By Kesava Krsna Dasa
Somehow, some of us might secretly feel the need to add (over-intelligent) to what Srila Prabhupada has already given us. Our thoughts could be, “This process requires too much patience… there must be a quicker way…” which subtracts from our Founder Acarya. How can we acknowledge the fullness of his teachings and what does it mean to have implicit faith in the spiritual master?
“The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant.” (SB 7.15.26)
This same problem seemed to have existed during Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s time as well. If this is the case, then we can be extra thankful to Srila Prabhupada that he stuck with the ‘basics’ as it were, in order to safeguard our Krishna consciousness. Did he ever reveal his own spiritual identity? Did he ever suggest taking shelter of or hearing from ‘rasika’ sources? Think of the precedent it might have set if he had done so.
We may think that Srila Prabhupada’s teachings are staid, sober and restrained, and we have been following these teachings for years with ‘little progress’ to show for it, then there must be some extra ‘higher’ embellishment required to help supplement his methodology. Having already thought of or added to what he knows best for us, already indicates a shortfall of required faith. It also turns something simple into complicated diversions. Why is this problem so prevalent?
We can cite many reasons for such problems, but we have to examine how complete Srila Prabhupada’s process is for us – not by reading or hearing every single word he ever wrote or said, but by taking to heart the essence of his teachings. How so? By a proper service attitude. They are actually profound, esoteric and mystical, and we can feel a definite safety of shelter under his shelter.
After a number of years of practice, devotees will naturally be drawn to matters such as the ‘forbidden’ writings of those pure souls who reveal their inner visions or sphurtis – they are attractive. Curiosity can also pique our interest. Some enlightened souls say that unless we have reached the level of bhava, we cannot really relish such high matter. Yet, these appear to add to an otherwise ‘normal’ routine of service and regulation.
This could be where a major problem lies; not so much in esoteric subject matter, but in our irreverent mood of service for the mission of Srila Prabhupada. If our resolve for service is ‘normal’ or just simply ‘necessary,’ we could be attributing the same averageness to Srila Prabhupada as well, who is “just keeping me occupied and busy.”
Realistically, any service done for the mission of Srila Prabhupada is a mystical and esoteric event. Such service can award profound answers to profound questions, and yes, even reveal to us our ultimate in spiritual aspirations. It can be hard to find enchantment in ‘routine’ service, and once we lose our reverence for service, the corresponding irreverence spreads, so we need something to compensate – how about Gita-govinda and other similar writings.
Whether one is a professor from Benares or a shaman from the Amazon, a simple engagement of service can and will provide the highest award. Such gifts are of a different nature to our borrowed acquisition or learning of higher information, for they are real and substantial. These gifts really do shape our perspective with siddhanta acuity.
These descended gifts can be partial or fuller – ye yatha mam prapadyante – and can be revealed whenever the Lord wishes, by causeless mercy. They can be in the form of revealed knowledge or visions. Some devotees think these gifts only come when one is a perfect pure devotee. This is not always the case. Do we remember young Dhruva Maharaja who was unable to offer prayers to the Lord?
“Dhruva Mahārāja never went to any school or academic teacher to learn the Vedic conclusion, but because of his devotional service to the Lord, as soon as the Lord appeared and touched his forehead with His conchshell, automatically the entire Vedic conclusion was revealed to him. That is the process of understanding Vedic literature. One cannot understand it simply by academic learning. The Vedas indicate that only to one who has unflinching faith in the Supreme Lord as well as in the spiritual master is the Vedic conclusion revealed.” (SB 4.9.6 purport)
We place a lot of needed emphasis on academic study of Srila Prabhupada’s books for understanding and effective preaching, but these alone will not award perfection without a faithful, sincere service attitude. Will the example of the brahmana who could not read Bhagavad-gita be of assistance?
“Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told the brahmana, “Indeed, you are an authority in the reading of the Bhagavad-gita. Whatever you know constitutes the real purport of the Bhagavad-gita.” (CC Madhya 9.102)
“The mind of the brahmana was purified by the revelation of Lord Krishna, and therefore he could understand the truth of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in all details. (CC Madhya 9.105)
The brahmana was awarded with – Krishna-sphurtye—by revelation of Lord Krishna, simply by faithfully serving his spiritual master. We may try to squeeze out higher meanings from Srila Prabhupada’s words, and they are there – the esotericism is hidden behind the English language that he uses. We may also try to acquire ‘forbidden’ higher sphurti information without relish. If these attempts are accompanied by faithful service, we might benefit.
Given the understanding that we should simply serve, we might think that it is unnecessary to learn further about devotion in the higher realms, and so should just remain unduly staunch and strict in vaidhi, and hope that one day some automatic revelation will come our way by service. It is not as simple as that, especially if we have a doer mentality, which equates with artificiality. It could also signify jnana-laden devotion that hardens the heart. Faith in the spiritual master outdoes this type of thinking:
“By various practices, one may come to the point of controlling the senses, but simply controlling the senses does not bring one to a substantial conclusion. However, by staunch faith in the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one not only controls the senses but also realizes the Supreme Lord.” (SB 7.15.28 purport)
Although we understand that we simply have to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission and that perfectional results might descend anytime, we still need to foster higher devotional aspirations. If we do not have such aspirations, our devotional staunchness and strictness can end up being laborious and artificial:
“It is the aspiration of a devotee that while he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra his eyes will fill with tears, his voice falter and his heart throb.” (CC Adi 7.81 purport)
“Simply by rendering service to the spiritual master, one crosses the ocean of nescience and returns home, back to Godhead. Thus he gradually sees the Supreme Lord face to face and enjoys life in association with the Lord. The ultimate goal of (Bhakti) yoga is to come in contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unless this point is achieved, one’s so-called yoga practice is simply labour without any benefit.” (SB 7.15.28 purport)
What is the difference between doer and artificial devotion and having staunch faith in the spiritual master? Does not faith in the spiritual master mean to staunchly and strictly follow his every order in vaidi-bhakti? Yes, but there has to be quality and no extra endeavour – self-doer ship. This quality is shown by how we allow the Lord who has superior qualities, to help influence our devotion:
“One should not artificially try to see the form of the Lord while chanting Hare Krishna, but when the chanting is performed offenselessly the Lord will automatically reveal Himself to the view of the chanter. The chanter, therefore, has to concentrate on hearing the vibration, and without extra endeavor on his part, the Lord will automatically appear.” (SB 4.8.53 purport)
To either add to (over-intelligent) or subtract (underestimation of Srila Prabhupada) from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings indicate lapses of faith. When niggling doubts cloud our faith in the spiritual master, can we wonder why certain spiritual progress is curtailed, let alone expect “automatic revelations?” If we go on with our doer assertiveness in spite of this, our service attitude to the spiritual master can get skewed:
“The spiritual master is not actually happy if the disciple brings him money, but when he sees that a disciple is following the regulative principles and advancing in spiritual life, he is very glad and feels obliged to such an advanced disciple.” (CC Adi 7.91 purport)
The “regulative principles” are meant for “advancing in spiritual life,” not fighting a doer losing battle. Of course, we cannot determine whom or how the Lord reveals Himself or His Cit-potency (knowledge) to anyone, but it is usually on the basis of implicit faith and service:
Syamasundara: It seems only natural, gradually if you are all the time serving, serving, serving Krishna, eventually…
Prabhupada: Yes, this is the only way. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. By your service, Krishna will automatically reveal Himself. He wants service; therefore He said, “Surrender unto Me.” “Surrender unto Me,” not stop all activities. (Room conversation, Sydney, April 2, 1972)
These edicts seem to some, so simplistic and normal that we can lose sight of the bigger or unlimited picture. Although we are repeatedly reminded to serve and follow, this is where the actual enchantment and mystique of devotion lies, truly hidden behind such humble and faithful service. And in such service we are encouraged to go higher:
“So our Krishna consciousness means we have to increase our attachment for Krishna to the perfectional stage, when there is no more order, but automatically. Automatic. That is required.” (Lecture, Los Angeles, January 15, 1969)
Since chanting Hare Krishna and preaching constitutes the highest forms of service, we can reflect on what we might have been told by our superiors while engaging in book distribution or preaching, that “One day, while preaching this way… you’ll hear Krishna’s ankle bells tinkling…”
There is truth in this statement, though the magnitude of such revelation will be beyond normal comprehension. If our faith appears to be that of believing in something intangible, our resolute patience will hopefully unleash all the magic of being rightful heirs to eternal confidential service unto the Lord. “When Krishna offers anything, it is beyond the expectation of the devotee.” (SB 4.8.40 purport)
Ys Kesava Krsna Dasa – GRS.
Krishna is the Supreme Person. He is all-knowing, and an ocean of mercy. He knows the time, the situation, the setting, for revelation, and nothing can expedite that. Our target is “love of Krishna”, prema-bhakti. Whether Krishna is present in His eternal transcendental form before us, or not, our aspiration should be for prema-bhakti. Surely, Krishna knows everything. He has His own personality and ways. He sent Uddhava, His friend, to Vrindaban, to witness the attitude of the gopis. Their love is the example of Lord Chaitanya’s prayer, “Govinda is my Lord, and I must serve and love Him unconditionally, even if He handles me roughly by His embrace.”
If one is so fortunate to have Krishna’s revelation, then the sweetness of that ecstatic love can never be equalled by anything else. Like Narada, who had the darsan of Lord Vishnu but once in his life, and spent a lifetime of hoping against hope that he might again have His darshan, the super-excellence of Krishna’s all-encompassing sweet love and ecstasy is the goal of eternal existence. To have His association, in whatever form He may choose, and however, remote He may desire, to have the possibility to exchange His love only to have it multiplied infinitely upon returning it to Him, divine rasa, our senses separate yet one with His divine senses, acintya bhedabheda tattva, nothing more to be known beyond Him…all of this will be arranged by His own sweet Causeless Mercy. For me, for us, we must cultivate ever-deeper dependence and faith in Him. He will never be blind to us. But, He is fully independent, and His dramatic nature will be revealed to us as He chooses, when He chooses, to whom He chooses, to melt our hearts with the ever present hope of His divine loving service. We must act with the knowledge that there is nothing else. The alternative is to be captivated by a form 77%water and 23% mud, the external energy. Nothing material can compare to the beauty of Krishna. For each of us, Srila Prabhupad has given us the positive real reality, and shown us the way to live happily here and in the hereafter.
Pusta Krishna das