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By Kesava Krsna Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n There is a standard way by which most devotees learn the precepts of the Bhagavad-Gita through our colleges and seminars. We memorise some important verses and understand how Lord Krishna weaved His way through various systems of thought and deed, gradually rising up to full surrender. In addition, Srila Prabhupada\u2019s purports help to comprehend what could otherwise be any layman\u2019s claim to tainted truth, as the number of false editions of Bhagavad-Gita show.<\/p>\n But whatever the accepted standard, the words of Lord Krishna cannot be subjected to any finality, or blanket communal understanding. The ever-fresh realisations that accrue from reading and studying this sacred dialogue, attest to the truth that the Lord\u2019s words have no limit. Indeed, some commentaries of Bhagavad-Gita, written by our previous acaryas, displayed traits of rasika thoughts suitable to their inner fulfilment.<\/p>\n In comparison with these commentaries, which Srila Prabhupada was aware of, some people will perhaps wonder why Srila Prabhupada did not do likewise. Or are they correct in making this assumption? The sometimes overly keen objective to experiment with matters lofty and reserved, will take Srila Prabhupada\u2019s extremely careful and gradual approach to spiritual life as a beginners guide for novices, and not much more. To arouse the innate raga-spontaneity is to increase ones eligibility by moving on.<\/p>\n Srila Prabhupada himself said that the tenets of the Bhagavad-Gita precede those of the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Chaitanya Charitamrta, but we would be na\u00efve to suppose that Lord Krishna\u2019s words in Bhagavad-Gita are made redundant in terms of spiritual progress. To relegate the importance of the Bhagavad-Gita, and Srila Prabhupada\u2019s rendition, As It Is, is to miss the essence of the Lord\u2019s teachings, which have the versatility of His unlimited will.<\/p>\n A limited gratitude for the merits of Bhagavad-Gita will presume: \u201cWhen Krishna speaks on the battlefield of Kuruksetra to the materialistic person it appears that this is simply talk between two friends, but actually it is a river of nectar flowing down from the mouth of Sri Krishna. (NOD chapter 10) Added to this, the Bhagavad-Gita can induce transcendental bliss, or relishing the mellow: \u201cThis joyous life is attained by one\u2019s reaction to reading Bhagavad-Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam\u201d. (NOD chapter 20)<\/p>\n Clearly, there is much, much more to the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is than meets our dualistic perceptions, and an increased dosage of surrender, plus the \u201cyasya deve para bhaktir\u201d factor, and sincere chanting will all combine to enhance the required state of consciousness to appreciate this scripture. After all, to relish spiritual bliss while reading Bhagavad-Gita is to possess higher awareness, preferably if the mood is spontaneous. So, does Srila Prabhupada encourage his followers to rise to higher realms of devotion in the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is?<\/p>\n Srila Prabhupada\u2019s English usage.<\/p>\n Srila Prabhupada does not belabour his readers with much Sanskrit technical jargon or parlance. After familiarising ourselves with his way of writing, a certain skill in extrapolating deeper meanings from key words help to define his real intentions. For instance, if someone is on the lookout for his use of the words \u2018raganuga\u2019, or \u2018ragatmika\u2019 as evidence for leading us in a higher direction, will be slightly disappointed to learn he did not frequently use these terms.<\/p>\n He did however, more commonly use words like spontaneous, spontaneously, perpetually, always, constantly, twenty four hours a day, attachment, and so on, if when placed in the right context, roughly share the same definition. Key words such as these can pinpoint deeper than surface meanings, and accurately reveal the benefit from his explanations.<\/p>\n Protection of the BG 9.34 verse.<\/p>\n As many will know, this verse is located right in the heart of Bhagavad-Gita. \u201cThe first six and the last six chapters are like coverings for the middle six chapters, which are especially protected by the Lord\u201d. (BG 8, 28 purport) How significant this verse is can be found in a most telling statement: \u201cThis is the most important instruction in all Vedic literature. What Krishna is saying in this connection is the most essential part of knowledge\u201d. (BG 18.64 purport)<\/p>\n If this verse is so highly regarded, should we expect to read an out-of-reach purport by Srila Prabhupada that causes our cerebral matter to swim? Probably, but Srila Prabhupada is an extremely responsible vaisnava author, for he resists any temptation to flaunt his inner joy, and instead does some protection work, in consideration of the times we live in, and the plentiful spurious editions of Bhagavad-Gita on the market.<\/p>\n Before commencing on his Nectar Of Devotion: \u201cSrila Rupa Goswami prays to his spiritual master, Srila Sanatana Goswami for the protection of Bhakti-Rasamrta-Sindhu \u2018The Ocean of the pure nectar of devotional service\u2019 from the argumentative logicians who unnecessarily meddle in the science of service to the Lord\u201d. (NOD introduction) <\/p>\n In the BG 9.34 purport, we see some kind loving guidance and protection for the readers, and even for the verse itself, from the unauthorised laymen who claim to understand Lord Krishna\u2019s words by writing false editions of Bhagavad-Gita. Just as Bhisma and Bhima were generals who protected their armies, Srila Prabhupada is the foretold general who is performing his duty perfectly well.<\/p>\n Bhagavad-Gita 18.65.<\/p>\n We should know that some other Bhagavad-Gita verses already allude to spontaneous devotion. BG 12.8: \u201cJust fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me, without a doubt\u201d, is Krishna\u2019s preferential mode of worship, failing which, we should engage in regulative Bhakti. Then we have verses where \u2018constant\u2019 devotion continues \u2018always\u2019 or \u2018perpetually\u2019, as in verses BG 9.14, 10.9 and 10.10. And BG 9.13 describes a genuine Mahatma living under Yoga-Maya.<\/p>\n Since BG 18.65 is a repeat of BG 9.34, should we expect more highbrow rasika revelations in the purport to this verse? By identifying the essential key words, we can understand what is meant when becoming a \u2018pure\u2019 devotee who is \u2018always\u2019 thinking of Krishna, and should act \u2018twenty four hours a day\u2019, so that one can do nothing but think of Krishna, makes it quite clear. Then he says that such a \u2018pure\u2019 devotee will see Krishna \u2018face to face\u2019. Only a devotee situated in Bhava-Bhakti or beyond can have this type of darshana. This is hardly novice fare.<\/p>\n The confidential trio: BG 18.64, 65, and 66.<\/p>\n In SB 2.4.16, we find these three verses spoken together in a charming, less formal and disarming way. \u201cMy dear Arjuna, you are very dear to Me, and therefore only for your good I will disclose the most secret part of My instructions. It is simply this: become a pure devotee of Mine and give yourself unto Me only, and I promise you full spiritual existence, by which you may gain the eternal right of transcendental loving service unto Me. Just give up all other ways of religiosity and exclusively surrender unto Me and believe that I will protect you from your sinful acts, and I shall deliver you. Do not worry any more\u201d.<\/p>\n When Lord Krishna says to surrender unto Him in verse BG 18.66, rather than this being the final stop, it is really to help make it easier for us to practice the essence as found in the \u201cman-manah\u2026\u201d verse. To substantiate this, we find \u201c\u2026but one who fully surrenders unto the Lord to render service unto Him, out of spontaneous love for Him, factually assimilates the essence of all knowledge described in the Vedas. One who adopts this method very skilfully attains perfection of life at once\u201d. (SB 2.4.16 purport)<\/p>\n That Srila Prabhupada used the word \u2018spontaneous\u2019 in relation to the essence of the Bhagavad-Gita, should leave little room for doubting of his keen wish to see his followers become spontaneous pure devotees. This is to demonstrate that his teachings given through every medium are bursting with the aim to raise us to this point and beyond. His very life itself was a demonstration of this high ideal.<\/p>\n Some other examples.<\/p>\n The \u201cman-manah\u2026\u201d verse is so versatile that Srila Prabhupada quoted it to illustrate both basic and advanced levels of devotion. But in the right places at the right times, when the consciousness of the readers has risen, we observe more overt references to raga-bhakti in relation to Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. <\/p>\n If we take for instance this statement from SB 5.1.38, we find this: \u201cOur hearts are meant for the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This means that one should be fully Krishna conscious; thinking of Krishna, as He Himself advises man-mana-bhava-mad-bhakto, mad yaji mam namaskuru (BG18.65)\u201d. Clearly, to have a pure heart able to witness the ongoing pastimes of the Lord, live as they unfold, is the stuff of Prema-Bhakti, yet this verse fits quite comfortably up there.<\/p>\n In the Teachings Of Lord Chaitanya chapter 11, also in relation to the \u201cman-manah\u2026\u201d verse, we find this: \u201cSuch a direct instruction is more important than any Vedic instruction or even regulative principle\u201d. In this way, just a few examples exemplify the preferred meanings of the essence of Lord Krishna\u2019s words, which should comfort the sceptics to know that following Srila Prabhupada means to be under his expert care, guidance, and protection, from our first stumbling steps of devotion, through to the higher realms.<\/p>\n Capturing the essence.<\/p>\n If out of many who follow this path of devotion only a few will succeed in this lifetime, the difference will be in who can skilfully capture the essence of the spiritual masters teachings and intentions, and apply them in life. This essence soars way above surface measurements afforded by our comparative egos, and simplifies the resolve to just be a surrendered servant of the vaisnavas.<\/p>\n These are big words coming from an equally big ego that I possess, who writes like a \u2018pure\u2019 devotee with the authority of an airtight \u2018can-do-no-wrong\u2019 assurance, but I too, hope to be poised to ascend the devotional heights. This hope is the causeless grace of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, without which, all my spiritual attempts are so much verbiage and plain ordinary endeavour.<\/p>\n The answer to the question, does Bhagavad-Gita lead us to Raga-Bhakti, will be found in those fortunate few whose skill enables them to actually spiritually relish the Bhagavad-Gita, and whose gentle lives are living emblems of the essence of the Vedas. \u201cThis essence is not understood by a common man, but by one who is actually very dear to Krishna, a pure devotee of Krishna\u201d. (BG 18.64 purport)<\/p>\n Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa \u2013 GRS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Srila Prabhupada himself said that the tenets of the Bhagavad-Gita precede those of the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Chaitanya Charitamrta, but we would be na\u00efve to suppose that Lord Krishna\u2019s words in Bhagavad-Gita are made redundant in terms of spiritual progress. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-kesava-krsna-dasa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6181\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Hare](\"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/srimad_bcdavad_gita.jpg\")
By Kesava Krsna Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n