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Bhakti-sandarbha · Reading 25 of 29

Sections 286–297

Unit 72 of 110Bhakti · Sanskrit §286 · English §288Bhakti · Sanskrit §295–297 · English §29910 source entries

Bhakti · Sanskrit §286 · English §288

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[२८६] भूतादि-पूजा तु तत्-पूजाङ्गत्वे विहितापि न कर्तव्या । तद्-आवरण- देवतात्वाभावात् । निषिद्धं च तत्रैव - यक्षाणां च पिशाचानां मद्य-मांस-भुजां तथा । दिवौकसां तु भजनं सुरापान-समं स्मृतम् ॥ [पद्मप् ६.२५३.९५] इति । अतएवावश्यक-पूज्यानाम् अन्येषां तत्-स्वीकृतैर् अपि मद्यादिभिः पूजा निषिद्धा । यथा सङ्कर्षणादीनाम् । अथ पीठ-पूजायां येऽप्य् अधर्माद्या वर्तन्ते गुण-त्रयं च । तानि तु पाद्मोत्तर-खण्डे स्पष्टान्य् अपि न सन्ति । तथा स्वायम्भुवागमेऽपि । तस्मान् नादरणीयानि । केचित् तु नारद-पञ्चरात्र-दृष्ट्या तान्य् अन्यथैव व्याचक्षते । यथोक्तं तत्रैव - अधर्माद्य्-आद्य-चतुष्कं तु अश्रेयसि नियोजनम् इति अधार्मिकादिषु तत्-तद्-अन्तर्यामि-शक्तिर् अधर्माद्यम् इत्य् अर्थः । तथा पीठ-पूजायां भगवद्-धामे श्री-गुरु-पादुका-पूजनम् एवं सङ्गच्छते । यथा य एव भगवान् अत्र व्यष्टि-रूपतया भक्तावतारत्वेन श्री-गुरु-रूपो वर्तते, स एव तत्र समष्टि-रूपतया स्व- वाम-प्रदेशे साक्षाद्-अवतारत्वेनापि तद्-रूपो वर्तत इति । तथा -- (पगे १४९) ये चात्र श्री-रामाद्य्-उपासनायां ऐन्द्र-द्विविदादय आवरण-देवतास् ते तु तदीय-नित्य-धाम-गता नित्याः शुद्धाश् च ज्ञेयाः । यथाक्रूराघमर्षणे तेन श्री-प्रह्लादादयो दृष्टाः । य एव श्री-प्रह्लादः पृथ्वी-दोहनेऽपि वत्सोऽभूत्, तदानीं तज्-जन्माभावात् । चाक्षुष-मन्वन्तर एव हिरण्य-कशिपोर् जातत्वात् । अन्ये तु स्व-स्व-धाम्नि नित्य-प्राकट्यस्यैव श्री-रामादेः प्रपञ्च- प्राकाट्यावसरं प्राप्य तत्-साहाय्यार्थं नित्य-पार्षदम् ऐन्द्र-द्विविदादि- शक्त्यावेशिनो जीवाः सुग्रीवादि-भागवत-द्वेषि-बालि-प्रभृति=सम्बन्धाद् उत्तर-काले भगवद्-विद्वेषि-नरकासुरादि-सङ्गाच् च दुष्ट-भावा भवन्तीत्य् अवधेयम् । प्रपञ्च-लोक-मिश्रत्वेनैव प्राकट्य-सम्भवात् । अथ श्री-कृष्ण-गोकुलोपासनायाम् अपि यत् श्री-रुक्मिण्य्-आदीनाम् आवरणत्वं तत् तु तच्-छक्ति-विशेष-रूपाणां तासां विमलादीनाम् इवान्तर्धान- गतत्वेनैव । न तु तत्-तल्-लीला-गत-प्राकट्येनेति ज्ञेयम् । अतएव ध्याने ता नोक्ताः । केचित् तु रुक्मिण्य्-आदि-नामानि श्री-राधादि-नामान्तरत्वेनैव मन्यन्ते । यथा ते शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-मुद्रादि-धारणं श्री-कृष्ण-चरण- चिह्नत्वेनैव स्वीकुर्वन्ति, यथा च द्वारान्तः-पार्श्वयोर् गङ्गा-यमुनयोः पूज्यमानयोर् गङ्गा श्री-गोवर्धने प्रसिद्धा मानस-गङ्गेति मन्यन्ते । तथा च विष्वक्सेनादयो भद्रसेनादय इति । श्री-कृष्ण-पीठ-पूजायां श्वेतद्वीप-क्षीर-समुद्र-पूजा च गोलोकाख्यस्य तद्-धाम्नोऽपि श्वेतद्वीपेति-नामत्वात् । कामधेनु-कोटि-निःसृत-दुग्ध-पर-विशेषस्य च तत्र स्थितत्वात् । यथोक्तं ब्रह्म-संहितायां तद्-वर्णनान्ते -- स यत्र क्षीराब्धिः स्रवति सुरभीभ्यश् च सु-महान् निमेषार्धाख्यो वा व्रजति न हि यत्रापि समयः । भजे श्वेतद्वीपं तम् अहम् इह गोलोकम् इति यं विदन्तस् ते सन्तः क्षिति-विरल-चाराः कतिपये ॥ इति । एवम् अन्यत्रापि ज्ञेयम् । तथा सोम-सूर्याग्नि-मण्डलान्य् अप्राकृतान्य् अतिशैत्य-ताप-गुण-परित्यागेनैव वर्तन्ते । तत्र सर्व-कल्याण-गुण- वस्तूनाम् एवाभिधानाय प्राकृत-निषेधात् । यथा नृसिंह-तापन्याम् - तद् वा एतत् परमं धाम मन्त्र-राजाध्यापकस्य यत्र न दुःखादि यत्र न सूर्यस् तपति यत्र न वायुर् वाति यत्र न चन्द्रमा भाति यत्र न नक्षत्राणि भान्ति यत्र नाग्निर् दहति यत्र न मृत्युः प्रविशति यत्र न दोषः । [नृसिंहताप् ५.९] इत्य् आदि । तद् एवं कर्म-मिश्रत्वादि-निरसन-प्रसङ्ग-सङ्गत्या तत्-परिकरा व्याख्याताः । अथ तेषां शुद्ध-भक्तानां भूत-शुद्ध्य्-आदिकं यथामति व्याख्यायते । तत्र भूत-शुद्धिर् निजाभिलषित-भगवत्-सेवौपयिक-तत्-पार्षद-देह- भावना-पर्यन्तैव तत्-सेवैक-पुरुषार्थिभिः कार्या निजनुकुल्यत् । एवं यत्र यत्रात्मनो निजाभीष्ट-देवता-रूपत्वेन चिन्तनं विधीयते तत्र तत्रैव पार्षदत्वे ग्रहणं भाव्यम् । अहङ्ग्रहोपासनायाः शुद्ध- भक्तैर् द्विष्टत्वात् । ऐक्यं च तत्र साधारण्य-प्रायम् एव । तदीय-चिच्- छक्ति-वृत्ति-विशुद्ध-सत्त्वांश-विग्रहत्वात् पार्षदानाम् । (पगे १५०) अथ केशवादि-न्यासादीनां यत्राधमाङ्ग-विषयत्वं तत्र तन्-मूर्तिं ध्यात्वा तत्-तन्-मन्त्रांश् च जप्त्वैव तत्-तद्-अङ्ग-स्पर्श-मात्रं कुर्यात् । न तु तत्-तन्-मन्त्र-देवतास् तत्र तत्र न्यस्ता ध्यायेत् । भक्तानां तद्- अनौचित्यात् । अथ मुख्यं ध्यानं श्री-भगवद्-धाम-गतम् एव । हृदय-कमल- गतं तु योगि-मतम् । स्मरेद् वृन्दावने रम्ये इत्य् आद्य्-उक्तत्वात् । अतएव मानस-पूजा च तत्रैव चिन्तनीया । काम-गायत्री-ध्यानं च यत् सूर्य- मण्डले श्रूयते तत्रैव चिन्त्यम् । गोलोक एव निवसत्य् अखिलात्म-भूतः इत्य् अत्रैव-कारात् । तत्र श्री-वृन्दावन-नाथः साक्षान् न तिष्ठति किन्तु तेजोमय-प्रतिमाकारेणैवेति । अथ बहिर् उपचारैर् अन्तः-पूजायां वेण्व्-आदि-पूजा तद्-अङ्ग-ज्योतिर्- विलीनाङ्गस्य स्वस्याङ्गे तानि भाव्यन्त इति पूर्व-हेतोर् एव । तथा मानसादि- पूजायां भूत-पूर्व-तत्-परिकर-लीला-संवलितत्वम् अपि न कल्पनामयं किन्तु यथार्थम् एव । यतस् तस्य प्राकट्य-समये लीलास् तत्-परिकराश् च ये प्रादुर्बभूवुस् तादृशाश् चाप्रकटम् अपि नित्यं तदीये धाम्नि सङ्ख्यातीता एव वर्तन्ते । असुरास् तु न तत्र चेतना किन्तु मन्त्रमय-तत्-प्रतिमा-निभा ज्ञेयाः । एवं विहारैः [भ्प् १०.१४.५७] इत्य् आदौ, निलायनैः सेतु-बन्धैर् मर्कट-प्लवनादिभिः [भ्प् १०.१४.५७] इतिवत् तत्-तल्-लीलानां नाना-प्रकाशैः कौतुकेनानुक्रियमाणत्वाद् भगवत्-सन्दर्भादौ हि तथा स-न्यायं दर्शितास्ति । अथ मानस-पूजा-माहात्म्यं यथा नारद-पञ्चरात्रे श्री-नारायण- वाक्यम् - अयं यो मानसो योगो जरा-व्याधि-भयापहः इत्य् आदौ - यश् चैतत् परया भक्त्या सकृत् कुर्यान् महामते । क्रमोदितेन विधिना तस्य तुष्याम्य् अहं मुने ॥ इति । एषा क्वचित् स्वतन्त्रापि भवति । मनोमय्यां मूर्तेर् अष्टमतया स्वातन्त्र्येण विधानात् - अर्चादौ हृदये वापि यथोपलब्धोपचारकैः [भ्प् ११.३.५१] इत्य् आविर्होत्र-वचनेन वा-शब्दात् । अथ पूजा-स्थानानि विचार्यन्ते । तानि च विविधानि । तत्र शालग्रामादिकं तत्- तद्-भगवद्-आकाराधिष्ठानम् इति चिन्त्यम् । आकार-वैलक्षण्यात् । शालग्राम-शिला यत्र तत्र सन्निहितो हरिः इत्य् आद्य्-उक्तेः । तत्र च स्वेष्टाकारस्यैव भगवतोऽधिष्ठानं सुष्ठु सिद्धि-करम् । तस्मिन्न् एवायत्नतस् तदीय-प्राकट्यात् । मूर्त्याभिमतयात्मनः [भ्प् ११.३.४९] इत्य् उक्तेः । श्री-कृष्णादीनां तु मथुरादि-क्षेत्रं महाधिष्ठानम् । मथुरा भगवान् यत्र नित्यं सन्निहितो हरिः [भ्प् १.१०.२८] इत्य्-आद्य्-उक्तेः । तथा तत्- तन्-मन्त्र-ध्येय-वैभवत्वेन मथुरा-वृन्दावनादीनां श्री-गोपाल- तापन्यादौ प्रख्यातत्वात् । मथुरादि-क्षेत्राण्य् एवान्यत्राधिष्ठाने ध्यानेन प्रकाश्य तेषु भगवांश् चिन्त्यते । अथ श्रीमत्-प्रतिमायां तु तद्-आकारक-रूपतयैव चिन्तयन्ति आकारैक्यात् । शिला-बुद्धिः (पगे १५१) कृता किं वा प्रतिमायां हरेर् मया इति भावनान्तरे दोष-श्रवणाच् च । एवम् एव श्री-भगवता चलाचलेति द्विविधा प्रतिष्ठा जीव-मन्दिरम् [भ्प् ११.२७.१३] इत्य् उक्तम् । प्रतिष्ठा प्रतिमा जीवस्य जीवयितुः परमात्मनो मम मन्दिरं मद्-अङ्ग-प्रत्यङ्गैर् एकाकारतास्पदम् इत्य् अर्थः । यद् वा प्रतिष्ठा-लक्षणेन कर्मणा पूर्वोक्ता प्रतिमा मम तद्- आस्पदं भवतीत्य् अर्थः । तथा च श्री-हयशीर्ष-पञ्चरात्रे श्री-मूर्ति- प्रतिष्ठा-प्रसङ्गे विष्णो सन्निहितो भव इति सान्निध्य-करण-मन्त्र- विशेषानन्तरं मन्त्रान्तरम् -- यच् च ते परमं तत्त्वं यच् च ज्ञान-मयं वपुः । तत् सर्वम् एकतो लीनम् अस्मिन् देहे विबुध्यताम् ॥ इति । अथवा जीव-मन्दिरं सर्व-जीवानां परमाश्रयः साक्षाद् भगवान् एव प्रतिष्ठेत्य् अर्थः । परमोपासकाश् च साक्षात् परमेश्वरत्वेनैव तां पश्यन्ति । भेद-स्फूर्तेर् भक्ति-विच्छेदकत्वात् तथैव ह्य् उचितम् । इत्थम् एवोक्तं भगवता - वस्त्रोपवीताभरण- पत्र-स्रग्-गन्ध-लेपनैः । अलङ्कुर्वीत स-प्रेम मद्-भक्तो मां यथोचितम् ॥ [भ्प् ११.२७.२८] इत्य् अत्र माम् इति स-प्रेमेति च । अतएव विष्णुधर्मे ताम् अधिकृत्य अम्बरीषं प्रति श्री-विष्णु-वाक्यम् - तस्यां चित्तं समावेश्य त्यज चान्यान् व्यापाश्रयान् । पूजिता सैव ते भक्त्या ध्याता चैवोपकारिणी ॥ गच्छंस् तिष्ठन् स्वपन् भुञ्जंस् ताम् एवाग्रे च पृष्ठतः । उपर्य्-अधस् तथा पार्श्वे चित्नयंस् ताम् अथात्मनः ॥ इत्य् आदि । अतएव तत्-पूजायाम् आवाहनादिकम् इत्थं व्याख्यातम् आगमे - आवाहनं चादरेण सम्मुखीकरणं प्रभोः । भक्त्या निवेशनं तस्य संस्थापनम् उदाहृतम् ॥ तवास्मीति तदीयत्व-दर्शनं सन्निधापनम् । क्रिया-समाप्ति-पर्यन्त-स्थापनं सन्निबोधनम् ॥ सकलीकरणं प्रोक्तं तत्-सर्वाङ्ग-प्रकाशनम् ॥ इति । अत्र शूद्रादि-पूजितार्चा-पूजा-निषेध-वचनम् अवैष्णव-शूद्रादि-परम् एव - न शूद्रा भगवद्-भक्तास् ते तु भागवता नराः । सर्व-वर्णेषु ते शूद्रा ये न भक्ता जनार्दने ॥ इत्य् उक्तेः । अथ सप्तमे पात्रम् [भ्प् ७.१४.२८] इत्य् आदौ श्री-नारदोक्तौ अधिष्ठान- विचारे श्रीमद्-अर्चातोऽपि यः पूरुष-मात्रातिशयस् तत्रापि ज्ञानिनः, स च कैवल्य-कामो भक्त्य्-आश्रयः, तस्मिन् प्रकरणे ज्ञान-निष्ठाय देयानि [भ्प् ७.२५.१] इत्य् उपसंहारे ज्ञानिन एव दान-पात्रत्वेन पर्मोत्कर्षोक्तेः । अन्यत्र तु न मे भक्तश् चतुर्वेदी, नायं सुखापो भगवान् इत्य् आदौ, मुक्तानाम् अपि सिद्धानाम् [भ्प् ६.१४.४] इत्य् आदौ च भक्तस्यैव ततोऽप्य् उत्कर्षः । किम् उत तद्-उपास्यायाः श्रीमद्-अर्चायाः । अतएव ताम् उद्दिश्योक्तं - नानुव्रजति यो मोहात् [भ्प् ६.१४.४] इत्य् आदि । तथापि पात्रम् इत्य् आदीनाम् अर्थोऽपि क्रमेण दर्श्यते - (पगे १५२) पात्रं त्व् अत्र निरुक्तं वै कविभिः पात्र-वित्तमैः । हरिर् एवैक उर्वीश यन्-मयं वै चराचरम् ॥ देवर्ष्य्-अर्हत्सु वै सत्सु तत्र ब्रह्मात्मजादिषु । राजन् यद् अग्र-पूजायां मतः पात्रतयाच्युतः ॥ [भ्प् ७.१४.३४-३५]

[286] bhūtādi-pūjā tu tat-pūjāṅgatve vihitāpi na kartavyā | tad-āvaraṇa- devatātvābhāvāt | niṣiddhaṃ ca tatraiva - yakṣāṇāṃ ca piśācānāṃ madya-māṃsa-bhujāṃ tathā | divaukasāṃ tu bhajanaṃ surāpāna-samaṃ smṛtam || [PadmaP 6.253.95] iti | ataevāvaśyaka-pūjyānām anyeṣāṃ tat-svīkṛtair api madyādibhiḥ pūjā niṣiddhā | yathā saṅkarṣaṇādīnām | atha pīṭha-pūjāyāṃ ye'py adharmādyā vartante guṇa-trayaṃ ca | tāni tu pādmottara-khaṇḍe spaṣṭāny api na santi | tathā svāyambhuvāgame'pi | tasmān nādaraṇīyāni | kecit tu nārada-pañcarātra-dṛṣṭyā tāny anyathaiva vyācakṣate | yathoktaṃ tatraiva - adharmādy-ādya-catuṣkaṃ tu aśreyasi niyojanam iti adhārmikādiṣu tat-tad-antaryāmi-śaktir adharmādyam ity arthaḥ | tathā pīṭha-pūjāyāṃ bhagavad-dhāme śrī-guru-pādukā-pūjanam evaṃ saṅgacchate | yathā ya eva bhagavān atra vyaṣṭi-rūpatayā bhaktāvatāratvena śrī-guru-rūpo vartate, sa eva tatra samaṣṭi-rūpatayā sva- vāma-pradeśe sākṣād-avatāratvenāpi tad-rūpo vartata iti | tathā -- (page 149) ye cātra śrī-rāmādy-upāsanāyāṃ aindra-dvividādaya āvaraṇa-devatās te tu tadīya-nitya-dhāma-gatā nityāḥ śuddhāś ca jñeyāḥ | yathākrūrāghamarṣaṇe tena śrī-prahlādādayo dṛṣṭāḥ | ya eva śrī-prahlādaḥ pṛthvī-dohane'pi vatso'bhūt, tadānīṃ taj-janmābhāvāt | cākṣuṣa-manvantara eva hiraṇya-kaśipor jātatvāt | anye tu sva-sva-dhāmni nitya-prākaṭyasyaiva śrī-rāmādeḥ prapañca- prākāṭyāvasaraṃ prāpya tat-sāhāyyārthaṃ nitya-pārṣadam aindra-dvividādi- śaktyāveśino jīvāḥ sugrīvādi-bhāgavata-dveṣi-bāli-prabhṛti=sambandhād uttara-kāle bhagavad-vidveṣi-narakāsurādi-saṅgāc ca duṣṭa-bhāvā bhavantīty avadheyam | prapañca-loka-miśratvenaiva prākaṭya-sambhavāt | atha śrī-kṛṣṇa-gokulopāsanāyām api yat śrī-rukmiṇy-ādīnām āvaraṇatvaṃ tat tu tac-chakti-viśeṣa-rūpāṇāṃ tāsāṃ vimalādīnām ivāntardhāna- gatatvenaiva | na tu tat-tal-līlā-gata-prākaṭyeneti jñeyam | ataeva dhyāne tā noktāḥ | kecit tu rukmiṇy-ādi-nāmāni śrī-rādhādi-nāmāntaratvenaiva manyante | yathā te śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-mudrādi-dhāraṇaṃ śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa- cihnatvenaiva svīkurvanti, yathā ca dvārāntaḥ-pārśvayor gaṅgā-yamunayoḥ pūjyamānayor gaṅgā śrī-govardhane prasiddhā mānasa-gaṅgeti manyante | tathā ca viṣvaksenādayo bhadrasenādaya iti | śrī-kṛṣṇa-pīṭha-pūjāyāṃ śvetadvīpa-kṣīra-samudra-pūjā ca golokākhyasya tad-dhāmno'pi śvetadvīpeti-nāmatvāt | kāmadhenu-koṭi-niḥsṛta-dugdha-para-viśeṣasya ca tatra sthitatvāt | yathoktaṃ brahma-saṃhitāyāṃ tad-varṇanānte -- sa yatra kṣīrābdhiḥ sravati surabhībhyaś ca su-mahān nimeṣārdhākhyo vā vrajati na hi yatrāpi samayaḥ | bhaje śvetadvīpaṃ tam aham iha golokam iti yaṃ vidantas te santaḥ kṣiti-virala-cārāḥ katipaye || iti | evam anyatrāpi jñeyam | tathā soma-sūryāgni-maṇḍalāny aprākṛtāny atiśaitya-tāpa-guṇa-parityāgenaiva vartante | tatra sarva-kalyāṇa-guṇa- vastūnām evābhidhānāya prākṛta-niṣedhāt | yathā nṛsiṃha-tāpanyām - tad vā etat paramaṃ dhāma mantra-rājādhyāpakasya yatra na duḥkhādi yatra na sūryas tapati yatra na vāyur vāti yatra na candramā bhāti yatra na nakṣatrāṇi bhānti yatra nāgnir dahati yatra na mṛtyuḥ praviśati yatra na doṣaḥ | [NṛsiṃhaTāp 5.9] ity ādi | tad evaṃ karma-miśratvādi-nirasana-prasaṅga-saṅgatyā tat-parikarā vyākhyātāḥ | atha teṣāṃ śuddha-bhaktānāṃ bhūta-śuddhy-ādikaṃ yathāmati vyākhyāyate | tatra bhūta-śuddhir nijābhilaṣita-bhagavat-sevaupayika-tat-pārṣada-deha- bhāvanā-paryantaiva tat-sevaika-puruṣārthibhiḥ kāryā nijanukulyat | evaṃ yatra yatrātmano nijābhīṣṭa-devatā-rūpatvena cintanaṃ vidhīyate tatra tatraiva pārṣadatve grahaṇaṃ bhāvyam | ahaṅgrahopāsanāyāḥ śuddha- bhaktair dviṣṭatvāt | aikyaṃ ca tatra sādhāraṇya-prāyam eva | tadīya-cic- chakti-vṛtti-viśuddha-sattvāṃśa-vigrahatvāt pārṣadānām | (page 150) atha keśavādi-nyāsādīnāṃ yatrādhamāṅga-viṣayatvaṃ tatra tan-mūrtiṃ dhyātvā tat-tan-mantrāṃś ca japtvaiva tat-tad-aṅga-sparśa-mātraṃ kuryāt | na tu tat-tan-mantra-devatās tatra tatra nyastā dhyāyet | bhaktānāṃ tad- anaucityāt | atha mukhyaṃ dhyānaṃ śrī-bhagavad-dhāma-gatam eva | hṛdaya-kamala- gataṃ tu yogi-matam | smared vṛndāvane ramye ity ādy-uktatvāt | ataeva mānasa-pūjā ca tatraiva cintanīyā | kāma-gāyatrī-dhyānaṃ ca yat sūrya- maṇḍale śrūyate tatraiva cintyam | goloka eva nivasaty akhilātma-bhūtaḥ ity atraiva-kārāt | tatra śrī-vṛndāvana-nāthaḥ sākṣān na tiṣṭhati kintu tejomaya-pratimākāreṇaiveti | atha bahir upacārair antaḥ-pūjāyāṃ veṇv-ādi-pūjā tad-aṅga-jyotir- vilīnāṅgasya svasyāṅge tāni bhāvyanta iti pūrva-hetor eva | tathā mānasādi- pūjāyāṃ bhūta-pūrva-tat-parikara-līlā-saṃvalitatvam api na kalpanāmayaṃ kintu yathārtham eva | yatas tasya prākaṭya-samaye līlās tat-parikarāś ca ye prādurbabhūvus tādṛśāś cāprakaṭam api nityaṃ tadīye dhāmni saṅkhyātītā eva vartante | asurās tu na tatra cetanā kintu mantramaya-tat-pratimā-nibhā jñeyāḥ | evaṃ vihāraiḥ [BhP 10.14.57] ity ādau, nilāyanaiḥ setu-bandhair markaṭa-plavanādibhiḥ [BhP 10.14.57] itivat tat-tal-līlānāṃ nānā-prakāśaiḥ kautukenānukriyamāṇatvād bhagavat-sandarbhādau hi tathā sa-nyāyaṃ darśitāsti | atha mānasa-pūjā-māhātmyaṃ yathā nārada-pañcarātre śrī-nārāyaṇa- vākyam - ayaṃ yo mānaso yogo jarā-vyādhi-bhayāpahaḥ ity ādau - yaś caitat parayā bhaktyā sakṛt kuryān mahāmate | kramoditena vidhinā tasya tuṣyāmy ahaṃ mune || iti | eṣā kvacit svatantrāpi bhavati | manomayyāṃ mūrter aṣṭamatayā svātantryeṇa vidhānāt - arcādau hṛdaye vāpi yathopalabdhopacārakaiḥ [BhP 11.3.51] ity āvirhotra-vacanena vā-śabdāt | atha pūjā-sthānāni vicāryante | tāni ca vividhāni | tatra śālagrāmādikaṃ tat- tad-bhagavad-ākārādhiṣṭhānam iti cintyam | ākāra-vailakṣaṇyāt | śālagrāma-śilā yatra tatra sannihito hariḥ ity ādy-ukteḥ | tatra ca sveṣṭākārasyaiva bhagavato'dhiṣṭhānaṃ suṣṭhu siddhi-karam | tasminn evāyatnatas tadīya-prākaṭyāt | mūrtyābhimatayātmanaḥ [BhP 11.3.49] ity ukteḥ | śrī-kṛṣṇādīnāṃ tu mathurādi-kṣetraṃ mahādhiṣṭhānam | mathurā bhagavān yatra nityaṃ sannihito hariḥ [BhP 1.10.28] ity-ādy-ukteḥ | tathā tat- tan-mantra-dhyeya-vaibhavatvena mathurā-vṛndāvanādīnāṃ śrī-gopāla- tāpanyādau prakhyātatvāt | mathurādi-kṣetrāṇy evānyatrādhiṣṭhāne dhyānena prakāśya teṣu bhagavāṃś cintyate | atha śrīmat-pratimāyāṃ tu tad-ākāraka-rūpatayaiva cintayanti ākāraikyāt | śilā-buddhiḥ (page 151) kṛtā kiṃ vā pratimāyāṃ harer mayā iti bhāvanāntare doṣa-śravaṇāc ca | evam eva śrī-bhagavatā calācaleti dvividhā pratiṣṭhā jīva-mandiram [BhP 11.27.13] ity uktam | pratiṣṭhā pratimā jīvasya jīvayituḥ paramātmano mama mandiraṃ mad-aṅga-pratyaṅgair ekākāratāspadam ity arthaḥ | yad vā pratiṣṭhā-lakṣaṇena karmaṇā pūrvoktā pratimā mama tad- āspadaṃ bhavatīty arthaḥ | tathā ca śrī-hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātre śrī-mūrti- pratiṣṭhā-prasaṅge viṣṇo sannihito bhava iti sānnidhya-karaṇa-mantra- viśeṣānantaraṃ mantrāntaram -- yac ca te paramaṃ tattvaṃ yac ca jñāna-mayaṃ vapuḥ | tat sarvam ekato līnam asmin dehe vibudhyatām || iti | athavā jīva-mandiraṃ sarva-jīvānāṃ paramāśrayaḥ sākṣād bhagavān eva pratiṣṭhety arthaḥ | paramopāsakāś ca sākṣāt parameśvaratvenaiva tāṃ paśyanti | bheda-sphūrter bhakti-vicchedakatvāt tathaiva hy ucitam | ittham evoktaṃ bhagavatā - vastropavītābharaṇa- patra-srag-gandha-lepanaiḥ | alaṅkurvīta sa-prema mad-bhakto māṃ yathocitam || [BhP 11.27.28] ity atra mām iti sa-premeti ca | ataeva viṣṇudharme tām adhikṛtya ambarīṣaṃ prati śrī-viṣṇu-vākyam - tasyāṃ cittaṃ samāveśya tyaja cānyān vyāpāśrayān | pūjitā saiva te bhaktyā dhyātā caivopakāriṇī || gacchaṃs tiṣṭhan svapan bhuñjaṃs tām evāgre ca pṛṣṭhataḥ | upary-adhas tathā pārśve citnayaṃs tām athātmanaḥ || ity ādi | ataeva tat-pūjāyām āvāhanādikam itthaṃ vyākhyātam āgame - āvāhanaṃ cādareṇa sammukhīkaraṇaṃ prabhoḥ | bhaktyā niveśanaṃ tasya saṃsthāpanam udāhṛtam || tavāsmīti tadīyatva-darśanaṃ sannidhāpanam | kriyā-samāpti-paryanta-sthāpanaṃ sannibodhanam || sakalīkaraṇaṃ proktaṃ tat-sarvāṅga-prakāśanam || iti | atra śūdrādi-pūjitārcā-pūjā-niṣedha-vacanam avaiṣṇava-śūdrādi-param eva - na śūdrā bhagavad-bhaktās te tu bhāgavatā narāḥ | sarva-varṇeṣu te śūdrā ye na bhaktā janārdane || ity ukteḥ | atha saptame pātram [BhP 7.14.28] ity ādau śrī-nāradoktau adhiṣṭhāna- vicāre śrīmad-arcāto'pi yaḥ pūruṣa-mātrātiśayas tatrāpi jñāninaḥ, sa ca kaivalya-kāmo bhakty-āśrayaḥ, tasmin prakaraṇe jñāna-niṣṭhāya deyāni [BhP 7.25.1] ity upasaṃhāre jñānina eva dāna-pātratvena parmotkarṣokteḥ | anyatra tu na me bhaktaś caturvedī, nāyaṃ sukhāpo bhagavān ity ādau, muktānām api siddhānām [BhP 6.14.4] ity ādau ca bhaktasyaiva tato'py utkarṣaḥ | kim uta tad-upāsyāyāḥ śrīmad-arcāyāḥ | ataeva tām uddiśyoktaṃ - nānuvrajati yo mohāt [BhP 6.14.4] ity ādi | tathāpi pātram ity ādīnām artho'pi krameṇa darśyate - (page 152) pātraṃ tv atra niruktaṃ vai kavibhiḥ pātra-vittamaiḥ | harir evaika urvīśa yan-mayaṃ vai carācaram || devarṣy-arhatsu vai satsu tatra brahmātmajādiṣu | rājan yad agra-pūjāyāṃ mataḥ pātratayācyutaḥ || [BhP 7.14.34-35]

English translation

English witness · section(s) 288

Anuccheda 288

1 In Srimad Bhagavatam (7.14.37) it is also said: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead has created many residential places like the bodies of human beings, animals, birds, saints, and demigods. In all of these innumerable bodily forms, the Lord resides with the living being as Paramatma. Thus He is known as the purusavatara."* 2 Here the word "jiva" means "the giver of life". This word refers to the Supersoul, who is present in the hearts of all conditioned living beings.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §287 · English §289–290

Source

[२८७] तत्र राजसूये -- जीव-राशिभिर् आकीर्ण [भ्प् ७.१४.३६] इत्य् आदि ।

[287] tatra rājasūye -- jīva-rāśibhir ākīrṇa [BhP 7.14.36] ity ādi |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 289–290

Anuccheda 289

1 In Srimad Bhagavatam (7.14.38) it is also said: "O King Yudhisthira, the Supersoul in every body gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding. Therefore the Supersoul is the chief within the body. The Supersoul is manifested to the individual soul according to the individual's comparative development of knowledge, austerity, penance and so on."* 2 Here the word "tasmat" means "than the higher and lower", and "purusah patram" means "the person who is the object". Thus it is seen that the devotees of the Lord are better than the impersonalists. Therefore, as far as one has knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so far is one advanced in spiritual life.

Anuccheda 290

1 Seeing that in the course of time faults had became manifested among the devotees of the Lord, the Vedas revealed another way to worship the Lord. This is described in the following words (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.14.39): 2 "My dear King, when great sages and saintly persons saw mutually disrespectful dealings at the beginning of Treta-yuga, Deity worship in the temple was introduced with all paraphernalia."* 3 This verse means, "Seeing the mutually disrespectful dealings, they introduced Deity worship." In this way the path of Deity worship was revealed. That is the meaning. 4 Deity worship is the best means of spiritual advancement for they who have these kinds of faults. In the scriptures it is said: "Deity worship is meant for people of Treta-yuga who are all less intelligent." Deity worship is also described in the conversations of Brahma, Ambarisa, and other great souls as recorded in the Nrsimha Purana and other scriptures.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §288 · English §291

Source

[२८८] सर्वेषाम् जीवानाम् आत्मनश् च तर्पण-रूपा सैव भवतीत्य् अर्थः -- पुराण्य् अनेन [भ्प् ७.१४.३७] इत्य् आदि ।

[288] sarveṣām jīvānām ātmanaś ca tarpaṇa-rūpā saiva bhavatīty arthaḥ -- purāṇy anena [BhP 7.14.37] ity ādi |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 291

Anuccheda 291

1 In Srimad Bhagavatam (7.14.40) it is said: "Sometimes a neophyte devotee offers all the paraphernalia for worshipping the Lord, and he factually worships the Lord as the Deity, but because he is envious of the authorised devotees of Lord Visnu, the Lord is never satisfied with his devotional service."* 2 Here the word "tatah" means "because of being like this," and "kecit" means "they who are devoted to Deity worship and convinced that Deity worship is the best path". That is the meaning. Here someone may object: Even if one offends others he can still attain perfection by worshipping the Deity. Fearing that someone may make this claim, Srimad Bhagavatam speaks this verse. With a desire to refute this idea and establish the truth that one should be respectful to others, Srimad Bhagavatam speaks the words that begin with the phrase "upastapi".

Bhakti · Sanskrit §289 · English §292

Source

[२८९] जीवेन जीवयित्वा जीवान्तर्यामि-रूपेणेत्य् अर्थः -- तेष्व् एव भगवान् [भ्प् ७.१४.३८] इत्य् आदि । तस्मात् तारतम्य-वर्तनात् पुरुषः प्रायो मनुष्यः पात्रम् । तत्र ज्ञानादिकं विशिष्टम् इति भगवद्-वर्तनस्यातिशयात् । तत्रापि आत्मा यावान् यथा ज्ञानादि-परिमाणादिकस् तथासौ पात्रम् इत्य् अर्थः ।

[289] jīvena jīvayitvā jīvāntaryāmi-rūpeṇety arthaḥ -- teṣv eva bhagavān [BhP 7.14.38] ity ādi | tasmāt tāratamya-vartanāt puruṣaḥ prāyo manuṣyaḥ pātram | tatra jñānādikaṃ viśiṣṭam iti bhagavad-vartanasyātiśayāt | tatrāpi ātmā yāvān yathā jñānādi-parimāṇādikas tathāsau pātram ity arthaḥ |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 292

Anuccheda 292

1 The word "purusa" in the previous verse is explained in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.14.41): "My dear King, of all persons a qualified brahmana must be accepted as the best within this material world because such a brahmana, by practicing austerity, Vedic studies and satisfaction, becomes the counterpart body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."* 2 This verse means that they know that such a person is the best.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §290 · English §293

Source

[२९०] एवं स्थितेऽपि कालेनोपासक-दोषोत्पत्तौ सत्यां भेद-दृष्ट्या विशिष्टम् अधिष्ठानान्तरं प्रकाशितम् इत्य् आह - दृष्ट्वा तेषां मिथो नृणाम् अवज्ञानात्मतां नृप । त्रेतादिषु हरेर् अर्चा क्रियायै कविभिः कृता ॥ [भ्प् ७.१४.३८] मिथोऽवज्ञानम् असम्मानंस् तस्मिन्न् आत्मा बुद्धिर् येषां भावं दृष्ट्वा क्रियायै पूजाद्य्-अर्थम् अर्चा कृता तत्-परिचर्या-मार्ग-दर्शनाय सा प्रकाशितेत्य् अर्थः । एतेन तादृश-दोष-युक्तेष्व् अपि कार्य-साधकत्वात् श्रीमद्-अर्चाया आधिक्यम् एव व्यञ्जितम् । प्रतिमा स्वल्प-बुद्धीनाम् इत्य् अत्र च अल्प-बुद्धीनाम् अपीत्य् अर्थः । नृसिंह-पुरानादौ ब्रह्माम्बरीषादीनाम् अपि तत्-पूजा-श्रवणात् ।

[290] evaṃ sthite'pi kālenopāsaka-doṣotpattau satyāṃ bheda-dṛṣṭyā viśiṣṭam adhiṣṭhānāntaraṃ prakāśitam ity āha - dṛṣṭvā teṣāṃ mitho nṛṇām avajñānātmatāṃ nṛpa | tretādiṣu harer arcā kriyāyai kavibhiḥ kṛtā || [BhP 7.14.38] mitho'vajñānam asammānaṃs tasminn ātmā buddhir yeṣāṃ bhāvaṃ dṛṣṭvā kriyāyai pūjādy-artham arcā kṛtā tat-paricaryā-mārga-darśanāya sā prakāśitety arthaḥ | etena tādṛśa-doṣa-yukteṣv api kārya-sādhakatvāt śrīmad-arcāyā ādhikyam eva vyañjitam | pratimā svalpa-buddhīnām ity atra ca alpa-buddhīnām apīty arthaḥ | nṛsiṃha-purānādau brahmāmbarīṣādīnām api tat-pūjā-śravaṇāt |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 293

Anuccheda 293

1 The brahmanas, who were also described in the previous verse, are again glorified in these words of Srimad Bhagavatam (7.14.42): "My dear King Yudhisthira, the brahmanas, especially those engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord throughout the entire world, are recognised and worshipped by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the heart and soul of all creation. The brahmanas, by their preaching, sanctify the three worlds with the dust of their lotus feet, and thus they are worshipable even for Krsna."* 2 Here the word "jagad-atmanah" means :engaged in preaching the truth of spiritual life to the people, and thus convincing them to follow the restrictions of spiritual life". The word "daivatam" means "worshipable". This verse was spoken by Sri Narada to King Yudhisthira.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §291 · English §294

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[२९१] ततोऽर्चायां [भ्प् ७.१४.४०] । तत एवं प्रभावात् । केचिद् इत्य् अधिष्ठान- वैशिष्ट्येन पूर्वतोऽप्य् उत्तम-साधन-तत्-परा इत्य् अर्थः । नन्व् अवज्ञावद् द्वेषेऽपि सिद्धिः स्याद् इत्य् आशङ्क्यातिप्रसङ्ग-वारणेच्छया प्रस्तुत-पुरुष- रूपाधिष्ठानादर-रक्षेच्छया च तं वारयति उपास्तापि इति ।

[291] tato'rcāyāṃ [BhP 7.14.40] | tata evaṃ prabhāvāt | kecid ity adhiṣṭhāna- vaiśiṣṭyena pūrvato'py uttama-sādhana-tat-parā ity arthaḥ | nanv avajñāvad dveṣe'pi siddhiḥ syād ity āśaṅkyātiprasaṅga-vāraṇecchayā prastuta-puruṣa- rūpādhiṣṭhānādara-rakṣecchayā ca taṃ vārayati upāstāpi iti |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 294

Anuccheda 294

1 In the beginning of the next chapter (chapter 15 of the seventh canto), the brahmanas who are the best of all other brahmanas are described in the following two verses (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.1-2): 2 "My dear King, some brahmanas are very much attached to fruitive activities, some are attached to austerities and penances, and still others study the Vedic literature, whereas some, although very few, cultivate knowledge and practice different yogas, especially bhakti-yoga."* 3 "A person desiring liberation for his forefathers or himself should give charity to a brahmana who adheres to impersonal monism (jnana-nistha). In the absence of such an advanced brahmana, charity may be given to a brahmana addicted to fruitive activities (karma-kanda)."* 4 This verse means that for they who desire impersonal liberation the most important kind of worship is worship of a jnani (impersonalist). When a jnani is not present, then other persons may be worshipped. However, they who desire to attain devotional service and pure love of God should worship a devotee who loves the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee always thinks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the shelter of all. Therefore the worship of such a devotee is the best of all kinds of worship. 5 Because He is the shelter in which everything rests, because He has extraordinary powers, and because He is all-pervading, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu is personally present as the Salagrama-sila and His other Deity forms. He is the all-pervading Supersoul. He is not like a human being. Jagannatha Puri and the other places where He resides are very holy places of pilgrimage. Even the insects and worms who live in these sacred places attain the highest goal of life. This is confirmed by the words of scripture. 6 In the Skanda Purana it is said: "Any place where there is a Salagrama-sila becomes sacred for 24 miles. All charity, japa and yajna performed there becomes multiplied by many millions of times." 7 In the Padma Purana it is said: "Any human being, or any insect or worm for that matter, who dies within two miles of a Salagrama-sila goes to the spiritual world of Vaikuntha." 8 The conclusion, then, is that worship of the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the best kind of worship. This verse was spoken by Sri Narada to King Yudhisthira.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §292 · English §295

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[२९२] अथ पुरुषेषु पूर्वोक्त-विशेषं जात्य्-आदिना विवृणोति -- पुरुषेष्व् अपि [भ्प् ७.१४.४१] इति । यो धत्ते तं सुपात्रं विदुः ।

[292] atha puruṣeṣu pūrvokta-viśeṣaṃ jāty-ādinā vivṛṇoti -- puruṣeṣv api [BhP 7.14.41] iti | yo dhatte taṃ supātraṃ viduḥ |

English translation

English witness · section(s) 295

Anuccheda 295

1 Other places where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is personally manifested are described by the Lord Himself in these words (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.42-46): 2 "O saintly Uddhava, please know that you may worship Me in the sun, fire, brahmanas, cows, Vaisnavas, sky, wind, water, earth, individual soul and all living entities.*** 3-5 "My dear Uddhava, one should worship Me within the sun by chanting selected Vedic mantras and by performing worship and offering obeisances. One may worship Me within fire by offering oblations of ghee, and one may worship Me among the brahmanas by respectfully receiving them as guests, even when uninvited. I can be worshipped within the cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the cows, and one may worship Me within the Vaisnavas by offering loving friendship to them and honouring them in all respects. Through steady meditation I am worshipped within the inner space of the heart, and within the air I can be worshipped by knowledge that prana, the life air, is the chief among elements. I am worshipped within water by offerings of water itself, along with other elements such as flowers and tulasi leaves, and one may worship Me within the earth by proper application of confidential seed mantras. One may worship Me within the individual living entity by offering food and other enjoyable substances, and one may worship Me within all living entities by seeing the Supersoul within all of them, thus maintaining equal vision.*** 6. "Thus, in the previously mentioned places of worship and according to the processes I have described, one should meditate on My peaceful, transcendental form with four arms holding a conchshell, Sudarsana disc, club and lotus flower. In this way, one should worship me with fixed attention."*** 7 Srila Sridhara Svami comments: "Now eleven objects of worship will be described. Here the word 'bhadra' is in the vocative case. In the first three verses (42-44), the Lord describes different objects of worship and different methods of worship. Here the word 'trayya vidyaya' means 'with prayers, worship and other kinds of service', 'anga' means 'O Uddhava', 'mukhya-dhiya' means 'by seeing the truth about the breath of life', 'toye' means 'with water and other things', 'dravyaih' means 'with tarpana and other offerings', 'sthandile' means ;on the ground', and 'mantra-hrdayaih' means 'with confidential mantras and nyasas'. Then, in verse 46, the Lord describes the way these objects of worship should become objects of meditation. Here the word 'iti' means 'in this way', and 'esu' means 'in these objects of worship.' 8 The four-armed, all-pervading Supersoul may be worshipped in two ways. The first way is to worship Him in the temple, for example by scenting the temple with fragrant oils. The second way is described in these verses in the words 'vaisnave bandhu-sat-krtya' (one may worship me within the Vaisnavas by offering loving friendship to them and honouring them in all respects) and "gosv anga yavasadina" (I can be worshipped within the cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains). Thus one should honour and befriend the Vaisnavas and understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme master. This is described in these words of Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.46): "An intermediate, second class devotee shows love to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is friendly to all devotees."* Here it is said that grass should be offered to the cows. It is not proper, of course, to make such an offering to the four-armed Supreme Personality of Godhead, for that is not proper food for Him. 9 The Supreme Lord has already explained (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.41); "Whatever is most desired by one within this material world, and whatever is most dear to oneself, one should offer that very thing to me. Such an offering qualifies one for eternal life."*** 10 Direct service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.44 (quoted in text 4 of this anuccheda) in the words "hrdi khe dhyana-nisthaya" (through steady meditation I am worshipped within the inner space of the heart) and "toye dravyais toya-puraskrtaih" (I am worshipped within water by offerings of water itself). 11 These words describe meditation on the Supersoul, who is present in fire and the other material elements. These words do not describe the form of the Lord chosen by the devotees, a form that is the shelter of all and is served with great love. This is so because that form, which is served with spiritual love, is thought by the devotees to have delicate features (and therefore it is not appropriate to think of Him as being present in fire and in various harsh conditions that present themselves to the all-pervading Supersoul). 12 The form of the Lord chosen by the devotees is described by the Lord Himself in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.27.32): "My devotee should then lovingly decorate Me with clothing, a brahmana thread, various ornaments, marks of tilaka and garlands, and he should anoint My body with fragrant oils, all in the prescribed manner."*** 13 In this way the scriptures describe the devotees' loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 14 In the Narada Purana it is said: "O brahmanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is attained only by devotional service. He is never attained merely by collecting money. When He is worshipped with devotion, Lord Visnu grants the desires of His devotees. 15 "When He is worshipped with a little water, Lord Hari, who is the master of the universes and the destroyer of all sufferings, is at once pleased. He is like a thirsty man given a cup of clear water." 16 Of course, in this example it should understood that the Supreme Lord is the origin of everything (including the water that is offered to Him). To think otherwise is to commit a great blunder. To worship the Lord by taking Him to a pleasant lake is praiseworthy in the hot summer but not praiseworthy during the monsoon. 17 In the Garuda Purana it is said: They who in the summer worship Lord Kesava by taking Him to a pleasant lake and offering Him many different flowers become free from the tortures of Yamaraja. 18 "O best of kings, they who take Lord Jagannatha to a pleasant lake during the monsoon season spend a long time in hell." 19 This is also explained in other scriptures. Many hundreds of rules are give for the appropriate times and places of various kinds of services offered to the Lord. To offer these services at other times is forbidden. This is explained in the Visnu-yamala in the passage that begins, "Now the ways to serve Lord Visnu in the various reasons will be described. 20 The Supreme Lord also explains (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.41): "Whatever is most desired by one within this material world, and whatever is most dear to oneself, one should offer that very thing to me. Such an offering qualifies one for eternal life."*** 21 In this way the appropriate mantras, meditations, and places as well as the appropriate pleasing and beautiful forms, tastes, scents, touches and sounds, are understood. One who does not follow these rules finds his worship of the Lord is performed in vain. In this way the Lord's form as the Supersoul, who is present in fire and other like places in this world, is understood.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §293 · English §296–297

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[२९३] पूर्वोक्तं ब्राह्मण-रूपं पात्रम् एव स्तौति -- नन्व् अस्य [भ्प् ७.१४.४२] इत्य् आदिना । जगद्-आत्मनो जगति लोक-सङ्ग्रह-धर्माधि-प्रवर्तनेन तन्- नियन्तुर् इत्य् अर्थः । दैवतं पूज्यत्वेन दर्शितम् । ॥ ७.१४ ॥ श्री-नारदो युधिष्ठिरम् ॥ २८६-२९३ ॥

[293] pūrvoktaṃ brāhmaṇa-rūpaṃ pātram eva stauti -- nanv asya [BhP 7.14.42] ity ādinā | jagad-ātmano jagati loka-saṅgraha-dharmādhi-pravartanena tan- niyantur ity arthaḥ | daivataṃ pūjyatvena darśitam | || 7.14 || śrī-nārado yudhiṣṭhiram || 286-293 ||

English translation

English witness · section(s) 296–297

Anuccheda 296

1 Now offering foodstuffs to the Lord will be discussed. In Srila Kesavacarya's Krama-dipika, in the description of the Aniruddha-mantra, it is said that pure devotees of Lord Krsna desire a mula-mantra glorifying Lord Krsna. 2 When the Lord eats His meal, one should meditate on a fire or a light coming from the Lord's mouth. As the Lord enjoys His meal one should meditate on the Lord's mouth smiling with happiness. Because Lord Krsna enjoys pastimes like those of a human being, He enjoys His meals in the same way meals are enjoyed in the world of human beings. 3 Now chanting japa will be considered. Even though there are many different Vaisnava mantras with different meanings, these mantras all bring the final goal of life. In the eight-syllable mantra and other Vaisnava mantras the purpose is to surrender to the Lord, even when the mantra does not address the Lord in the dative case. 4 One should follow the various rules of Deity worship when they are appropriate. All the various activities of devotional service ultimately lead to the perfection of pure devotional service. Still, those activities are of a great variety. Some are considered pure devotional service and others are not pure devotional service. The Lord Himself describes result of Deity worship in these words of Srimad Bhagavatam (11.27.49): 5 "By worshipping Me through the various methods prescribed in the Vedas and tantras, one will gain from Me his desired perfection in both this life and the next."***

Anuccheda 297

1 The Supreme Lord also explains (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.53): "But one who simply engages in devotional service with no consideration of fruitive results attains Me. Thus whoever worships Me according to the process I have described will ultimately attain pure devotional service unto Me."*** 2 Here the word "nairapeksyena" means (free from material designations", and "bhakti-yogena" means "with love". The second half of this verse means, "In this way Deity worship is performed." This verse was spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Bhakti · Sanskrit §294 · English §298

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[२९४] अथ तद्-अनन्तराध्यायस्यादाव् एव तेषु सर्वोत्कृष्टम् आह द्वाभ्याम् -- कर्म-निष्ठाः [भ्प् ७.१५.१] इत्य् आदि । अनेन यथात्र मुमुक्षु-प्रभृतीनां ज्ञानि-पूजैव मुख्या, पुरुषान्तर- पूजा तु तद्-अभाव एव तथा प्रेम-भक्ति-कामानां प्रेम-भक्त-पूजा ज्ञेया । ततः प्रेम-भक्तानाम् अपि यच् चित्तस्य परमाश्रय-रूपं (पगे १५३) तद् अभिव्यक्तेः सुतराम् एवार्चाया आधिक्यम् अपि । एवं तद्-आश्रय-रूपस्य विलक्षण-प्रकाश-स्थानत्वाद् एव श्री-विष्णोर् व्यापकत्वेऽपि शालग्रामादिषु निर्धारणम् । तच् च पुरुषवन् नान्तर्यामि-दृष्ट्य्-अपेक्षम् । किन्तु स्वभाव-निर्देश-परम् एव । तन्-निवास-क्षेत्रादीनां महा- तीर्थत्वापादनादिना कीकटादीनाम् अपि कृतार्तह्त्व-कथनात् । तथा च स्कान्दे - शालग्राम-शिला यत्र तत्-तीर्थं योजन-त्रयम् । तत्र दानं जपो होमः सर्वं कोटि-गुणं भवेत् ॥ पाद्मे - शालग्राम-समीपे तु क्रोश-मात्रं समन्ततः । कीकटेऽपि मृतो याति वैकुण्ठ-भुवनं नरः ॥ इति । तस्माद् अर्चाया आधिक्यम् एव हि स्थितम् । ॥ ७.१५ ॥ श्री-नारदो युधिष्ठिरम् ॥ २९४ ॥

[294] atha tad-anantarādhyāyasyādāv eva teṣu sarvotkṛṣṭam āha dvābhyām -- karma-niṣṭhāḥ [BhP 7.15.1] ity ādi | anena yathātra mumukṣu-prabhṛtīnāṃ jñāni-pūjaiva mukhyā, puruṣāntara- pūjā tu tad-abhāva eva tathā prema-bhakti-kāmānāṃ prema-bhakta-pūjā jñeyā | tataḥ prema-bhaktānām api yac cittasya paramāśraya-rūpaṃ (page 153) tad abhivyakteḥ sutarām evārcāyā ādhikyam api | evaṃ tad-āśraya-rūpasya vilakṣaṇa-prakāśa-sthānatvād eva śrī-viṣṇor vyāpakatve'pi śālagrāmādiṣu nirdhāraṇam | tac ca puruṣavan nāntaryāmi-dṛṣṭy-apekṣam | kintu svabhāva-nirdeśa-param eva | tan-nivāsa-kṣetrādīnāṃ mahā- tīrthatvāpādanādinā kīkaṭādīnām api kṛtārtahtva-kathanāt | tathā ca skānde - śālagrāma-śilā yatra tat-tīrthaṃ yojana-trayam | tatra dānaṃ japo homaḥ sarvaṃ koṭi-guṇaṃ bhavet || pādme - śālagrāma-samīpe tu krośa-mātraṃ samantataḥ | kīkaṭe'pi mṛto yāti vaikuṇṭha-bhuvanaṃ naraḥ || iti | tasmād arcāyā ādhikyam eva hi sthitam | || 7.15 || śrī-nārado yudhiṣṭhiram || 294 ||

English translation

English witness · section(s) 298

Anuccheda 298

1 Accepting flowers offered to the Lord and drinking water that has washed the lotus feet of the Lord are some of the signs by which a Vaisnava is known. The great glories of these many signs are described in thousands of scriptures. 2 Now the persons who are qualified to worship the Lord will be described. In Srimad Bhagavatam (11.27.4) it is said: "This process is accepted by and appropriate for all the occupational and spiritual orders of society. Therefore I consider worship of You in Your Deity form to be the most beneficial of all spiritual practices, even for women and sudras."*** 3 Here the word "sarva-varnanam" means "of the three varnas". 4 In the Smrty-artha-sara, as well as in the Vaisakha-mahatmya portion of the Padma Purana, it is said: "Following the path described in the Agama-sastras, women and sudras may, thinking of Him as the Lord in their hearts, engage in the Deity worship of Lord Visnu. 5 "By chanting the Lord's holy names, even sudras may worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All may worship the Lord by following the path of the Agama-sastras, which follow in the footsteps of the Vedas. 6 "Women who are dear and kind to their husbands are also qualified to worship Lord Visnu. This is the eternal teaching of the Vedas." 7 In the Visnu-dharma Purana it is said: "Lord Krsna is pleased with anyone who is in eight ways devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the initiating spiritual master, and the sacred mantras glorifying the Lord. 8 "1. One should be affectionate to the devotees of the Lord. 2. One should be very happy to worship the Lord. 3. With a pure heart one should regularly worship the Lord. 4. In worshipping the Lord one should be free of pride and hypocrisy. 9 "5. One should be eager to hear about the Lord. 6. One should engage one's body in the service of the Lord. 7. One should always remember the Lord. 8. One should make the chanting of the holy name of the Lord one's life and soul. 10 "These are the eight activities of devotional service, which even a person in a mleccha family may perform. Anyone who engages in these eight activities of devotional service becomes a saintly sage. He becomes honest, truthful, famous, and glorious among men." 11 In the tattva-sagara it is said: "As bell-metal is turned to gold when mixed with mercury in an alchemical process, so one who is properly trained and initiated by a bona fide spiritual master immediately becomes a brahmana."* 12 In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.21 it is said: "In Satya -yuga the Lord is white and four-armed, had matted locks and wears a garment of tree bark. He carries a black deerskin, a sacred thread, prayer beads and the rod and waterpot of a brahmacari."*** 13 In the different yuga the Supreme Lord appears in different incarnations and is worshipped in different ways. A specific incarnation is established as the incarnation for a specific yuga. In this way the upasana-sastras explain the incarnations for the four yugas. Even when the time is not appropriate for a certain method of worship, one may still worship the Lord in that way. Thus, the scriptures explain, in every yuga one may, as one wishes, worship any form of the Lord with any of the proper methods of worship. 14 This is also described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.27.4 (which was quoted in text 2 of this anuccheda). That verse was spoken by Uddhava to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Srila Jiva Gosvami's Sri Bhakti-sandarbha An Essay on Devotional Service Volume Eleven

Table of Contents Sri Krsna-janmastami, Karttika, Ekadasi, Magha-snana and Other Auspicious Vows, Anuccheda 299 Page 2 One should Avoid Offenses, Anuccheda 300 Page 4 One should Not Insult the Devotees, Anuccheda 301 Page 5 How to be Excused from Offenses, Anuccheda 303, Texts 1-12 Page 5 Offering Obeisances, Anuccheda 303, Texts 13-21 Page 6 Being a Servant of the Lord, Anucchedas 304-305 Page 7 Being a Friend of the Lord, Anucchedas 306-308 Page 9 Surrendering Everything to the Lord, Anuccheda 309 Page 10 Raganuga Bhakti and Ruci, Anucchedas 310-313 Page 13 The Supreme Lord is Never Troubled by Blasphemy, Anucchedas 314-316 Page 20 Somehow or Other One should meditate on the Lord, Anuccheda 317 Page 21 The Liberation of the Demons, Anuccheda 318 Page 22

Bhakti · Sanskrit §295–297 · English §299

Source

[२९५] अथाधिष्ठानन्तराणि चैवम् । यथा - सूर्योऽग्निर् ब्राह्मणा गावो वैष्णवः खं मरुज् जलम् । भूर् आत्मा सर्व-भूतानि भद्र पूजा-पदानि मे ॥ सूर्ये तु विद्यया त्रय्या हविषाग्नौ यजेत माम् । आतिथ्येन तु विप्राग्र्ये गोष्व् अङ्ग यवसादिना ॥ वैष्णवे बन्धु-सत्-कृत्या हृदि खे ध्यान-निष्ठया । वायौ मुख्य-धिया तोये द्रव्यैस् तोय-पुरः-सरैः ॥ स्थण्डिले मन्त्र-हृदयैर् भोगैर् आत्मानम् आत्मनि । क्षेत्र-ज्ञं सर्व-भूतेषु समत्वेन यजेत माम् ॥ धिष्ण्येष्व् इत्य् एषु मद्-रूपं शङ्ख-चक्र-गदाम्बुजैः । युक्तं चतुर्-भुजं शान्तं ध्यायन्न् अर्चेत् समाहितः ॥ [भ्प् ११.११.४२-४६] टीका च - इदानीम् एकादश पूजाधिष्ठानान्य् आह सूर्य इति । हे भद्र ! अधिष्ठान-भेदेन पूजा-साधन-भेदम् आह सूर्य इति त्रिभिः । त्रय्या विद्यया सूक्तैर् उपस्थानादिना । अङ्ग हे उद्धव ! मुख्य-धिया प्राण- दृष्ट्या । तोये तोयादिभिर् द्रव्यैस् तर्पणादिना । स्थण्डिले भुवि । मन्त्र- हृदयै रहस्य-मन्त्र-न्यासैः । सर्वाधिष्ठानेषु ध्येयम् आह धिष्णेष्व् एतेष्व् इति । इति अनेन प्रकारेण एष धिस्ण्येषु । इत्य् एषा । अत्र सर्वत्र चतुर्भुजस्यैवानुसन्धाने सत्य् अपि द्विधा गतिः । एकाधिष्ठान-परिचर्यैवाधिष्ठातुर् उपासना-लक्षणा । मन्दिर- लेपनादिना तद्-अधिष्ठातृ-प्रतिष्ठाया इव । यथा वैष्णवे बन्धु-सत्- कृत्या गोष्व् अङ्ग यवसादिनेत्य् आदि । यतो बन्धु-सत्कारो वैष्णव-विषयक ईश्वरे तु प्रभु-भाव उपदिश्यते । ईश्वरे तद्-अधीनेषु [भ्प् ११.२.४४] इत्य् आदौ । तथा गो-सम्प्रदानकम् एव यवसादि-भोजन-दानं युज्यते । न तु श्री-चतुर्भुज-सम-प्रदानकम् अभक्ष्यत्वात् । यद् यद् इष्टतमं लोके यच् चाति-प्रियम् आत्मनः । तत् तन् निवेदयेन् मह्यं तद् आनन्त्याय कल्पते ॥ [भ्प् ११.११.४१] इति तत्र च पूर्वम् उक्तम् । अन्या तु साक्षाद् अधिष्ठातुर् उपासना-लक्षणा । यथा हृदि खे ध्यान-निष्ठया तोये द्रव्यैस् तोय-पुरस्कृतैर् इत्य् आदि । अत्राग्न्य्-आदौ तद्-अन्तर्यामि-रूपस्यैव चिन्तनं कार्यम् । न जातु निज-प्रेम-सेवा-विशेषाश्रय-स्वाभीष्ट-रूप-विशेषस्य । स तु सर्वथा परम-सुकुमारत्वादि-बुद्धि-जनितया प्रीत्यैव सेवनीयः । यथोक्तं श्री-भगवतैव - वस्त्रोपवीताभरणैः [भ्प् ११.२७.२९] (पगे १५४) इत्य् आदि । तेषां यथा-भक्ति-रीत्या परमेश्वरस्यापि तथा-भावः श्रूयते । यथा नारदीये - भक्ति-ग्राह्यो हृषीकेशो न धनैर् धरणी-धर । भक्त्या संपूजितो विष्णुः प्रददाति मनोरथम् ॥ तस्माद् विप्राः सदा भक्तिः कर्तव्या चक्र-पाणिनः । जनेनापि जगन्नाथः पूजितः क्लेशहा भवेत् ॥ [नार्प् २.३.३-४] इति । अत्र दृष्टान्त उपजीव्यः । वैपरीत्ये दोषश् च । यथा ग्रीष्मे जलस्य पूजा प्रशस्ता वर्षासु निन्दिता । यद् उक्तं गारुडे - शुचि-शुक्र-गते काले येऽर्चयिष्यन्ति केशवम् । जलस्थं विविधैः पुष्पैर् मुच्यन्ते यम-ताडनात् ॥ धनागमे प्रकुर्वन्ति जलस्थं वै जनार्दनम् । ये जना नृपति-श्रेष्ठ तेषां वै नरकं ध्रुवम् ॥ इति । एवम् अन्यत्रापि परिचर्या-विधौ तद्-देश-काल-सुखदानि शतशो विहितानि । तद्-विपरीतानि निषिद्धानि च । विष्णु-यामले - विष्णोः सर्व-र्तु-चर्याम् इति । अतएवोक्तं यद् यद् इष्टतमो लोके [भ्प् ११.११.४०] इत्य् आदि । तत्र तत्रेष्ट- मन्त्र-ध्यान-स्थलं च सर्वर्तु-मुख-मय-मनोहर-रूप-रस-गन्ध- स्पर्श-शब्द-मयत्वेनैव ध्यातुं विहितम् अस्ति । अन्यथा तत्-तद्-आग्रहस्य वैयर्थ्यं स्यात् । तस्माद् अग्न्य्-आदौ तत्-तद्-अन्तर्यामि-रूप एव भाव्य इति स्थितम् । ॥ ११.११ ॥ श्री-भगवान् ॥ २९५ ॥ [२९६-२९७] अथ नैवेद्यार्पण-प्रसङ्गे यः क्रम-दीपिका-दर्शितो निरुद्ध- नामात्मको मन्त्रस् तस्य स्थाने श्री-कृष्णैकान्तिक-भक्तास् तु तन्-मूल- मन्त्रम् एवेच्छन्ति । तथा यच् च तन्-मुख-ज्योतिर्-अनुगतत्वेन ध्यातुं विधीयते, तत् तु भोजन-समये तन्-मुख-प्रसादम् एव मन्यन्ते । भोजनं तु यथा लोक-सिद्धम् एव नर-लीलात्वात् श्री-कृष्णस्य । अथ जपे मन्त्रार्थस्य नानात्वेऽपि पुरुषार्थानुकूल एवासौ चिन्त्यः । यथा श्रीमद्-अष्टाक्षरादाव् आत्मनिवेदन-लक्षण-चतुर्थ्याद्य-भाववति मन्त्रे तद्-अनुसन्धानेनएति । एवम् अन्येऽपि पूजा-विधयो यथायथं योजनीयाः । शुद्ध-भक्ति-सिद्ध्य्-अर्थं सर्वासां भक्तीनाम् एव शुद्धत्वाशुद्धत्व- रूपेण द्विविधो हि भेदः सम्मत इति । तद् एतद्-अर्चनं फलेनाह - एवं क्रिया-योग-पथैः पुमान् वैदिक-तान्त्रिकैः । अर्चन्न् उभयतः सिद्धिं मत्तो विन्दत्य् अभीप्सिताम् ॥ [भ्प् ११.२७.४९] उभयत इहामुत्र च । यथा -- माम् एव नैरपेक्ष्येण भक्ति-योगेन विन्दति । भक्ति-योगं स लभत एवं यः पूजयेत माम् ॥ [भ्प् ११.२७.५३] नैरपेक्ष्येण निरुपाधिना भक्ति-योगेन प्रेम्णा । स च भक्ति-योग एवं पूजायाः स्याद् इत्य् आह भक्तीति । ॥ ११.२७ ॥ श्री-भगवान् ॥ २९६-२९७ ॥

[295] athādhiṣṭhānantarāṇi caivam | yathā - sūryo'gnir brāhmaṇā gāvo vaiṣṇavaḥ khaṃ maruj jalam | bhūr ātmā sarva-bhūtāni bhadra pūjā-padāni me || sūrye tu vidyayā trayyā haviṣāgnau yajeta mām | ātithyena tu viprāgrye goṣv aṅga yavasādinā || vaiṣṇave bandhu-sat-kṛtyā hṛdi khe dhyāna-niṣṭhayā | vāyau mukhya-dhiyā toye dravyais toya-puraḥ-saraiḥ || sthaṇḍile mantra-hṛdayair bhogair ātmānam ātmani | kṣetra-jñaṃ sarva-bhūteṣu samatvena yajeta mām || dhiṣṇyeṣv ity eṣu mad-rūpaṃ śaṅkha-cakra-gadāmbujaiḥ | yuktaṃ catur-bhujaṃ śāntaṃ dhyāyann arcet samāhitaḥ || [BhP 11.11.42-46] ṭīkā ca - idānīm ekādaśa pūjādhiṣṭhānāny āha sūrya iti | he bhadra ! adhiṣṭhāna-bhedena pūjā-sādhana-bhedam āha sūrya iti tribhiḥ | trayyā vidyayā sūktair upasthānādinā | aṅga he uddhava ! mukhya-dhiyā prāṇa- dṛṣṭyā | toye toyādibhir dravyais tarpaṇādinā | sthaṇḍile bhuvi | mantra- hṛdayai rahasya-mantra-nyāsaiḥ | sarvādhiṣṭhāneṣu dhyeyam āha dhiṣṇeṣv eteṣv iti | iti anena prakāreṇa eṣa dhisṇyeṣu | ity eṣā | atra sarvatra caturbhujasyaivānusandhāne saty api dvidhā gatiḥ | ekādhiṣṭhāna-paricaryaivādhiṣṭhātur upāsanā-lakṣaṇā | mandira- lepanādinā tad-adhiṣṭhātṛ-pratiṣṭhāyā iva | yathā vaiṣṇave bandhu-sat- kṛtyā goṣv aṅga yavasādinety ādi | yato bandhu-satkāro vaiṣṇava-viṣayaka īśvare tu prabhu-bhāva upadiśyate | īśvare tad-adhīneṣu [BhP 11.2.44] ity ādau | tathā go-sampradānakam eva yavasādi-bhojana-dānaṃ yujyate | na tu śrī-caturbhuja-sama-pradānakam abhakṣyatvāt | yad yad iṣṭatamaṃ loke yac cāti-priyam ātmanaḥ | tat tan nivedayen mahyaṃ tad ānantyāya kalpate || [BhP 11.11.41] iti tatra ca pūrvam uktam | anyā tu sākṣād adhiṣṭhātur upāsanā-lakṣaṇā | yathā hṛdi khe dhyāna-niṣṭhayā toye dravyais toya-puraskṛtair ity ādi | atrāgny-ādau tad-antaryāmi-rūpasyaiva cintanaṃ kāryam | na jātu nija-prema-sevā-viśeṣāśraya-svābhīṣṭa-rūpa-viśeṣasya | sa tu sarvathā parama-sukumāratvādi-buddhi-janitayā prītyaiva sevanīyaḥ | yathoktaṃ śrī-bhagavataiva - vastropavītābharaṇaiḥ [BhP 11.27.29] (page 154) ity ādi | teṣāṃ yathā-bhakti-rītyā parameśvarasyāpi tathā-bhāvaḥ śrūyate | yathā nāradīye - bhakti-grāhyo hṛṣīkeśo na dhanair dharaṇī-dhara | bhaktyā saṃpūjito viṣṇuḥ pradadāti manoratham || tasmād viprāḥ sadā bhaktiḥ kartavyā cakra-pāṇinaḥ | janenāpi jagannāthaḥ pūjitaḥ kleśahā bhavet || [NārP 2.3.3-4] iti | atra dṛṣṭānta upajīvyaḥ | vaiparītye doṣaś ca | yathā grīṣme jalasya pūjā praśastā varṣāsu ninditā | yad uktaṃ gāruḍe - śuci-śukra-gate kāle ye'rcayiṣyanti keśavam | jalasthaṃ vividhaiḥ puṣpair mucyante yama-tāḍanāt || dhanāgame prakurvanti jalasthaṃ vai janārdanam | ye janā nṛpati-śreṣṭha teṣāṃ vai narakaṃ dhruvam || iti | evam anyatrāpi paricaryā-vidhau tad-deśa-kāla-sukhadāni śataśo vihitāni | tad-viparītāni niṣiddhāni ca | viṣṇu-yāmale - viṣṇoḥ sarva-rtu-caryām iti | ataevoktaṃ yad yad iṣṭatamo loke [BhP 11.11.40] ity ādi | tatra tatreṣṭa- mantra-dhyāna-sthalaṃ ca sarvartu-mukha-maya-manohara-rūpa-rasa-gandha- sparśa-śabda-mayatvenaiva dhyātuṃ vihitam asti | anyathā tat-tad-āgrahasya vaiyarthyaṃ syāt | tasmād agny-ādau tat-tad-antaryāmi-rūpa eva bhāvya iti sthitam | || 11.11 || śrī-bhagavān || 295 || [296-297] atha naivedyārpaṇa-prasaṅge yaḥ krama-dīpikā-darśito niruddha- nāmātmako mantras tasya sthāne śrī-kṛṣṇaikāntika-bhaktās tu tan-mūla- mantram evecchanti | tathā yac ca tan-mukha-jyotir-anugatatvena dhyātuṃ vidhīyate, tat tu bhojana-samaye tan-mukha-prasādam eva manyante | bhojanaṃ tu yathā loka-siddham eva nara-līlātvāt śrī-kṛṣṇasya | atha jape mantrārthasya nānātve'pi puruṣārthānukūla evāsau cintyaḥ | yathā śrīmad-aṣṭākṣarādāv ātmanivedana-lakṣaṇa-caturthyādya-bhāvavati mantre tad-anusandhānenaeti | evam anye'pi pūjā-vidhayo yathāyathaṃ yojanīyāḥ | śuddha-bhakti-siddhy-arthaṃ sarvāsāṃ bhaktīnām eva śuddhatvāśuddhatva- rūpeṇa dvividho hi bhedaḥ sammata iti | tad etad-arcanaṃ phalenāha - evaṃ kriyā-yoga-pathaiḥ pumān vaidika-tāntrikaiḥ | arcann ubhayataḥ siddhiṃ matto vindaty abhīpsitām || [BhP 11.27.49] ubhayata ihāmutra ca | yathā -- mām eva nairapekṣyeṇa bhakti-yogena vindati | bhakti-yogaṃ sa labhata evaṃ yaḥ pūjayeta mām || [BhP 11.27.53] nairapekṣyeṇa nirupādhinā bhakti-yogena premṇā | sa ca bhakti-yoga evaṃ pūjāyāḥ syād ity āha bhaktīti | || 11.27 || śrī-bhagavān || 296-297 ||

English translation

English witness · section(s) 299

Anuccheda 299

1 In this way the worship of the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has been explained. In the Agama-sastras and other scriptures other aspects of Deity worship are also discussed. Included in these are Sri Krsna-janmastami, Karttika-vrata, Ekadasi, Magha-snana and other auspicious vows. 2 In the Visnu-rahasya, in a conversation of Brahma and Narada, Janmastami is described in the following words: "With devotion, and without cheating on one's true financial situation, the devotees should observe the birthday of Devaki's son. One who does not observe this holy day will stay in hell for the lifetimes of fourteen Indras." 3 It is also said: "One who neglects Sri Krsna-janmastami and follows another vow in its place does not attain any pious merit that has even been seen or heard of anywhere." 4 Not cheating on one's true financial situation is described in these words of the Eight Canto (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.19.37): "Therefore one who is in full knowledge should divide his accumulated wealth in five parts: for religion, for reputation, for opulence, for sense gratification and for the maintenance of his family members. Such a person is happy in this world and in the next."* 5 Now Karttika will be described. In the Skanda Purana it is said: "O child, all holy places reside in the month of Karttika, which is eternally dear to Lord Krsna. Whatever pious deeds one performs to please Lord Visnu during the month of Karttika brings a benefit that is eternal. O Narada, I speak to you the truth. 6 "A person who refuses to follow the vow of this month, which is very dear to Lord Damodara, loses his pious deeds and takes birth as an animal. 7 Now ekadasi will be described. Even they who are not Vaisnavas should regularly observe ekadasi. This is described in the following words of the Visnu-dharma Purana: "Whether a Vaisnava or a worshipper of Surya, one should regularly observe ekadasi." 8 In the Saura Purana it is said: "Whether a Vaisnava, a worshipper of Lord Siva, or a worshipper of Surya, one should regularly observe ekadasi." 9 In the Narada-pancaratra, in the discussion of duties to be performed after initiation, after the passage beginning with the words "samayams ca pravaksyami", it is said: "During ekadasis of both paksas one should not eat. At that time one should keep an all-night vigil and one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead." 10 In the Visnu-yamala, in the discussion of the dig-viddha ekadasi, it is said: "One should not act impiously on either the sukla or the krsna ekadasis, without distinction. In the same way, on ekadasi one should not, if one is able, eat fruits or other foods. One should not perform a sraddha ceremony on ekadasi. On dvadasi on should not sleep during the day and one should not pick tulasi leaves." 11 During dvadasi one should not bathe Lord Visnu during the daytime. In the Padma Purana, Uttara-khanda, in the description of Vaisnava-dharma, it is said: "One should observe the vow of dvadasi". 12 In the Skanda Purana, Kasi-khanda, Sauparna-dvaraka-mahatmya, Candrasarma recounts the following vow of devotional service: 13 "O Lord Krsna, please hear my vow. For this day on I will never eat during ekadasi. On every ekadasi I will observe an all-night vigil. 14 "With great devotion I will worship You every day. I will not observe the viddha-ekadasis. To please You I will observe the eight maha-dvadasis. This is my vow." 15 In the Agni Purana it is said: "On ekadasi one should not eat. That is the great vow of the Vaisnavas." 16 In the Gautamiya Tantra it is said: "If a Vaisnava foolishly eats during ekadasi, he worships Lord Visnu in vain. He will go to a terrible hell." 17 In the Matsya and Bhavisya Puranas it is said: "One should fast on the sukla and krsna ekadasis and break the fast on dvadasi. That is the great vow of the Vaisnavas." 18 In the Skanda Purana it is said: "He who eats during ekadasi murders his mother, father, brother and spiritual master. He falls from the path that leads to Visnuloka. 19 The Vaisnavas always fast on ekadasi. On ekadasi they will not even eat maha-prasadam, what to speak of other foods, which they are forbidden to eat at any time. 20 In the Narada-pancaratra it is said: "O Narada, one must always accept the remnants of food offered to the Lord. However, on ekadasi one must not accept them. Even Goddess Laksmi, and her peers observe ekadasi. What, then, can be said of other persons?" 21 In the Brahmanda Purana it is said: "Without first offering them to Lord Visnu, one should not enjoy or consume any leaf, flower, fruit, water, food, drink, or medicine. 22 "They who do enjoy or consume these things without offering them first should perform atonement. One should always offer all of these things first to Lord Visnu before one consumes or enjoys them oneself." 23 Now will be discussed the importance of always observing an all-night vigil on ekadasi. In the Skanda Purana, Lord Siva tells Goddess Uma: "They who do not observe an all-night vigil on ekadasi are rebuked by the Vaisnavas and their piety is destroyed. 24 "They who never consider observing an all-night vigil on dvadasi are not qualified to worship Lord Krsna." 25 By observing ekadasi and dvadasi one pleases Lord Visnu. This is explained in the following words of the Padma Purana, Uttara khanda: "O goddess, now I will describe the observance of dvadasi. Simply by hearing these words one pleases Lord Krsna." 26 In the Bhavisya Purana it is said: "Sacred ekadasi destroys all sins. It is a lamp that lights that path of devotion to Lord Visnu. It leads one to the highest goal of life." 27 By showing how ekadasi is observed by Sri Ambarisa and other great souls who have faith in devotional service alone and who eat only maha prasadam offered to the Lord, Srimad Bhagavatam affirms that the observance of ekadasi is an important part of devotional service to Lord Visnu. 28 In the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya, is told the story of how by observing ekadasi during the month of karttika a brahmana's daughter became Lord Krsna's dear Satyabhama. What more need be said? 29 Now the month of Magha will be discussed. In the Garuda Purana it is said: "O leader of the demigods, O husband of Saci, the rare month of Magha is very dear to the Vaisnavas, devas, rsis and munis. It is especially dear to Lord Madhava." 30 In the Skanda Purana, in a conversation of Brahma and Narada, it is said: "O Narada, year after year one should regularly bathe during the month of Magha. One should do this to please Lord Krsna and to destroy all one's past sins." 31 In the Bhavisya Purana, Uttara-khanda it is said: "A person who renounces sense pleasures and bathes at dawn during the month of Magha goes to Visnuloka with twenty one generations of his kinsmen." 32 Many other vows beginning with Sri Rama-navami and Vaisakha-vrata should also be understood here. All are included as pious deeds. 33 Pious deeds are described in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.1.19): "While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to please the Supreme Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen by his various relatives."* 34 Here the word "vratani" means "many vows, beginning with ekadasi". This verse describes the activities of Vidura. This verse was spoken by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami.