence.

If one chants the holy names of Lord Madhusudana after waking up early in the morning, all of one's sinful reactions are completely destroyed.

O foremost personality, whether in the heavenly planets, on earth, or in the hellish planets, there is no one superior to a person who is fully engaged in the devotional service of Lord Hari, who is unlimited, the controller of the universe, a descendent of the Yadu dynasty, and the Lord of the demigods.

that is found in the Dvdrakd MaHdtmya, it is stated) nityarh ye prdta rutthdya vaisnavdndntu klrttanam kurvvanti te bhdgavatdh krsnatulydh kalau vale O King Bali, one who chants the holy names of exalted Vaisnavas after getting up every morning is to be considered an exalted devotee, on the level of Lord Krsna.

To remove the darkness of ignorance from the people of this world, as a lamp illuminates the night, exalted Vaisnavas, whose characteristics are sublime and who are as good as the Deity of Lord Hari, allow themselves to be seen, touched, and worshiped by others.

460 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O King, the pure devotees who worship the eternal form of Lord Vasudeva, the primeval cause of the universe, are certainly the best holy places because there is nothing more pure than them.

O King, know for certain that any place where pure devotees of the Supreme Lord bathe is the best of all holy places because they immediately destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Indeed, Lord Harf always resides where His pure devotees, who are without material attachment, live.

Lord Hari does not reside in a place where there are no Vaisnavas, even if He is worshiped with offerings of sandalwood paste, water, and fragrant flowers. Lord Hari does not feel pleased to remain at a place where there are no Vaisnavas, even if He is opulently worshiped by people who observe fasting while chanting and dancing.

For this reason, exalted Vaisnavas are able to purify the entire world. In fact, they are more sanctified than even the holy places of pilgrimage.

Whether a devotee is a sudra, a hunter, or a dog-eater, one who considers him according to his birth will certainly go to reside in hell.

Therefore, one who wants to please Lord Hari should first try to please the Vaisnavas. Ir the Vaisnavas are pleased with a person then certainly Lord Hari is also pleased.

recorded in the same literature, these verses are found) ye nrsamsd duratmdnah pdpacdra ratdh saad

462 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA te'pi ydnti pararri dhdma narayana pardsraydh lipyante na ca papena vaisnavd visnutatpardh punanti sakaldn lokdn sahasrdrhsur ivoditah Just by associating with pure devotees, who are unwavering in their inclination to serve Lord Narayana, even cruel, sinful, and wretched people can attain the transcendental abode, Vaikuntha. Vaisnavas with pure attachment to the lotus feet of Lord Visnu never indulge in sinful activities. They are just like the rising sun because they are able to illuminate the entire world with transcendental knowledge.

One who, after countless lifetimes, realizes, "I am an eternal servant of Lord Vasudeva," is able to deliver all the people of the world. There is no doubt that such a person will go to associate with the Lord in His supreme abode. What then can be said of a person whose life and soul is Lord Hari, and who has conquered his senses?

O foremost brdhmana, simply by remembering a pure devotee of the Lord, conversing with him, and worshiping him, one can become purified without separate endeavor, even though he may have been born in a family of dog-eaters.

Simply by having the darsana of a pure devotee of Lord Visnu, all of one's sinful reactions are burnt to ashes. Even if a devotee had commited innumerable sinful acts in thousands of previous births, he will not have to suffer their reactions.

Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respect should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.

464 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA samuddharati cdtmdnam kulam ekottararh satam Whether a woman is married or a widow, if she is fully engaged in the devotional service of Lord Visnu, she can deliver one hundred generations o{ her family.

and Bali that is found in the Dvarakd ) sanklrna yonayah putd ye bhaktd madhusudane mleccha tulyah kulindste ye na bhaktd jandrddane Even one who is born in a low-class family, if he becomes a devotee of Lord Madhusudana, he can become supremely pure whereas a brdhmana who is devoid of devotional service to Lord Hari is to be considered as no better than a mleccha.

Krsna and Arjuna that is found in the Adi Purana) vaisnavdn bhaja kaunteya ma bhajasva anyadevatdh punanzi vaisnavdh sarvve sarvva devam idarh jagat madbhakto durllabho yasya sa eva mama durllabhah tatparo durllabho ndsti satyam satyam dhananjaya jagatdm guravo bhaktd bhaktdndm guravo va^am

sarvvatra guravo bhaktd vayafica guravo yathd asmdkarh vdndhavd bhaktd bhaktandrh vdndhavd vyam asmdkarh guruvo bhaktd bhaktandrh guruvo vayam madbhaktd yatra gacchanti tatra gacchdmi pdrthiva bhaktdndm anugacchanti muktayah srutibhih saha O son of Prtha, what is the need of worshiping the demigods? It would be far better if you engage in the worship of advanced Vaisnavas because such great souls are capable of purifying the entire world, along with the demigods. I am easily available to one who considers himself to be a devotee of My devotees. One who is dear to My devotee is also very dear to Me. O Dhanafijaya, I promise you that there is no one more dear to Me than My devotee. The devotees are the spiritual masters of the entire world and I am the spiritual master of the devotees. As I am the spiritual master of everyone, so are My devotees. The devotees are My friends and I am the friend of My devotees. The devotees are My spiritual masters and I am their spiritual master. O Arjuna, I follow My devotees wherever they go. Indeed, even personified liberation and the Vedas follow my exalted devotees.

Those who claim that they are My devotees are not actually My devotees but those who are the devotees of My devotees are factually My devotees. I

466 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA have sold Myself to the devotees who have taken shelter of Me, giving up their friends and relatives. Only My devotees can purchase Me in this way.

O son of Kunti, hear now from Me about the food a devotee should eat. There are two kinds of prasdda—the food that has been offered directly to the Supreme Lord is called mahd'prasdda, whereas the food that remains in the cooking pots is considered to be prasdda. If one who is fallen and low-bom takes to the chanting of My holy names, I become very pleased with him. Indeed, I do not experience such happiness even when the Vedas are recited by expert orators.

as found in the Brhan-ndradiya Purana) visnur bhakta kutumvlti vadanti vivudhdh sadd tadeva pdlayisydmi majjano ndnrtam vadet The devotees of Lord Visnu are considered by Him to be His relatives. This has often been declared by the demigods. Because the words of My servants must not prove false, I carefully insure that this statement remains true.

O foremost sage, the entire dynasty in which I appear attains liberation from material bondage. Know for certain that if I am pleased with someone, there is nothing that cannot be achieved by him.

My devotees are fully surrendered to Me, they have faith in the narrations of My pastimes, they constantly meditate upon Me, they work for My satisfaction, they offer their obeisances to Me, and they always remember Me. Such devotees can deliver all of their family members so that they attain the same bodily features as the Lord.

O foremost sage, you should understand that I appear as a covered incarnation in the form of a devotee and in this way, protect the universe.

468 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA haribhakti paro yatra tatra brahmd harih sivah tatra devdica siddhddyd nityarh tisthanti sattamdh O brahmanas, hear now about the glories of the devotees of Lord Hari. Even if a devotee who is absorbed in thinking of Lord Hari accidentally commits a sin, he will not have to suffer the consequences. Brahma, Visnu, Mahadeva, and the other demigods and perfected beings always reside at the place where the devotees of Hari stay.

The place where a devotee of Lord Visnu stays, even for a moment or a fraction of a moment, is glorified as an abode of all auspiciousness and all holy places, and a sanctified hermitage.

Devotees who have taken shelter of Me, being freed from material attachment and hatred, as well as pride and envy, engage themselves in glorifying My transcendental names, forms, qualities, and pastimes.

I reside within the hearts of those who take pleasure in worshiping My devotees, who never harm others, and who always display an eagerness for hearing My glories.

with the glories of hoisting a flag atop a temple) yatindrh visnubhaktdndrh paricaryyd pardyanaih iksitd api gacchanti pdpino'pi par dm gatim By the merciful glance of those who are engaged in the devotional service of Lord Hari, and especially those devotees who are in the renounced order of life, even the most sinful people can attain the supreme destination.

Lord, the following verse was spoken in the same literature) ripavastarh na hirhsanti na vadhante grahdsca tarn rdksasdsca na khadanti nararh visnu pardyanam Miscreants cannot harm devotees of Lord Visnu, inauspicious planets cannot cause them any distress, and demons are incapable of swallowing them.

470 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA prabhdvarh na vijdnanti visnubhakti ratdtmandm One who executes unflinching devotional service unto Janardana, the Lord of the demigods, achieves all auspiciousness. Those who are devoted to the Supreme Lord should be considered the best members of society. O foremost sage, even the demigods, headed by Brahma, cannot properly understand the glories of Lord Hari's devotees.

There is no doubt that only devotees of Lord Visnu obtain the four objectives of life—religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation.

Those who are attached to Lord Visnu, who are peaceful, who are benefactors of all they come in contact with, and who are merciful to all living entities, are glorified as non-different from Lord Hari. Those who are devoid of devotional service to Lord Hari are considered to be no better than dog-eaters whereas those who are fixed in devotional

service to Lord Hari are considered to he the foremost members of human society, even if they were born in the families of dog-eaters.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the devotees who take pleasure in relishing the mellows of devotional service to Lord Visnu. Simply by their association, one can achieve liberation. Whether they were formerly miscreants or pious souls, I offer my repeated obeisances unto those who are attached to the devotional service of Lord Hari and are engaged in chanting His holy names. Alas! How fortunate are the devotees of Lord Hari! Simply by their mercy, even great yogis attain liberation, which is very rarely achieved.

472 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA haribhakti ratdndrh vai pdpavandho na jdyate veda vdda ratdh sarvve tathd tirtha nisevinah haribhakti rataih sdrddharh kaldrh ndrhanti sodaslm There is no doubt that only the devotees of Lord Vasudeva will achieve ultimate success in human life when the formidable age of Kali, in which religious principlei are almost totally neglected, commences. It is said that in the age of Kali, devotional service to Lord Hari is extremely rare. Those great souls who are fixed in devotional service to Lord Hari are never bound by the strong ropes of sinful activities. People who are fond of studying the Vedas and traveling to holy places of pilgrimage do not receive even one-sixteenth the merit attained by the devotees of Lord Hari.

We respectfully adore those great personalities who are very dear to the devotees of Lord Hari, who are engaged in the service of such great souls, or who take pleasure in glorifying the name, form, qualities, and pastimes of Lord Hari.

that is recorded in the Padma Pur ana, these verses are found) darsana dhydna sarhsparsaur matsya kurmma vihangamdh pusnanti svdnya patydni tathdham api padmaja

muhurttendpi sarhhartturh saktau yadyapi ddnavdn madbhaktdndrh vinoddrlham karomi kriyah Just as fish, tortoises, and birds maintain their offspring by means of seeing, meditating, and touch—I maintain My devotees. Although I am capable of eliminating the demons within a second, I act as I choose, for the satisfaction of My devotees.

the Magha-mdfidtmya section of the same Purana, these verses are found) na yamarh yamalokarh na na dutdn ghoradarsandn pasyanti vaisnava niinam satyarh satyarh mayoditam svapdkam iva nekseta loke vipram avaisnavam vaisnavo varna bdhyo'pi pundti bhuvanatrayarh na sildrd bhagavad bhaktdste tu bhagavatd matdh sarwavarnesu te sudrd ye na bhaktd jandrddane visnubhaktasya ye ddsd vaisnavdn na bhujasca ye te'pi kratubhujdrh vaisaya gatim yanti nirdkuldh I make this promise, again and again: Vaisnavas will never have to see Yamaraja, or go to his domain to be punished by his servants. One should consider a brahmana who is devoid of devotional service to Lord Visnu to be lower than a dog-eater. Even if a Vaisnava comes from

474 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA a family of outcastes, he can purify the entire three worlds simply by his presence. The devotees of the Supreme Lord should never be considered sudras but rather, they should be glorified as exalted personalities. Members of any of the four varnas, if they are devoid of devotional service to Lord Kesava— they are certainly no better than sudras. O vaisya, those who are proud of being servants of the servants of Lord Visnu and those who honor the remnants of food eaten by a Vaisnava will never be overwhelmed by maya. Indeed, they will attain the destination of those who are great performers of sacrifice.

in the Vaisdkha-mahdtmya section of the same literature) bhavyani janarddanasya paropakdrdya caranti visvam Just to benefit all living entities, the devotees of Lord Hari wander throughout this world.

Saintly devotees are the only shelter for those who are suffering due to the sinful activities they had previously performed. Simply by the darsana of a saintly devotee, a sinful person's distress can at once be dispelled.

the Uttara Khanda of the same literature, these verse are found) na karmma bandhanarh janma vaisnavdndsca vidyate

visnor anucaratvarh hi moksam dhur manisinah na ddsyarh vai paresasya vandhanarh pariklrttitam sarvvabandhana nirmuktd hariddsa nirdmaydh Vaisnavas are freed from the cycle of repeated birth and death, which is the result of karma. Learned authorities describe devotional service to Lord Hari as the platform of liberation. Therefore, it must be concluded that devotional service to Lord Hari can never be the cause of one's material bondage. The servants of Lord Hari are always free from contamination, as well as from all kinds of material entanglement.

of the Janmastami vrata, as found in the Brahrndnda Purana) darsana-sparsandldpa sahavdsddibhih ksandt bhaktdh punanti krsnasya sdksdd api ca pukkasam tyakta sarvva kuldcdro pdtaka vdnapi visnor bhaktarh samdsritya naro ndrhati ydtandm Simply by their darsana, touch, conversation, and association, the devotees of Lord Hari purify even dog-eaters. Those who take shelter of the devotees of Lord Visnu become freed from all kinds of suffering, even though they may not observe proper etiquette and were formerly engaged in all kinds of sinful activities.

476 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA saphalah sitalacchayo na tatra divasarh vaset sadd santo'bhigantavyd yadyapyu padisanti na yd hi svaira kathds tesdm upadesd bhavanti te One should never reside in a barren district where there are no trees in the form of devotees who provide cooling shade to everyone, and where there are no persons who are conversant with the science of the Absolute Truth. One should always try to live in the association of devotees. Even if the devotees do no give one personal instructions, one should accept their writings and conversations as their guide.

Among thousands of persons engaged in performing austerities, one who is conversant with Vedic knowledge is best. However, a devotee of Lord Visnu is superior to millions of persons who know Vedanta. An unalloyed Vaisnava is superior to one thousand ordinary Vaisnavas. Unalloyed Vaisnavas alone are qualified to achieve the ultimate goal of life.

Even if one who is constantly engaged in My devotional service is found to commit some abominable action, he is to be considered saintly. Such a person quickly becomes purified and attains everlasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it to the world—My devotee never perishes. Even those born in low families, women, vaisyas, and sudras can attain the supreme destination by taking shelter of Me. Therefore, what to speak of devotees who were born in a pious brdhmana or ksatriya family?

Those who worship Me with faith, their minds dwelling in Me, are considered by Me to be the topmost yogis.

in the First Canto of Srimad'Bhdgavatam) yesdm samsmarandt pumsdm sadyah suddhyanti vai grhdh

478 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA kirn punar darsana-sparsa- pdda-saucdsanddibhih Simply by remembering you, our place of residence becomes immediately purified. Then what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your feet, and offering you a place to sit?

Persons who attentively hear from their spiritual master over a long period of time must hear about the glories of pure devotional service. Pure devotees always meditate upon the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who reciprocates by awarding them liberation.

My dear mother, the opulence attained by devotees is never lost over the passage of time. Because devotees accept Me as their friend, relative, son, preceptor, benefactor, and Supreme Deity, they are never deprived of their possessions.

My Lord, the transcendental ecstasy one feels by meditating upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories is far beyond the happiness of brahmdnanda, or merging into the impersonal effulgence of the Supreme Lord. What then can be said of the temporary happiness obtained by elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which ends in due course of time?

One who properly executes his occupational duty for one hundred births becomes qualified to occupy the post of Brahma. If he becomes even more qualified, he can become an associate of Lord Siva. A person who has surrendered to Lord Visnu can attain the spiritual world. Lord Siva and the other demigods attain these planets after the annihilation of the universe.

My dear King Rahugana, unless one smears his body with the dust of the lotus feet of a great devotee, he cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy, strictly following the rules and regulations prescribed for householders, accepting the vows of vanaprastha or sannydsa, or undergoing severe austerities by keeping oneself submerged in water in the winter and surrounding oneself

480 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA by fire in the summer. The Absolute Truth is only realized by one who has received the mercy of a pure devotee.

in the Sixth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam) rajobhih sama-sankhydtdh pdrthivair iha jantavah tesdm ye kecanehante sreyo vai manujddayah prdyo mumuksavas tesdm kecanaiva dvijottama mumuksundrh sahasresu kascin mucyeta sidhyati muktdndm api siddhdndm ndrdyana-pardyanah sudurlabhah prasdntdtmd kotisv api mahd-mune There are innumerable living entities within the material world, just as there are countless atoms. Among all the living entities, only a few are interested in understanding the goal of life. Among all such people, only a few actually desire to become liberated from material entanglement. Most of those who endeavor for liberation fail to attain success. Among thousands of such people, very rarely is it seen that someone actually gives up family life and material association to inquire about the Absolute Truth. And, among millions of liberated souls, only a very few are seen to be devotees of Lord Narayana.

For those who are engaged in the devotional service of Lord Narayana, heaven, hell, and liberation area all the same. There is no situation that can cause fear to a pure devotee of the Lord.

Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaisnava who is completely freed from material contamination, materialistic persons cannot become attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His glorious pastimes. Only by becoming Krsna conscious can one become freed from material bondage.

If a brahmana possesses all twelve brahminical qualifications but is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he must certainly be considered inferior to a devotee born in a family of dog-eaters who has dedicated his mind, words, activities, and wealth to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee can purify his whole family whereas a non-devotee brdhmana cannot even purify himself.

in the Eighth Canto of the Srimad'Bhagavatam) ekdntino yasya na kancandrtharh vdnchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannah

482 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA aty-adbhutam tac-caritam sumangalam gdyanta dnanda-samudra-magndh Only those who demand nothing from the Supreme Lord and who worship Him with undivided attention dive into the ocean of transcendental ecstasy while chanting His glories.

found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [9.4.63-66 and 68]) aharh bhakta-parddhlno hy asvatantra iva dvija sddhubhir grasta-hrdayo bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah ndham dtmdnam dsdse mad-bhaktaih sddhubhir vind sriyarh cdtyantiklrh brahman yesdrh gatir aharh para ye ddrdgdra-putrdpta- prdndn vittam imam param hitvd mam saranarh ydtdh katham tarns tyaktum utsahe mayi nirbaddha-hrdaydh sddhavah sama-dariandh vase kurvanti mam bhaktyd sat-striyah sat-patim yathd sddhavo hrdayam mahyam sddhunam hrdayam w aham mad-anyat te na jdnanti ndham tebhyo mandg api (The Lord said:) I am not independent because I am completely under the control of My devotees. Because My devotees are devoid of material

desires, I reside within their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me. O foremost brdhmana, without My pure devotees, for whom I am the only destination, I could not even consider enjoying My supreme opulence. Because My pure devotees give up their homes, wives, children, relatives, wealth, and their very lives to serve Me, how could I possibly neglect them at any time? As chaste women bring their husbands under control by means of submission and service, My pure devotees, who are equal to everyone and completely attached to Me within their heart, bring Me under their control. The pure devotee is always within My heart and I am always in the heart of My pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything but Me and I do not know anyone but them.

There is nothing difficult to achieve for those great souls who have captured Lord Hari, the master of all saintly persons, by means of their love and devotion. All desires are fulfilled for the servants of Lord Visnu, whose holy names, when heard, purify one of all contamination.

Lord, as stated in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [10.2.33])

484 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tathd na te mddhava tdvakdh kvacid bhrasyanti mdrgdt tvayi baddha-sauhrddh tvaydbhiguptd vicaranti nirbhayd vindyakdnlkapa-miirdhasu prabho O Lord Madhava, if Your devotees sometimes fall from the path of devotional service, they do not come down to the level of the nondevotees because You give them all protection. They fearlessly overcome all opposition and continue to progress in devotional service.

is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [10.9.21]) ndyarh sukhdpo bhagavdn dehindrh gopikd-sutah jndnindrh cdtma-bhUtdndrh yathd bhaktimatdm iha The son of Nanda is easily available for those who have surrendered themselves to engage in His devotional service. However, He is not available to the ascetics, who accept their bodies as their self, and to the impersonalists, who falsely consider themselves to be liberated.

is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [10.10.41]) sddhundrh sama-cittdndrh sutardrh mat-krtdtmandm darsandn no bhaved bandhah purhso 'ksnoh savitur yathd When one comes out into the sunlight, there is no longer any question of darkness. Similarly, when one gains the association of a sddhu, who is fully surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no longer a question of material bondage.

It cannot be denied that there are many holy places next to sacred rivers, or that the demigods appear in deity forms made of earth and stone. However, it takes a long time for these to purify the soul whereas saintly persons can purify one simply by being seen.

The demigods controlling fire, the sun, the moon, the stars, earth, water, ether, air, speech, and mind cannot remove the sins of their worshipers, who thus continue in material consciousness. On the other hand, saintly devotees destroy one's sins when they are respectfully served for even a moment. Those who consider their material bodies to be their self, who consider their wife and children as their own, who consider the land of their birth to be worshipable, and who go to a holy place of pilgrimage simply to bathe in the river, without inquiring from the saintly persons residing there, are no better than a cow or an ass.

Lord, which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam. [10.87.27])

486 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tava pari ye caranty akhila-sattva-niketatayd ta uta paddkramanty aviganayya siro nirrteh parivayase pasun iva gird vibudhan api tarns tvayi krta-sauhrddh khalu punanti na ye vimukhdh The devotees who take shelter of You have only disdain for Death, placing their feet upon his head. However, with the Vedic injunctions, You bind the nondevotees, just like domestic animals, even though they may be vastly learned scholars. It is Your devotees who are capable of purifying themselves and others, not those who are envious of You.

The demigods give the living entities both happiness and distress but the activities of great souls like you (Narada), who are an unalloyed devotee of the Lord, only result in happiness for all beings. Those who worship the demigods receive reciprocation from them in a way that just corresponds to the offering. The demigods are disposers of karma and thus, they follow the living entities, like one's shadow. Sddhus are actually merciful, however, even to the most fallen souls.

There is no need to even think in terms of good qualities and faults in relation to the saintly devotees, who have attained the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead and who treat all living entities equally.

Just as cold, fear, and darkness are dispelled by the appearance of fire— foolishness, fear, and ignorance are destroyed for one who is engaged in serving the devotees of the Lord. The devotees of the Lord, who are peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, are the only shelter for those who are repeatedly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of material existence. Such devotees are just like a strong boat that comes to rescue one who is drowning in the ocean. Just as food sustains the life of all creatures, just as I am the ultimate shelter for those who are distressed, and just as religion is the wealth of those

488 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA about to leave this world—My devotees are the only refuge for those who are afraid of falling into a miserable condition of life. My devotees bestow divine eyes upon their disciples, whereas the sun only bestows external vision when it rises in the sky. My devotees are one's real well-wishers because they are non-different from Me.

My sober and saintly devotees, who have completely dedicated themselves to My service, do not desire anything besides Me. Indeed, even if I offer them liberation from the vicious cycle of repeated birth and death, they do not accept it.

The display of compassion that great personalities who are attached to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord display towards the foolish living entities who are afflicted by the three-fold miseries is not at all astonishing.

Even the most sinful and low-born persons become purified simply by hearing from and seeing an exalted personality like you. What then can be said of one who has your association?

verse, which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [6.3.27]) te deva-siddha-pariglta-pavitra-gdthd ye sddhavah samadrso bhagavat-prapanndh tan nopasldata harer gadaydbhiguptdn naisdrh vayam na ca vayah prabhavdma dande My dear servants, please do not approach the devotees who have surrendered at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and who treat everyone equally. Such devotees are glorified by the demigods of heaven and so, please do not even go near them. Because they are protected by the club of the Supreme Lord, Brahma and I, and even the time factor, are incapable of chastising them.

You should stay far away from exalted Vaisnavas, whose sinful reactions have been reduced to nil by following the prescribed yamas and niyamas, who are not bewildered by desires for material enjoyment, who do not expect any respect for themselves, who are not envious of anyone, and whose hearts are attached to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.

490 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA This cosmic manifestation, as well as myself (Yamaraja) are non- different from Lord Vasudeva. He alone is the supreme controller, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Considering this, you (the Yamadutas) should leave them (the devotees) alone, remembering that their hearts are completely pure because the unlimited Lord resides there.

O messengers, those who always take shelter of the Supreme Lord, saying, "O Lord Visnu! O supreme controller! O Acyuta! O Vasudeva! O lotus-eyed Lord!", should never be approached by you.

The Sudarsana cakra, which is beyond our power to counteract, protects anyone in whose heart the inexhaustible Supreme Lord resides. Indeed, the destination of such devotees is Vaikuntha.

Just to benefit the conditioned souls, Brahma, who was born on the universal lotus flower and who is adored by all classes of men, appointed me to the post of Yamaraja long ago, so that I could engage myself in awarding everyone the results of their fruitive activities. I punish those who are averse to the lotus feet of Lord Hari, the spiritual master of everyone, and I offer my respectful obeisances unto those who have surrendered at His lotus feet.

Even if Vaisnavas commit some sinful activities, I do not have the right to punish them. Indeed, 1 am firmly devoted to the lotus feet of the Lord's devotees and by their mercy, I hope to elevate myself to Vaikuntha, where I can directly serve Lord Vasudeva. I am not at all independent for I am fully dependent on Lord Krsna, who is competent to punish me if the need were to arise.

Although the moon has spots, it cannot be overcome by darkness. Similarly, saintly persons, who are fully absorbed in thinking of Lord Hari, are to be considered glorious, even if they sometimes are seen to commit sinful activities. Such contamination can never obscure their glorious position.

is recorded in the Padma Purana, these verses are found) prdhdsmdn yamund-bhrdtd sddararh hi punah punah bhavadbhir vaisnavas tydjyd na te syurmama gocardh durdcdro duskulo'pi sada papa rato'pi vd bhavadbhir vaisnavastydjyo visnunced bhajate narah

492 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The brother of the River Yamuna, Yamaraja, has repeatedly instructed us, "Never arrest Vaisnavas, for they do not fall under my jurisdiction. Even if one who worships Lord Visnu was born in a wretched family or was always engaged in sinful activities, he must be accepted as a Vaisnava and so, you should not approach him."

Those who live in the association of Vaisnaas and those who eat at the houses of Vaisnavas are freed from all sinful reactions, by their association. You should always leave such persons alone.

If you are actually my faithful servants then do not bring to me those persons who fast on Ekadasi, even though they may have committed hundreds of sinful activities. Even though one may have committed millions of sinful activities, if he remembers Lord Janardana at the time of death then you should not approach him. This is my order. Neither I, nor Brahma, nor Siva, nor Agni, nor Indra, nor any other demigod is capable of punishing a Vaisnava. Indeed, I treat all Vaisnavas with the greatest respect. Therefore, you should stay far away from Vaisnavas. Vaisnavas are as worshipable as Lord Visnu and so, those who offend them will certainly meet with destruction.

Simply by remembering an exalted Vaisnava, hundreds of sinful reactions are burnt to ashes. There is no doubt about this. How can I possibly describe the glories of the water that has washed their lotus feet? Simply by receiving the dust from their lotus feet, one can achieve the benefit of bathing in the Ganga, Narmada and Yamuna. Everyone can become thoroughly purified by

494 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA water in the form of a Vaisnava's instructions, even without bathing in the Ganga, or in thousands of other holy places of pilgrimage.

If either you or I cause trouble to a Vaisnava then nowhere will afford us shelter, be it Brahmaloka, Kailasa, or the abode of any other demigod.

If one offends a Vaisnava then no one, including the demigods, Gandharvas, Yaksas, Uragas, Raksasas, or sages can give him protection. O great souls, due to fear of the Sudarsana cakra, I cannot even dream of displeasing the Vaisnavas, by means of my body, mind, or speech. If I were to harass the Vaisnavas, the Lord's Sudarsana cakra, His carrier, Garuda, and His messengers would angrily confront me.

You should always remain calm and sober while dealing with Vaisnavas, who are always engaged in the devotional service of Lord Visnu. Devotees of the Lord are grateful, they follow the vow of Ekadasi, and they are self- controlled. In a mood of surrender at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, they cry out, "O Acyuta! O Narayana! O Hari! We take shelter of Yo»."

You should never try to obstruct a Vaisnava, whose intelligence is engaged in the service of Lord Hari, who is eager to follow the path traversed by the mahdjanas, who is charitable toward other devotees, who takes pleasure in narrating Lord Hari's pastimes, and who faithfully chants the holy name of the Lord.

O messengers, you should never impede the great souls who have given up the association of non-devotees, who find satisfaction in performing devotional service to Lord Hari, who are greedy for associating with saintly persons, who decorate their bodies with tilaka, who do not discriminate between Lord Hari and Lord Siva, and who are always ready to benefit everyone by instructing them in the practice of devotional service to Lord Hari.

496 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA viprendra pddajala sevana samprahrstais tan pdpino'pi ca bhatdh satatam tvajadhvam Even though they may be engaged in sinful activities, you should carefully avoid the devotees who have received the merciful glance of a great soul. Don't approach one who is always absorbed in discussions of Lord Hari, whose object of meditation is Lord Hari, and who takes pleasure in drinking the caranamrta of Vaisnavas and exalted brdhrnanas.

Even though the Supreme Personality of Godhead is fully independent, He becomes dependent upon His devotees. The Lord is not as attached to the goddess of fortune, nor to the kings and demigods who beg for her benedictions. Where is that person who is actually grateful and yet, will not agree to worship the Supreme Lord?

My dear Lord, I do not want even the position of Brahma if it is devoid of Your devotional service. I would rather become an insect, birth after birth, if I can be engaged in Your devotional service.

My dear Lord, I pray that in this life as Lord Brahma, or in any other life, wherever I may be born, I may be engaged as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even if I happen to be born as an animal, I may be engaged in devotional service to Your lotus feet.

My repeated obeisances to the devotees who have abandoned their wives, children, relatives, the principles of varndsrama, wealth, property, and even the desire for liberation, to engage in the worship of Lord Krsna.

One would dare to describe the unending waves in the nectarean ocean of the glories of the devotees of the Supreme Lord only because of his intense eagerness to relish such descriptions.

498 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA kdryyd sarvveh prayatnena dvau lokau vijiglsubhih Therefore, those who wish to achieve all success in this life and the next should always and by all means try to associate with the pure devotees of the Supreme Lord.

Let us offer our humble obeisances to the shoes of those great devotees who are never deviated from the process for attaining life's ultimate goal.

in the Brhari'naradiya Purdna, this verse is found) haribhakti pardndntu sangindm sangamdtratah mucyate sarvvapdpebhyo mahapdtaka vdnapi Even a most sinful person can become freed from all sinful reactions simply by associating with those who take pleasure in associating with exalted devotees of Lord Hari.

and awards one the four objectives of life)

pddrne vaisakha-mdhatmye sri munisarmmdnarh prati pretdndmuktau (The Pretas spoke this verse to Munisarma, which is recorded in the Vaisakha-mahdtmya section of the Padma Purdna) vinasayati apayaio buddhirh visadayatyapi pratisthd payati prdyo nrnarh vaisnava darsanam Simply by seeing a Vaisnava, one's faults of blasphemy and a bad reputation are destroyed. Indeed, the darsana of a Vaisnava purifies one's intelligence and often causes one to become fixed in the goal of human life.

is recorded in the same Purdna, this verse is found) yadd prapadya mdnasya bhagavantarh vibhdvasum sitarh bhayarh tamo'pyeti sddhiin sarhsevatah sada Just as a person who takes shelter of a fire gets relief from the cold, fear of ghosts and thieves, and darkness—those who regularly associate with saintly persons are freed from all types of fearful conditions of life.

The association of devotees instantly destroys one's sinful reactions, increases auspiciousness, and helps to improve one's reputation.

500 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

tatxaiva (In the same Purdna, it is stated) gangddi punya tirthesu yo narah sndtum icchati yah karoti satdrh sangam tayoh satsangamo varah Those who associate with saintly persons are superior to those who merely bathe in a holy river, such as the Ganga.

There is no need to give charity, perform penance, visit holy places, or conduct sacrifices for one who has bathed in the Ganges in the form of associating with devotees.

Whatever desirable objects are found in this world can be obtained simply by the influence of sddhu-sanga, the association of devotees.

vdsisthe (In the Vasistha it is stated) iunyam dpurnatdm id mrtir api amrtdyate dpat sampadi vdbhdti vidvajjana-samdgame By associating with those learned devotees who are familiar with the glories of bhakti, one's household becomes complete, even if there is death in the family. Indeed, death transforms into immortality, and danger into wealth.

Association for the purpose of sense gratification is certainly the path to bondage but the same association, if it is with a saintly person, even unintentionally, leads to liberation.

Every intelligent man knows that attachment for material objects is the greatest entanglement of the spirit soul but that same attachment, when applied to a pure devotee, opens the door to liberation.

502 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

If the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased then one's enemy becomes a friend, poison becomes nectar, and irreligion becomes religion. And, if the Supreme Lord is displeased then a friend becomes an enemy, nectar becomes poison, and religion becomes irreligion.

If sinful activities are committed for My sake then they transform into religious principles, by My influence. On the other hand, religious duties performed while neglecting Me are transformed into impious activities.

O Lord with a lotus-like navel, if one associates with a devotee who always hankers after Your lotus feet, seeking their fragrance, he will lose all attachment for his material body, as well as for his children, friends, house, wealth, and wife, which are very, very dear to materialistic men.

Who would not be pleased by cooling moon rays in the form of shelter at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava, which is satisfying, soothing, and full of nectar.

is found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [10.51.53]) bhavdpavargo bhramato yadd bhavej janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samdgamah sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau paravarese tvayi jdyate matih O infallible Lord, when the material bondage of a materialistic person is destroyed by Your mercy, he will achieve the association of devotees. At that time, he will become freed from all bad association and fix his mind on You. When his mind is thus fixed at Your lotus feet, he will easily attain liberation from material existence.

504 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA yatra ndrdyanah sdksdd bhagavdn nydsindrh gatih sarhstuyate sat-kathdsu mukta-sangaih punah punah tesdrh vicaratdrh padbhydrh tlrthdndrh pdvanecchayd bhltasya kim na roceta tdvakdndrh Whenever discussions of the transcendental world are held, member of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least for the tim« being. At least, they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffe from anxiety or fear. The Supreme Lord, Narayana, is present with the devotees who ar engaged in hearing and chanting His holy name. Lord Narayana is th ultimate goal of sannydsis and He is worshiped by the performance c sankirtana by those who are liberated from material contamination. My dear Lord, Your devotees travel throughout the world to purify evei the holy places of pilgrimage. Is this not beneficial for those who are afrai< of material existence?

is recorded in the Brhan~naradiya Purana, this verse is found) asdrabhiite samsdre sdra metad ajdtmaja bhagavad bhakta sange hi haribhaktirh samicchatdm O son of Brahma, for those who desire to be engaged in the devotion? service to Lord Hari, the association of devotees is most essential.

The association of saintly persons is just like the nectar that was obtained by churning the ocean of milk. It is an easily available remedy for material miseries and the giver of pleasure to all living entities.

Vaisdhha-rnahatmya section of the Padma Purdna) prasangena satdmdtma manah sruti rasdyandh bhavanti kirttaniyasya kathdh krsnasya komaldh In the association of devotees, the sweet and beautiful glories of Lord Krsna are discussed, which are very pleasing to the ears and minds of the living entities.

In the association of pure devotees, discussions of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and heart. By cultivating such knowledge, one gradually becomes advanced on the path of devotional service. When he is freed from all anarthas and fixed in mind, his real devotional service begins.

506 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

My dear King, if, in that place where pure devotees reside, following the rules and regulations and engaged with great determination, hearing and chanting the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one gets the chance to hear their talks, which are like the waves of a river of nectar, he will forget the bodily necessities of life—such as hunger and thirst—and become freed from the influence of fear, lamentation, and illusion.

Rahugana that is recorded in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [5.12.13]) yatrottamasloka-gundnuvddah prastuyate nisevyamdno 'nudinarh mumuksor matirh satirh yacchati vdsudeve In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material subjects, there is only discussion of the qualities, forms, and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such discussions with respect, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of Brahman abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the devotional service of the Lord.

end of the story about Aula, which is narrated in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [11.26.28- 29]) tesu nityarh mahd-bhdga mahd-bhagesu mat-kathdh sambhavanti hi td nfndrh jusatdrh prapunanty agham td ye srnvanti gdyanti hy anumodanti cddrtdh mat-pardh sraddadhdnds ca bhaktirh vindanti te mayi O greatly fortunate Uddhava, in the association of saintly devotees, there is constant discussion of Me. Those taking part in such chanting and hearing of My glories are certainly purified of all sins. Whoever hears, chants, and respectfully takes to heart these discussions about Me becomes faithfully dedicated to Me and thus achieves My devotional service.

brhanndradiye tatraiva (In the Brhan-ndradiya Purdna it is stated) bhaktistu bhagavadbhakta sangena parijdyate satsangah prdpyate pumbhih sukrtaih purvva sansitaih Devotional service is achieved in the association of devotees. The association of devotees is obtained by a person who had accumulated heaps of pious activities in his previous lives.

Uddhava that is recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.11.49 and 11.12.1-2]) athaitat paramam guhyarh srnvato yadu-nandana su-gopyam api vaksyami tvarh me bhrtyah suhrt sakhd na rodhayati mam yogo na sdnkhyam dharma eva ca na svddhydyas tapas tydgo nestd-purtam na daksind vratani yajnas chanddrhsi tlrthdni niyamd yamah yathdvarundhe sat-sangah sarva-sangdpaho hi mam My dear Uddhava, beloved descendent in the Yadu dynasty, because you are My servant, well-wisher, and friend, I shall now speak to you the most confidential knowledge. By associating with My pure devotees, one can give up his attachment for the objects of material sense gratification. Indeed, such association brings Me under the control of My devotee. One may perform astdnga-yoga, engage in a philosophical search for genuine knowledge, practice nonviolence and other principles of piety, chant the Vedic mantras, perform austerities, accept the renounced order of life, perform elaborate sacrifices, and dig wells, plant trees and perform other social services, give in charity, execute severe vows, worship the demigods, and visit holy places of pilgrimage but by performing such activities, one does not bring Me under his control.

O sage, what is there that one cannot attain by serving the lotus feet of great souls like you? By serving exalted devotees of the Lord, one can achieve love and attachment for the lotus feet of the imperishable Supreme Lord, the slayer of the demon, Madhu. As a result of this attachment, one's material existence becomes extinguished.

found in the Srvmad-Bhdgavatam [1.18.13 and 4.30.34, respectively]) tulaydma lavendpi na svargarh ndpunar-bhavam bhagavat-sangi-sangasya martydndrh kim utdsisah The value of a moment's association with a pure devotee of the Lord cannot be compared even to the attainment of the heavenly planets or liberation from material existence, and so what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are destined to die.

which is found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [4.24.57]) ksandrdhendpi tulaye na svargarh ndpunar-bhavam bhagavat-sangi-sangasya martydndrh kim utdsisah If one has the good fortune to associate with a pure devotee, even for a fraction of a moment, he loses all attraction for elevation to the heavenly planets and liberation from material existence. What interest then can he have in the benedictions of the demigods, who are subjected to birth and death?

510 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Markandeya that is recorded in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [12.10.7]) athdpi samvadisydmo bhavdny etena sddhund ayarh hi paramo labho nrndrh sddhu-samdgamah Still, my dear Bhavani, let us talk with this saintly personality. After all, association with saintly devotees is a person's greatest good fortune.

which is recorded in the Hari'bhakti'Sitdhodaya) aksnoh phalam tvddrsa darsanam hi tanvdh phalam tvddrsa gdtrasangah jihva phalam tvddrsa klrttanarh hi sudurlabhd bhdgavatd hi loke The perfection of the eyes is to see the devotees, the perfection of the body is to touch the devotees, and the perfection of the tongue is to glorify their holy names. The association of devotees is rarely attained in this world.

Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of God, the Vaikuntha planets in the spiritual sky. Pure devotees are fully engaged

in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the master of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.

It is very rare for the conditioned souls to attain the human form of life, and it can be lost at any moment. And yet, those who have attained a human birth rarely gain the association of pure devotees, who are very dear to the Lord.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [4.9.11]) bhaktirh muhuh pravahatdrh tvayi me prasango bhuydd ananta mahatdm amaldsaydndm yendnjasolbanam uru-vyasanarh bhavdbdhirh nesye bhavad-guna-kathdmrta-pdna-rnattah O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I can gain the association of pure devotees who are constantly engaged in Your transcendental loving service, as waves of a river continuously flow. By the process of devotional service, I shall surely be able to cross the great ocean of material existence, which is filled with waves of great danger. It will be very easy for me, for I am very anxious to hear about Your transcendental qualities and pastimes.

is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [4.24.58]) athdnaghdnghres tava klrti-tirthayor antar-bahih-sndna-vidhuta-pdpmandm

512 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA bhutesv anukroia-susattva-iilindm sydt sangamo 'nugraha esa nas tava My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the cause of all auspiciousness and the destroyer of all kinds of sinful reactions. I therefore beg You to bless me with the association of Your devotees, who are completely purified because of worshiping Your lotus feet and who are very merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your best benediction will be to allow me to associate with Your devotees.

My dear Lord, for as long as we have to remain within this material world, wandering from one kind of body to another, and from one planet to another, may we have the association of those who are engaged in discussing Your pastimes.

My dear Lord, I have had enough experience of worldly opulence, mystic powers, and other material pleasures that are enjoyed by all living entities, from Lord Brahma down to a mere insect. As irresistible time, You destroy everyone and everything. Therefore, I do not want to possess these things. Instead, I request that You give me the association of Your pure devotee and let me sincerely serve him.

One should never associate with sinful people because this will cause one to degrade himself and thus fail to achieve life's ultimate goal.

It is better to live in a cage surrounded by fire than to live in the association of those who are averse to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.

in the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purdna, this verse is found) avaisnavastu ye viprds cdnddldd adhamdh smrtdh tesdrh sambhdsanarh spdrsarh somapdnddi varjjayet One should not even converse with non-devotee brahmanas. One should even avoid touching them and eating and drinking with them because they are considered to be more fallen than dog-eaters.

Devahuti that is recorded in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [3.31.33-35])

514 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA satyam saucarh dayd maunarh buddhih srlr hrlr yasah ksamd samo damo bhagai ceti yat-sangdd ydti sanksayam tesv asdntesu mudhesu khanditdtmasv asddhusu sangarh na kurydc chocyesu yosit-krldd-mrgesu ca na tathdsya bhaven moho bandhas cdnya-prasangatah yosit-sangdd yathd purhso yathd tat-sangi-sangatah If one pursues the path of material enjoyment, associating with those who are simply interested in sexual enjoyment, he will gradually become devoid of truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, gravity, spiritual intelligence, shyness, austerity, fame, forgiveness, control of the mind, control of the senses, and good fortune. One should never associate with a coarse fool who is bereft of the knowledge of self-realization and who is no more than a dancing dog in the hands of a woman. The infatuation and bondage which are caused due to attachment to any other object is not as complete as that resulting from attachment to a woman or to the association of men who are fond of women.

and Uddhava that is recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatton [11.26.3]) sangam na kurydd asatdrh sisnodara-trpdm kvacit tasydnugas tamasy andhe pataty andhdnugdndha-vat One should never associate with materialists who are dedicated to gratifying their genitals and bellies. By following their example, one falls

into the deepest pit of darkness, just like a blind man who follows another blind man.

Those who are averse to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord are called non-devotees. Even if they sometimes follow proper etiquette, they can never achieve genuine auspiciousness.

in the Brhan-ndradiya Purdna, this verse if found) kirn vedaih kimu vd idstreih kimu tlrtha nisevanaih visnubhakti-vihinandrh kim tapobhih kimadhvaraih What is the use of studying the Vedas and other scriptures, undergoing penance, traveling to holy places of pilgrimage, or conducting fire sacrifices for those who are devoid of devotional service to Lord Visnu?

If a person has no devotion for Lord Krsna, the supreme controller, even if he is well-versed in all the Vedic literatures, he is to be considered a most fallen soul.

516 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Lord, as stated in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [3.9.10]) ahny dprtdrta-karand nisi nihsaydnd ndnd-manoratha-dhiyd ksana-bhagna-nidrah daivdhatdrtha-racand rsayo 'pi deva yusmat-prasanga-vimukhd iha sathsaranti Non-devotees engage their senses in very troublesome and extensive work, and they cannot sleep at night because they are disturbed by various mental concoctions. They are frustrated in all their plan making by supernatural power. Even great sages, if they are against You, must continue in the cycle of repeated birth and death in this material world.

O King, just as a river of water is unable to purify a wine container, even properly executed atonement cannot purify a person who is averse to Lord Narayana.

How can those persons in whose hearts the all auspicious Supreme Lord does not reside attain auspiciousness? What then can be said about nullification of the reactions to sinful activities performed by them?

is narrated in the Brhan-ndradiya Purana, this verse is found) hari pujd vihlndsca veda vidvesinas tathd dvijago'dvesi nascdpi raksasah pariklrttitdh Those who are averse to the worship o{ Lord Hari, who are envious of cows and brahmanas, and disrespectful toward the Vedas are considered to be demons.

were spoken by Yamaraja while instructing his messengers) tan dnayadhvam asato vimukhdn mukunda- paddravinda-makaranda-rasdd ajasram niskincanaih paramahamsa-kulair asangair justdd grhe niraya-vartmani baddha-trsnan jihvd na vakti bhagavad-guna-ndmadheyam cetas ca na smarati tac-carandravindam krsndya no namati yac-chira ekadapi tan dnayadhvam asato 'krta-visnu-krtydn Paramahamsas are exalted personalities who have no taste for material enjoyment and who drink the honey of the Lord's lotus feet. My dear servants, bring to me for punishment only those who are averse to the taste of that honey, who do not associate with paramahamsas and who are attached to family life and worldly enjoyment, which are the path leading to hell. My dear servants, please bring to me only those sinful persons who do not use their tongues to chant the holy name of Lord Krsna, whose hearts do not remember the lotus feet of Krsna, even once, and whose heads do not bow down before Lord Krsna. Please bring to me all such fools and rascals.

518 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

that is recorded in the Skanda Purana, these verses are found) yo hi bhdgavatarh lokam upahdsarh nrpottama karoti tasya nasyanti artha dharmma yasah sutdh ninddrh kurvvanti ye mudhd vaisnavandrh mahdtmandrh patanti pitrbhih sarddham mahd raurava samjnite O Emperor, by blaspheming a Vaisnava, one loses his religiosity, wealth, glory, children, and exalted position. Foolish people who blaspheme exalted Vaisnavas will have to suffer in the hell known as Raurava, along with their forefathers.

One who beats, criticizes, hates, disrespects, displays anger toward, or does not express happiness upon seeing a Vaisnava will go to hell. These six activities can lead one on the path to hellish life.

Those who give trouble to Vaisnavas will lose all the piety that they had accumulated since birth-

recorded in .', these verses are found) kara patreisca phalyante sutl vrairyam sdsanaih ninddm kurvvanti ye papa vaisndvdndm mahdtmandm pujito bhagavdn visnur janmdntara satair api prasldati na visvatmd vaisnave cdpamdnite The Yamadutas cut into pieces with a sharp knife the body of a person who blasphemes pure devotees of the Lord. Lord Hari never becomes pleased with those who disregard Vaisnavas, even if He is worshiped by them, birth after birth.

Anyone who fails to immediately leave the place where he hears criticism of the Supreme Lord or His faithful devotee will certainly fall down and lose all of his pious merit.

520 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA na tu kalpa sahasrdni bhaktihlnasya kesave It is better to live for five days as a devotee of Lord Visnu than to live for one thousand kalpas without devotion for Lord Kesava.

end of the story about Aula, this verse is found) taw duhsangam utsrjya satsu sajjeta buddhimdn santa evdsya chindanti mano-vydsangam uktibhih An intelligent person should therefore give up all bad association and instead search out the association of saintly devotees, whose words cut the rope of excessive attachment within one's mind.

Thereafter, one should approach exalted devotees whose bodies are decorated with tilaka and auspicious symbols and offer obeisances to them from a distance by falling flat onto the ground.

It is recommended that as soon as a Vaisnava sees another Vaisnava he should bow down to Him by touching his head to the ground. This is done

because Lord Hari, who carries a conch, club, disc, and lotus in His four hands, resides within the hearts of both devotees.

By offering obeisances to only one person who is seated in an assembly, at a sacrificial arena, or in a temple room, all of one's piety that had been accumulated over a long period of time is destroyed. In other words, if one simply offers obeisances to one person, ignoring the other devotees or the Deities, that is considered to be an offense.

As soon as one sees a Vaisnava who has just arrived from another place, one should embrace him with affection, and please him by introducing him to his fellow Vaisnavas.

522 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA When one sees a devotee of Lord Narayana who has just arrived from another place, one should please him by affectionately introducing him to the other devotees.

When a Vaisnava arrives at your door, you should very respectfully greet him, speak to him with sweet words, and behave with him like a friend. Otherwise, you will surely be considered to have committed a sin.

that is recorded in the SUanda Purana, it is stated) drstvd bhdgavatarh daivdt sammukhe yo na ydti hi na grhndti haristasya pujdm dvddasvdrsiklm For twelve years, the Supreme Lord will not accept the worship of a person who fails to greet a Vaisnava immediately upon meeting him.

O foremost king, the house of a person who does not listen to a vaisnava who has come to his house is just like a graveyard. The forefathers do not live in that house. There is no one more sinful than a person who does not treat according to his own ability a vaisnava who has arrived from another place.

One whose heart does not soften due to compassion upon seeing a tired devotee of Lord Hari arrive at his door (or temple) is certainly a miscreant and more degraded than a dog-eater.

Lord Hari becomes displeased with someone who, after seeing a qualified brdnmana that is devoted to the Supreme Lord, and who is in need of assistance, does not look after his comfort.

O King, Lord Hari does not forgive the sinful person who, after seeing an exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord, does not offer him obeisances and worship him. If a Vaisnava returns home without being worshiped, the

524 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA piety that the landlord had accumulated during his last one hundred births vanishes.

O King, by disrespecting Vaisnavas, one becomes afflicted by the sinful reactions for being averse to the worship of the demigods and forefathers, and eating on Ekadasi. One who first displays respect for a Vaisnava and then disregards him later on, faces ruination, along with his entire family.

recorded in the Vcusakha-inahatmya of the Padma Purdna it is stated) vaisnavam janamalokya ndbhyutthdnarh karoti yah pranayddarato vipra sa naro narakdtithih If someone does not stand up and show love and respect upon seeing a Vaisnava, he will certainly go to hell.

Even though it may exhibit great prosperity, a house where the devotees of the Lord have never been invited and where there is no water for washing their feet is to be compared to a tree full of snakes.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) dhanyo'harh krta krtyo'harh yad yuyam grhamdgatdh durllabharh darsanarh nilnarh vaisnavdndrh yathd hareh meru mandara tulyd vai punya punjd mayd krtdh sarhprdptarh darsanarh yad vai vaisnavdndrh mahdtmandm When a Vaisnava comes to his house, a householder should greet him by saying, "My life has become successful because of your auspicious arrival. Just as the darsana of Lord Hari is rarely attained, so is the darsana of a Vaisnava. I must have accumulated heaps of piety, as great as Mount Sumeru, so that I now have the opportunity of serving an exalted Vaisnava."

which is found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [10.8.4]) mahad-vicalanarh nfndrh grhindrh dina-cetasdm nihsreyasdya bhagavan halpate ndnyathd kvacit O exalted devotee, saints like you travel over the earth for the sake of poor-hearted householders like us, not for fulfilling any personal desire.

526 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

as recorded in the Snmad'Bhdgavatam. [4.22.7, 10, 13-14]) aho dcaritarh kim me mangalam mangaldyandh yasya vo darsanarh hy dsld durdarsdndm ca yogibhih adhand api te dhanydh sddhavo grha-medhinah yad-grhd hy arha-varydmbu- trna-bhumiivardvardh kaccin nah kusalam ndthd indriydrthdrtha-vedindm vyasandvdpa etasmin patitdndm sva-karmabhih bhavatsu kusala-prasna dtmdrdmesu nesyate kusaldkusald yatra na sand mati-vrttayah King Prthu said: My dear sages, it is very difficult for even mystic yogis to see you because you are very rarely seen in this world. I do not know what kind of pious activity I performed so that now, you are present before me. A person may not be rich and he may be attached to family life but he becomes glorious when saintly persons are present in his home. Both master and servants who are engaged in offering their visitors water, a sitting place, and paraphernalia for reception are glorified. Thereafter, Prthu Maharaja inquired from the sages about how persons who are entangled in material existence because of their previous actions, and thus are simply engaged in matters of sense gratification, could achieve a life of auspiciousness. King Prthu continued: My dear sages, there is no need for me to ask about your good or bad fortune because you are always absorbed in transcendental

ecstasy. The mental concoction of auspicious and inauspicious does not exist in you.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) sammukham vraja mdnasya vaisnavdndm narddhipa pade pade yajnaphalam prdhuh paurdnikd dvijdh O King, long ago, respected brdhmanas stated: Those who approach exalted Vaisnavas attain the merit of performing a sacrifice with each step they take.

If a person directly or indirectly praises a Vaisnava, he will soon become freed from all sinful reactions, even if he was a drunkard, killed a brdhmana, stole gold, or enjoyed sex with his spiritual master's wife. This was stated by Lord Visnu Himself.

528 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA d prasdddd vdsudevasya te taranti bhavdrnavam Those who directly or indirectly glorify Vaisnavas easily cross over the ocean of material existence by the mercy of Lord Vasudeva.

tatraivdmrtasdroddhdre (In the Amrta-saroddhdra it is stated) sraddhayd dattam annanca vaisnavagnisu jlryyati tadannarh merund tulyarh bhavate ca dine dine daive paitre ca yo dadydd vdrimdtrantu vaisnave saptodadhi samarh bhiitvd pitrrndm upatisthati When one faithfully offers food to a Vaisnava, as the food is being digested, that person achieves pious merit as great as Mount Sumeru. A little water offered to a Vaisnava while one is worshiping the demigods or forefathers becomes as vast as the water of the seven seas, in front of the forefathers.

There is not much benefit obtained by giving charity, performing austerities, and conducting sacrifices. However, simply by worshiping the devotees of Lord Hari, one achieves all kinds of opulence. Therefore, it is the duty of every wise man to carefully worship the Vaisnavas. Anything offered to a Vaisnava, according to one's capacity, yields unlimited benefit.

narrated in the Brhan-ndradiya Purdna, it is stated) hari bhakti ratdn yastu hari buddhyd prapiijayet I tasya tusyanti viprendrd brahma visnu sivadayah By worshiping Vaisnavas who are fixed in devotional service to Lord Visnu, and by considering them to be as good as Lord Hari, one automatically pleases Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Mahadeva.

Even if one is very sinful, if he serves great Vaisnavas who are always absorbed in worshiping Lord Hari and chanting His holy names, he will attain the supreme goal of life.

narrated in the Brhari'naradlya Purdna, it is stated) sarhsdra sdgararh tartturh ya icchem munipungavdh sa bhajed haribhaktdndrh bhaktdrhste papa hdrinah

530 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O exalted sages, let those who wish to cross over the ocean of material existence worship the servants of the devotees of Lord Hari because such service nullifies all sinful reactions.

One who respectfully feeds Vaisnavas who are without any material desires will attain the abode of Lord Hari, along with twenty-one generations of his family. One who offers water or fruit to an exalted devotee who is free from material desires will achieve the same result.

Those who serve exalted devotees of Lord Visnu will attain His eternal abode, along with twenty'one generations of their families. Lord Hari personally resides, along with Laksmi and all of the demigods, in a house where devotees spontaneously worship Lord Krsna.

Food that is accepted with pleasure by a learned devotee of Lord Narayana is certainly relished by the Lord Himself. In other words, the Supreme Lord eats through the mouth of a Vaisnava. Lord Hari, the supreme soul of the universe, is very affectionate toward His devotees. He is more pleased while relishing the food offered to a Vaisnava than food offered to Him directly.

O Brahma, whatever food is offered to Me in My form as the salagrdma- sild, I accept simply by seeing it. On the other hand, I directly taste the food that is eaten by My devotee.

in the Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, these verses are found) drddhandndrh sarvvesdrh' visnor drddhanarh param tasmdt paratararh devi tadiydndrh samarccanam arccayitvd tu govindarh tadiyan ndrccayet tu yah • na sa bhdgavato jfieyah kevalarh ddmbhikah smrtah *

532 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA tasmdt sarvva prayatnena vaisnavdn pujayet sadd sarvvarh tarati gharh mahd bhdgavata arccandt Among all kinds o{ worship, the worship of Lord Visnu is the best. And yet, even superior to the worship of Lord Visnu is the worship of those who are related to Him. One who only worships Lord Govinda but does not worship His devotees cannot be called a genuine devotee. Instead, he should be considered to be a very proud person. Therefore, one should always worship Vaisnavas with great care and attention because such worship alleviates all of one's material miseries.

in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.11.44 and 11.19.21]) vaisnave bandhusatkrtyd madbhahta pujd bhyadhikd One should deal with a Vaisnava as if he were a friend and thus show him due respect. The worship of My devotee is more pleasing to Me than the worship offered directly to Me.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) karmmand manasd vdcd yer'ccayanti sadd harim tesdrh vdkyarh naraih kdryyarh te hi visnusamd nardh It is the duty of everyone to follow the orders of the great souls who constantly worship Lord Hari with their body, mind, and speech. These great souls are as glorious as Lord Hari Himself.

One should exchange warm greetings with Vaisnavas and hear the Vedic literature from them, especially the narrations of Lord Krsna's pastimes that are found in the Tenth Canto of the Srirnad-Bhagavatarn.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) vaisnavani ca sdstrdni ye srnvanti pathanti ca dhanydste mdnavd loke tesdrh krsnah prasldati Glorious are those who hear and study Vaisnava literature! Their lives are considered glorious because they give pleasure to Lord Krsna.

By worshiping Vaisnava literature in their homes, people can be relieved of all sinful reactions and gain the respect of people in general.

534 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Just to please Lord Hari, it is the duty of all Vaisnvas to respectfully maintain a library of Vaisnava literature.

O Narada, Lord Narayana personally resides in a house where Vaisnava literature is present.

Simply by studying one sloka, half of a sloka, or even one-fourth of a sloka from the Purdnas that describe the glories of Lord Visnu, one attains the merit of giving one thousand cows in charity. What to speak of human society, Vaisnava literature is rarely seen even in the abodes of the demigods, sages, and yogis.

recorded in the Skanda Purana these verses are found) mama sdstrdni ye nityarh pujayanti pathanti ca te nardh kurusddrdula * mama tithyam gatdh sadd mama sdstra vaktdram mama sdstrdnu cintakam

cintaydmi na sandeho naram tarn cdtmavat sadd O Arjuna, those who regularly worship and recite literature that is full of descriptions of My glories become just like My guest, worthy of My worship. There is no doubt that I always consider those who speak about and study My literature to be very dear to Me.

tatraiva (In the same literature, it is stated) .• jlvitddadhikarh yesdm sastram bhagavatam kalau na tesdm bhavati kleso yamyah kalpa satair api In this age of Kali, those who treat the Srimad-Bhdgavatam as being dearer than their own lives will never suffer the punishment of Yamaraja for hundreds of kalpas.

The forefathers of those who always study and recite the Srimad- Bhagavatam in their houses dance in ecstasy without considering social conventions.

536 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA prlnitds taisca vibudhd ydvada ahutd sarhplavam O brahmana sage, as long as one carefully keeps the Srimad-Bhdgavatam in his house, his forefathers enjoy an abundance of sweet rice, honey, and water. Know for certain that those who regularly worship Srimad-Bhagavatam in their houses have already satisfied all of the demigods.

Those who affectionately give the Srimad-Bhdgavatam in charity to a Vaisnava will go to reside in the abode of Lord Visnu for thousands of millions of kalpas. It is beneficial to keep even one-half or one-fourth of a sloka of Srimad- Bhdgavatam at one's home. There is no need to collect a library of hundreds and thousands of other books. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the complete and perfect literature.

In this age of Kali, one who does not have the Srimad-Bhagavatam in his house will not return from the abode of Yamaraja. In other words, he will continue to live there for a very long time. How can one be called a Vaisnava if he does not possess a copy of the Srimad-Bhagavatam'! O Narada, such a person is actually lower than a dog- eater, even if he was born in a brahmana family. Lord Hari, along with all of the demigods, personally remains present where Srimad-Bhagavatam is respectfully kept and worshiped. All holy rivers and lakes are also present at the place where Srimad-Bhagavatam is kept. In the house where Srimad-Bhagavatam is respectfully recited and studied, all of the sacred places are present, as well as all opulence and sacrifices.

538 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA astddasa purdndndm phalarh prdpnoti mdnavah One who regularly recites the Srimad-Bhdgavatam obtains the merit of giving a brown cow in charity with each of the letters he pronounces. Simply by respectfully hearing or reciting even one-half or one-quarter of a sloka of Srimad'Bhagavatam every day, one receives the benefit of giving one thousand cows in charity. O sage, one who recites the verses of Srimad-Bhdgavatam every day with a pure heart obtains the merit of studying all eighteen Puranas.

that is found in the same literature, it is stated) yo hi bhdgavate sdstre vighnam dcarate pumdn ndbhi nandati dustatmd kuldndm pdtayecchatam The sinful wretch who creates obstacles on the path of reciting Srimad- Bhagavatam, or who has no appreciation for those who recite Srimad- Bhdgavatam degrades one hundred generations of his family.

is recorded in the Padma Purana, these verses are found) amvarisa sukaproktam nityam bhagavatam srnu pathasva svamukhendpi yadicchasi bhavaksayam slokam bhagavatam vdpi ilokdrddham pddameva vd likhitam tisthate yasya grhe tasya sadd harih

vasate ndtra sandeho devadevo jandrddanah O King, if you wish to cut the knots of material bondage then recite or hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, which was spoken by Sukadeva Gosvami. Lord Hari always resides where a person respectfully keeps even one sloka, half a sloka, or one-fourth of a sloka of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

that is found in the Dvdraka-mahdtmya, it is stated) sri madbhdgavatarh sdstrarh pathate krsna kulakoti satairyuktah kridate yogibhih saha By reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam before the Deity of Lord Krsna one can later enjoy transcendental pastimes with the Lord and His devotees, along with ten million generations of his family.

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the natural commentary on the Vedanta-sutra. It is the purport of Mahabharata, the actual form of the Gayatri mantra, and the essence of the Vedas.

540 SRI HARI«BHAKTI-VILASA grantho'stadasa sdhasrah srlmad bhdgavatdbhidhah Srimad-Bhagavatam was spoken directly by the Supreme Lord. It consists of twelve cantos, one hundred sections, and eighteen thousand verses.

Completely rejecting all kinds of religious rituals that are materially motivated, this Bhagavata Purana explains the highest truth, which is understandable by those who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality, which is distinguished from illusion for the benefit of everyone. This truth uproots the three-fold miseries. This beautiful Bhdgavatam, compiled by the great sage, Vyasadeva, is sufficient in itself for realization of the Absolute Truth. What is the need for any other literature? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhdgavatam, the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God and it was compiled by Srila Vyasadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate welfare of all people. It is the most perfectly ecstatic literature. Srila Vyasadeva delivered the Srimad-Bhagavatam to his son, who is the most respected among all self-realized souls, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories.

The Bhdgavata Purdna is as brilliant as the sun and it arose just after the departure of Lord Krsna for His abode, accompanied by religion and knowledge. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali will get light from this Purdna.

542 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The material miseries of the living entity, which he unnecessarily suffers, can be mitigated by engagement in the devotional service of the Lord. People in general do not know this, however, and so Vyasadeva compiled this great literature to reveal the Absolute Truth. Simply by hearing this Vedic literature, an attraction for loving devotional service to Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion, and fearfulness.

are found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [2.1.9-10]) parinisthito 'pi nairgunya uttama-iloka- May a grhita-cetd rdjarse dkhydnarh yad adhitavdn tad aharh te 'bhidhdsydmi mahd-paurusiko bhavdn yasya sraddadhatdm dsu sydn mukunde matih satl O King, I was perfectly situated in transcendence and yet still, I became attracted by the pastimes of the Lord, who is described in poetic verses. I shall now recite the Srimad-Bhdgavatam to you because you are a most sincere devotee of Lord Krsna. One who respectfully and attentively hears Srimad- Bhdgavatam will attain unflinching faith in the Supreme Lord, who awards liberation.

All other Puranas shine brightly in an assembly of saintly devotees only as long as Srimad-Bhagavatam is not heard. Srimad-Bhagavatam is declared to be the essence of Veddnta philosophy. One who has derived great satisfaction from its transcendental taste will never be attracted to any other literature. Just as the Gariga is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among all controllers, and Lord Sambhu the greatest of Vaisnavas—Srimad- Bhagavatam is the foremost of all Puranas. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless Purana. It is most dear to the Vaisnavas because it describes the supreme knowledge that is the subject matter for paramahamsas. This Bhagavatam reveals the means for becoming free from material bondage, as well as transcendental knowledge, renunciation, and devotion. Anyone who seriously studies Srimad-Bhagavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, will surely be liberated.

544 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA 0 expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad-Bhdgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Gosvami. For this reason, this fruit has become even more delicious, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.

1 offer my obeisances unto Sukadeva, the spiritual master of all sages and the son of Vyasadeva, who, out of compassion for the materialists who struggle to cross over the darkness of material existence, spoke this most confidential cream of Vedic knowledge, after personally realizing it.

One should always worship a person who speaks on Srimad-Bhdgavatam, considering him to be on the level of one's spiritual master, for he awards one transcendental knowledge.

of sages, as recorded in the ISIarada'pancaratra) vaisnava jndna vaktdram yo vidyad visnuvad gurum pujayed vdnmanah kdyaih sa sdstrajnah sa vaisnavah

ilokapddasya vaktdpi yah pujyah sa sadaiva hi kirn punar bhagavad visnoh svaruparh vitanoti ya h A true Vaisnava, who is a knower of the sdstra, accepts the speaker who imparts the science of devotion to Lord Visnu to be as good as the Lord Himself and thus worships him with his body, mind, and speech. What to speak of that person who preaches the glories of devotional service, even one who recites only one-fourth of a sloka is eligible to be worshiped.

546 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA It is extremely difficult to attain the shelter of Lord Narayana by means of cultivation of knowledge. The source of all knowledge is sdstra and sdstra is revealed through the mouth of the spiritual master. Therefore, advancement of spiritual knowledge is dependent on the qualifications of the spiritual master. O sages, it is for this reason that the spiritual master is accepted as the topmost member of human society. The Supreme Lord assumes the form of the spiritual master and mercifully delivers the fallen, conditioned souls by means of instructions from sdstra. It is the duty of those who are afraid of material existence to worship the lotus feet of a spiritual master who is able to remove the darkness of ignorance through dissemination of an understanding of the scriptures. Respectfully receiving the Vedic literature through aural reception destroys all sinful reactions, awards one pious merit, purifies one of all contamination, and endows one with opulence, liberation, steadiness of mind, and above all, devotional service. One who preaches the true purport of sastra to all classes of men is referred to as jagadgum.

and its result of destroying all sinful reactions) skdride brahma ndrada-samvade (In a conversation between Brahma and Narada that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) tesarh ksinarh mahat pdparh varsa koti satodbhavam viprendra ndsti sandeho ye srnvanti hareh kathdm There is no doubt that the sinful reactions that one had accumulated for hundreds of millions of years are reduced when he hears discussions of Lord Hari.

The following of varndsrarna-dharma and bathing in holy places of pilgrimage cannot purify one as much as hearing about the glories of Lord Narayana.

narrated in the Brhati'-naradlya Purdna, this verse is found) aho harikathd loke pdpaghnl punya ddyinl srnvatdm vruvatdncaiva tadbhdvdndrh visesatah Alas, hari-kathd alone destroys all sinful reactions and awards auspiciousness to those who are struggling in this material world. There is no doubt that simply by attentively and respectfully hearing narrations about Lord Hari, one becomes completely purified.

Sri Krsna, the Supersoul in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses all desire for material enjoyment within the heart of His devotee who has developed the strong desire to hear His messages, which are the essence of piety when properly heard and chanted.

548 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Lord, as found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [11.6.9]) suddhir nrndm rxa tu tathedya durasaydndm vidyd-srutddhyayana-ddna-tapah-kriydbhih sattvdtmandm rsabha te yasasi pravrddha- sac-chraddhayd sravana-sambhrtayd yathd sydt O Supreme Absolute Truth, those with contaminated consciousness cannot purify themselves merely by worship of the demigods, study of the Vedas, charity, austerities, and ritualistic performances. Those who have developed firm faith in Your glories achieve a purified state of existence that can never be attained by those who lack such faith.

as found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [10.1.13]) naisdtiduhsahd ksun mam tyaktodam api bddhate pibantam tvan-mukhdmbhoja- cyutarh hari-hathdmrtam Because of my vow, I have given up drinking water and yet because I am drinking the nectar of discussions about Krsna, flowing from your lotus- like mouth, my hunger and thirst, which are extremely difficult to tolerate, cannot hinder me.

By hearing about the transcendental characteristics of Lord Visnu, one attains wealth, one's impediments are destroyed, all of one's distress is removed, and all of one's miseries caused by inauspicious planetary influences are nullified.

tatrcdva (In the same literature it is stated) srotavyarh sddhu caritarh yoso dharmma jayarthibhih pdpaksaydrtharh devarse svargdrtharh dharma buddhibhih dyusydm drogya kararh yasasyarh punya varddhanam caritarh vaisnavarh nityarh srotavyarh sadhubuddhind kitumba vrddhirh vijayarh satru nasarh yaso valarh karoti visnu caritarh sarvva kdma phala pradam O Narada, those who are desirous of attaining fame, religiosity, and victory, as well as those pious and saintly persons who wish to nullify their sinful reactions and ascend to the heavenly planets should regularly hear about the transcendental characteristics of Lord Visnu. Indeed, such hearing increases one's duration of life, and awards one good health, fame, and piety. Narrations of Lord Visnu's pastimes certainly award one victory, help one to overcome enemies, improve one's reputation, increase one's strength, and fulfill all desires.

prathamaskandhe (In the Srimad-Bhagavatam [1.2.8] it is stated)

550 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA dharmah svanusthitah purhsdrh visvaksena-kathdsu yah notpddayed yadi ratirh srama eva hi kevalam The occupational duties of a man, as prescribed by the varndsrama system, are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the messages of the Personality of Godhead.

is found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [3.6.37] it is stated) ekdnta-ldbham vacaso nu purhsdm susloka-mauler guna-vddam dhuh srutes ca vidvadbhir updkrtdydrh • kathd-sudhdydm upasamprayogam The highest perfection of life can be gained by engaging in discussions of the activities and qualities of the Supreme Lord. The pastimes of the Lord are narrated by greatly learned sages in such a nice way that the actual purpose of the ear is served just by hearing them.

By rising and setting, the sun decreases everyone's duration of life, except those who utilize their valuable time by discussing the spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead.

For one who is anxious to hear, krsna-kathd gradually increases his indifference toward everything devoid of a relationship with the Lord. The constant remembrance of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna by the devotee who has attained the platform of transcendental ecstasy immediately vanquishes all his miseries.

of the story of Prthu in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [4.23.12]) chinndnya-dhir adhigatdtma-gatir nirihas tat tatyaje 'cchinad idarh vayunena yena tdvan na yoga-gatibhir yatir apramatto ydvad gaddgraja-kathdsu ratirh na kurydt When he became completely freed from the bodily conception of life, Maharaja Prthu realized Lord Krsna, who sits within everyone's heart as the Paramatma. Being thus able to get instruction from Him, he gave up the practices of yoga and jnana. Indeed, he was not even interested in the perfection of the yoga because he fully realized that devotional service to Lord Krsna is the ultimate goal of life.

552 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA tava vikrlditam krsna nrndrh parama-mangalam karna-plyusam dsddya tyajanty anya-sprhdm jandh My dear Krsna, Your pastimes are supremely auspicious for mankind and are an like an intoxicating drink for the ears. While tasting such pastimes, people forget their desires for material enjoyment.

as related in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [430.19]) grhesv dvisatdrh cdpi purhsdrh kusala-karmandm mad-vdrtd-ydta-ydmdndrh na bandhdya grhd matdh Those who are engaged in the auspicious activities of devotional service certainly understand that the ultimate enjoyer of all activities is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Whatever a devotee does, he offers the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes his life always engaged in discussions about the Lord. Even though such a person may have a family, he is not affected by the results of his actions (karma).

O Narada, If one desires religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation then he must always hear about the glories of Lord Hari. By this one activity, one can gain everything.

» (In the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [12.4.40], this verse was spoken by Sukadeva) sarhsdra-sindhum ati-dustaram uttitirsor ndnyah plavo bhagavatah purusottamasya lild-kathd-rasa-nisevanam antarena purhso bhaved vividha-duhkha-davdrditasya Material existence is like an ocean that is extremely difficult to cross. The conditioned souls have fallen into this ocean, which, unlike water, burns them with the fire of misery. For one who has fallen into this ocean and desires to get out, there is no other boat to rescue him but the constant hearing of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

One who considers the narrations of Lord Krsna's pastimes to be more dear than his own life obtains everything desirable, in this life and in the next.

Transcendental knowledge in relation with the Supreme Lord Hari results in the complete suspension of the waves and whirlpools of the three modes of material nature. Such knowledge is satisfying to the self

554 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA because it emanates from the transcendental platform. Who would fail to be attracted?

Lord, as found in the Srimad'Bhagavatarn [10.87.21]) duravagamdtma-tattva-nigamdya tavdtta-tanos carita-mahdmrtabdhi-parivarta-parisramandh na parilasanti kecid apavargam apisvara te carana-saroja-hamsa-kula-sanga-visrsta-grhdh My Lord, some fortunate souls have gotten relief from the fatigue of material life by diving into the vast ocean of Your transcendental pastimes, which You enact when You incarnate to propagate the science of self- realization. These rare souls, who are indifferent even to liberation, renounce the happiness of family life because of their association with devotees, who are like flocks of swans enjoying at the lotus of Your feet.

found in the Srimad'Bhagavatarn [3.25.34], this verse appears) naikdtmatdrh me sprhayanti kecin mat-pdda-sevdbhirata mad-lhdh ye 'nyonyato bhdgavatdh prasajya sabhdjayante mama paurusdni A pure devotee, who fully engages in the service of My lotus feet, never desires to become one with Me. Such a devotee, who is engaged in My service without deviation, always glorifies My transcendental pastimes.

Those who drink through aural reception the nectarean messages of Lord Krsna, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to engage in the service of the Lord's lotus feet.

O Lord, those who are very serious about engaging in Your devotional service attain complete renunciation and perfect knowledge and are transferred to the Vaikuntha planets in the spiritual sky, simply by drinking the nectar of the narrations of Your glories.

spoke this verse, as found in the Skanda Purana) ye srnvanti kathdrh visnor ye pathanti hareh kathdm kaldyutarh ndvalokyam gatdste brahmd sdsvatam O messengers, never even look at anyone from the ten thousand generations of the family of those who regularly hear and recite the glories of Lord Visnu as found in the Vedic literature. Actually, you will not be able to find them because they have all attained the transcendental abode of Vaikuntha.

556 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Laksmi, the goddess oi fortune, does not leave a person whose mind is always happy to discuss narrations concerning Lord Visnu. Actually, such a person has already attained the transcendental abode of Vaikuntha.

dvddase (In the Srimad-Bhagavatam [12.3.15] it is stated) yas tuttamah-sloka-gundnuvddah safiglyate 'bhiksnam amangala-ghnah tarn eva nityarh srnuyad abhlksnarh krsne 'maldrn bhaktim abhipsamdnah One who desires pure devotional service to Lord Krsna should hear the narrations of His glorious qualities and pastimes, the constant chanting of which destroys all that is inauspicious. The devotee should hear from the scriptures on a regular basis. Indeed, a devotee should continue hearing about the Lord throughout the day.

skdnde (In the Skanda Pur&na it is stated) yatra yatra mahipdla vaisnavi varttate kathd tatra tatra harirydti gauryathd suta vatsald O King, the Lord personally appears wherever His glories are being discussed, just as a cow affectionately follows her calf. •

that is recorded in the Skanda Furdna, this verse is also found) matkathdvdcakarh nityarh matkathasravane ratam matkathdpritamanasarh ndharh tyaksydmi tarn nararh I never reject a person who always narrates My pastimes, exhibits attachment for hearing about Me, and is happy to receive the opportunity to talk about Me.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [10.14.3]) jndne praydsam udapdsya namanta eva jlvanti san-mukharitdm bhavadiya-vdrtdm sthdne sthitdh sruti-gatdrh tanu-vdn-manobhir ye prdyaso 'jita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokydm O my Lord Krsna, a devotee who gives up the process of philosophical speculation with a desire to merge into the existence of the Supreme and engages in hearing Your glories from a bona fide spiritual master, can conquer You, even though You are unconquerable.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [3.15.48])

558 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA ndtyantikarh viganayanty api te prasddarh kimv anyad arpita-bhayarh bhruva unnayais te ye 'nga tvad-anghri-sarand bhavatah kathdydh hlrtanya-tlrtha-yasasah kusald rasa-jfidh. Persons who are able to understand things as they are engage in hearing narrations of the pastimes of the Lord, which are worthy of being heard and chanted. Such persons do not care for any material benediction, not even liberation, and so what to speak of less important benedictions, such as elevation to the heavenly kingdom.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [4.7.35]) ayarh tvat-kathd-mrsta-plyusa-nadydrh mano-vdranah. klesa-ddvdgni-dagdhah trsdrto 'vagddho na sasmdra ddvarh na niskrdmati brahma-sampannavan nah O Lord, like an elephant who has entered a river after suffering in a forest fire, our minds continually enter the river of Your transcendental pastimes and never want to leave such transcendental ecstasy.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [1.1.19]) vayarh tu na vitrpydma uttama-sloka-vikrame yac-chrnvatdrh rasa-jndndrh svddu svddu pade pade One can never be satiated, even though he continuously hears the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krsna, who is glorified by poetic prayers. Those who have entered into a transcendental relationship with Lord Krsna relish the descriptions of His pastimes at every moment.

TENTH VILAS A 559

Lord Krsna is the exclusive shelter for all exalted personalities. His transcendental qualities cannot be fully understood, even by Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. Can anyone who is expert in relishing their transcendental relationship with the Lord ever be fully satiated by hearing about Him?

Please also tell us about the auspicious characteristics of the Lord in His various incarnations as He acts for the welfare of the devotees, cows, and demigods. Our minds are never satisfied, even though we continuously hear the narrations of His transcendental pastimes.

O brdhmana, how could an experienced devotee ever become tired while listening to the charming and ever-fresh narrations about Lord Krsna, which cleanse one's contamination?

560 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA

which is found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [4.20.24]) na kdmaye ndtha tad apy aharh kvacin na yatra yusmac-carandmbujdsavah mahattamantar-hrdaydn mukha-cyuto vidhatsva karndyutam esa me varah O my Lord, I do not pray for liberation or anything else because I am satisfied to simply hear Your transcendental glories. My only prayer is that You may please give me ten thousand ears so that I can hear Your glories to my heart's content.

found in the Vaisakha'tnahatmya section of the Padma Purana) ndtah pararh parama tosa-visesatosarh pasydmi punyam ucitanca parasparena santah prasajya yadananta gundnananta sreyo vidhlnadhika bhdvabhujo bhajanti There is no superior auspiciousness and satisfaction than the glorification of the transcendental qualities of the unlimitedly glorious Supreme Personality of Godhead for the pure devotees who are firmly fixed in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord.

Those who desire spiritual advancement should always hear narrations describing the transcendental qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose activities are wonderful.

The Supreme Lord accepts transcendental forms of incarnation just to perform His pastimes with His devotees and establish religious principles. The transcendental qualities and pastimes of Lord Krsna, who appeared in the Yadu dynasty, should be attentively heard by all those who desire to become absorbed in meditation upon His lotus feet.

Therefore, one should not listen to any other narrations than discussions about Lord Krsna. One should also give up the mentality of being satisfied after hearing just a few moments of glorification of the Lord.

found in the Srimad'Bhagavatarn [3.32.19] it is stated) nunarh daivena vihatd ye cdcyuta-kathd-sudhdm

562 SRI HARI-'BHAKTI-VILASA hitvd srnvanty asad-gdthdh purlsam iva vid-bhujah Those who reject hearing about the transcendental pastimes of the Lord and indulge in hearing about all kinds of abominable activities performed by materialistic people are compared to stool-eating hogs.

Vaikuntha that is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [3.15.23]) yan na vrajanty agha-bhido racandnuvaddc chrnvanti ye 'nya-visaydh kukathd mati-ghnlh yds tu srutd hata-bhagair nrbhir dtta-sdrds tarns tan ksipanty asaranesu tamahsu hanta It is very regrettable that unfortunate people do not discuss the news from Vaikuntha but instead, engage in talking about things that are unworthy to hear, and which bewilder one's intelligence. Those who give up talk of Vaikuntha and instead, relish talks of the material world are thrown into the darkest region of ignorance.

is recorded in the Skanda Purdna, these verses are found) vdcyamdnantu ye sdstrarh vaisnavarh purusddhamdh na srnvanti munisrestha tesdrh svdml sadd yamah na srnavanti na hrsyanti vaisnavirh prdpya ye kathdm dhanam dyur yaso dharmmah santdnascaiva nasyati na srnoti harer yastu kathdm papa prandsinlm

acirddeva devarse samulantu vinasayati O foremost sages, those lowest among mankind who do not lend an ear to the Vaisnava literature certainly become residents of hell. Those who do not hear the topics of Lord Visnu, in spite of getting an opportunity to do so, and do not express happiness at the prospect of hearing such topics, decrease their duration of life, wealth, fame, religious principles, and good fortune of their children. O Narada, anyone who shows no interest in hearing the narrations of Lord Hari's transcendental pastimes, which destroy all sinful reactions, faces ruination.

One who has never listened to the narrations of the wonderful pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, and has not chanted devotional songs about the Lord, is to be considered as possessing ears like the holes of a snake and a tongue like that of a frog.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam. [3.9.7]) daivena te hata-dhiyo bhavatah prasangdt sarvdsubhopasamandd vimukhendriyd ye - kurvanti kdma-sukha-lesa-lavdya dind lobhdbhibhuta-manaso 'kusaldni sasvat O my Lord, those who have never engaged themselves in chanting and hearing about Your transcendental pastimes are certainly very unfortunate and are also without good sense. They engage in inauspicious activities, enjoying sense gratification for a very little while.

564 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O sage, those who are averse to the narrations of the Lord's glories because of their sinful mentality are to be pitied by the pitiable. I also pity them because I see how their duration of life is being spoiled as they engage in mental speculation, inventing some useless goal of life.

Who, except those in the lower forms of life, can exist in this world without being interested in the ultimate goal of life? Who can refuse to hear the wonderful narrations about the Personality of Godhead's activities, which are sufficient to deliver one from material miseries?

which is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [4.20.26]) yasah sivarh suirava arya-sangame yadrcchayd copasrnoti te sakrt katharh guna-jno viramed vind pasurh srir yat pravavre guna-sangrahecchayd My dear Lord, in the association of pure devotees, if one hears even once about Your glorious activities, he will not, unless he is worse than an animal, give up their association because no intelligent person would be so foolish.

The importance of chanting and hearing about Your glories was accepted even by the goddess of fortune.

Glorification of the Lord should be performed in the parampard system, conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those who are no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of news within the material world. Descriptions of the Lord are the proper medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will not happily listen to the glorification of the Lord except a butcher, or one who is killing his own self?

An intelligent person will have no interest in a place, even the heavenly planets, if the pure Ganges of narrations of the Supreme Lord's pastimes does not flow there, if there are no devotees engaged in the service of the Lord on the banks of such a river of piety, or if there is no performance of sankirtana.

566 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA muhustadrasikdn prcchen mitho moda vivrddhaye^ Even is one has repeatedly heard the narrations of the Supreme Lord's glories, he should still inquire about the purport from those who are well versed in these subjects. This will give both the speaker and the hearer great pleasure.

dasamaskandhe (In the Srimad'Ehagavatam [10.13.2] it is stated) satdm ayarh sdra-bhrtdrh nisargo yad-artha-vdnl-sruti-cetasdm api prati-ksanarh navya-vad acyutasya yat striyd vitdndm iva sddhu vdrtd Exalted devotees, who have accepted the essence of life, are attached to Lord Krsna within the core of their hearts, and He is the aim of their lives. It is their nature to talk only about Krsna at every moment, as if such topics were ever-fresh. Advanced devotees are attached to speaking about the Lord, just as materialists are attached to discussions of women and sex.

One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, and fame and infamy—who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with whatever comes to him without much endeavor, who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge, and who is engaged in devotional service—such a person is very dear to Me.

Although one may be very nicely practicing Vaisnava dharma, he should still inquire about it from other devotees, just to increase their happiness. If one faithfully inquires about Vaisnava dharma, a genuine Vaisnava will be very happy to explain it to the best of his capacity. Indeed, to not do so would be an offense.

In the sage of Kali, when a Vaisnava who asked about Vaisnava dharma does not bother to give a reply, he will lose the pious merit that he had accumulated during his last one hundred births.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) vaisnave vaisnavarh dharmmam yo daddti dvijottamah

568 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sasdgara-mahlddne yat phalarh labhate'dhikam A qualified brahmana who preaches the principles of Vaisnava dharma to another Vaisnava will obtain the merit of giving the entire earth in charity.

One who instructs ignorant people about the principles of religion attains the merit one would obtain by giving away the entire earth in charity.

A noble person who preaches the glories of Lord Visnu to the devotees will receive the merit of giving cows in charity.

that is found in the Padma Purdna it is stated) jfidnam ajfidya yo dadydd veda sastra samudbhavam api devdstamarccanti bhagavandha viddrakam Even the demigods worship a person who imparts knowledge of the Vedic literature to an ignorant person. Such a person is capable of destroying one's bondage to material existence.

One who worships the Supreme Lord, associates with saintly persons, discusses transcendental subject matters, and is always ready to give instruction to others becomes situated on the platform of the Supreme Lord and returns to the supreme abode of Lord Visnu.

We have already described the principal symptoms of a devotee and in the process, we have revealed some of the principles of religion. Now, we will describe some other religious principles in this connection. Although these principles are clearly mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, we will repeat them here for the benefit of those who are interested.

the Dvdrakd' section of the Kasi Khanda) adya prabhrti kartavyarh janmayd krsnd tacchrnu ekddasydm na bhoktavyarh karttavyo jdgarah sadd

570 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA mahotsavah prakarttavyah pratyaham pujananatava - •• • paldrddhendpi viddhantu bhoktavyarh vdsarantava tvatprltydstau may a kdryyd dvddasyo vratasamyutdh bhaktir bhdgavatl kdryyd prdnairapi dhanairapi O Lord Krsna, please hear about my intentions. I will not eat anything on Ekadasi and I will stay awake that night. I will regularly worship You and celebrate Your festivals. If Ekadasi, Janmastami, or other festival days are contaminated because of overlapping another day, even for a moment, I will certainly renounce them, for Your pleasure. For Your satisfaction, I will observe the eight Maha-dvadasis and cultivate devotional service by means of my life and wealth.

I will recite Your one thousand holy names every day. I will worship You with offerings of tulasi leaves, and I will decorate myself with beads made of tulasi wood. I will celebrate all the auspicious days related to You, by chanting and dancing and performing other devotional services. I will smear the pulp of tulasi wood on Your transcendental body, and I will sing Your transcendental glories in Your presence. I will visit Mathura every year, and I will regularly listen to the narrations of Your transcendental pastimes. I will carefully study Vaisnava literature, such as the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

I will regularly sprinkle the water that washed Your lotus feet over my head with great devotion. 1 will honor the remnants of Your food and touch the flower garlands that were offered to You to my head. I will joyfully offer You Your favorite things and then accept the remnants as Your mercy.

O Lord Krsna, I promise in front of You that 1 will do whatever is most pleasing to You.

572 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA sangena sddhu-bhaktdndm Uvardrddhanena ca sraddhayd tat-kathdydm ca kirtanair guna-karmandm tat-pddamburuha-dhydndt tal-lingeksdrhanddibhih harih sarvesu bhutesu bhagavdn dsta Isvarah iti bhutani manasd kdmais taih sddhu mdnayet One must accept a bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with faith and devotion. Whatever is in one's possession should be offered to the spiritual master and in the association of devotees, one should worship the Lord, hear and chant the narrations of His glories, always meditate on His lotus feet, and worship the Deity strictly according to the prescribed rules and regulations. One should always remember the Lord as Paramatma, who is situated in everyone's heart. Thus, one should offer respect to every living entity, according to his position.

Even ignorant persons can easily come to know the Supreme Lord if they adopt the means prescribed by the Lord Himself. This process is known as bhdgavata-dharma, or devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

574 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA A sincere disciple should practice detaching the mind from everything material while living in the association of devotees. He should be merciful to those in an inferior position, cultivate friendship with those on an equal level, and very humbly serve those in a higher spiritual position. In this way, he should deal with other living beings. While serving the spiritual master, a disciple should practice cleanliness, austerity, tolerance, silence, study of the Vedic literature, simplicity, celibacy, nonviolence, and equanimity toward material dualities, such as heat and cold, and happiness and distress. One should practice meditation by constantly seeing oneself as an eternal, conscious self, and seeing the Lord as the absolute controller of everything. To facilitate one's meditation, one should live in a secluded place and give up all attachment to one's temporary family situation. Giving up all attempts to decorate the temporary material body, one should dress himself with old, discarded cloth, or tree bark. In this way, one should learn to be satisfied in any material situation. One should have firm faith that he will achieve success by following the instructions of the literature that describes the glories of the Supreme Lord. At the same time, one should avoid blaspheming other scriptures. One should rigidly control his mind, speech, and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control. One should hear, glorify and meditate upon the transcendental pastimes of the Lord. Indeed, one should become absorbed in hearing and chanting about the names, forms, qualities, and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simultaneously, one should perform all of one's activities as an offering to the Lord. Any sacrifice, charity, or penance that one executes should be done for the Lord's satisfaction. Similarly, one should only chant mantras that glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Whatever one finds pleasing should also be offered to the Supreme Lord—even his wife, children, home, and very life. One who actually desires his ultimate self-interest should cultivate friendship with since devotees of Lord Krsna. At the same time, one should develop an attitude of service toward all living beings by helping them advance in Krsna consciousness. One should especially render service to the pure devotees of the Lord. One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual

happiness and satisfaction. And, by encouraging one another, they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.

are found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [11.11.34-41]) mal-linga-mad-bhakta-jana- darsana-sparsandrcanam paricaryd stutih prahva- guna- karmdnuklrtanam mat-kathd-sravane sraddhd mad-anudhydnam uddhava sarva- labhopaharanarh ddsyendtma-nivedanam maj-janma-karma-kathanarh mama parvdnumodanam glta-tdndava-vdditra- gosthlbhir mad-grhotsavah ydtrd bali-vidhdnam ca sarva-vdrsika-parvasu vaidiki tdntrikl dlksd madiya-vrata-dhdranam mamdrcd-sthdpane sraddhd svatah samhatya codyamah udydnopavandkrida- pura-mandira-karmani sammarjanopalepdbhydm seka-mandala-vartanaih grha-susrusanam mahyam ddsa-vad yad amdyayd amdnitvam adambhitvam krtasydpariklrtanam

576 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA api dipdvalokarh me nopayufijydn niveditam yad yad istatamam loke yac cdti-priyam dtmanah tat tan nivedayen mahyarh tad dnantyaya kalpate My dear Uddhava, one can give up all sense of false prestige by engaging in the following devotional activities. One should purify himself by seeing, touching, worshiping, serving, and offering prayers and obeisances to the Deity, and to My pure devotees. One should also hear and glorify My transcendental qualities and pastimes and thus always meditate upon Me. One should offer to Me whatever one has in his possession, and accepting oneself as My eternal servant, one should give oneself completely to Me. One should enjoy life by participating in the festivals, such as Janmastami, that glorify My pastimes, by singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and discussing Me with other devotees. One should observe religious vows, such as Ekadasi, and take initiation according to the procedures mentioned in the Vedic literature. One should faithfully support the installation of My Deity, and work for the construction of My temples and villages, as well as flower gardens and fruit orchards. One should consider oneself to be My humble servant, without duplicity, and thus help to clean My temple. First, one should sweep, and then one should cleanse with water and cow dung. Thereafter, one should sprinkle scented water and decorate the temple with mandalas. In this way, one should act just like My servant. A devotee should never advertise his devotional activities, so that they will not be the cause of false pride. One should never use lamps that were offered to Me for other purposes, and similarly, one should never offer to Me anything that was used by others. Whatever is most dear to oneself, one should offer to Me. Indeed, such an offering qualifies one for eternal life.

Firm faith in the narrations of My pastimes, constant chanting of My glories, unwavering attachment to the worship of the Deity, the offering of beautiful prayers, great respect for My devotional service, offering obeisances by falling flat to the floor, performing very respectful worship of My devotees, consciousness of Me as being present in all living entities, offering of all bodily activities in My devotional service, engagement of the tongue in describing My qualities, offering the mind to Me, rejecting all material desires, giving up wealth for My devotional service, renouncing material sense gratification and happiness, and performing all pious activities, such as charity, sacrifice, vows, and austerities with the purpose of achieving Me—these constitute actual religious principles.

578 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA devdsura-manusyesu mad-bhaktdcaritdni ca prthak satrena vd mahyarh parva-ydtrd-mahotsavdn kdrayed gita-nrtyddyair mahdrdja-vibhutibhih mam eva sarva-bhutesu bahir antar apdvrtam iksetdtmani cdtmdnarh yathd kham amaldsayah While always remembering Me, one should perform his duties without a feverish mentality. With mind and intelligence fixed upon Me, one should engage in My devotional service. One should take shelter of a holy place where My devotees reside, and one should be guided by the exemplary activities of My devotees, who appear among the demigods, demons, and human beings. Either alone, or in the association of devotees, one should celebrate My holy festivals, with singing, dancing and worship of Me with great opulence. With a pure heart, one should see Me, the Supreme Soul, as present within all living beings and also within oneself. I am present everywhere, both externally and internally, just like the omnipresent sky.

By these activities (as mentioned above), one can curb the influence of his enemies, namely lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, and jealousy, and when thus situated, one can render loving devotional service to the Lord.

Pure devotional service rendered to the Supreme Lord is so potent that simply by hearing about it, by chanting its glories, by meditating upon it, by faithfully accepting it, or by praising the service of others, even persons who are envious of the demigods and other living beings can be immediately purified.

O King, one who accepts the devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead will never stumble on his path in this world. Even while running with eyes closed, he will never trip or fall.

By learning the science of devotional service and practically engaging in the devotional service of the Lord, one will come to the stage of love of Godhead. In this way, a devotee easily crosses over the illusory energy, mdya, which is extremely difficult to transcend.

My dear Uddhava, the supreme religion for human society is the religion whereby one can awaken his dormant love for Me.

My dear Uddhava, because I have personally established it, the process of devotional service unto Me is transcendental when performed without any material motivation. Certainly, a devotee will never suffer even the slightest loss by adopting this process.

If he cannot find an association of devotees then one who is learned in the scriptures should speak about the Supreme Lord to inquisitive persons, either at home or in a temple.

which is found in the Skanda Purdna) mat kathdh kurute yastu vaisnavdndrh sadd gratah

iha bhogdn avdpnoti tathd moksarh na sarhsayah One who always speaks about My glories to the Vaisnavas will pass his time happily in this life and achieve liberation after death. There is no doubt about this.

Learned authorities have positively concluded that the actual purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of mantras, and charity, culminates in descriptions of the Lord, who is described by nice poetry.

I have personally experienced that those who are always full of anxiety due to constantly desiring contact of the senses with their objects can cross the ocean of nescience in a most suitable boat—the constant chanting of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.

582 SR! HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA > The alhauspicious pastimes of the all-attractive incarnations of Lord Sri Krsna, as well as the pastimes He performed as a child, are described in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam and in other Vedic literature. Anyone who chants these narrations will attain transcendental loving service unto Lord Krsna, who is the goal of all great sages.

O my Lord Nrsimhadeva, by engaging in Your transcendental loving service in the association of liberated devotees, I will certainly become freed from the association of the three modes of material nature and thus able to chant Your glories. I shall chant Your glories, following in the footsteps of Lord Brahma and his disciplic succession. In this way I will undoubtedly be able to cross the formidable ocean of material existence.

The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your pastimes are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned devotees, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon those who hear them. These narrations, which are filled with spiritual potency, are broadcast all over the world. Those who relay the messages of Godhead are the most munificent personalities.

The glories of hearing apply to the glories of chanting as well. After all, by chanting, one automatically hears. One can hear from others or hear his own chanting.

Only a person who is well-versed in the sdstra should be allowed to speak. However, if there is no such speaker, and even if there are not many inquisitive listeners, one should never give up discussing topics about the Supreme Lord. One can always discuss narrations of the Supreme Lord in the association of his friends, brothers, children, and other family members, as presented by saintly persons.