Nitya-kriyā-samāpanaḥ — Completing the Daily Observances

I worship the most wonderful and influential Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya, by whose mercy even a most sinful person can engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord.

Thereafter, towards the end of the day, a brdhmana should enter the temple room and conscientiously perform his evening duties.

that is found in the Visnu Purana it is stated) dindnta sandhyam suryyena purwdmrksair yutdrh buddhah upatisthed yathdnyayarh samyag dcamya pdrthiva O King, a learned devotee should, after performing dcamana, execute his morning duties at dawn and evening duties at dusk. Of course, such devotional practices can be performed at other times during the day as well.

O King, a sinful person who does not perform his morning and evening duties, except upon the birth of a child or the death of a family member, or at a time of danger or fearfulness, will certainly be punished in the hellish planet known as tamisra.

Thereafter, according to the rules prescribed for his dsrama, an intelligent devotee should first complete his morning and evening duties and then worship the Supreme Lord with full attention. For a devotee, there is no fault if he is unable to perform his morning or evening duties due to being engaged in some other devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

If, while engaging in My devotional service, a devotee fails to perform his prescribed duties, such as sandhyd, there are thirty million sages ready to do it for him.

The prescribed duties of those who engage in My devotional service, giving up all types of fruitive activities, or who constantly remember My holy names, are carried out by sages who are devoted to Me.

Neophyte devotees are advised to continue performing their prescribed religious and occupational duties until their faith becomes stronger. It is for this reason that descriptions of prescribed duties are given here. However, because devotees who have developed strong faith are not interested in performing fruitive activities, they are not degraded when they fail to perform them. This will be described in detail later on. So that neophyte devotees who desire the quick fulfillment of their material ambitions can eventually achieve perfection, learned authorities have propounded the performance of morning, noon, and evening worship separately from devotional service.

sri gautamiyatantre (In the Qautamiya-tantra it is stated) drddhana vidhirh vaksye prdtakdle visesatah vararh vrnddvanam dhydyet puny a vrksddi sevitam punndgair ndga vrksaisca panasaiscaiva kdncanaih vakulaiscaiva vilvaisca vanyaih kura vakairapi sarwartu kusumopetaih puspdvanata - sdkhibhih tanmadhye pulinarh dhydyed vahu puspaka campakam dhupa dipair vitdnena puspa mala vidhusitam muktd ddma patdkabhir vanya puspair alankrtam First, the process of morning worship is being described. One should meditate on Vmdavana, which is full of transcendental trees, such as the punndga, jackfruit, ndga, kdhcana, bakula, bilva, wild kuruvaka. The branches of these trees bend down due to the burden of their innumerable flowers. One should meditate on the river bank, which is decorated with campaka flowers, incense, ghee lamps, a bed, flower garlands, a pearl necklace, a flag, and many other types of fragrant wildflowers, which were used by the residents of Vmdavana for their worship and thus placed within the forest.

One should meditate on Lord Krsna, who is comfortably seated in the padmasana yogic posture in the shade of a desire tree on the banks of the river. His lotus face is decorated with a smile as He plays His flute. He is adorned •- " . - : - t ; :rr meets, He wears a garland of forest flowers, He • : ; ; : . . ;-:. He is glorified by demigods, asuras, siddhas, yaksas. lidhyddharas, and birds from the sky and great

Krsna is surrounded by the cowherd boys, deer, and birds. Hundreds of millions of cows and calves lick His body, out of intense love. He is most attractive, just like a blue lotus flower. Indeed, He is the reservoir of all kinds of beauty. His face is like the shining moon, His eyes appear like lotus petals, His hands and feet resemble lotus flowers and are decorated with rubies and coral. He is the shelter of all living entities and the most dear Lord of the gopls.

After meditating in this way as a regular daily function, one should worship the Lord with sixteen kinds of paraphernalia. Thereafter, one should offer the Deity milk, and yogurt mixed with sugar candy on a golden plate, and also offer food to the cowherd boys on plates made of bell metal. After completing this worship with care and attention, one should chant his mantras with concentration.

rorship at noon is being described. One should He sits on a lotus throne in a very relaxed manner. The i>e shade of a desire tree that is situated on the beautiful a d surrounded by lakes filled with lotuses and water lilies. This situated at the foot of a golden mountain that is decorated ranous minerals, chirping birds, and wish-fulfilling trees. Lord Krsna is leoarated with a pearl necklace and a flower garland. The throne is covered hgoki and bedecked with jewels and covered by a colorful canopy. After log one's mind on the Lord in this manner, a devotee should worship Him ririi offerings of jdti flowers. Then, one should offer food to the Lord and His rherd boy friends on silver plates. In this way, self-controlled devotees ukl meditate on Lord Krsna as He is comfortably seated, along with His

Next, the process for worshiping Krsna in the evening is being described. Lord Hari should be meditated upon as seated on a raised altar that is decorated with jewels and is in the shade of desire trees that are filled with fruit and flowers. The Lord is dressed in yellow garments and decorated with fragrant sandalwood pulp and divine ornaments. The lotus- eyed Lord is adorned with many flower garlands. By His enchanting beauty and sweet smile, He enhances the beauty of everyone else. He is the Lord of the gopis and the hero of everybody. After meditating on Krsna in this way, one should worship Him with fragrant flowers and offer Him warm milk in a silver cup. One should worship the Lord with undivided attention and chant the appropriate mantras. It is recommended that one should chant his mantra one thousand and eight times at the end of his worship. This is the process of chanting Krsna mantras, as recommended by learned authorities.

At tbe end of the worship that is performed three times every day, ifcrttmr to a Deity or simply within the mind, one should chant with full concentration his mantra one thousand and eight times, or if he is unable to do so then one hundred and eight times.

Thereafter, according to the methods that have come down through discipline succession, Vaisnavas should perform fire sacrifice, sing and dance before the Deities, and offer prayers in the prescribed manner.

My dear Lord Krsna! O Kesava! Kindly place these shoes on Your lotus feet. Please come to bed, along with Your beloved consorts.

While praying like this, one should offer the Lord His shoes and bring Him to His bed. One should then meditate on the articles that are found in a bedroom.

At this time, one should offer the Lord thick boiled-down milk with sugar, betel nuts with camphor, garlands of fragrant flowers, and sandalwood paste. In this way, one should worship the Lord according to his capacity and level of devotion. An intelligent person will certainly offer all of his actions and fruits of actions for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.

ekddase skandhe (In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.36) it is stated) kdyena vdcd manasendriyair vd biiddhydtmand vdnusTta-svabhavat karoti yad yat sakalam parasmai ndrdyandyeti samarpayet tat In accordance with the particular nature one has acquired, whatever one does with his body, words, mind, senses, and intelligence should be offered to the Supreme Lord, thinking, "This is for the pleasure of Lord Narayana."

kmcu (It is also stated) apam sanupe sayanasane grhe diva ca ratrau ca yathd ca gacchatd yadasti kincit sukrtarh krtarh mayd jandrddanastena krtena tusyatu Laid Janardana be pleased with all my good actions that were performed at home, in the water, while sleeping, while sitting, during the day or during the night, or while walking.

as found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [3.9.41]) purtena tapasd yajnair ddnair yoga-sarnddhind rdddharh nihsreyasarh purhsdm mat-pritis tattvavin-matam It is the opinion of expert transcendentalists that the ultimate goal of performing all traditional good works, penances, sacrifices, charities, mystic activities, trances, etc., is to invoke My satisfaction.

In this way, withhis hard-earned wealth and engaginghis sincere relatives, a devotee should worship the Lord to achieve all types of perfection.

dasamaskandhe (In the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [10.84.37] it is stated]) ayarh svasty-ayanah panthd dvi-jdter grha-medhinah yac chraddhaydpta-vittena suklenejyeta purusah This is the most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice- born orders—to selflessly worship the Personality of Godhead with wealth honestly obtained.

O brdhmana, one should give charity, perform sacrifice, worship the Lord, and perform other such activities utilizing the wealth he had earned by proper means. However, if one does not utilize his wealth in this way, even if he worships the Supreme Lord with money that was earned illegally—he will become degraded.

Those who wish to make their lives successful should worship the Lord with offerings made purely at home. If one is unable to do this then he should offer whatever is available in the market. If one is also unable to do this, he should observe someone else worshiping the Lord.

tmramt: who is unable to personally perform it) tarn (In the Agastya Sathhita it is stated) drddhana asamarthas cedydydd arccana sddhanam yo datum naiva saknoti kuryydd arccana-darsanam nistdrdya tadevdlarh bhavdvdher munisattama naikahca yasya vidheta so'dho ydtyeva ndnyathd If one is unable to worship the Lord then he should donate something required for worship. If he is somehow unable to do this then he should carefully observe the Lord being worshiped. O great sage, watching the Lord's worship is the means to cross over the ocean of material existence. There is no doubt that one who is unwilling to even do this will become degraded.

A devotee who personally collects the things that will be offered to the Lord during his worship surely obtains the complete benefit of such service. One who devotedly worships the Lord with offerings that were collected by someone else will receive only half the benefit.

14 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

If a devotee, due to poverty, begs from another person the things that he will offer during his worship of the Lord then all the benefit derived from his worship will go to that person.

that is found in the Padma Purana, it is stated) piijitarh pujyamdnanca ye pasyanti jandrddanam kapild sata ddnasya nityarh bhavati tat phalam Those who make it a habit to observe Lord Janardana being worshiped obtain the benefit of donating one hundred brown cows.

inesses the worship of the Lord with devotion •A such worship receives the merit of performing B u A r - These is no doubt that a devotee who faithfully sees the Lord being worshiped will receive such benefit each and every e does so. The pure-hearted soul who joyfully dances and encourages o dance after seeing the Lord's pujd attains the abode of the Supreme

Having darsana of the Deity of the Supreme Lord is eternal) \ isnudharmmottare (In the Visnu-dHarmottara it is stated) tdvad bhramanti sarhsdre manusyd manda buddhayah ydvad ruparh na pasyanti kesavasya mahdtmanah Sinful people continue to travel on the wheel of birth and death until chev see the enchanting form of Lord Kesava.

If a Vaisnava does not observe the worship of the Deity then all of his charity, performance of fire sacrifices, and chanting of mantras, even though dedicated to the Lord, go to the demons.

Narada Muni that is recorded in the same Purdna, it is stated) yatra kutrdpi pratimdrh veda dharmma samanvitdm na pasyanti jand gawd te dandyd yamakinkaraih Those who never have darsana of the Deity that was installed according to the prescribed rules and regulations will be punished by the servants of Yamaraja.

skande (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated) visnum uddisya yatkihcid visriu bhaktdya diyate ddnarh U^vimalarh proktarh kevaiarh moksa sddhanam Anything given to the devotees of Visnu with the aim of satisfying the Lord assures one of liberation in the near future.

Whatever one gives to a brdhmana for the pleasure of Lord Visnu is certainly accepted by the Lord and awards one unlimited benefit.

rhose who attempt to satisfy Lord Narayana, thinking that He may become pleased with a particular person in difficulty, are not misguided. The Lord actually becomes pleased by such an endeavor. Anything offered to the locus-eyed Supreme Lord, who carries a conch, club, disc, and lotus in His hands, who has no beginning or end, and who is inexhaustible, never goes in am. Nothing is actually lost if it is somehow or other offered to Janardana, the Lord of the demigods. One should know for certain that Lord Janardana is the suitable candidate for receiving charity.

O foremost brdhmanas, the Supreme Lord certainly accepts whatever people offer Him with devotion, even if it is mixed with material desire. Still, if one offers the Lord something with unalloyed devotion, He presses it to His chest with great care. Even an insignificant thing offered to the Lord without any personal desire awards one unlimited benefit. Offerings made to Lord Visnu with a desire to obtain something in return are accepted by Him at His lotus feet whereas the offerings made to Him by devotees without any material desire are accepted by Him on His head.

Whatever Brahma, Siva and the great sages eat, as well as all the sacrificial offerings that are accepted by the demigods, Daityas, Danavas,

Supamas. Gandharvas, Siddhas, and great saintly kings erne Lord. However, the Lord personally puts rats ottered to Him by His unalloyed devotees with

to the Supreme Lord) fin the Brahma. Purana it is stated) ekam api naro dhenurh savatsdrh vidhipurvvakam dauvoddesena krsnasya prdpnoti evdbhi vdhchitam If a person donates even a single cow along with her calf for the service then all ot his desires will be fulfilled.

One who donates a black cow for the service of Lord Krsna obtains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice and becomes qualified to go back to Godhead. What more can be said? Such a person becomes liberated from all sinful reactions, adorned with all types of ornaments, obtains the benefit ot giving cows in charity, and at the end of his life, he is promoted to the spiritual world.

7 0 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

By donating a cow that gives ample milk to a temple of the Supreme Lord so that her milk, yogurt, and ghee can be engaged in the service of the Lord, one becomes eligible to reside in Goloka. One who donates a cow so that her milk can be used for making madhuparka that will be offered to the Lord obtains unlimited benefit. One who digs a pond and dedicates it to the service of the Supreme Lord becomes freed from all sinful reactions. One who constructs a pond to beautify an dsrama of ascetics and decorates it with trees that produce fruit and flowers becomes qualified to reside in Svetadvipa. He will no longer have to suffer the miseries of repeated birth and death. One who constructs roads or a village near the Lord's temple will conquer his enemies, achieve great fame, and continue to rule his kingdom.

)ne who establishes a city for the service of Lord Visnu will become an emperor. One who donates a palanquin for the service of Lord Narayana 1 become the king of heaven. One who donates a horse for the service of Lord Visnu will reside in heaven, like a brightly shining sun. If a pious person donates an elephant for the service of the Lord then he will become the emperor of the earth after residing in the abode of Indra.

O exalted brdhmanas, one can attain Brahmaloka by donating transcendental literature, such as the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is full of the topics of the Supreme Lord. One who donates literature to the temple

of Supreme Lord will reside in the abode of Sarasvati. One who hires professional orators to recite the Vedic literature in a temple of the Supreme Lord obtains the benefit of distributing knowledge and will reside in the abode of Brahma.

By donating a conch shell for the worship of Lord Visnu one attains the abode of Varuna and then later on is born in human society, destined to become very famous. By donating a bell, one also obtains great fame. By erecting a raised platform or stage, one becomes a king. The gate for entering any planet remains wide open for a person who builds a gateway or arch in front of a temple of Lord Visnu.

Anyone who donates musical instruments or artistically made containers > be used in a temple of the Supreme Lord will attain a status equal to Ganesa. Anyone who donates a new pitcher to be used in the service of the Supreme Lord will be freed from all sinful reactions and attain the abode of \ aruna.

Anyone who donates four pitchers to a temple of the Supreme Lord will enjoy ruling the earth, which is surrounded by four oceans. O exalted brahmanas, simply by donating a single pitcher with devotion for the service of Lord Hari, one becomes qualified to rule the earth as a pious king. There is no doubt o{ this. One who donates small pitchers or glasses for the service of the Lord will attain the abode of Varuna. By donating a water pot for the service of the Supreme Lord, one will obtain the merit of performing a fire sacrifice.

24 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sarvva kama samrddhasya yajnasya phalanx asnute tdlavrnta praddnena nirvrtirh prdpnuydt pardm rndlyddhararh tathd dattvd dhupddhdran tathaiva ca garidhddhdrarh tathd pdtram kdmandrh pdtratdrh vrajet By donating paraphernalia for the worship of the Lord, even simple pots for assisting such worship, one is awarded the merit of performing a sacrifice that fulfills all of one's desires. One who donates a fan made from a palm leaf will achieve great happiness and satisfaction. By donating a container for keeping flowers, incense, sandalwood paste, or some other thing used for the worship of the Lord, one receives all kinds of opulence.

By donating metal pots for the service of the Lord, one becomes qualified to posses wealth, knowledge, and opulence. By donating a bed and sitting mats, one becomes perpetually fixed in his position. All of the desires of one who donates a chddara to the Lord become fulfilled. One's ambition will certainly be granted if he donates gold to the Lord. One becomes handsome by donating silver.

By donating diamonds or other jewels to the Lord, one will be worshiped by all kinds of men. By donating a bull, one obtains the merit of donating ten cows. By donating a goat, buffalo, camel, or horse, one achieves one thousand times more benefit than the above-mentioned donations. O exalted brdhmana, by donating goats and sheep, one can attain the abode of Varuna. One who donates a camel, donkey, or an ass will be promoted to the abode of Alakapuri, where he will enjoy life in the company of the foremost Yaksas.

Those who arrange a magic show in the temple for the satisfaction of the Lord and His devotees will go to reside in the abode of Indra. Those who hire professional singers to glorify the Supreme Lord in His temple will go to reside in the abode of Brahma. There is no doubt about this. Those who donate drums to be used in the temple of the Lord will live a glorious life in this world.

By donating rice paddy, wheat, barley, other grains, and sprouted seeds, one obtains the merit of worshiping the Lord. Those who donate vegetables, spinach, and other types of food for the service of the Supreme Lord will not remain merged in the pool of lamentation.

one who donates flowering plants to the temple of the Lord b c r c « a king. One who donates fruit trees will become the ruler of his

Those who donate perfume and silk cloth to Janardana, the Lord of the demigods, obtains the benefit of performing a horse sacrifice. By donating a comb for the service of the Lord, one's bodily hair vanishes and his beard : - appears so that he looks clean and healthy.

If one offers a valuable and excellent thing to the Lord, even a small quantity, he will receive a great deal of happiness as a result. We had earlier described the benefit one obtains by donating clothes and ornaments to Lord Krsna. There are varieties of things used for the worship of the Supreme Lord. Vaisnavas who know very well the teachings of the tantras have prescribed an increase or decrease in the number of articles required for worship of the Lord, according to the capacity of the worshiper.

dgame (in the Agamas it is stated) dsana svdgate sdrghye pddyam dcamaniyakam madhu parka dcama sndna - vasana dbharandni ca suganda sumano dhiipa - dipa naivedya vandanam prayojayed arccandydm upacdrdrhstu sodasa There are sixteen ingredients for the worship of the Lord—the offering of a sitting mat, greeting the Lord, offering pddya, arghya, dcamaniya, madhuparka, and dcamaniya, bathing the Lord, dressing the Lord, decorating Him with ornaments, smearing sandalwood paste over His body, and offering flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, food, and prayers.

One may also worship the Lord with these ten ingredients—padya, arghya, dcamaniya, madhuparka, acamanlya, sandalwood paste or gandha, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, and food. One may also worship the Lord with these five ingredients—gandha, puspa (flowers), dhupa (incense), dipa (a ghee lamp) and naivedya (food). One must adopt one of these three methods of worship.

In some cases, these sixteen ingredients are recommended—asana, or sitting mat; avdhana, or greeting; padya and arghya, acamanlya, or water for washing the hands and mouth; sndna, or bathing; vasana, or dressing; bhusana, or decorating with ornaments, gandha, puspa, dhupa, dipa, naivedya, flowers, pradaksina, or circumambulating; namaskdra, or offering obeisances, and immersion.

Some recognized authorities have prescribed sixty-four ingredients for the worship of the Supreme Lord. Although these ingredients vary, according to the opinions of the various authorities, we will herein give only one set of these ingredients: 1. To wake up the sleeping Lord by chanting Vedic mantras, playing musical instruments, such as the vind, and reciting prayers while standing before Him. 2. To chant, "All glories." 3. To offer obeisances. 4. To perform mangala-drati. 5. To offer a sitting place. 6. To offer a twig, or tooth brush. 7. To offer pddya. 8. To offer arghya. 9. To offer dcamaniya. 10. To offer madhuparka and dcamaniya. 11. To offer pddukd, or shoes. 12. To cleanse the Lord's body. 13. To massage His body with oil. 14. To remove the oil from the Lord's body. 15. To bath Him with scented water mixed with flower petals. 16. To bath Him with milk. 17. To bath Him with yogurt. 18. To bath Him with ghee. 19. To bath Him with honey. 20. To bath Him with sugar water. 2 1 . To bath Him with water that was purified by mantras. 22. To wipe the Lord with a soft piece of cloth, or a towel. 23. To dress Him with clothes and a cddara. 24. To offer Him a sacred thread. 25. To offer dcamaniya. 26. To smear sandalwood paste over His body. 27. To offer ornaments. 28. To offer flowers. 29. To offer incense. 30. To offer a ghee

lamp. 3 1 . To remove the cast of an evil eye. 32. To offer food. 33. To offer a mouth freshener. 34. To offer betel nuts. 35. To offer a beautiful bed. 36. To offer hair dressing articles. 37. To offer beautiful clothes. 38. To offer a crown. 39. To offer fragrant sandalwood paste. 40. To offer ornaments, such as the Kaustubha gem. 4 1 . To offer fragrant flowers. 42. To offer a grand drati. 43. To offer a mirror. 44. To take Him out into the courtyard. 45. To place Him on a throne. 46. To again offer Him pddya, arghya, etc. 48. To offer betel nuts and a grand drati. 49. To offer a cdmara and an umbrella. 50. To sing before the Lord. 5 1 . To play musical instruments before the Lord. 52. To dance before the Lord. 53. To circumambulate the Deity. 54. To offer obeisances. 55. To offer prayers at His lotus feet. 56. To hold the Lord's lotus feet on one's head. 57. To touch the Lord's remnants of flower garlands to one's head. 58. To honor His remnants of food. 59. To sit before Him and massage His body. 60. To make the Lord's bed at night with soft bedding covered with fragrant flowers. 6 1 . To make a gesture with both hands, inviting Him to come to bed. 62. To glorify Him, celebrating His arrival at the bed. 63. To place the Lord on His bed, offer Him sandalwood paste, flowers, and betel nuts, as well as arati. 64. To make Him lay down on His bed and gently massage His lotus feet.

Any ingredients that have not been listed in this connection can also be used in the worship of the Supreme Lord, if they are in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by one's authorized disciplic succession.

Actually, every devotee should engage in the worship of Lord Sri Krsna as a regular daily function, and everyone should participate in the grand festivals, such as Janmastami. There may be some more excellent ingredients for worship that I have failed to mention and these can be ascertained from learned devotees, who are found in many places. If any of the above- mentioned ingredients are not available then a devotee should offer whatever he can collect, or he can offer the unavailable ingredients to the Supreme Lord within his mind.

tantre (In the tantras it is stated) upacdrokta-vastundm upasamgrahane vidhihh dravydndm api abhdve tu puspdksata yavaih hriydh arccopacdra vastundm abhdve samupasthite nirmmalena udakenaiva dravya sampurnatd bhavet upacdresu dravyesu yat kihcid duskararh budhah tat sarvvarh manasd buddhya puspak sepena kalpayet etesu copacdresu vitta sathaya vivarjjitam yad sampannam etesdrh manasd tu prakalpayet This is a description of how the ingredients of worship should be collected: If an ingredient is not available, one can make a facsimile of it by using flour, rice paddy, or barley. One may also substitute water for any unavailable ingredient. If an ingredient is extremely rare then a learned person should meditate upon it within his mind and then offer it to the Lord, in the form of a flower. One should give up all miserliness while collecting

the ingredients for worship and he should mentally offer those ingredients that are not available in the market.

O Lord Ramacandra, if anything desirable to be offered is unavailable in the course of worshiping the Supreme Lord, one can simply substitute a tulasi leaf.

that is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.27.15] it is stated} dravyaih prasiddhair mad-ydgah pratimddisv amdyinah bhaktasya ca yathd-labdhair hrdi bhdvena caiva hi One should worship Me in My Deity forms by offering the most excellent paraphernalia. But a devotee completely freed from material desire may worship Me with whatever he is able to obtain, and may even worship Me within his heart with mental paraphernalia.

Thereafter, one should take permission from the Lord, offer obeisances to Him, and have a meal that is appropriate for night. After eating, one should retire for the night while remembering the Supreme Lord.

Before going to bed, one should pray: "May Lord Madhava, who is adorned with jewels that are kept on the hoods of Ananta as He lies in the ocean of milk, who is beginningless, who is unlimited, who is uncontaminated, who is inexhaustible, who assumes the universal form, and who lies on the bed of Ananta, always protect me. May the omnipotent Supreme Lord, who is the life and soul of all living entities, and who rides on a chariot decorated with a flag of Garuda protect my entire body, both internally and externally." While chanting mantras such as this, and while remembering Lord Visnu, one should go to bed.

After using the toilet and washing his hands, feet and mouth, one should go to bed immediately after wiping the Lord's lotus feet with a cloth while meditating that Sri Krsna, the Lord of the universe, the Lord of Vraja, and the Lord of the cowherd boys, is relishing the nectarean words of Srimati Radharani.

One who remembers Lord Ramacandra, Kartikeya, Hanuman, Garuda and Vrkodara while going to bed every day will not have any bad dreams.

A householder who enjoys sex with his wife only during the prescribed period after menstruation and is attached to his wife and no other woman is to be considered a brahmacdri. The menstruation cycle actually continues for sixteen days and enjoying sexual intercourse during the first four days is condemnable. Thereafter, if one enjoys sex on an even day, he will receive a son and if he enjoys sex on an odd day, he will receive a daughter. If one can avoid an inauspicious phase of the moon, as well as the influence of the maghd and miila stars, and wait for the appearance of the ten auspicious stars all together, he will be blessed with a son who will attain his goal of life.

recorded in the Visnu Puratxa, these verses are found) krta pddddi-saucasca bhuktvd sdyarh tato grhi gacche cchayydma sphutitdm eka ddrumayirh nrpa ndvisdldrh na vai hhagndrh nd samdrh malindrh na ca na ca jantumayirh sayydm adhitisthed andstrtdm After washing his hands and feet, a householder should have his evening meal and then sleep on an unbroken wooden cot. One should avoid sleeping on a bed that is narrow, broken, uneven, old, or full of bugs.

It is recommended that one should always sleep while keeping his head towards the east or the south. O King, if one does not take this good

,£ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA advice and sleeps with his head facing either west or north, he will become diseased.

O King, one should enjoy sex with his wife, avoiding the first five days of her menstrual period. Thereafter, one may have sexual intercourse on even days, up to the sixteenth night. The even nights are said to be auspicious.

One should never enjoy sex during the first four nights of his wife's menstrual period, when she is sick, while menstruation is still in progress, when she is angry, or when she is in a mature state of pregnancy.

One should not enjoy sex with a lowborn woman, with a woman who desires someone else, or with one who is unwilling, hungry, or who has eaten too much, or with another man's wife. The same applies to a woman as well.

After bathing and decorating himself with sandalwood paste and a flower garland, a lusty person who is not too excited and not afflicted by hunger should enjov sex with his wife.

O foremost of kings, hear now about those persons who will reside in hell, where they will have to eat stool and drink urine. Those men and women who enjoy sexual intercourse, eat meat, and apply oil to their bodies on the fourteenth day, eighth day, the new moon day, the full moon day, and on the days when the sun enters a new sign of the zodiac will go to reside in hell. A person who enjoys sex with a cow, horse, or any other animal, or who enjoys sex and then takes medication to terminate the pregnancy, as well as one who enjoys sex with his wife in a temple, at the house of a brdhmana, or at the house of his spiritual master, loses his qualification to be called a member of one of the four dsramas.

A~ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

gacched vayavayam madman na miltroccdra piditah A learned person should not enjoy sex under a sacred tree, in a sacrificial arena, in a holy place, in a pasturing ground, at an intersection, in a crematorium, in a garden, in the water, during the five kinds of celebrations, at dawn, or at dusk, or when he is afflicted by the urge to pass stool and urine.

What to speak of enjoying sex with another man's wife, one should never even think about it. Those who run away with another man's wife will be reborn as a boneless worm. A person who enjoys sex with another man's wife will go to hell after death and even while living, he will diminish his duration of life. Enjoying another man's wife is harmful for both this life and the next. Considering this fact carefully, a wise person should only enjoy sex with his wife after the four days of her menstrual period. Everyone should follow these regulations for their own benefit.

Although this subject is not applicable to the renounced devotees of the Lord, we have described them for the benefit of householders.

One who remains engaged in the worship of Lord Krsna, beginning from the early morning up until late at night achieves all perfection because the Supreme Lord is very pleased with him.

sri-kurma--purdne (In the Kurma Purana it is stated) na visnv'dradhandt punyarh vidyate karma vaidikam tasmdd anddi-madhydntam nityam drddhayed dharim There is no more auspicious activity than worshiping Lord Visnu. In other words, the foremost Vedic ritual is the worship of Lord Visnu. One should continuously worship the Supreme Lord, who is without beginning or end.

47 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O brdhmanas, in the age of Kali, those who regularly worship Me with devotion while following the prescribed rules and regulations will attain My supreme eternal abode.

Those who are engaged in the service of Lord Visnu will attain the eternally blissful supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead.

The kind of love and affection My devotees have for Me can never be exhibited by jnanis or yogis. Although the process of meditation and other such paths are considered to be excellent if properly executed, work in devotion is most dear to Me. That is why I am very satisfied when My devotees are devoid of envy and worship Me with devotion.

I consider the activities of those who engage in my worship with unalloyed devotion and who constantly meditate upon Me to be the topmost form of yoga. The realization attained by those who engage in My unalloyed devotional service cannot be achieved by those who do not follow this process. Even if brdhmanas worship Me, without following the process of devotional service, they cannot realize My transcendental form and qualities.

There is nothing more satisfying or beneficial for a person than engagement in the devotional service of the Lord. Factually, devotional service alone is the most auspicious activity and it awards one material enjoyment as well as liberation. Indeed, the pious merit that those who engage in meditation obtain by practicing meditation for an entire year can be attained by the devotees in just one day by following the process of devotional service.

4 4 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA na karma-sadrsas tyago na karmasddrsam tapah na karmasddrsam punyarh na karmasddrsi gatih Service to the Supreme Lord is certainly the best form of meditation. Service to the Supreme Lord is certainly awards one the greatest achievement. Service to the Supreme Lord is certainly the best form of renunciation. Service to the Supreme Lord is certainly the best form of penance. Service to the Supreme Lord is certainly the best form of piety and service to the Supreme Lord is certainly the ultimate goal of life.

Lord Hrsikesa is obtained only by devotional service and not by wealth. In fact, one can achieve all kinds of desired results simply by worshiping Lord Visnu with devotion. As a thirsty person becomes satisfied by receiving cool water, Lord Hari, the master of the universe, who takes away all of one's distress, becomes quickly satisfied if He is offered even a small quantity of water with devotion.

Even if a person performs devotional service to the Supreme Lord with pride, or in a joking manner, it delivers him from all misfortune. Service to the Supreme Lord never goes in vain, unlike activities performed on the material platform. Who other than Lord Hari is so merciful?

O brahmana, as fire burns a person who touches it without hesitation, even if touched unknowingly, somehow or other, simply by worshiping Lord Hari, one attains liberation. By worshiping Lord Hari, one can attain wealth, children, material enjoyment, fame, fearlessness, wisdom, good manners, and complete knowledge.

that is recorded in the Skanda Purdna, these verses are found) visistah sarva-dharrndc ca dharmo visiyv-arcanarh nrndm sarva-yajna-tapo-homas tirtha-snanais ca yat phalam tat phalam koti-gunitarh visnum sampujya cdpnuydt tasmdt sarva-prayatnena ndrdyanam ihdrcayet Worship of Lord Visnu is the best form of worship for any class of men. The benefit achieved by performing all kinds of sacrifice, penance,

fire sacrifices, and pilgrimage tours can be obtained millions of times more simply by worshiping Lord Visnu. Therefore, it is the duty of everyone to faithfully worship Lord Narayana.

is recorded in the same literature, these verses are found) yah pradadydd dvijendrdya sarvdrh bhumirh sa-sdgardm arcayed yah sakrd visnum tat phalarh labhate narah mdsdrdham api yo visnum nairdntaryena pujayet purusottamah sa vijno visnu-bhakto na samsayah madhyandina-gate surye yo visnum paripujayet vasu-purna-rnahi'-ddtur yat punyam tad avdpnuydt pratar utthdya yo visnum satatam paripujayet agnis toma'Sahasrasya labhate phalam uttamam Simply by worshiping Lord Visnu once, one achieves the merit of giving the entire earth, along with its oceans, in charity to a brdhmana who is a master of the Vedas. There is no doubt that one who worships Lord Visnu for only one month is a devotee of Lord Visnu and a great soul. One who worships Lord Visnu at noon obtains the merit o^ donating the entire earth, along with all of its wealth. One who, after getting up from bed early in the morning, regularly worships Lord Visnu attains the merit of performing one thousand agnistoma sacrifices.

One who engages in the worship of Lord Visnu in the evening with devotion attains the merit of successfully performing a cow sacrifice. It is a fact that one can have all his desires fulfilled simply by worshiping Lord Visnu with devotion at noon, or indeed, at any other time of the day. One who worships Lord Visnu every day becomes glorious and satisfied in this world, and attains His supreme abode after death.

When persons can attain liberation simply by taking initiation into the chanting o{ the holy name of Lord Hari then one can simply imagine what will be their destiny if they fully engage in His unalloyed devotional service.

that is found in the same literature, it is stated) sarhsdre 'smin mahd-ghore janma-mrtyu-bhaydkule pujanarh vdsudevasya tdrakarh vddibhih srartam Worship of Lord Vasudeva is the only means to cross over the fearful ocean of material existence wherein repeated birth and death takes place. This fact is accepted by all great authorities.

The only person who can achieve actual benefit in life is one who can please Lord Visnu. Only by the mercy of the Supreme Lord can one's family become exalted. He is the actual shelter of all living entities. Worshiping Lord Hari in full surrender is the result of one's previous performance of sacrifice, austerity, and other pious activities.

People in this age of Kali are very fallen and so it is very difficult for them to understand even the most elementary principles of the science of self-realiration. However, if they take to the worship of the Supreme Lord then their lives can become successful. For all classes of men, the worship of Lord Visnu is the most desirable objective.

In this age of Kali, which is full of darkness, one should constantly engage in the devotional service of Lord Hari. Simply by worshiping the Supreme Lord, who holds a conch, disc, club, and lotus in His hands, all of the demigods are automatically worshiped because He is their original cause. By worshiping Lord Kesava, the killer of the Kesi demon, one will no longer have to experience the torments of hellish punishment.

One who offers obeisances to Lord Hari, who is the worshipable Deity of everyone, and who worships Him even once, will achieve the supreme

CQ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA destination that is sought after by the demigods. The ultimate benefit of a human birth is to eternally engage in the devotional service of Lord Visnu, who is the proprietor of all planets and the master of all residents therein.

The only worthwhile thing within this miserable material world is to faithfully engage in the worship of Lord Hari, the cause of all causes and the proprietor of all planets.

Kali cannot spread his influence at the place where discussions of Lord Hari are held every day, where Vaisnavas reside, and where devotees are constantly engaged in the worship of Lord Visnu.

a kingdom, residence in heaven, and liberation are all the ~' :. - vorship. By worshiping Lord Hari, one's sinful reactions lied, one's dangers are removed, one's diseases are cured, one's :ei and one's desires are fulfilled.

[flhraeface, this statement of Markandeya to Dhruva is found in the Skanda Purdna) sakrd abhyarcito yena deva-devo jandrdanah sa prdpnoti pararh sthanarh satyam etan mayoditam I promise you that one who, even once, worships Lord Janardana achieves life's ultimate goal. This cannot be reversed.

sh to attain the highest perfection of life then simply worship I K unlimited Lord Govinda, who has no beginning and no end and in whom ibe entire universe is situated.

By worshiping Lord Hari, who is the Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, and the eternal Personality of Godhead, one can attain that which is very rarely achieved.

n SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

O performer of vows, you should adore the Lord of the universe and sacrifice, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by worshiping whose lotus feet Indra became the chief of the demigods.

When one can reach the transcendental abode, Vaikuntha, by the worship of Lord Visnu then where is the doubt that one can transfer himself to any planet within the three worlds if he so desires? Men and women can accomplish more than what they desire simply by worshiping Lord Janardana.

Whatever one may desire within his mind, whether it is big or small, can be obtained without any hindrance by the worship of Lord Visnu.

O prince, no one can achieve the highest destination without the worship of Lord Govinda, who is praised with select verses. Therefore, you should always worship the infallible Lord, Govinda.

By worshiping Lord Visnu, everything imaginable within this world, all of one's desire, heavenly pleasures, elevation to Dhruvaloka, liberation, and even Vaikuntha can be achieved.

If you desire to accomplish the supreme objective of life then worship Lord Govinda, whose lotus feet Mahadeva catches hold of and dances in

r . SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

ecstasy, from whose navel sprouts a lotus flower on which Brahma was born, and by the strength of whose will the creation and destruction of the universe takes place.

is recorded in the Nrsirhha Purana, these verses are found) yas tu sampiijayen nityarh narasirhha naresvara sa svarga-moksa'bhdgi sydn ndtra kdryd vicdrand tasmdd eka-mand bhutvd yavdj jivarh pratijnayd arcandn narasirhhasya samprdpnoty abhivdnchitam O noble king, one who regularly worships Lord Nrsimhadeva with intense devotion becomes qualified to reside in heaven, or even attain liberation. There is no need to deliberate further on this point. Considering this, one should take a vow to worship Lord Nrsimhadeva with full attention throughout one's life and thereby receive the most auspicious result.

that is recorded in the same Purana, these verses are found) narake pacyamdnas tu yamena paribhdsitah kirh tvayd ndrcito devah kesavah klesa-ndsanah udakendpy aldbhe tu dravydndrh pujitah prabhuh yo daddti svakarh lokarh sa tvayd kirh na pujitah

narasirhho hrsikesah pwydanka-nibh^ksanah mukd'do nrndm ra kah na pujitah asked a candidates for punishment, "Why didn't you KM had done so, you wouldn't have to rot in hell and marreasonfor not worshiping that Supreme Lord? rven an offering of a little water, the Lord awards Kxshiper. Why did you not worship Lord Narayana, who rarious incarnations, such as Nrsimha, and possesses unlimited - .:... ; • -:/ :.- Hrsikesa? He alone awards liberation to those Him."

of Aditi, as recorded in the Brhan'tidradiya Purdna) yatra puja-paro visnos tatra vighno na bddhate raja ca taskaras capi vyadhayas ca na santi hi pretah pisacah kusmdndah grahd balagrahas tathd dakinyo raksasas caiva na badhante 'cyutdrcakam herever the worshipers of Lord Visnu reside there cannot be impediments or disturbance. Not even the king could create any _ - _" ~ ir.;e> there and so what to speak of thieves and diseases. Ghosts, evil JBBULX hobgoblins, witches, and demons cannot create any obstacle for the - -:.-. T;-- ^ : Lord Visnu.

that is found in the same literature it is stated)

c^ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA patraih puspaih phalair vdrcyd puja^rahitam acyutam sa ydti visnU'Sdlokyarh kulasaptatusamyutah Seven generations of the family of a person who worships the infallible Supreme Lord, even with just some fruit, a leaf, or some flowers, are granted the impersonal liberation of merging into the existence of Lord Visnu.

How can I sufficiently describe the glorious benefit accrued by worshiping the Supreme Lord, Narayana, when simply by hearing His holy name only once at the time of death, one can easily go back to the Lord's transcendental abode? One who remains for just a moment, or even half a moment, in the temple of Lord Hari can achieve a transcendental destination. What then can be said of those who serve Him with love and devotion?

O foremost king, what can I say about the glorious worship of the Supreme Lord? If one performs devotional service to the Lord, even though he may be in a degraded condition, he can attain the highest benefit.

One who worships Lord Hari, even though he may have acquired the ingredients for worship by begging from others, or had worshiped Him with some material motive, will be freed from all sinful reactions and thereafter attain the supreme abode of the Lord. By worshiping Lord Janardana, all of one's obstacles are vanquished, one's mind becomes purified, and one ultimately attains liberation. There is no doubt that those who are inclined to worship Lord Hari will achieve the four objectives of human life— religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation. The performance of sacrifices and the study of the Vedas do not award one even one-sixteenth the merit one receives by worshiping Lord Narayana.

co SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

I am telling you the truth, for your benefit, thus revealing to you the essence of everything—worship of Lord Visnu is the only worthwhile objective in this terrible ocean of material existence.

Those who worship Lord Visnu, even once, with hesitation, will never become bound up in this material world again.

O brdhmanas, those who worship Lord Narayana, whether knowingly or unknowingly, achieve liberation. Those who worship Maha-visnu, the destroyer of the distress of His surrendered devotees, becomes an object of worship, prayers, and homage. Those intelligent sages who are devoid of material desires and who worship Lord Hari, or Lord Siva, can purify the entire world.

the process of worship, as recorded in the Padma Purana, it is stated) mad-bhakto yo mad-arcdrh ca karoti vidhi-drstaye tasydntardyah svapne 'pi na bhavaty abhayo hi sah My pure devotees never face any difficulty, even in their dreams. Such surrendered souls live fearlessly throughout the duration of their lives.

the VaUakha-mahdtmya section of the same literature, these verses are found) putrdn kalatrdn dirghdyu rdjyarh svargdpavaragakam sa dadydd ipsitarh sarvarh bhaktyd sampujito 'jitah narake 'pi dram magndh purvajd ye kula-dvaye tatraivdydnti te svargarh yad arceta suto harim By worshiping the unconquerable Lord Hari, one can obtain a good wife and children, a long duration of life, a kingdom, residence in the heavenly planets, and liberation. If one's family members worship Lord Hari then two

.n SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA oU previous generations of his family will ascend to heaven on the strength of his piety, even if they were suffering in hell.

that is found in the same literature, it is stated) andrddhya harirh bhaktyd ko lokdn prdpnuydd budhah drddhite harau kdmah sarve kara-talasthitdh Even learned personalities cannot enjoy heavenly pleasures if they fail to worship Lord Hari in a mood of devotion. Simply by worshiping the Lord in a non-duplicitous manner, one can achieve all the objects of the senses very easily.

If, by worshiping the Supreme Lord only once, one's life can become successful then what can be said of the person who regularly worships the Supreme Lord with offerings of fragrant flowers? Those who go to see

Vaisnavas and worship them every day will attain the supreme abode of Lord Visnu. No one can properly understand the immense good fortune of the servants of Lord Visnu. One who renders pure devotional service to Lord Krsna is a perfect yogi, a pure-hearted soul, and he is certainly most peaceful and exalted. Such a surrendered devotee has all of his desires fulfilled.

Some servants of the Supreme Lord always chant the holy name of Lord Rama a prescribed number of rounds on their chanting beads and thus live in this world as liberated souls, merged in an ocean of transcendental ecstasy. There are other devotees who are inclined to render service to the Supreme Lord in His form as Lord Ramacandra, treating Him like a friend and sleeping with Him in His palace.

If the devotees of Lord Ramacandra worship Him by following in the footsteps of the liberated souls who are not compelled to follow the scriptural rules and regulations, they also attain that platform of liberation.

are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?

Lord spoke this verse of Bhagavad-gita [12.2]) mayy avesya mono ye mark nitya-yuktd updsate sraddhayd parayopetds te me yuktatamd matdh Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.

By the inclination to serve the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, suffering humanity can immediately cleanse the dirt which has accumulated in their minds during innumerable births. Like the Ganges water, which emanates from the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, such a process immediately cleanses the mind, and thus Krsna consciousness gradually increases.

By giving water to the root of a tree one satisfies its branches, twigs and leaves, and by supplying food to the stomach one satisfies all the senses of the body. Similarly, by engaging in the transcendental service of the - .rrtrr.e Lord one automatically satisfies all the demigods and all other living entities.

It is my opinion that those whose intelligence is constantly disturbed by falsely identifying with this temporary material world can achieve real freedom from fear only by worshiping the lotus feet of the infallible Supreme Lord. In such devotional service, all fear entirely vanishes.

By worshiping Me through the various methods that are prescribed in the Vedic literature, one can achieve his desired perfection, both in this life and the next.

However, one who simply engages in devotional service with no attachment for the results of his actions will attain Me. Thus whoever worships Me according to the process I have described will ultimately attain pure devotional service unto Me.

Lord Hari, who is very affectionate to His devotees, becomes controlled by one who offers Him a handful of water and a tulasi leaf in pure devotion.

One who does not worship the Lord, who is the proprietor of the entire universe, who protects everyone just like an affectionate mother, and who is

6: the creator and destroyer of the cosmic manifestation, should be considered no better than a killer of a brahrnana.

of the Brhati'tidradiya Purana, this verse is found) hari-puja-vidtendrh tu yasya vesmdni no dvijdh smasana-sadrsarh vidydn na kaddpi visec ca tat O brdhmanas, never enter a house where there is no worship of Lord Hari. Always keep in mind that such a house is no better than a crematorium.

Even if one has hundreds of duties to perform, one should never fail to worship the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord with simply an offering of water if there are no flowers, fruit, or leaves available.

On auspicious days, such as Janmastami, and other holidays, one should collect the necessary ingredients and worship the Supreme Lord, the master of the demigods, Narayana.

One should rather die and have his head cut off than give up the worship of an installed Deity of the Supreme Lord. By all means, one must continue his worship once started.

We have already described that honoring the remnants of Lord's food and worshiping the Deity are eternal activities. We have also delineated the glories of worshiping the sdlagrdma-sild. Whatever was previously written about the glories of the limbs of worship are applicable here as well. In other words, the previous descriptions can be accepted as the glories of the Lord's worship.

How can an ordinary person, who is as insignificant as an insect, control the intoxicated elephant, in the form of the Lord's glories, that wanders about within the forest of the Vedic literature, without the mercy of Lord Hari?

Therefore, the ultimate conclusion that any sane person will come to is that one should always chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord. Although the glories of the Lord's holy names are widely proclaimed, we shall describe them here, in brief.

Now we will pass on the instructions of the merciful sages regarding the holy names of the Lord for the benefit of those whose hearts are polluted with material desires.

By chanting this mantra twenty-one times, the sinful reactions accrued by killing a brdhmana are destroyed: sri narasirhha jaya narasirhha jaya jaya narasirhha.

6£ SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One becomes relieved from great danger or fear if he chants: sri narasirhha jaya jaya narasirhha twenty-one times.

recorded in the Visnu-dharmattara these verses are found) purusarh vdsudevarh ca tathd sahkarsanarh vibhum pradyumnam aniruddharh ca krarnad abdesu kirtayet balabhadrarh tathd krsnarh klrtayed anaya-dvaye mddhavarh pundarikaksarh tathd vai bhogasdyinam padmandbharh hrsikesarh tathd devarh trivikramam kramena rdjasdrdiila vasantddisu kirtayet One should first chant the holy name, Purusa, for one year, then, Vamadeva, for one year, then, Saiikarsana, for one year, then, Pradyumna, for one year, and then, Aniruddha, for one year. When the sun enters the northern hemisphere, one should chant the name, Balarama, and when the sun enters the southern hemisphere, one should chant the name, Krsna.

O King, during the six seasons, beginning with summer, one should chant these six names in order—Madhava, Pundarikaksa, Bhogasayl, Padmanabha, Hrsikesa and Trivikrama.

During the twelve months of the year, beginning with Caitra, one should chant these twelve names of the Supreme Lord, in this order— Visnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrsikesa, Damodara, Padmanabha, Yadupati, Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, and Govinda. One should remember the names, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, during the dark fortnight and light fortnight, respectively. During the seven days of the week, beginning from Sunday, one should remember these seven names, in this order-^-Sarva, Sarvasiva, Sthanu, Bhuta, Adi, Nidhi and Avyaya.

O descendent of the Yadu dynasty, Visva, Visnu, Vasat-kara, Bhuta- bhavya-bhavat, Bhuta-bhrt, Bhuta-krt, Bhava, Bhutatma, Bhuta-bhavana, Avyakta, Pundarlkaksa, Visvakarma, Sucisrava, Sad-bhava, Bhavana, v Bharta, Prabhava, Prabhu, Isvara, Aprameya, Hrsikesa, Padmanabha, Amara-prabhu, Agrahya, Sasvata, Dhata, and Krsna—one should remember these holy names of the Supreme Lord as the sun makes its journey around the twenty-seven naksatras, or stars, beginning with Krttika.

O respected king, one should remember each holy name corresponding to each naksatra. During the fortnight, beginning from Pratipada, or the first day, up to the full moon or new moon day, one should remember these holy names in this order—Brahma, Sripati, Visnu, Kapila, Sridhara, Prabhu, Damodara, Hrsikesa, Govinda, Madhusudana, Bhudhara, Gadi, Sankhi, Padmi and Cakri.

O Yadava, one should always, and throughout every stage of his life, remember the holy names of Lord Visnu, who is the origin of the demigods. O King, the holy names of Lord janardana should always be glorified because by changing them, everyone can attain auspiciousness. Whatever position one may find himself in, one should chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord, who always desires the welfare of His devotees.

one to chant these holy names of the Lord) kdmah kdma-pradah kdntah kdma-pdlas tathd harih dnando mddhavas caiva kdma'sarhsiddhaye japet Kama, Kama-prada, Kanta, Kama-pala, Hari, Ananda, and Madhava— one should chant these holy names of the Lord if he wants to achieve the fulfillment of his desires.

Those who are desirous of victory should chant these holy names— Rama, Parasurama, Nrsimha, Visnu, and Trivikrama.

-., SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Those who are engaged in studies should always chant the holy name, Purusottama. Those who are entangled in an undesirable way should chant the names, Damodara, Kesava, and Pundarikaksa every day. If one is frightened, or faced with some bodily pain, such as an eye disease, he should chant the holy name, Hrsikesa.

While taking medicine, one should chant, Acyuta and Amrta. While going into battle, one should remember the name, Aparajita.

If a person desires auspiciousness, he should chant the name, Cakri, while traveling to the east, Gadi, while traveling to the west, Sarngi, while traveling to the north, and, Khadgi, while traveling to the south.

Those who wish to flourish in business should remember the names, Ajita. Adhipa, Sarva, and Sarvesvara.

While sneezing, or stumbling, or at a time of great suffering due to the influence of an inauspicious planet or star, or during a drought, flood, or other natural disaster, one should remember the name, Narayana.

When attacked by plunderers or enemies, when in danger because of a wild animal, such as a lion or tiger, or when in complete darkness or confusion, one should remember the name, Nrsirhha. When in danger due to fire, one should remember Lord Visnu who lies on the ocean of milk. By remembering the name, Garudadvaja, poison can be neutralized.

A Vaisnava whose heart is fixed upon the Supreme Lord without any deviation should chant the name, Vasudeva, while bathing, while worshiping the Lord, while performing a fire sacrifice, while offering obeisances, and while circumambulating the Deity.

74 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

When sinful people create a disturbance, or try to harm one, as well as at the time of planting seeds in the field, one should chant the names, Ananta and Acyuta. If one has a nightmare, he should remember the names, Narayana, Sarrigadhara, Sridhara, Purusottama, Vamana, and Khadgadhari.

When one is in the middle of an ocean, he should remember the Supreme Lord as He lies on the bed of Ananta. To gain prosperity, one should remember Balabhadra while performing all his activities. If one offers prayers to the Lord of the universe with devotion for the benefit of his son, he will not face any difficulty. While performing all types of auspicious activities, one should chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord, the husband of Laksmi.

If one is troubled bv seemingly insurmountable obstacles, he should chant the nwnr, Vtsoka. If, bv the arrangement of the providence, one goes a c u m m that b afflicted by severe drought, or when one is in great danger acer. oc bondage, or when one is disturbed by some unexpected he should faithfully chant the name, Vasudeva.

The Supreme Lord, who carries a cakra in His hand, is the master of the demigods and the possessor of unlimited prowess. According to one's inclination, one should glorify the Lord's holy names to achieve perfection BO all activities. The above-mentioned holy names of the Supreme Lord are applicable to Him alone. The chanting of any of these holy names is competent to award one all perfection.

that is found in the Visnu'dharmottara it is stated) kurmarh varaharh matsyarh va jala-prasthdrane smaret bhrdjisnum agni-janane japen noma w akhanditam While swimming, one should remember the names, Kurma, Varaha, and Matsya. If one is threatened by fire, he should chant the name, Visnu, without interruption.

-, SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

To become freed from the influence of any calamity, as well as to become relieved from diseases and the effects of poison, one should remember the holy name, Garudadhvaja.

O King, those who desire to fight should think of Balarama. While working on a farm, one should remember the name, Halayudha. Those who want prosperity in business should remember Uttarana, and those who want to complete a difficult task should remember the name, Rama.

While performing a pious activity, the name Visnu, which is the abode of all auspiciousness, should be remembered. While going to sleep, one should remember Madhava, while eating, one should remember Govinda, and in all spheres of life, one should glorify Madhusudana.

While taking medicine, one should remember the names, Sri Visnu and Janardana. While going to sleep, one should remember Padmanabha. At the time of marriage, one should remember Prajapati; at the time of fighting, one should remember Kruddha cakri; when in danger of losing one's position, one should remember Trivikrama; while offering a bull in charity, one should remember Narayana; while meeting one's beloved, one should remember Sridhara; while in the water, one should remember Varahadeva; when in danger due to fire, one should remember the Supreme Lord who lies upon the ocean of milk. In the forest, one should remember Nrsimha; in the mountains, one should remember Raghunandana; during a nightmare, one should remember Govinda; while performing pious activities, one should remember Madhusudana; when in illusion, one should remember Vamana; and in all activities, one should remember Madhava.

7S SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sarvdni ndmdni hi tasya rdjan sarvdrtha-siddhayai tu bhavanti purhsah tasmdd yathestharh khalu krsna'ndma sarvesu kdryesu japeta bhaktyd One should chant the holy name, Vasudeva, in all circumstances that have not been mentioned. It is the duty of everyone to chant the holy names of the Lord at the beginning of every endeavor. O King, all the holy names of Lord Krsna are capable of awarding one perfection. That is why one should remember the holy names of Krsna while performing all of one's activities.

Oh! Your hearts must be pure because I can see that you have developed attachment for chanting the holy name of Lord Hari. Just as darkness vanishes as soon as the sun rises, all darkness born of ignorance is dissipated from the heart by the influence of the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

s n o need far anyone to be afraid of the blazing fire of sinful berame, just as a fire can be extinguished by rain from a cloud, the f ^ a n i i o a i the cloud of Lord Govinda's holy name extinguishes the ; fire of sinful reactions. Just as a deer flees as soon as she sees a lion, aO sinful reactions immediately depart when one spontaneously chants the hohr name of Lord Govinda.

O Maitreya, as fire purifies all kinds of metal, the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna destroys all kinds of sinful reactions. By fixing one's mind on the Supreme Lord, one will never have to experience the torments of hell. By meditating upon Him, one's passage to the heavenly planets becomes opened. By absorbing one's mind on Him, elevation to Brahmaloka becomes an insignificant accomplishment. The inexhaustible Lord, when meditated upon by a pure-hearted devotee, sits in his heart and awards him liberation. Is it astonishing that simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, all of one's sinful reactions are vanquished?

By chanting the holy name of Lord Mukunda every morning and evening, one is liberated from all sinful reactions and becomes eligible to reside in the heavenly planets.

As a thief is known by his actions, the thief in the form of the holy name of Lord Narayana has become famous by exhibiting His pastimes. Ordinary thieves steal wealth and possessions but the thief of the holy name takes away all of one's sinful reactions that were accumulated over many lifetimes.

As blazing fire at the time of annihilation burns the entire universe to ashes, the chanting of the holy name of Lord Govinda, whether with devotion or even neglectfully, burns all of one's sinful reactions to ashes.

If, in this world, a person is named Govinda and someone calls his name, that person's sinful reactions will be destroyed thousands of times over.

Even if someone touches fire by mistake, it will still burn him. Similarly, if the holy names of Lord Hari are uttered, even unintentionally, they will burn that person's sinful reactions to ashes.

in the Brhan-naradiya Purana, it is stated) rmrandrh visayandhdndrh mamatdkula-ce tdsdm ekam eva harer rxdma sarva-pdpa' vindsnam Chanting the holy names of Lord Hari is the only means for destroying the sinful reactions of those who are blinded by too much material attachment.

Those who chant the name, Hari, in the sense that, "let me steal," because the word Hari also means, "to take away," even once, will no longer be forced to enter a mother's womb.

that is found in the Vaisakhd'mahdtmya section of the Padma Purdna) hatydyutarh pdnasahasram ugrarh gurv-angand-koti-nisevaryxrh ca steydny anekdni hari-priyena govinda-ndmnd nihatdni sadyah The sinful reactions accumulated by killing of thousands of living entities, drinking wine thousands of times, having sex with the wife of one's spiritual master thousands of times, and stealing the wealth of the brahmana thousands of times are destroyed without a doubt by chanting the name, Govinda, which is Lord Hari's favorite name.

Just as touching fire causes one to be burnt, even if it is done unintentionally, by chanting the holy names of the Supreme Lord, even while calling the names of one's children, all of one's sinful reactions are vanquished.

is recorded in the same literature, these verses are found) kirtandd eva krsnasya visnor amita-tejasah duritdni viliyante tamdrhs'wa dinodaye ndnyat pasyami jantundrh vihdya kari-kirtanam

sarva-papa-prasarnanarh prdyascittam dvijottama O exalted brdhmana, by chanting the holy names of Lord Krsna, or Visnu, who is unlimitedly powerful, all of one's sinful reactions are vanquished, just as darkness disappears upon the appearance of the sun. There is no better means of atonement for having performed sinful activities than glorification of the holy names of Lord Hari.

Srimad-Bhagavatam [6.2.7, 9-10] these verses are found) ayarh hi hrta-nirveso janma-koty-amhsdm api yad vyajahdra vivaso noma svasty-ayanarh hareh stenah surdpo mitra-dhrug brahma-hd guru-talpa-gah stri-rdja-pitr-gO'hantd ye ca pdtakino 'pare sarvesam apy aghavatam idam eva su-niskrtam ndrrm-vydlmranarh visnor yatas tad-visayd matih Ajamila has already atoned for all his sinful acts. Indeed, he has atoned not only for sins performed in this life but for those performed in millions of past lives because in a helpless condition he chanted the holy name of Narayana. Even though he did not chant purely, he chanted without offense, and therefore he is now eligible for liberation. The chanting of the holy name of Lord Visnu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold, a drunkard, one who betrays a friend or relative, one who kills a brdhmana, or one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu, such

sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, "Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection."

The degree of purification that one can attain by chanting the holy names of Lord Hari cannot be attained by following the various methods of atonement for counteracting sinful reactions that are prescribed by thoughtful sages, such as Manu. The unique quality of chanting the holy names of the Lord is that, along with removing one's sinful reactions, the holy names reveal the transcendental glories of the Supreme Lord, who is praised with select verses.

One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures. If one chants the holy name of Hari and then dies because of an accidental misfortune, such as falling from the top of a house, slipping and suffering broken bones while traveling on the road, being bitten by a serpent, being afflicted with pain and high fever, or being injured by a weapon, one is immediately absolved from having to enter hellish life, even though he is sinful.

fine burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one's sinful activities.

The killer of the brdhmana, one's father, a cow, one's mother, the spiritual master, as well as a dog-eater and other sinful people can become purified simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Krsna.

By the fire of glorification of Govinda, all of one's present, past, and future sinful reactions are immediately vanquished. Even a person who

habitually disturbs the devotees can become glorious and purified simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Hari.

The holy name of Lord Krsna cannot be compared with the innumerable objects that are available in this world.

The holy names of Lord Hari have the power to destroy more sins that even the worst sinner is able to commit.

Even a sinful dog-eater cannot overpower the sin-destroying prowess of Lord Visnu's holy names by making a determined effort to commit as many sinful activities as possible.

[hoe is no sin bom of one's mind, speech, or actions ixd by chanting the holy name of Govinda.

As sunlight destroys darkness and as water extinguishes fire, the congregational chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari destroys all kinds of sinful reactions. Where is the doubt that the holy name of Lord Hari, which purifies a person, thus enabling him to cross beyond the ocean of material existence and reach the eternal abode of the Lord, will actually cleanse one ot the contamination of Kali-yuga?

The degree of purification that embodied living entities achieve by congregationally chanting the holy name of Lord Govinda in this age of Kali cannot be achieved by observing the pardk-vrata or cdndrdyana-vrata, standing on one's head within a circle o{ fire, or by any other such methods.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) mahd'pdtaka'yukto 'pi kirtayenn anisarh harim suddhdntahkarano bhutvd jdyate pankti-pdvanah By chanting the holy names of Lord Hari, throughout the day and night, even a most sinful person can become purified, and he purifies others as well.

One who joyfully chants the holy name, Govinda, with utmost attention is certainly a glorious and pure-hearted soul. Indeed, such a person sustains the earth.

It is not that one who is attached to chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu only purifies himself. He can purify the entire world by propagating the glories of chanting the Lord's holy names.

A T D . is the touch ot Your lotus feet?

Therefore, Prahlada spoke this verse, which is found in the Nrsimha Purana) te santah sarva-bhutdndrh nirupadhika-bdndhavah ye nrsirhha bhavan-ndma gdyanty uccair muddnvitdh My dear Lord, those who loudly chant Your holy names with jubilation are to be considered saintly persons. They are the genuine, selfless friends of all living entities.

the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, this verse is found) acy tutdnanda-govirida' ndmoccdrana-bhisitah nasyanti sakald rogdh satyarh satyarh vaddmy aham Truthfully speaking, when the holy names of the Lord, such as Acyuta, Ananda, and Govinda are chanted, diseases run away in fear.

Q0 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

0 Samba, if no medicine helps to cure a disease then one should not try to administer more medicine. In such a situation, one should cure a disease by drinking medicine in the form of chanting the holy name of Lord Hari. Of this there is no doubt.

1 offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Anantadeva. Simply by remembering and chanting His holy names, all types of calamities and diseases are vanquished.

People who are being tormented by the king or overwhelmed by a dreaded disease can become fearless by chanting the holy names of Lord Narayana.

brhad'Visnu-purdne (In the Brhad-visnu Purdna it is stated)

sarva-rogopasamanam sarvopadrava-ndsanam sdntidarh sarvaristdndrh harer ndrndnukirtanarn Congregational chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari cures all kinds of diseases, removes all disturbances, and counteracts all forms of ^-suspiciousness.

All sinful reactions are nullified, all disturbances are dispelled, and all miseries are removed simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Hari.

When one respectfully glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hears about His transcendental qualities, the Lord enters his heart and dispels every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes darkness, or as a strong wind drives away clouds.

Q? SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Those who are afflicted by distress due to poverty, those who are in danger of losing their lives because of drinking poison, those who suffer from poor health, those who are afraid of their enemies, and those who are afflicted with a serious disease can become freed from all suffering simply by chanting the holy name, Narayana, even once.

Simply by the chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu, who possesses unlimited potencies, and who is the Lord of the demigods—Yaksas, Raksasas, hobgoblins, ghosts, witches, and all kinds of wild animals run away in fear. The holy names of Lord Hari also have the potency to destroy all kinds of anarthas.

While sneezing, while feeling thirsty, or while feeling depressed, one should chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord, so as to become liberated from all types of ananrthas. Of this there is no doubt.

Those in material existence are continuously suffering due to the ever- foe of illusion, and the darkness born of ignorance. However, if )tmg shade ot a cloud, in the form of the Lord's holy names, relief.

There is no need to fear the sharp-teethed, ferocious snake, in the form oi Kali, because it will be burnt to ashes by a blazing forest fire, in the form of Govinda's holy name.

Glorious are those who are attached to the chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari in this degraded age of Kali. It is a fact that Kali cannot create any impediments for such devotees.

o4 SRIHARI-BHAKTI'VILASA O Hari! O Kesava! O Govnda! O Vasudeva! O Jaganmaya! Those who regularly chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord will never face any difficulty from the mischievous Kali.

O tiger-like ruler, Kali cannot create any obstacles for those who constantly chant, throughout the entire day and night, the holy names of Lord Vasudeva, the maintainer of the universe.

When the residents of hell chanted the holy names of Lord Hari, they attained the supreme abode of Lord Visnu. The very attachment they displayed for the chanting of the holy name, they maintained for the Lord's devotional service.

Those who reside in hell, and those who are always engaged in sinful activities, also become liberated from their hellish conditions of life simply by the influence of the holy names of Lord Hari.

Therefore, o n e who desires freedom from material bondage should accept the process of chanting the n a m e , fame, form and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, at whose feet all holy places reside. O n e c a n n o t derive such benefit from other methods, such as pious atonement, speculative knowledge and meditation in mystic yoga, because even after following such methods, o n e will surely take to fruitive activities once again, being unable to control his mind, which is contaminated by passion and ignorance.

Terrified, due to being about to die, a m a n collapses o n his bed. A l t h o u g h his voice is faltering and h e is hardly conscious of what h e is saying, if h e utters the holy name of the Supreme Lord h e can be freed from the reactions to karma and thus achieve the supreme destination. A n d yet, people in the age of Kali will not worship the Supreme Lord.

O n e will be forced to enjoy t h e fruits of his karma, whether now or in future. This is called prdrabdha, which was described in the previous verses.

Low-class men, who have become degraded due to a lack of pious activities, are freed from all types of sinful reactions simply by regularly chanting the holy name of Govinda, with a controlled mind. By this chanting, they become as effulgent as demigods, or associates of the Supreme Lord, who award one the ultimate goal of life.

I forgive the offenses of one who faithfully chants My holy names, even if he had committed millions of offenses. Do not doubt My statement in this regard.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [8.23.16]) mantratas tantratas chidram desa-kdldrha-vas tutah sarvarh karoti nischidram anusankirtanarh tava

There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship's hoir name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.

I worship Lord Acyuta, the remembrance of whom and the chanting of whose holy name awards one perfection in the performance of all kinds of austerities, sacrifices, and other Vedic rituals.

One who has uttered the two syllable, ha and ri, has certainly studied the Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.

My dear child, you should simply chant the name, Govinda, every day. Then, you will no longer need to study the Rg, Yajur, Soma, and Atharva Vedas.

Lord Ramacandra, as found in the Padma Purdna, it is stated) visnor ekaika-ndmdpi sarva-vedddhikarh matam t^rn'ndrna-sahasrena rdma-ndma samara smrtam Each and every name of Lord Visnu is more glorious than the entire Vedas. One holy name of Rama is equal to the one thousand holy names of Lord Visnu.

What is the need of visiting the holy places of pilgrimage—Kuruksetra, Kasi, or Puskara—for one whose tongue chants the two syllables, Hari?

Whether there are one hundred million holy places of pilgrimage or one thousand million holy places, it is of no real concern. One can achieve the benefit of visiting all of these holy places simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Visnu.

The innumerable holy places of pilgrimage that are mentioned in the xnpcures are not even equal to one ten-millionth of the chanting of the \f names of Lord Hari.

O son, what is the use of studying so much literature, such as the Vedas, '•--2 : such scriptures? What is the need of traveling to so many holy bees of pilgrimage? If you are actually interested in attaining liberation [ben simply chant, loudly and clearly, "O Govinda! O Govinda!"

Giving ten million cows in charity at the time of a solar eclipse, standing Q the water of the Ganges at Prayaga for one kalpa, performing ten thousand :-:: *.:es and donating as much gold as is found at Mount Sumeru—these ions acts are not equal to one-hundredth the chanting of the holy name of 2 - r. i -.

100 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

Even if one performs many welfare activities, they will simply result in being the cause of his material bondage. On the other hand, the chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari awards one liberation, and nothing else.

recorded in the Qaruda Pur ana, these verses are found) vdjapeya-sahasrdndrh nityarh phalanx abhipsasi pratar utthdya bhupala kuru govinda-kirtanam kirn karisyati sankhyena kirn yogair nara-ndyaka muktim icchasi rdjendra kuru govinda-kirtanam O King Ambarisa, if you wish to receive the benefit of performing thousands of Vajapeya sacrifices every day then simply chant the holy name of Govinda, after getting up early in the morning. What gain can you accomplish by cultivating the Sarikhya philosophy or practicing astdnga- yoga1. If you are serious about attaining liberation then just go on chanting the holy name, Govinda.

O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of Your Lordship are tar, far advanced in spiritual life, even if born in families of dog-eaters. Such cnanters have undoubtedly performed all kinds of austerities and sacrifices, bathed in all sacred places, and finished all scriptural studies.

In a conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada that is found in the Caturrndsya'Tnahdtrnya section of the Skanda Pur ana it is stated) etat sad-varga-imrariarh ripU'nigrahanarh param adhydtrna-muiarn etad dhi visnor ndrndnuklrtanam Chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu defeats one's six enemies—lust, anger, greed, madness, envy, and illusion. Such chanting is expert is subduing the senses and it is the cause for achieving the goal of self-realization.

If one chants even a single holy name of the Supreme Lord while maintaining some particular desire within his mind, he will not only find that his desire is fulfilled but he will receive the fulfillment of one hundred more desires.

Chanting the holy name of Krsna awards one all kinds of auspiciousness, increases one's duration of life, cures all diseases, awards one material enjoyment and liberation, and finally takes one back to Godhead.

Those who chant the holy name of Lord Visnu, even in a joking manner, are also glorious. I offer my repeated obeisances to them.

Those who chant My holy names while bathing, and performing other such bodily necessities, are glorious. They have achieved real benefit and their human birth has become successful.

There is no question of doubting the fact that those who chant Lord Hari's holy names, even once, are most glorious. In the age of Kali, it is rarely

: : : : a sinful person will take to the chanting of the holy names of the _ :z.

Those who are actually wise can appreciate the great value of this age :f Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen i£c. all perfection of life can easily be achieved simply by the performance : r sanklrtana.

In this world, glorification of Lord Hari is the foremost kind of austerity. Therefore, to- please Lord Visnu in this age of Kali, one should continuously chant the holy names of the Lord.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) ddna-vrata- tapas-tirtha- ksetrddindrh ca yah sthitah saktayo deva-mahatdrh sarva-papa-hardh subhdh rdjasuydsvamedhdndrh --vastunah dkrsya harind sarvdh sthdpitdh svesu ndmasu

,^4 SRiHARI'BHAKTI'VILASA The power to nullify sinful reactions that is invested in giving charity, executing vows, performing austerities, traveling to holy places of pilgrimage, worshiping the demigods, serving the devotees, conducting the Rajasuya sacrifice and horse sacrifice, and cultivating knowledge of self-realization— all of this potency has been invested in the holy names of the Supreme Lord.

As the sun dissipates darkness, the holy name of the Supreme Lord destroys even the most grievous sinful reactions when chanted.

To achieve all kinds of perfection, you should always chant the holy name of the Supreme Lord that you feel attracted to. The Supreme Lord is omnipotent, He is the master of the demigods, and He carries a cakra in his hand.

O master of the senses, the world becomes joyful upon hearing Your name, and thus everyone becomes attached to You. Although the perfected

gs ofier You their respectful homage, the demons are afraid, and they fane and there. All this is rightly done.

Those who regularly chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord, such as iarayana, Jagannatha, Vasudeva, and Janardana are glorified everywhere.

in the same literature, Suta Gosvami spoke this verse) svapan bhanjan vrajarhs tisthann uttistharhs ca vadarhs tathd ye vadanti harer noma tebhyo nityarh namo namah I offer my repeated obeisances unto those who chant the holy name of Lord Hari while sleeping, eating, walking, standing, or speaking.

Obeisances should be offered to women, sudras, dog-eaters, and others who are beyond the purview of Vedic society if they devotedly glorify the holy names of Lord Hari.

106 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

with the thousand names of the Supreme Lord, it is stated) ananya-gatayo martyd bhogino 'pi parantapah jnana-vairdgya-rahitd brahmacaryddi'Varjitdh sarva-dharmojjhitd visnor ndma-rndtraika-jalpakdh sukhena yam gatirh ydnti na tarn sarve 'pi dharmikdh Those who are always engaged in sense gratification, who have no fixed goal of life, who always inflict pain on others, who are devoid of spiritual knowledge and detachment, who do not practice celibacy, and who never follow religious principles—if they joyfully chant the holy names of Lord Visnu with a little faith, they can attain a destination that is rarely achieved by even the most pious people.

in the Visnu-dharmottara, this verse is found) na desa-niyamas tasmin na kdla-niyamas tathd nocchistddau nisedho 'sti sri'harer ndmni lubdhaka O Lubdhaka, there is no consideration of time and place with regards to chanting the holy name of Lord Hari. As such, there is no harm in chanting the holy name of the Lord, even in a contaminated state.

Because Lord Hari is all-purifying, there are no hard and fast rules for His holy names. It is the duty of everyone to always chant the holy of the Lord in all conditions of life.

Chanting the holy names of the Supreme Lord does not depend upon one's purity or impurity, nor does it have anything to do with time, place, or circumstances. The holy name is fully independent and it awards the fulfillment of one's desires.

Simply by chanting the holy name, Rama, Rama, conditioned souls can be liberated from material entanglement. There is no consideration of time, place, purity, or impurity as far as chanting the holy name is concerned.

jQ« SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

which is recorded in the Vaisnava'Cintdmani) na desa-niyamo rdjan na kdla-niyamas tathd vidyate nana sandeho visnor ndrndnukirtane kdlo 'sti done yajne ca sndne halo 'sti sajjape visnusankirtane halo nasty atra prthivi-tale O King, there is no doubt that one does not have to follow any particular rule, such as selecting a proper time or place, while chanting the holy names of Lord Visnu. For activities like charity, sacrifice, a holy bath, and chanting mantras, one must follow the prescribed rules and regulations. However, one need not follow any such rules and regulations while chanting the holy names of Lord Visnu. 0 Text 414 dvitiya-skande (In the Srimad-Bhagavatam [2.1.11] it is stated) etan nirvidyamdndndrn icchatdm akuto-bhayam yogindm nrpa nirnitarh harer ndrndnukirtanam O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord, following in the footsteps of the great souls is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.

vdrdhe (In the Varaha Purdna it is stated)

ELEVENTH VILAS A ,QQ ndrdyandcyutdnanta vdsudeveti yo narah satatarh kirtayed bhumi ydnti mallayatdrh sa hi 0 mother Earth, one who constantly chants the holy names of the Lord, • d h as Narayana, Acyuta, Ananta, and Vasudeva attains, at the very least, i-cryuiya-mukti, or merging into My existence.

O ruler of men, what will you gain by cultivating Sarikhya, or astdhga- yoga? If you are actually interested in liberation from material bondage then just chant the holy name of Govinda.

One who, even once, chants the two syllables, ha and ri, quickly becomes eligible to attain liberation.

If one always chants the holy names of Lord Hari, even in a contaminated state, or without attention—all of his offenses are forgiven so that he achieves

liberation from material existence. An example of this is Sisupala, the king of Cedi.

The heart of a person who even once utters the holy name, Narayana, giving up his indolence, is purified so that he becomes qualified for liberation from material bondage.

Even those who enjoy sex with another man's wife, and those who always do harm to others—if they take to the chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari, they can be purified from all sinful reactions and thus also achieve liberation.

Even one who does not follow any religious principles and who is fond of committing sinful activities—if he takes to the chanting of Lord Visnu's holy names, he will surely be liberated from the vicious cycle of repeated birth and death. Of this there is no doubt.

or other, one hears or chants the holy names of the Supreme be liberated from all sinful reactions and attain liberation from

The two syllables, ha and ri, are the only asset of a person who is walking on the path toward death. Indeed, these two syllables are the only remedy tor material miseries, and suffering due to lamentation.

Those who give up all shyness and joyfully chant Lord Hari's holy names, which constantly provide one a newer and newer nectarean sweetness that is highly praised by eloquent speakers of the Vedic literature, are to be considered liberated, even though they are still living in this world. There should be no doubt in this regard.

Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krsna, which is feared by fear personified.

Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose incarnations and activities are chanted by us for glorification, though He can hardly be fully known as He is.

Therefore, it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name of the Lord, as well as His qualities and activities. This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even if one chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajamila, for example, was extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and although calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he remembered the name of Narayana.

The chanting of Lord Hari's holy names destroys the contamination of Kali. Even if chanted with negligence, or while walking, sitting, sleeping, eating, breathing, or speaking, one attains liberation. What then can be said of those who chant His holy names with full devotion? Such devotees certainly return to the Lord's supreme abode.

If one chants the holy names of Lord Hari at the time of death, even after he had enjoyed sex with the wife of a dog-eater during her menstrual period, and had eaten rice cooked in wine, he will be freed from the heavy burden of his sinful reactions, and attain the supreme abode of Lord Visnu.

U4 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

One whose tongue vibrates the two syllables, hari, will ascend to the abode of Lord Visnu and never again return to this material world.

If one simply chants, Krsna Krsna—in whatever condition of life he may be in—he will be freed from all sinful reactions and achieve life's ultimate goal.

in the Vaisdkha-mdhdtmya section of the same literature) tad eva punyarh paramarh pavitrarh govinda-gehe gamandya patram tad eva loke sukrtaika'Satrarh yad ucyate kesava-ndma-matram Simply by uttering the holy name of Lord Kesava, which is supremely pure, and which elevates one to His eternal abode, one will accumulate immense piety.

Simply by calling out the name of the prostitute's son, Narayana, at the time of death, the sinful Ajamila went back to the supreme abode of Lord Hari. When the most sinful Ajamila went to Vaikuntha, simply by calling out the name, Narayana, not actually referring to the Lord, but to his son, then what can be said about the benefit obtained by chanting the holy name of the Lord with faith and devotion?

While suffering at the time of death, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?

Those who chant the holy names of Lord Hari, who awards benedictions to His devotees, whose navel resembles a lotus flower, who holds a conch, disc, club, lotus, bow and arrow in His hands, and who is just like a bumblebee hovering around the lotus face of Laksmi, will certainly become residents of Vaikuntha.

To attain freedom from fear of material existence, one should chant the holy name of Lord Vasudeva. This will undoubtedly award one shelter at Lord Visnu's lotus feet.

By congregationally chanting the holy names of the Supreme Lord, even the most sinful people can attain the supreme abode of Lord Visnu.

My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hafe Krsna maha-

' can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the

as recorded in the Qaruda Purdna) :.' '-' "S-".s.~". '. yat paramam padam L^i-JLi. ' . - . . -.'.;i--.J.::\ kuru govinda-klrtanam k Jearking. it vou wish to attain supreme knowledge and thereby attain • f x e a e abode oi the Lord then chant the holy names of Govinda, with and devotion.

Even drunkards and people who are afflicted with terrible diseases can attain liberation from the vicious cycle of repeated birth and death, and satisfy Lord Visnu, simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Hari.

O brdhrrwnas, the Supreme Lord, who is transcendentally situated and thus beyond the jurisdiction of material senses, always becomes pleased with someone who constantly glorifies His holy names—even when they are afflicted with hunger, thirst, and other forms of distress.

SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - V I L AS A

O greatly fortunate one, Lord Kesava becomes pleased with one who, when hungry, thirsty, or distressed for other reasons, chants His holy names.

Being put into a very dangerous situation, Draupadi called out to Me, "O Govinda! O Govinda!" and for this I have become highly indebted to her. Indeed, this debt is firmly established within My heart.

is recorded in the Adi Purdna, these verses are found) gawd ca mama ndmdni nartayen mama sannidhau idam bravimi te satyarh krito 'ham tena carjuna gatvd ca mama ndmdni rudanti mama sannidhau tesam aharh parikrito ndnya-krlto jandrdanah

D Arjuna, those who sing My holy names and dance before Me in ecstasy j purchase Me with the price of their devotion. I promise you this. I b—chose who chant My names and cry with devotion before Vic «o—Bfi—i Imi Me with their love. Ten 448 . . L ~ - . : • .: :.: -•...: ..: . ; - . . . . . ::;-.;.:: nie should hear the glories of My holy names and performing other such devotional activities.

When someone's tongue is heard to vibrate the two syllables, hari, it is to be understood that he has brought the Supreme Lord under his control, he has surely brought the Supreme Lord under his control, he has certainly brought the Supreme Lord under his control.

Vaisakha'tnahatrnya section of the Padma Purdna, this verse appears) idam eva hi mangalyarh etad eva dhandrjanarn jlvitasya phalarh caitad yad ddmodara-kirtanam Chanting the holy name of Damodara is the only real benefit oi performing all kinds of auspicious activities. Indeed, it is the only perfection of accumulating wealth and the only valid reason for remaining alive.

O best of the descendents of Bhrgu! If the holy name of Lord Krsna, which is sweeter than the sweetest, which is more auspicious than the most auspicious, which is the eternal fruit of the Vedic tree, and which is fully transcendental, is chanted, either faithfully or faithlessly, even once, without any offense, it will definitely deliver one from material existence.

Glorification of Lord Hari is the foremost knowledge, the foremost austerity, and the foremost truth. This is the verdict of all great authorities.

is found in the Vaistiava-cintamani, this verse is found) aghacchit'Smaranam visnor bahv-dydsena sddhyate ans tha-spandana-rridtreria klrtanam tu tato varam It takes a great deal of endeavor to release oneself from material bondage by constantly remembering Lord Visnu but simply by moving one's lips,

tfae fear of material existence is vanquished. Therefore, chanting is more •operant than remembering.

3 King, only one who has properly worshiped Lord Vasudeva in hundreds it previous births is able to constantly chant His holy names.

The same benefit that was obtained by performing hundreds of sacrifices in Satya-yuga, and the same benefit that was received by worshiping Lord Hari in Dvapara-yuga, can be achieved in this age of Kali simply by chanting the holy names of Govinda.

The result one obtained by meditation in Satya-yuga, by performing sacrifice in Treta-yuga, and by worshiping the Lord of the universe in Dvapara-yuga, can be obtained simply by chanting the holy names of the Lord in Kali-yuga.

-*- SRI HARI'BHAKTI'VILASA

The result that was achieved by meditation in Satya-yuga, by sacrifice in Treta-yuga, and by temple worship in Dvapara-yuga, can be obtained in this age of Kali simply by Hari-kirtana.

In this age of Kali, those who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by the performance of sankirtana'yajfia.

In this age of Kali, exalted personalities are always seen chanting the holy names of Lord Krsna.

Q this age oi Kali, the holy name of Lord Hari, the holy name of Lord lv name of Lord Hari is my life and soul. Apart from the chanting ame of the Lord, there is no alternative, there is no alternative,

Even Anantadeva, with His one thousand mouths, and four-headed Bcahma are unable to fully describe the benefit one obtains by chanting, . en once. Lord Han's transcendental holy name.

names of Lord Ramacandra, which is found in the Padma Purdna) rakdrddini ndmdni srnvato devi jdyate pritir me manaso nityam rdrna-ndma-visankayd 0 Goddess, I become joyful as soon as I hear a name that begins with the syllable, ra, because I assume that it is the holy name of Lord Rama.

1 became the controller of the universe simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Visnu. I swear, again and again, that the holy name of Lord Hari is the ultimate goal for one who has attained a human birth.

j24 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

that is recorded in the Adi Purdna, these verses appear) sraddhayd helayd noma ratanti mama jantavah tesdrh noma sadd pdrtha vartate hrdaye mama na ndmasadrsam jndnam na ndmasadrsam vratarh na ndma-sadrsarh dhydnam na ndma'Sadrsam phalam na ndmasadrsas tydgo na ndma-sadrsah. samah na ndma-sadrsam punyam na ndma-sadrsi gatih O Arjuna, I always remember those persons who chant My holy names, whether with faith, or negligently. There is no understanding equal to that possessed by one who chants the holy name, there is no vow equal to the chanting of the holy name, there is no meditation equal to the chanting of the holy name, there is no benefit equal to that which is gained by chanting the holy name, there is no detachment equal to that exhibited by one who always chants the holy name, there is no peace equal to that experienced by one who chants the holy name, there is no piety equal to that attained by one who chants the holy name, and there is no goal of life equal to the chanting of the holy name.

n e is certainly the supreme goal of life, the holy name certainly awards n r absolute peace, the holy name certainly brings one to the highest state i existence, the holy name is certainly the foremost limb of devotional s m x e . the holy name is certainly develops the brightest intelligence, the . : i~e certainly awards one the supreme form of love of God, the holy : ertainly the best means of remembrance, the holy name is certainly the life and soul of the living entities, the holy name is the only worshipable Lord, and the holy name is the supreme spiritual master.

O son of Kunti, one who becomes joyful upon seeing a person who is inclined to chant the holy names of the Lord will also go back to Godhead and enjoy the association of Lord Visnu. Therefore, My advice is that you go on chanting My holy names with firm determination because one who is attached to chanting My holy names is very dear to Me.

17£ SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA sravanasyapi mahatmyarh isdd bheddd vilikhyate Now, we shall discuss the various characteristics of hearing, chanting, and remembering the glories of the holy names of the Lord.

this regard, as recorded in the Visnu'rahasya) satyarh bravimi manujdh svayam urdhva-bahur yo mom mukunda narasirhha jandrdaneti jivan japaty anu-dinam marane rniva pasdna-kastha-sadrsdya dadydmy abhistam O members of human society, I raise My arms and boldly declare that when someone regularly chants My names, saying, "O Mukunda! O Nrsimha! O Janardana!" I feel indebted to him and thus award him his desired goal of life, even if he happens to be dry and hard-hearted, like a piece of wood or stone.

O Narayana! O deliverer from hellish conditions! O Damodara! O killer of the Madhu demon! O Caturbhuja! O Visvambara! O Viraja! O Janardana!—how can persons who chant these holy names be afraid of re- birth and the abode of Yamaraja?

smtiil people become attached to the chanting of the holy name of Lad Han then they too will be delivered from all obstacles, such as lust; the daxeiutd material miseries; and the wrath of the Yamadutas.

What comparison can be made between the attainment of heaven, from where one has to return to this world once again, and the chanting of Lord Yasudeva's holy names, which is the only means for liberation?

itihdsottame (In the Itihdsa'Uttama it is stated) svdpne 'pi ndma'Smrtir adi-purhsah ksayarh karoty ahita-pdpa-rdseh prayatnatah kirh punar adi-purhsah praklrtite ndmni jandrdanasya Need it be said that chanting the holy names of Lord Janardana will certainly destroy heaps of sinful reactions when simply by remembering the holy names of the Lord, even while dreaming, all of one's accumulated sinful reactions are eradicated?

I2O SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

0 saintly king, those who remember the holy names of Lord Hari and preach the glories of the holy names to others in this age of Kali are certainly to be considered most fortunate.

Godhead, Lord Hari. Simply by remembering His holy names during one's life, or at the time of death, all of one's sinful reactions are immediately vanquished.

By remembering My holy names, even the most sinful people can attain that destination which is rarely achieved, even by the demigods, headed by Brahma.

_ -_ -..-. z:?--- ot truitive activities are burnt to ashes. The chanting ---_:. . :\ mes : the Lord is rhe only means of deliverance for those who • e 11^1 1 into the ocean of material existence. It is a fact that there is no * to be liberated from material bondage other than by chanting the holy • m r of Lord Hari.

Those who are always on the lookout for varieties of material enjoyment ; continuously chant, meditate upon, and glorify the holy names of Lord Hari.

How can an unintelligent person like me glorify the Lord's holy names which, simply by hearing, even the most sinful people are purified.

When all sinful reactions are burnt to ashes simply by hearing or chanting the holy names of Lord Hari, whose activities are most wonderful then what can be said about the benefit one receives by hearing and chanting His holy names in pure devotion?

My Lord, it is not impossible for one to be immediately freed from all material contamination by seeing You. Not to speak of seeing You personally, merely by hearing the holy name of Your Lordship only once, even candalas, men of the lowest class, are freed from all material contamination. Under the circumstances, who will not be freed from material contamination simply by seeing You?

Although the glories of all the holy names of the Supreme Lord are unlimited, still, among all the names of His incarnations, the name, Krsna, has special significance.

Lord Krsna that is found in the Brahmdnda Pur ana, it is stated) sahasra-ndmndrh punydndm trir dvrttya tu yat phalam ekdvrttya tu krsnasya ndrrmikarh tat prayacchati The benefit obtained by reciting the thousand names of Lord Visnu can be obtained simply by reciting the holy name of Sri Krsna just once.

By chanting the holy names of Krsna, Arjuna acquired the Pasupata weapon and became a very dear friend of the Lord and thereby was able ID engage Him as his charioteer. Simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Krsna, one become merged in an ocean of transcendental ecstasy and ultimately, attains His association in the spiritual sky.

«3 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O dear one, in My pastimes as Krsna, My most confidential holy names will be most auspicious, supremely purifying, and the deliverer of the conditioned souls from material existence.

recorded in the Dvdraka Mdhdtmya, this verse appears) amah purusah sapta bhavisyds ca caturdasa naras tdrayate sarvdn kalau krsneti'kirtandt krsna-krsneti krsneti svapan jdgrad vrajarhs tathd yo jalpati kalau nityarh krsiw-rupi bhaved dhi sah Those who chant the holy name of Lord Krsna in this dangerous age of Kali will deliver seven past generations of their family, as well as fourteen future generations. In this age of Kali, one who, while awake or while dreaming, chants, "Krsna! Krsna!" becomes situated on the same platform as the Lord.

Even if someone had killed a brdhmana, or habitually drank wine, if he chants, "Krsna! Krsna! throughout the day and night, he will become purified.

0 ruler of men, when one utters the most auspicious holy name, Krsna, afl his countless sinful reactions are burnt to ashes.

1 personally deliver from a hellish condition of life one who constantly remembers Me by chanting My holy name, "Krsna! Krsna! Krsna!" He is zeiivered from material existence just as a lotus flower emerges from the -ater.

One who has lost his original consciousness due to being bitten by a poisonous snake in the form of material existence can be relieved of his distress simply by hearing the Vaisnava mantra, Krsna, which is the only remedy for the diseased condition of material life.

.-,. SRIHARI-BHAKTI'VILASA

Narada Muni and Kusadhvaja that is found in the Prabhasa Purdna) ndmndrh mukhyatararh ndma krsiydkhyarh me parantapa prdyascittam asesdndrh pdpdndrh mocakarh param O vanquisher of the enemies, among all My holy names, the name, Krsna, is the foremost. This holy name is the best means of atonement for even unlimited sinful activities, and it is the giver of liberation.

Wherever one may be, if he somehow chants, "Krsna! Krsna!", he will immediately become freed from all sinful reactions and achieve the highest goal of life.

is recorded in the Visnu'dharmottara, this verse appears) ballavi-kdnta kirn tais tair updyaih krsna-ridma te kintu jihvdgragam jdgran niruddhe hi mahdbhayam O beloved Lord of the gopis, what is the use of performing fruitive activities and cultivating knowledge? If Your holy name, Krsna, remains present on my tongue then where is the fear of material existence?

xadeva. I am telling you the truth—the holy name of Krsna is E confidential. Know for certain that this holy name can bring a dead man back to life.

One who, at the time of death, chants the holy name, "Krsna! Krsna! .ill not have to chant any other holy name to be delivered. Among 11 the names of the Lord, the name, Krsna, is sufficient for liberation. In .act, the other holy names of the Lord feel embarrassed, like an unemployed - _:: r. who has no work.

The holy name of Krsna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krsna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krsna's name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krsna Himself. Since Krsna's name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krsna's name is always

*-, SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krsna and Krsna Himself are identical.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the devotees who are capable of lifting up the fallen conditioned souls who are entangled in to the mire of material existence, who shed incessant tears of love while hearing the two syllables, Krsna, and whose hair stands on end while listening to the holy name of the Lord.

Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the eyes, and the hairs stand on end.

One whose hair does not stand on end while chanting the holy names of Lord Krsna possesses a heart that is as hard as a thunderbolt.

kdtydyana sarhhitdydm (In the Katydyana Samhitd it is stated) noma sankirttanaj jdtarh punyarh nopa cayanti ye ndndvyddhi samdyuktdh sata janmasu te narah sd hdnis tan mahacchidrarh sa mohah sa ca vibhramah yan muhurttarh ksanarh vdpi vdsudevarh na klrttayet Those who do not take advantage of the congregational chanting of :he Lord's holy names will suffer from various diseases in the next hundreds of lives. Any time that is not spent chanting the holy names of the Lord is a waste, harmful, and causes illusion. In other words, if one does not utilize every moment chanting the holy names of the Lord—his life is spent in vain.

Vaisakha'tnahatmya section of the Padma Purdna, this verse appears) avamatya ca ydnti bhagavat kirttanarh nardh te ydnti narakarh ghorarh tena pdpena karmmnd Those who ignore the chanting of the Lord's holy names and go elsewhere to utilize their time in another way will enter the darkest regions of hell as a result of their sinful mentality.

O Lord Visnu, we worship Your holy name, which has a transcendental form of pure knowledge, which is self-manifested, and which is the most sought after entity in this world. O supremely worshipable Lord, we offer our unlimited obeisances at Your lotus feet. Simply by hearing the glories of Your holy name, devotees can attain eternal fame and liberation. Those who have accepted the worship of Your lotus feet as the goal of their lives fully engage in chanting Your holy names to achieve Your direct association. Although it is said that one should make his life successful by glorifying whatever he may have heard about Lord Krsna, the complete whole, we are unable to do this because we do not know how to offer prayers in the prescribed manner. Thus we have concluded that it is our utmost duty to simply chant His holy names.

Those who interpret the glories of the holy names that are ascertained by sruti and smrti, or think that they are imagination, will suffer terrible punishment in hell.

ELEVENTH VILAS A ^Q

of the holy names are an exaggeration) kdtydyana sarhhitdydm (In the Katydyana Samhita it is stated) arthavddam harer ndmni sambhdvayati yo narah sa pdpistho manusydndrh niraye patati sphutam A sinful person who considers the glories of the holy names of Lord Hari to be imagination will certainly traverse the path to hell.

I sarhsdra ghora vividhdrtti nipiditdngam Unto those who do not believe in the results of chanting the holy names ot the Lord that are described in the revealed scriptures, but rather consider them to be an exaggeration, I personally inflict upon them various sufferings and throw them into the ocean of miseries in this material world.

Those who consider the statements of the sruti, smrti and Purdnas that praise the glories of the holy name to be imagination will suffer unlimitedly in hell. Therefore, every intelligent person must be careful about committing offenses against the chanting of the holy names, which are the only benefactor of all conditioned souls and the only object worthy of service for all classes of men.

which are found in the Padma Purdna) sarvvdparddha krdapi mucyate harisarhsrayah harer api aparddhan yah kuryydt dvipada pdrhsanah ndmdsrayah kaddcit syatta ratyeva sa ndmatah ndmno'pi sarwasuhrdo hyaparddhdt patatyadhah If a most sinful person takes shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Hari then he can become freed from all of his sinful reactions. If a person who is the lowest among mankind and had committed offenses at the lotus feet of Lord Hari takes shelter of the Lord's holy names, he can become freed from these offenses. Therefore, where is the doubt that if a person commits offenses at the lotus feet of the holy name, he will certainly be degraded to a hellish condition of life?

1. To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for pi ragating the holy names of the Lord. 2. To consider the names of the demigods to be equal to or independent to the holy name of Lord Visnu. 3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. 4. To blaspheme the Vedic literatures, or literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version. 5. To consider the glories of the holy name to be imagination. 6. To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord. 7. To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. 8. To consider pious activities to be equal to the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. 9. To instruct faithless persons about the glories of the holy name. 10. To maintain material attachment, even after receiving so many instructions in this regard, considering the material body to be "me," and everything in relation to the body as, "mine".

If, due to carelessness, or any other reason, one commits an offense at the lotus feet of the holy name one must take complete shelter of the holy name and continue chanting without cessation.

14? SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

The holy names alone can destroy the offenses one commits at the lotus feet of the holy name. If one continues to chant the holy names of the Lord, by the mercy of the holy names, he may become freed from all offenses and ultimately achieve life's ultimate goal.

It is a fact that if a person chants even one holy name of Lord Hari, or hears one holy name, whether he utters the holy names correctly or incorrectly, the holy name will nevertheless deliver him. Still, he may not immediately obtain the principal fruit of chanting the holy names of the Lord. If the holy name is chanted by atheists, who are simply interested in the gratification of their bodies, wealth, and family members, it will eventually bear fruit, but not immediately.

as found in the Brhan'tidradiya Purdna) mahirnndmapi yanndmnah pdrarh gantumanisvardh

14: manavo'pi munindrasca katharh tarn ksurmddhir bhaje How can a less intelligent person like me chant the holy names of the Lord, whose glories cannot be estimated even by exalted personalities, such as Manu and other foremost sages?

In this way, learned devotees execute devotional service at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. It is not easy to obtain the stage of pure devotional service. Only by the piety that one had accumulated since many births, and by the mercy of Krsna, pure devotional service is awakened within the heart.

People whose hearts are full of deceit, who are foolish, and who are miscreants, do not develop devotional service at the lotus feet of Govinda. What to speak of this, they are not even qualified to remember or chant the holy names of the Lord.

,44 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA nadagdha sesa pdpdnarh bhaktir bhavati kesave O Narada, those whose practically unlimited sinful reactions have not yet been burnt to ashes cannot render devotional service to Lord Kesava, even for a moment, or a fraction of a moment.

Only those who have exhausted their sinful reactions by performing austerities, cultivating knowledge, and absorbing their minds in samadhi, over a period of hundreds of lifetimes, are able to develop pure devotional service to Lord Krsna.

A learned person who has become freed from all kinds of sinful reactions by worshiping Lord Siva, who rides on his bull carrier, over a duration of thousands of lifetimes, can become a Vaisnava.

in the Brhari'naradiya Purana, this verse appears) janmakortisahasresu punyarh yaih samupdrjjitam tesam bhaktir bhavecchuddhd deva deve jandrddane

J Only those who have accumulated piety during their previous thousands of millions of lifetimes can achieve pure devotional service to Janardana, the Lord oi the demigods.

In this world, bathing in the Ganges and serving guests are commonly seen. Even the performance of various kinds of sacrifice is not difficult to witness but pure devotional service to Lord Visnu is extremely rare.

Relinquishing one's body in the Ganges, developing pure devotional service unto Lord Kesava, and realization of the Absolute Truth are not the results of an insignificant penance.

Only those persons become qualified to execute pure devotional service to Lord Kesava who have been observing vows, fasting, following scriptural rules and regulations, and performing various sacrifices for their previous millions of lives.

j-jg SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Only one whose complete stock of sinful reactions have been eradicated can render pure devotional service unto Lord Kesava, for a day, for half-a- day, or for even a moment. Only after becoming completely freed from all sinful reactions can one attain pure devotional service unto Lord Kesava.

Devotional service unto Lord Krsna is attained by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices, by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regulative principles and, indeed, by the performance of many other auspicious practices.

After many, many births of executing pious activities, when one is freed from all contaminations, and from all illusory dualities, in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

as found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [5.6.18]) rdjan path gurur alarh bhavatdrh yadundrh daivarh priyah kula'patih kva ca kinkaro vah asw evam aixga bhagavdn bhajatdrh mukundo muktirh daddti karhicit sma na bhakti-yogam My dear King, the Supreme Person, Mukunda, is actually the maintainer of all the members of the Pandava and Yadu dynasties. He is your spiritual master, worshipable Deity, friend, and the director of your activities. To say nothing of this, He sometimes serves your family as a messenger or servant. This means He worked just as ordinary servants do. Those engaged in getting the Lord's favor attain liberation from the Lord very easily, but He does not very easily give the opportunity to render direct service unto Him.

Among hundreds of thousands of people, someone may hear about the science of devotional service and among millions of those who hear about it, seldom does someone follow it perfectly.

1 4 8 SRI HARI-BHAKTI'VILASA

If someone worhips the Supreme Lord while maintaining material desires then Bhakti-devi will taunt him. If one chants the holy name with material desires then Bhakti-devi will run away and if one takes shelter of the process of mystic yoga then Bhakti-devi will stay far from him. Considering this, who can capture devotional service?

the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [6.14.2] this verse is found) devdndrh suddha-satwdndrn rsindrh cdmaldtmandm bhaktir mukunda'Cararie na prdyenopajdyate Demigods situated in the mode of goodness and great saints cleansed of the dirt of material enjoyment hardly ever render pure devotional service at the lotus feet of Lord Mukunda.

Let me offer my respectful obeisances at the feet of Bhakti-devi, whose glories are as lofty as Mount Mandara. Only by her mercy has an insignificant person like me become tempted to understand her glories.

Hi .--.dmatah kathanciddpatite'pi pdpe prdyascittdntara-nirasanatvam (M a devotee accidentally commits a sin, he need not undergo atonement) patkme vaaaidiamdhdtmye ndraddmvarisasarhvdde *!• a oHKnttoi between Narada Muni and King Ambarisa that is found m Ac \*maaU»m-wtii*Mm?a section of the Padma Purdna, this verse appears) ynhagnih prasamiddhdrccih karotyedhdrhsi bhasmasdt pdpdni bhagavadbhaktis tathd dahati tatksandt As a blazing fire burns dry wood to ashes, devotional service rendered to die Supreme Lord immediately burns to ashes all kinds of sinful reactions.

narrated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [6.1.15] it is stated) kecit kevalayd bhaktyd vdsudeva'pardyandh agharh dhunvanti kdrtsnyena nihdram iva bhdskarah Only a rare person who has adopted complete, unalloyed devotional service to Krsna can uproot the weeds of sinful actions with no possibility that they will revive. He can do this simply by discharging devotional service, just as the sun can immediately dissipate fog by its rays.

recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.14.19] this verse appears) yathdgnih sU'Samrddhdrcih karoty edhdmsi bhasmasdt tathd mad-visayd bhaktir uddhavaindrhsi krtsnasah

, „ SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA My dear Uddhava, just as a blazing fire turns wood into ashes, devotion unto Me completely burns to ashes sins committed by My devotees.

Anyone who is fully engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord is very dear to Him and the Lord, being situated in the heart of His devotee, excuses all kinds of sins committed accidentally.

which is found in the Dvdrakd Mdhapnya) madbhaktirh vahatdrh purhsdm iha loke pare'pi vd ndsubharh vidyate kincit kulakotirh nayedddivam Those who render devotional service unto Me never face any difficulty, either in this world or the next. Actually, devotional service delivers millions of generations of a devotee's family to My transcendental abode.

If My devotee has not fully conquered his senses, he may be harassed material desires, but because of his unflinching devotion for Me, sense gratification will not cause him to forget Me.

tatraiva (In the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.20.9] it is stated) tdvat karmdni kurvlta na nirvidyeta ydvatd mat-kathd'Sravanddau vd sraddhd ydvan na jay ate One should continue to perform the Vedic ritualistic activities until one actually becomes detached from material sense gratification and develops faith for hearing and chanting about Me.

If someone gives up his occupational duties and works in Krsna consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part? And what can one gain if one performs his material activities perfectly?

,-~ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILAS A Whatever has been written regarding the symptoms of an unalloyed devotee, and whatever will be written later about the symptoms of surrender will reinforce the understanding that one engaged in devotional service becomes detached from fruitive activities.

prathama skandhe (In the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [1.2.6] it is stated) sa vai purhsdrh paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje ahaituky apratihatd yayatma suprasidati The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.

Truthfulness, compassion, religious principles, austerity, and knowledge cannot purify the hearts of those who are not engaged in My devotional service.

tatraiva (In the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.14.21] it is stated) bhaktih pundti man-nisthd sva-pdkdn api sambhavdt Undivided devotional service can purify even those born in the families of dog-eaters.

arc fixed on the Lord engage in 1 service. That is the only means for pextectkxi of life.

mnsands of Vajapeya sacrifices for those who have developed firm •ads. a2 tbe devotional service of Lord Janardana.

CPnhhrfi spoke this verse, which is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [5.18.12]) yasydsti bhaktir bhagavaty akincand sarvair gunais tatra samdsate surah harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-gund dhavato bahih One who has unflinching devotion for the Personality of Godhead has D the good qualities of the demigods. But one who is not a devotee of the - -: r. .- :niv material qualifications that are of little value. This is because he is hovering on the mental plane and is certain to be attracted by the EJbrtng material energy.

Thus regaining your natural position and rendering service unto the Supreme Lord, who is the all-powerful reservoir of all pleasure and who lives in ail living entities as the Supersoul, you will very soon forget the illusory understanding of "I" and "my."

King Prthu, as found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [4.22.39]) yat-pada-pankaja'paldsa-vildsa-bhaktyd karmdsayarh grathitam udgrathayanti santah tadvan na rikta-matayo yatayo 'pi ruddha- srotO'gands tam aranarh bhaja vdsudevam The devotees, who are always engaged in the service of the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, can very easily overcome hard-knotted desires for fruitive activities. Because this is very difficult, the nondevotees—the jndnis and yogis—although trying to stop the waves of sense gratification, cannot do so. Therefore you are advised to engage in the devotional service of Krsna, the son of Vasudeva.

^-realisation cannot be attained by any kind of yogi unless il service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for ssae s A c OHK auspicious path.

The path followed by pure devotees, who are well behaved and fully endowed with the best qualifications, is certainly the most auspicious path in this material world. It is free from fear, and it is authorized by the sastras.

For those who are wandering in the material universe, there is no more auspicious means of deliverance than what is aimed at in the direct devotional service of Lord Krsna. The great personality Brahma, with great attention and concentration of the mind, studied the Vedas three times, and after examining them very carefully, he ascertained that attraction for the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna is the highest perfection of religion.

,c6 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Just as water sustains all living entities, devotional service is certainly the cause of all types of perfection. That is to say, nothing substantial can be accomplished without engagement in the devotional service of the Lord.

Just as a living being is protected by the mother as she sustains him within her womb, it is by the mercy of Bhakti-devi that one achieves perfection in devotional service.

Simply by remaining solidly engaged in devotional service unto the Supreme Lord, even a most sinful person can attain the supreme destination.

in the Vaisakha'tnahatmya section of the Padma Purana it is stated)

apatyarh dravinarh ddrd hard harmmyarh hayd gajdh sukhdni svarga moksau ca na dure hari bhaktitah For a devotee of Lord Hari, nothing is difficult to obtain, such as children, wealth, a wife, pearl necklace, house, vehicle, kingdom, residence in heaven, or liberation. Simply by his will, a devotee can achieve these things.

By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.

is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.20.32-33] it is stated) yat karmabhir yat tapasd jnana-vairdgyatas ca yat yogena ddna--dharrneria sreyobhir itarair api sarvarh mad'bhakti'yogena mad-bhakto labhate 'njasa svargdpavargarh mad-dhdma kathancid yadi vdnchati Everything that can be achieved by fruitive activities, penance, knowledge, detachment, mystic yoga, charity, religious duties and all other means of perfecting life is easily achieved by My devotee through loving service unto Me. If somehow or other My devotee desires promotion to heaven, liberation, or residence in My abode, he easily achieves such benedictions.

, „ SRiHARI'BHAKTI'VILASA

Whether one is without desire [the condition of the devotees], or is desirous of all fruitive results, or is after liberation, one should with all efforts try to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead for complete perfection, culminating in Krsna consciousness.

When the service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Personality of Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than salvation. Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body of the living entity without separate effort, just as fire in the stomach digests all that we eat.

verse appears, as found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [5.6.17]) yasydm eva kavaya dtmdnam aviratarh vividha-vrjinasarhsdra' paritdpopatapyamdnam anusavanarh sndpayantas tayaiva parayd nirvrtyd hy apavargam dtyantikarh parama-purusdrtham api svayam dsdditarh no evddriyante bhagavadiyawenaiva parisamdpta-sarvdrthdh.

15( Devotees always bathe themselves in devotional service to get relief from the tribulations of material existence. By doing this, the devotees enjoy supreme happiness, and liberation personified comes to serve them. Nonetheless, they do not accept that service, even if it is personally offered bv the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For the devotees, liberation is very unimportant because, having attained the Lord's transcendental loving service, they have obtained everything desirable and have transcended all material desires.

is found in the Sr'vmad'Bhdgavatam [12.10.6]) naivecchaty dsisah kvdpi brahmarsir moksam apy uta bhaktirh pararh bhagavati labdhavdn puruse 'vyaye Surely this saintly brahmana does not desire any benediction, not even liberation itself, for he has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead.

My dear King, the activities of Bharata Maharaja are wonderful. He gave up his kingdom, his wife and his family, which would have been very difficult for others to renounce. His opulence was so great that even the demigods envied it, yet he gave it up. It was quite befitting for a great personality like him to be an exalted devotee. He could renounce all of this because he was attracted by the beauty, opulence, reputation, knowledge, strength and renunciation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Krsna is so

.**. SRiHARI'BHAKTI'VILASA attractive that one can give up all desirable things for His sake. Indeed, even liberation is considered insignificant for those whose minds are attracted to the loving service of the Lord.

The devotee who has offered his very life to Me does not want anything separate from Me—not the position of a demigod within the universe, even Brahma or Indra, nor lordship over the entire earth or over the lower planetary systems, nor the mystic perfections of yoga, nor even liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death.

Those who are firmly fixed in devotional service to Lord Vasudeva and thus are endowed with knowledge and detachment, never accept anything other than devotional service.

What is the use of religiosity, economic development, and sense gratification for one who has developed devotion unto Your lotus feet, the eternal shelter of all universes? Indeed, even liberation is always within his grasp.

Without money, anyone can collect leaves, flowers, fruit, and water. If, by the strength of devotional service, one can obtain the favor of the Supreme Lord, why should he endeavor for liberation?

All varieties of atmardmas (those who take pleasure in the self), especially those established on the path of self-realization, though freed from all kinds of material bondage, desire to render unalloyed devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead. This means that the Lord possesses transcendental qualities and therefore can attract everyone, including liberated souls.

+ ~, SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Those who have unflinching devotion at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, who carries a cakra and club in His hands, will attain His eternal abode on the strength of their devotional service.

If one is firmly fixed in devotional service to the Supreme Lord, having fully controlled his mind and senses while constantly chanting the holy names of the Lord—whether he is a sage or a householder—he will be elevated to the supreme abode of Lord Visnu.

verse is found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [3.15.25]) yac ca vrajanty animisdm rsabhdnuvrttyd dure yamd hy upari nab, sprhaniya-sildh bhartur mithah suyasasah kathandnurdga- vaikkivya'bdspa'kalaydpulaki'krtdngdh Persons whose bodily features change in ecstasy and who breathe heavily and perspire due to hearing the glories of the Lord are promoted to the kingdom of God, even though they do not care for meditation and other austerities. The kingdom of God is above the material universes, and it is desired by Brahma and other demigods.

O almighty Lord, in the past, many yogis achieved the platform of devotional service by offering everything to You and faithfully carrying out . - "escribed duties. Through such devotional service, perfected by the processes of hearing anci chanting about You, they came to understand You and could thus easily surrender to You and achieve Your supreme abode.

that is found in the Brhan'tidradiya Purdna, this verse appears) sarvvadeva mayo visnuh sarandrtti prandsanah svabhakta vatsalo devo bhaktyd tusyati ndnyathd Lord Hari, who removes the distresses of the surrendered souls, who i5 affectionate to His devotees, and who is the master of the demigods is pleased only by devotional service and no other process.

which are found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [7.7.51-52]) ndlarh dvijatvarh devawam rsitvarh vdsurdtmajah prinandya mukundasya na vrttarh na bahu-jnatd na ddnarh na tapo nejyd na saucarh na vratdni ca private 'malayd bhaktyd harir anyad vidambanarn My dear friends, O sons of the demons, you cannot please the Supreme Personality of Godhead simply by becoming perfect brdhmanas, demigods, or great saints, or by becoming perfectly good in etiquette or vast learning. None of these qualifications can awaken the pleasure of the Lord. Nor by

,r. SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

charity, austerity, sacrifice, cleanliness or vows can one satisfy the Lord. The Lord is pleased only if one has unflinching, unalloyed devotion to Him. Without sincere devotional service, everything is simply a show.

One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him.

What did the hunter do? What was Dhruva's age? How learned was Gajendra? Was Kubja beautiful? Did Sudama have any wealth? Did Vidura have a family? Was Ugrasena, the king of the Yadavas, very powerful? The fact is—Lord Madhava becomes pleased only by devotional service and not by mere activities, age, or knowledge.

If anyone offers Me, with love and devotion, a flower, leaf, some fruit, or water, I accept it.

One cannot establish a friendship with the Supreme Lord, Ramacandra, on the basis of material qualities, such as one's birth in an aristocratic family, personal beauty, eloquence, sharp intelligence, or superior race or nation. None of these qualifications are a prerequisite for friendship with Lord Sri Ramacandra. Otherwise, how is it possible that, although we uncivilized inhabitants of the forest are not of noble birth, have no physical beauty, and cannot speak like gentlemen, Lord Ramacandra has accepted us as friends?

My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding.

SRI H A R I - B H A K T l - VILAS A

Just as gold, when smelted in fire, gives up its impurities and returns to its pure brilliant state, similarly, the spirit soul, absorbed in the fire of bhakti- yoga, is purified of all contamination caused by previous fruitive activities and returns to its original position of serving Me in the spiritual world.

My dear Uddhava, I am the Supreme Lord of all worlds, and I create and destroy this universe, being its ultimate cause. I am thus the Absolute Truth, and one who worships Me with unfailing devotional service comes to Me.

Kdrttika'mdhdtmya section of the Padma Purana, this verse appears) bhuktim muktim harir dadydt arccito'nyatra sevindm bhaktinca na daddtyesa yato vasyakari hareh

If Lord Hari is worshiped, He easily awards one material enjoyment and . .:: -cration but He does not easily give loving devotional service because - r otional service places Him under the control of the devotee.

the Vaisdkha'mahdtrnya section of the Padma Purdna it is stated} mdyd jdnira mdyo'sau bhaktyd rdjanna mdyayd sddhyate sddhupurusaih svayarh jdndti tadbhavdn The Supreme Lord is the controller of mdyd and so He is never a -.helmed by such illusion. And yet, saintly devotees can bring the Supreme Lord under their control by pure devotional service.

My dear Uddhava, the unalloyed devotional service rendered by My devotees brings Me under their control. I cannot be controlled by those engaged in mystic yoga, Sahkhya philosophy, pious work, Vedic study, iusterity or renunciation. Only by practicing unalloyed devotional service with full faith in Me can one obtain Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

,£o SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

A pure devotee does not accept any kind of liberation—sdlokya, sdrsti, samlpya, sarupya or ekatva—even though they are offered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

of Ambarisa that is related in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [9.4.67]) mat'Sevayd pratitarh te sdlokyddi'catustayam necchanti sevayd purrxdh kuto 'nyat kdla-viplutam My devotees, who are always satisfied to be engaged in My loving service, are not interested even in the four kinds of liberation, although these are automatically achieved by their service. What then is to be said of such perishable happiness as elevation to the higher planetary systems?

The glories of the devotees that have been mentioned in this book also apply to Bhakti'devi because the glories of the devotees and the glories of devotional service are identical.

• die same way, the glories of the worship of the Supreme Lord, the . ": : • : the worship of His associates, and the glories of hearing and the Lord's holy names are all to be referred to as the glories of rnonal service because these are limbs of devotional service.

- til one relishes the nectarean mellows of discussions of Lord Visnu iile fully engaging in the devotional service of the Lord, he will continue o suffer the threefold miseries of material existence while undergoing the tribulations of birth, death, old age, and disease.

Lord Brahma offered this prayer, which is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [10.14.4]) sreyah-srtirh bhaktim udasya te vibho klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye tesdm asau klesala eva sisyate ndnyad yathd sthula-tusdvaghatindm MY dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for self- realization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of seculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and H not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk t wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self- realization. His only gain is trouble.

170 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Each of the four social orders, headed by the brahmanas, was born through different combinations of the modes of nature, from the face, arms, thighs and feet of the Supreme Lord in His universal form. Thus the four spiritual orders were also generated. If any of the members of the four varnas and four dsramas fail to worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the source of their own creation, they will fall down from their position into a hellish state of life.

Four kinds of people do not surrender unto Me. They are those who are foolish, the lowest among mankind, whose intelligence has been stolen by may a, and who are demoniac.

Each of the limbs of devotional service that have been described are eternal functions and so it must be concluded that devotional service itself is the eternal constitutional position of the living entity. The symptoms of devotional service are clearly mentioned in the Vedic literatures, especially the Srimad-Bhdgavatam, and so we will continue to describe them in more detail.

The senses are symbolic representations of the demigods, and their natural inclination is to work under the direction of the Vedic injunctions. As the senses are representatives of the demigods, so the mind is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mind's natural duty is to serve. When that service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Personality ot Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than salvation.

gautamiyatantre (In the Qautamiya-tantra it is stated)

devatdydnca mantre ca tathd mantra prade gurau bhaktir astavidhd yasya tasya krsnah prasidati tadbhakta jana vdtsalyarh pujdydnca anumodanam sumand arccayen nityarh tadarthe dambha varjjanam tatkathd sravane rdgas tadarthe cdhgavikriyd tad anusmaranarh nityarh yastan ndmno upajivati bhaktir astavidhd hyesd yasmin mlecche'pi varttate sa munih satyavddi ca kirttimdn sa bhavennarah Lord Krsna becomes pleased with one who possesses these eight symptoms of devotion for Him, the mantras he chants, and the spiritual master who imparted these mantras—affection for the devotees of the Lord, engagement in the worship of the Lord, the giving up of pride, worshiping the Lord with faith and devotion, having attachment for hearing narrations of the Lord's pastimes, singing and dancing before the Lord, always remembering the Lord, and surrendering one's life to the Lord. If even a mleccha manifests these eight symptoms of devotional service, he will certainly become a truthful, glorious, liberated soul in this very lifetime.

Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him—these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.

is recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [7.11.11]> this verse appears) sravanarh kirtanarh casya srnaranarh mahatdrh gateh sevejydvanatir ddsyarh sakhyam dtma'Sarnarpanam Devotional service to the Lord consists of hearing about the activities and instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter of the saintly persons), chanting about these activities and instructions, always remembering these activities and instructions, trying to render service, performing worship, offering obeisances, becoming a servant, becoming a friend, and surrendering one's whole self.

in the Kdrtika'-mahatmya section of the Padma Purana it is stated) sravanarh kirttanarh pujd sarvva kmmmdrpanarh smrtih

174 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA paricaryya namaskarah prema svdtmdrpanam harau Hearing, chanting, worshiping the Lord, offering all of one's activities to the Lord, remembering, serving, offering obeisances to the Lord, cultivating love for the Lord and surrendering oneself fully to Him are the causes by which one can please Him.

is recorded in the Padma Purana, these verses are found) ddyuntu vaisnavam proktarh sankha cakrdnkanam hareh dhdrananca urddhrva pundWdndm tanmantrdndrh parigrahah arccananca japo dhydnarh tanndma smaranam tathd klrttanam sravanancaiva vandanarh pddasevanam tatpddodaka sevd ca tan nivedita bhojanam tadiydndnca sarhsevd dvddasi vrata nisthatd tulasiropanarh visnor deva devasya sdrnginah bhaktih sdasadhd proktd bhavabandha vimuktaye Decorating one's body with the symbols of Lord Hari's conch shell, disc, and other weapons is the first symptom of devotional service. Decorating one's forehead with tilaka, accepting initiation into the chanting of Visnu mantras, worshiping the Lord, chanting mantras, meditating on the Lord, remembering His holy names, glorifying the Lord, offering prayers to the Lord, serving His lotus feet, accepting the water that washed His lotus feet, honoring the remnants of the Lord's food, serving Vaisnavas, observing vows

such as Dvadasi, and planting tulasi—these sixteen methods of devotional service to Lord Visnu have been ascertained as the causes of liberation from material bondage.

Having the darsana of the Deities, touching the Deity, traveling to holy places of pilgrimage, smelling the incense that was offered to the Deity, honoring the Lord's flower garland, dancing before the Deities, playing musical instruments before the Deities, enacting Krsna's pastimes, hearing and chanting Srimad-Bhdgavatam, wearing beads made from lotus seeds, staying awake the entire night on Ekadasi, helping to construct temples for the service of the Lord, holding festivals, and all such similar activities that are described in the scriptures are to be understood as symptoms of devotional service.

It should be understood that all the characteristics of the Supreme Lord and His devotees are also symptoms of devotional service. Among all the above-mentioned symptoms of devotional service, experienced devotees accept some of them as primary and some of them as secondary. Some of them are considered external symptoms and some are considered internal symptoms.

There are different grades of persons engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. This classifications are based on the mood of the practitioner, making devotional service sometimes mixed with desires for fruitive activities and sometimes with a desire to cultivate knowledge of Brahman. Here, we will not discuss these distinctions. For an elaborate description of classes of devotees one should refer to other literatures, such as the Mukta-phala.

When one attains the perfectional stage of loving devotional service, the four objectives of life—religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation automatically serve one. What more can be said? Even the Supreme Lord comes under the control of pure devotees. Therefore, the symptoms of loving devotional service are now being described.

ndradapancaratre (In the Ndrada-pancaratra it is stated)

ananya mamata visnau mamatd prema samptutd bhakdr ityucyate bhlsma- prahlada uddhava-ndradaih Great soak, such a> Bhisma, Prahlada, Uddhava, and Narada have described unalloyed loving attachment and service to the Supreme Lord as loving devotional service.

It should be clearly understood that loving devotional service is superior •oidinarv devotional service. The actual fruit of bhakti, or devotional service, ipRma-bhakti, or loving devotional service. So far, we have described some of ihe external and internal symptoms of the treasure of love of God. Now we will describe the glories of loving devotional service.

which are found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [7.7.34-36]) nisamya karmdni gundn atulyan virydni lild-tanubhih krtdni yafatihirsotpulak&ru'gadgadam protkantha udgdyati rauti nrtyati yadd graha'grasta iva kvacid dhasaty akrandate dhydyati vandate janam

SRI H ARl-BH AKTI-VILAS A

muhuh svasan vakti hare jagat-pate ndrdyanety dtma-matir gata-trapah tadd mukta'samasta-bandhanas tad-bhava-bhavdnukftdsaydhrtih nirdagdha-bijanusayo mahiyasd bhakti-prayogena samety adhoksajam One who is situated in devotional service is certainly the controller of his senses, and thus he is a liberated person. When such a liberated person, the pure devotee, hears of the transcendental qualities and activities of the Lord's incarnations for the performance of various pastimes, his hair stands on end on his body, tears fall from his eyes, and in his spiritual realization his voice falters. Sometimes he very openly dances, sometimes he sings loudly, and sometimes he cries. Thus he expresses his transcendental jubilation. When a devotee becomes like a person haunted by a ghost, he laughs and very loudly chants about the qualities of the Lord. Sometimes he sits to perform meditation, and he offers respects to every living entity, considering him a devotee of the Lord. Constantly breathing very heavily, he becomes careless of social etiquette and loudly chants like a madman, "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna! O my Lord, O master of the universe!" The devotee is then freed from all material contamination because he constantly thinks of the Lord's pastimes and because his mind and body have been converted to spiritual qualities. Because of his intense devotional service, his ignorance, material consciousness and all kinds of material desires are completely burnt to ashes. This is the stage at which one can achieve the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet.

An intelligent person who has controlled his mind and conquered fear should give up all attachment to material objects such as wife, family and nation and should wander freely without embarrassment, hearing and chanting the holy names of the Lord, the bearer of the chariot wheel. The holy names of Krsna are all-auspicious because they describe His transcendental birth and activities, which He performs within this world for the salvation of the conditioned souls. Thus the holy names of the Lord are sung throughout the world. By chanting the holy name of the Supreme Lord, one comes to the stage of love of Godhead. Then the devotee is fixed in his vow as an eternal servant oi the Lord, and he gradually becomes very much attached to a particular name and form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As his heart melts with ecstatic love, he laughs very loudly or cries or shouts. Sometimes he sings and dances like a madman, for he is indifferent to public opinion.

The devotees of the Lord constantly discuss the glories of the Personality r Godhead among themselves. Thus they constantly remember the Lord ma remind one another of His qualities and pastimes. In this way, by their devotion to the principles of bhakti-yoga, the devotees please the Personality r Godhead, who takes away from them everything inauspicious. Being purified of all impediments, the devotees awaken to pure love of Godhead,

10A SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA loU and thus, even within this world, their spiritualized bodies exhibit symptoms of transcendental ecstasy, such as standing of the bodily hairs on end. Having achieved love of Godhead, the devotees sometimes cry out loud, absorbed in thought of the infallible Lord. Sometimes they laugh, feel great pleasure, speak out loud to the Lord, dance or sing. Such devotees, having transcended material, conditioned life, sometimes imitate the unborn Supreme by acting out His pastimes. And sometimes, achieving His personal audience, they remain peaceful and silent.

recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.14.23-24] these verses appear) katharh vina roma-harsarh dravatd cetasd vina vindnanddsru-kalayd sudhyed bhaktyd vindsayah vdg gadgadd dravate yasya cittarh rudaty abhiksnarh hasati kvacic ca vilajja udgdyati nrtyate ca mad-bhakti-yukto bhuvanarh pundti If one's hairs do not stand on end, how can the heart melt? And if the heart does not melt, how can tears of love flow from the eyes? If one does not cry in spiritual happiness, how can one render loving service to the Lord? And without such service, how can the consciousness be purified? A devotee whose speech is sometimes choked up, whose heart melts, who cries continually and sometimes laughs, who feels ashamed and cries out loudly and then dances—a devotee thus fixed in loving service to Me purifies the entire universe.

It is the duty of those who are unable to perform loving devotional service as has been described to completely surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Hari, the destroyer of all types of fear.

sri (In the Bhagavad-gita [18.66] it is stated) sarva-dharmdn parityajya mam ekarh saranam vraja aharh warn sarva-pdpebhyo moksayisydmi ma sucah Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

recorded in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [11.12.14-15] these verses appear) tasmdt warn uddhavotsrjya codanam praticodanam pravrttim ca nivrttim ca srotavyam srutam eva ca mam ekam eva saranam dtmanarh sarva-dehindm ydhi sarvdtma-bhdvena maya syd hy akuto-bhayah Therefore, My dear Uddhava, abandon the Vedic mantras, as w-ell as the procedures of supplementary Vedic literatures and their positive and negative injunctions. Disregard that which has been heard and that which is to be heard. Simply take shelter of Me alone, for I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead, situated within the heart of all conditioned souls. Take shelter of Me wholeheartedly, and by My grace be free from fear in all circumstances.

10 , SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA loZ

brahmavaivartte (In the Brahmd-vaivarta Purana it is stated) prdpydpi durlabhatararh mdnusam vivudhepsitam yaivdsrito na govindais tairatmd vancitdsciram asluhca turascaiva laksdnstdn jlvajatisu bhrdmyadbhih purusaih prdpya mdnusyarh janma paryyaydt tadapya phalatdrh ydtarh tesdm dtmdbhi mdnindm vardkdndm andscitya govinda caranadvayam Those who do not take shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, even after receiving the human form of life, which is rarely attained and desired even by the demigods, will certainly fall down into an ocean of terrible miseries. After going through eight million, four hundred thousand species of life, if one does not surrender unto the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, it is to be understood that such a proud and insignificant person has attained the human form of life in vain.

spoke this verse, which is found in the Ramayana) sakrdeva prapanno yasta vdsmiti ca ydcate abhayam sarvvadd tasmai daddmi etad bratarh mama

jpreme Personality of Godhead, it is My eternal principle that vmg being takes shelter of Me, even once, saying, "I am Yours," then

— J I 3 ihat person freedom from all fear.

- • _ TZ ci Vaikuntha spoke this verse, which is found in the Nrsirhha Purdna) warn prapannd'smi saranam devadevarh jandrddanam iti yah saranam. praptastarh klesdd uddharami aham "O Lord of lords! O Janardana! I surrender unto You!" One who prays - - - - way and takes shelter of Me—I deliver him from all kinds of material ~ -z' r-

Even if fallen souls who are devoid of all proper conduct, who are : :;.-; :crs, who have no culture, who are deceitful, who are very proud, who ire rond of drinking wine, who are engaged in very grave sinful activities, • h o are beyond the purview of Vedic society, who are cruel, and who are very attached to wealth and their families, take shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, they will also be liberated from material entanglement.

O Saunaka, I promise you again and again that simply by taking shelter of the holy n a m e of Lord Narayana, anyone can liberated from all kinds of inauspiciousness.

verse is found in the Brhan-ndradrya Puraria) paramartham asesasya jagatdm ddikdranam saranyarh saranarh ydto govindarh ndvasidati By surrendering at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, the Absolute T r u t h , the original cause of all existence, and the protector of the surrendered souls, o n e will surely gain relief from all suffering.

recorded in the Sdnti Parva of the Mahdbhdrata, these verses appear) sthitah priyahite nityarh ya eva purusarsabhah rdjam stava yadusresthd vaikunthah purusottamah ya enarh sarhsrayantiha bhaktyd ndrdyanarh harim te tarantiha durgdni name'trdsti vicdrand

O King, Lord Krsna, the foremost member of the Yadu dynasty and the possessor of unlimited prowess is always eager to do good for you and your o take shelter of Lord Hari will certainly cross beyond the aaterial existence. There is no need to consider -----e-

is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [3.22.37] it is stated) sdrird mdnasa divyd vaiydse ye ca mdnusdh bhautikds ca katham klesd bddhante harisarhsrayam Therefore, O Vidura, how can persons completely under the shelter of Lord Krsna in devotional service be put into miseries pertaining to the body, the mind, nature, and other men and living creatures?

that is recorded in the Vdmana Purana it is stated) ye sarhsritd harim anantam anddi madhyarh ndrdyanarh suragururh siihhadam varenyam suddharh khagendra gamanam kamaldlayesarh te dharmmardja karanam na visami dhirdh Lord Narayana is without beginning, middle and end; the spiritual master of the demigods; the giver of auspiciousness; supremely pure; and the worshipable Lord of all. Those sober personalities who surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord, the husband of Laksmi, who is carried on the back of Garuda, do not come under the jurisdiction of Yamaraja.

Those who take shelter of Lord Narayana, the beloved Lord of Laksmi, who holds a conch, disc, lotus, and bow in His hands as He rides on the back of Garuda, and who destroys the fear of repeated birth and death, have nothing to fear.

found in the Brhari'ndradiya Purana, this verse appears) sarhsdre'smin mahdghore moha nidrd samdkule ye harirh saranarh yanti te krtdrthd na sarhsayah There is no doubt that the lives of those who surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Hari become successful, even while living in this material existence, which is full of lethargy, fear, and illusion.

Yamaraja has no power to punish those who have surrendered their activities, mind, and words unto Lord Acyuta because they have attained the platform of devotional service, which surpasses liberation.

For one who has accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Mukunda, or the giver of mukti, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained

in a calf s footprint, pararh padam, or the place where there are no material niseries, or Vaikuntha, is his goal, not the place where there is danger in every step of life.

O Suta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.

Kiratas, Hunas, Andhras, Pulindas, Pulkasas, Abhiras, Sumbhas, Yavanas and members of the Khasa races, and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, for He is the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

What is difficult to achieve for determined men who have taken refuge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's lotus feet? His feet are the source of

sacred rivers like the Ganges, which put an end to the dangers of mundane life.

O my Lord, source of all opportunities, I do not desire to enjoy in Dhruvaloka, the heavenly planets or the planet where Lord Brahma resides, nor do I want to be the supreme ruler of all the earthly planets or the lower planetary systems. I do not desire to be master of the powers o{ mystic yoga, nor do I want liberation if I have to give up Your lotus feet.

Anyone who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, the giver of liberation, giving up all kinds of obligation, and has taken to the path in all seriousness, owes neither duties nor obligations to the demigods, sages, general living entities, family members, humankind or forefathers.

is found in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam [11.19.9]) tdpa-trayenabhihatasya ghore santapyamdnasya bhavddhvanisa pasydmi ndnyac charanam tavdnghri- dvandvdtapatrdd amrtdbhivarsdt

My dear Lord, for one who is being tormented on the terrible path of birth and death and is constantly overwhelmed by the threefold miseries, I do not see any possible shelter other than Your two lotus feet, which are just like a refreshing umbrella that pours down showers of delicious nectar.

-_:; :i:r.£ to the opinion of learned scholars, the best form of surrender " • : ; --'.ere shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, surrendering one's KxK. mind, and speech.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) govindarh paramdnandarh mukundarh madhusudanam tyaktvdnyam vai na jdnami na bhajdmi smardmi na na namdmi na ca staumi na pasdydmi svacaksusd na sprhdmi na gayami na vd ydmi harirh vind I do not know anyone other than Govinda, Paramananda, Mukunda, and Madhusudana. I do not worship anyone else or meditate upon anyone else. I do not offer obeisances to anyone other than Lord Hari. I do not offer prayers to or see anyone other than the Lord. I do not want anyone other than the Supreme Lord and I do not sing the glories of anyone other than Him. Indeed, I never approach anyone other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

According to some authorities, this surrender has six limbs. All of these symptoms are more or less based on friendship, or sakhya-bhakti.

The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of those things favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things, the conviction that Krsna will give protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one's guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility.

One who says, "I belong to You," feeling that way in his heart, and who joyfully travels to the holy places that are related to the Supreme Lord is considered to be a surrendered soul.

which is found in the Srimad'Bhagavatam [10.48.26]) kah panditas tvad apararh saranarh samiydd bhakta-priydd rta-girah suhrdah krta-jndt sarvdn daddti suhrdo bhajato 'bhikdmdn dtmdnam apy upacaydpacayau na yasya

What learned person would approach anyone but You for shelter, when ~:n are the affectionate, grateful and truthful well-wisher of Your devotees? :>..- >e who worship You in sincere friendship You reward everything they desire, even Your own self, yet You never increase or diminish.

'This statement of Uddhava's is found in the Srimad'Bhdgavatam [3.2.23]) aho bald yarn stana'kdla'kutarh jighdrhsaydpdyayad apy asddhvl lebhe gatirh dhatry-ucitdrh tato 'nyarh karh vd dayalurh saranarh vrajema Alas, how shall I take shelter of one more merciful than He who granted fte position of mother to a she-demon, Putana, although she was unfaithful • • ) she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from her breast?

According to a devotee's level of advancement there will be appropriate prescribed duties for him to carry out but here we will describe the duties of snavas in general.

a householder that is found in the Visnu Purdna, these verses appear) deva-go-brdhmandn siddhdn vrddhdcdryydms tathdrccayet dvikdlanca namet sandhydm agnim upacaret tathd

log SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA saddnupahate vastre prasastahca tathausadhlh garuddni ca ratndni vibhrydt prayato narah prasiddha amala kesasca sugandhis cdru vesaghrk kincit parasvarh na haret ndlpam api priyarh vadet A householder should offer his obeisances to the Supreme Lord, cows, brdhmanas, elderly people, and his spiritual master, three times a day. He should worship the fire-god and chant his mantras twice in a day. A householder should first purify himself and then put on two pieces of fresh cloth, a suitable amulet, and some golden ornaments. He should comb his hair nicely, smear sandalwood paste over his body, and compose his mind. One should never steal another's property—even the tiniest thing. One should never speak harshly to anyone.

O great souls, one should never speak a lie, even though it may be to one's advantage. One should never find faults in others, take advantage of

others' weaknesses, or create enmity with others. One should never travel in a broken vehicle and one should never sit in the shade of a kula tree. One should never make friendship with a foolish, fallen, crazy, or inimical person, who causes pain, like an insect. One should also stay away from an unchaste woman, the husband of an unchaste woman, low-class people, and liars. An intelligent person should never make friendship with one who is bvish spender, who is fond of blaspheming others, and who is a cheater. One should not walk alone on the road.

O leader of men, do not swim against the current of a river, do not enter a burning house, and do not climb to the top of a tree. One should not gnash his teeth, blow his nose while passing stool, or yawn without covering his mouth. One should avoid coughing if he is suffering from asthma. One should not laugh loudly, pass air noisily, or make a sound with two fingernails. One should not rip out grass with his nails, nor write anything on the ground with a stick.

1Q4 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA na hunkuryydcchavarh caiva sava gandho hi somajah catuspatharh caityataru smasdna upavandni ca dusta stri sannikarsanca varjjayen nisi sarvvadd pujya deva dvija jyotis chdydrh na atikramet buddhah naikah sunydtavim gacchet na ca sunyarh grharh vrajet One should not chew his beard, bite off a chunk of clay, or look at the sun or moon in a contaminated state. The smell of a dead body is contaminating and so one should bathe as soon as possible. At night, one should avoid busy intersections, sitting under a caitya tree, sitting in a crematorium, sitting in a garden, and associating with an unchaste woman. It is not proper for devotee to step over the shadow of the Deity, a brahmana, or a ghee lamp.

One should not travel alone through a forest. One should not take shelter o( an empty house in a helpless condition. One should avoid from a distance hair, bone, thorns, abominable food, ashes, husk, and a wet slippery place. A wise man should not take shelter of an ordinary person or teach

someone how to cheat. One should not go near a snake, one should not stand in one place for a long time, and one should stay aloof from those who eat voraciously, who are averse to the worship of the Supreme Lord, and who do not follow the principles of varndsrarna.

O King, one should not stay up very late at night, nor should one sleep too much, reside on a high platform, sit on a high seat, or sleep a long time on a high cot. One should give up being too restless. One should avoid animals with horns and sharp teeth—keeping them at a distance.

One should not touch ice, stand in a strong wind, or stand in the sun. It is not proper for a learned person to bathe, sleep, or touch any object with no clothes on. It is not proper to perform dcamana and worship the Deity without tucking one's dhoti behind the waistband from between the legs. One should not perform any ritualistic activity or chant mantras without wearing a chddara.

After bathing, one should not shake his wet hair. One should not perform dcamana while standing, one should not strike anyone with his foot, and one should not spread his legs in front of respectable people. One should not cross an intersection without first circling it, and one should not enter a temple without first circumambulating it. While going outside one's house, one should see auspicious objects, such as honey, ghee, yogurt, a full water pot, or rice paddy. One should always give the right of way to his worshipable Lord, the spiritual master, brdhmanas, cows, and elderly people. One should always avoid an encounter with inauspicious objects. A well-behaved person should not spit or pass stool and urine while facing the sun, moon, fire, water, or worshipable personalities.

i should not pass stool or urine while standing. It is prohibited to i urine on a road. One should never step over mucus, urine, stool, or xxl. One should not spit while eating. One should not spit while in a :: :;cial arena, while chanting mantras, during a fire sacrifice, or in front : . personalities. Well-behaved persons should neither disregard nor trast women. One should never display envy towards women, nor should : oe pamper them. An intelligent person who follows the proper rules of enquette should not go out of his house without first greeting elderly people and honoring the Lord's remnants.

Learned persons, and even students, should not study Vedic literatures during inauspicious times, such as a thunderstorm, an eclipse, or upon the death of a family member. One should use an umbrella to shield himself from the sun, or rain. While walking in the forest at night, one should carry a heavy stick. If one wants to protect his body then he should always wear shoes while traveling. A wise person should not look upwards, look to the

side, or look way ahead while walking. Rather, he should walk while keeping his eyes on the path about four to six feet in front of him.

If there is a chance of harm, one should not speak even pleasing words whereas if there is a chance of benefit, one should speak the truth, even though it may be bitter. An intelligent person should always act in a way—with his body, mind, and speech—that is for the welfare of all living entities.

this verse is found in the Brhan'tidradlya Purana) asdvaham iti vruydd dvijo vai hyabhi vddane srdddharh vratarh japam ddnarh devatd abhyarccanam tathd yajnanca tarpanancaiva kurwantarh ndbhivddayet While offering obeisances, a brdhmana must say, "I am offering obeisances." One need not offer obeisances to a person who is engaged in performing the srdddha ceremony, observing vows, chanting mantras, giving charity, worshiping the Supreme Lord, performing sacrifice, or offering oblations to the forefathers.

m

If a person who is bathing, who is impure, who is running, who is eating, who is lying down, whose entire body is covered with a cloth, who maintains himself by begging, who is enjoying some entertainment, or who is standing in the middle of water offers one obeisances, one should not reciprocate by offering him obeisances in return. It is to be understood that such people are unfit for showing special respect.

is recorded in the Mdrkandeya Purdna, it is stated) asatpraldpam anrtarh vdk pdrusyahca varjjayet asacchdstram asadvadam asatsevdnca putraka My dear son, you should always avoid speaking with dishonest people, speaking lies or harsh words, studying literature that has nothing to do with spiritual life, arguing with or countering the arguments of sinful people, and serving materialistic people.

Combing one's hair, looking at one's face in the mirror, brushing the teeth, and worshiping the Supreme Lord should be done in the morning. One should not see, touch, or speak to a woman who is contaminated. One should not have a complete bath, again and again, without any reason. After bathing, one should not apply oil to his body. One should always give the right of way to a hrdhamana, the king, a person who is afflicted by hunger, a sick person, a more knowledgeable person, the wife of the Supreme Lord, a person who is carrying a heavy burden, and a Vaisnava.

One should give the right of way to one who is dumb, blind, or deaf, a Aankard, a crazy person, a prostitute, an enemy, children, and fallen persons. : -.-. uld not use shoes, clothes, garlands, a sacred thread, or ornaments : were used by others. One should not eat food that was already tasted 'm meone else. A wise person should not sit spreading his hands and legs. I f e r bathing, one should not thrash his dhoti and cddara. One should not w-£gle his legs unnecessarily.

One should neither make fun of nor criticize those who are foolish, crazy, _£/.". lame, or a magician or a fallen person, or those who are in danger.

One should not beat anyone with a stick. One should use a stick just to reach his son, or a disciple. One should not smear sandalwood paste over the body of a person who has not bathed, or who is about to bathe. My dear son, you should avoid wearing red cloth or cloth that is multi- colored. It is the duty of learned persons to bathe with one's clothes on, after shaving, after going to a crematorium, or after enjoying intimate association with a woman.

*jrt| SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One should never try to use water and fire simultaneously. When a calf drinks milk, one should not bring the calf and mother before the eyes of the public. One should not drink water from one's cupped palms.

One should not spend an unnecessarily long time passing urine or stool. While cooking, one should not blow air from one's mouth to kindle the fire.

One's hands do not become contaminated if they accidentally touch saliva, or a fly. The mouth of an elephant or a horse is pure. The mouth of a cow or a calf is not pure but when the calf drinks milk, its mouth becomes pure. A piece of fruit eaten by a bird is considered uncontaminated. If one touches a woman in her menstrual period, a tailor, a naked person, a new- born baby, a Yavana, or a person carrying a dead body, he must bathe to become purified.

If one touches the bone of a freshly-killed animal, he should bathe to become purified. If he touches a dry bone then he can either wash his hands, touch a cow, or simply look at the sun to become purified.

One should not converse with a woman who hates men or who has no husband and children. One should not converse with or associate with people who blaspheme the Supreme Lord, guests, devotional literature, sacrifices, and devotees. If one associates with such people then he must purify himself by looking at the sun. If, by chance, one sees a woman in her menstrual period, a person beyond the purview of Vedic culture, a wretched person, a cheater, an atheist, a new-born child, a eunuch, a naked person, or a Yavana, he should purify himself by looking at the sun. If one sees someone who disfigures dead bodies, or enjoys intimate association with many women, he should follow the same procedure for purification.

? 0 4 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

One should unhesitatingly engage in activities that do not bring one disrepute or that have to be performed secretly, away from the eyes of elderly people.

is recorded in the Bhavisyottara Purdna, these verses are found) updsate na ye purvvam dvijah sandhydrh na pascimdm sarvvdrhstdn dhdrmmiko raja sudra karmmani yojayet durad avasathdn mutrarh durat pdddva secanam ucchisto utsarjjanarh bhupa sadd kdryya hitaisind ucchistau na sprsecchirsarh sarvve prands taddsraydh kesagrahdn prahdrdrhsca sirasye tani varjjayet na pdnibhydm ubhdbhydntu kandyuajjatu vai sirah It is the duty of a king to engage those brdhmanas who do not execute their prescribed morning and evening duties in work befitting a sudra. O King, one who desires his own benefit should pass urine, wash his feet, and then throw the leftover food out of the house. One should not touch one's head with a contaminated hand because the life air is sustained with

the help of the head. It is prohibited to pull someone by the hair, or hit him on the head. One should not scratch one's head with both hands.

A householder should first feed his married daughter, if she is visiting his house, then a pregnant woman, elderly people, children, and diseased persons. After doing this, a householder can eat. O best of the Pandavas, those who eat without first feeding their domestic animals, such as cows and horses, simply eat sin. One should not eat yogurt or barley powder at night, and whole barley during the day.

One should not tear apart a flower garland, nor should one wear a garland anywhere other than around his neck. One should keep pigeons, as well as a male and female parrot at home because they are auspicious for the house.

JQS SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA trnarh vd yadi vd sdkarh mularh vd jalam eva vd parasyd apaharan jantur narakarh pratipadyate na rdjnah pratigrhniydn na sudrdt patitdd api ndnyasmdd ydcakatvan ca ninditdd varjjayed buddhah One who steals grass, spinach, roots, or water will go to hell. An intelligent person should not accept charity from a king, a sudra, or a sinful person. One should not accept anything from those who have been condemned to live a miserable existence.

One should not make a habit of begging. One should not repeatedly beg from the same person because it may put him in difficulty. O brdhmanas, one should especially avoid stealing anything that is meant for the Lord's service. Even if one is in great difficulty, one should not steal anything belonging to a brdhmana. Learned persons may not consider poison to be poison but they certainly consider something stolen from a brahmana to be poison. The same principle applies to the possessions of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, one should always be very careful to avoid stealing anything that belongs to the Supreme Lord or a brdhmana.

A brdhmana should not commit sinful activities on the pretext of following religious principles or vows. Brdhmanas who hide their sinful activities in this wav and thus cheat innocent women and sudras are condemned by sages who know the Absolute Truth, in this life and the next. Being rebellious toward the spiritual master is millions of times worse than becoming rebellious toward the Supreme Lord.

It is not proper for a brdhmana to live anywhere other than the sanctified area between the Himalayas and the Vindya mountains, between the eastern and western oceans. Brdhmanas should live in a place where spotted deer are seen and a sacred river flows. They should build their residence at least one

If, by force of circumstances, one must sit down and eat with a fallen, wretched person, he should keep fire, ashes, water, a door, a pillar, or a pathway between that person and himself. If one sees that a cow is grazing in another person's field, he should not complain to the owner. One should not speak to others about the sun, a rainbow, a tiny red insect, or the moon. One should not reveal to others information regarding the fortnight, days, or positions of the planets. One should never try to stop someone from giving a donation to the Supreme Lord, the spiritual master, or a brdhmana. Those who blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master,

Df the Vedic literature will suffer torments in the hell known as Raurava for millions of kalpas. If one hears such blasphemy, he should block his ears with las hands and immediately leave that place. One should avoid even seeing *he face of a blasphemer.

One who is intelligent should not unnecessarily poke his nose into others' affairs. One should never reveal his losses. One should never quarrel with his relatives and intimate friends. O best of brahmanas, one should not call even the most sinful person a sinner, or anything else.

One should not look at the sun or moon as they rise above the horizon. One should not look at the sun or moon as they are about to set, nor should one see their reflections in water, or in a mirror. One should not look at the sun or moon during an eclipse, when they are attacked by Rahu; or at mid- day.

210 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA na muktavandhandrh gam vd nonmattarh mattameva vd sprsenna bhojane patnim naindmi kseta mehatim One should not look at a naked man, a naked woman, stool, urine, a sinful person, a deformed person, a dog-eater, or leftover food. One should not touch a cow that is not tied, nor a madman. One should not touch his wife while she is eating, nor should he look at her while she is passing stool or urine.

One should not look at his wife while she is sneezing, yawning, or sitting in a relaxed manner. One should not see his own reflection in water, nor should one gaze at a mongoose or snake. One should not give advice, sweet rice, yogurt, contaminated ghee or honey, the skin of a spotted deer, or ingredients for the performance of sacrifice to a sudra.

A well-behaved person should never torment others. He should only chastise his sons and disciples. One should not disrespect others. One should not reveal his poverty to anyone. One should neither condemn himself nor brag about himself.

One should never refer to a river as "a river," or a call a mountain simply "a mountain." Rather, one should call them by their names, such as the Ganga, Himalayas, and so on. If a person has lived with someone and then leaves that person and goes away, he should not return and live with that person again.

One should not use leftover oil that had been applied to his head or other parts of his body. One should not touch his genitals or anus. One should keep his hands, legs, speech, and eyes always under control. One should not strike water with his hands or legs. One should not break or smash a piece of fruit with a brick. One should not learn the language of the mlecchas. One should not drag a sitting mat with his feet. One should not keep his plate on his lap while eating. One should not enjoy sex with a cow.

2i7 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One should not play chess. One should not run around like a child. One should not quarrel with women.

One should not cut his nails or hair with his teeth. One should not wake up a sleeping person. One should not sit in the morning sunlight, nor should one go out in the sun when it is entering Virgo. One should not smell the smoke from a burning corpse.

It is not proper for an intelligent person to sleep alone in an empty house. One should not carry his shoes. One should not spit unnecessarily. One should not try to cross a river simply with the help of his hands. One should not wash his feet by rubbing them together. One should not warm his feet by placing them next to a fire, nor should one stand on a bell metal plate.

O brdhmanas, one should never try to cheat the Supreme Lord, a ~jhri\ana, or a cow. One should not touch a cow, a brahmana, or fire in a -.rntaminated state. One should not touch rice or a Deity with his feet.

Even if a river is very small, one should cross it only after sprinkling a few drops of its water on his head. One should not cut a branch of a caitya tree. One should never spit into water. One should never step over fire.

One should never kick fire. One should not eat any food that was prepared with sesame seeds at night. One should not enter a well. One should not speak to anyone in a contaminated state. One should never throw fire into fire, or extinguish a fire with water. One should not personally reveal the news of a friend's death, nor should one tell about his friend's distress to anyone. One should not sell something that should not be sold, or that has already been sold to someone else.

One should not till sacred land, land that is filled with water, or border land. One should never break a promise that he had previously made. One should not encourage animals, snakes, or birds to fight with one another. A learned person should never exploit someone for his own benefit and then drive him away. One should stay away from a source of bad odor. One should always enter by the front gate. It is prohibited for a brdhmana to go to a meeting alone. A brdhmana should not live with many people.

One should not fan himself with a cloth. One should not sleep in the Deity room. One should not walk through fire, a herd of cows, or a group of brdhmanas. One should not knowingly step over the shadow of a brdhmana or cow. One should not allow a sinful or diseased person to step on, or over,

badow. One should stay far away from the dust that rises because of seeping, from water wrung out of a wet cloth, and from water in a container jfcnt was used to bathe.

One should not drink milk mixed with buttermilk. One should not eat ~?.:ns that were set aside for planting. According to Manu, it is not good to drink the milk of a cow that doesn't have a calf, the milk of a camel, the milk of a cow whose calf is not more than ten days old, the milk of sheep, and the milk of a cow who was attacked by a bull.

A brdhmana should give hantakdra, agrya and bhiksd to guests every day, according to his ability, considering a guest to be non-different from the Supreme Lord. Learned authorities have ascertained that a morsel of food is called a bhiksd, four times that is called an agrya, and four times that is called a hantakdra.

7,£ SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA adatwa tu na bhoktavyam yathd vibhavam dtmanah According to one's capacity, he should first give hantakdra, agrya, or bhiksd to a guest and then eat.

One should not eat while sitting on an uneven dsana. One should not throw contaminated objects into a fire. A foolish person who performs the srdddha ceremony and then eats at the house of someone else who had also performed the srdddha ceremony, simply eats sin. If one does this, the person at whose house one ate will not receive any benefit from performing the srdddha ceremony.

MX cat his nails or hair with his teeth. One should not cut Oat should not enter his house or someone else's . One should not bribe anyone, nor should one f far away from a chess board. One should spit use. Before bathing in another person's pond, one Ehcnrise. he will have to share the sinful reactions of the

T h e food of a person who holds it in his left palm and eats it with his ngbt hand, or who blows on it to make it cool, or who eats it while spreading r.-icrs is considered to be the meat of a cow.

I tayordugdharh na hotavyarh na pdtavyarh kaddcana ajd gdvo mahisyasca yd'medhyam api bhaksayet havye kavye ca taddugdharh gomayanca vivarjjayet angulyd dantakdsthanca pratyaksa hvanarh tathd mrttikd-prdsanarh caiva tulyarh gomdrhsa bhaksanaih One should never drink the milk of a cow whose udder is either too small or too big. One should not drink the milk of a cow that eats stool or other abominable things. One should not use the milk or dung of goats,

71 c, SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA cows, or buffalos that eat abominable food for performing a sacrifice or other religious ritual. Brushing one's teeth with one's finger, using raw salt, or eating clay—these are considered to be equal to eating cow's meat.

manusmrtau (In the Manu-smrti it is stated) sdmndrarh saindhavarh caiva lavane paramddbhute pratyakse api te grdhye nisedhastu anyagocarah Sea salt and rock salt can be used directly but not other kinds of salt.

By taking shelter in the shade of a wood-apple tree, by eating yogurt at night, or by brushing one's teeth with a twig from a cotton tree, even Indra would fall down from his opulent position.

If a sudra drinks the milk of a brown cow, he will go to hell. A brdhmana should drink the milk that is left over from a sacrifice otherwise, he will have to be reborn as an animal.

Great souls should forgive the compilers of religious scriptures because : avoid the fault of repetition, they may sometimes omit something or >: —.crimes add something to their texts.

There are many other superior and inferior codes of conduct that are seen among various groups of devotees. If one desires to learn more about such etiquette, he should inquire from the appropriate scriptures and authorities.

The eternal nature and glories of proper etiquette have thus been described. These descriptions have been substantiated by abundant scriptural evidence.