Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Kill the Ravana within before it kills us

Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord, did not have to personally appear in this world to kill the demon Ravana and free the world from his atrocity. The Supreme Lord creates this universe and also destroys this universe as per his will. So, he could have killed Ravana just by desiring to kill Ravana.

But he incarnated in this mortal world to reveal that he is so magnanimous that he is always willing to forgive the conditioned souls for even the greatest sin and is ready to give his shelter to anyone who seeks it.

In Ramayana we see that Lord Rama was willing to forgive Ravana for all his misdeeds. So, he gave the demon king several chances to rectify his mistakes and become his devotee. But sadly, overpowered by lust and false pride, Ravana refused to take shelter of Lord Rama who is celebrated as the Supreme shelter of the universe.

Lusty Ravana disregards godly advice

Vibhishana, a devotee of Rama, tried his best to counsel his brother but the arrogant Ravana rebuked Vibhishana and threw him out of his kingdom. Hanuman, one of the most celebrated devotees of Lord Rama, advised Ravana to return mother Sita but Ravana devoid of good sense tried to insult and torture Hanuman by setting his tail on fire. Hanuman showed his prowess by burning the entire golden city of Lanka with his tail which was put on fire by the foolish followers of Ravana. Just before the beginning of the battle Angada too had gone as peace messenger, requesting Ravana to follow the principles of dharma and return mother Sita.

But the ten headed Ravana was so full of ego, arrogance and pride that he thought that he will be able to enjoy with mother Sita by killing her husband, the Supreme Lord, Rama. Ravana’s stubbornness did not just cause his own death but his sons, brothers, ministers and uncountable soldiers were also killed.

In Lanka, women became widow, children orphans and elderly parents had to suffer the agony of the death of their sons and witness the suffering of their daughter in laws and grandchildren.

Lust is the gateway to hell

In Bhagavad Gita 16.21, Lord Krishna says that lust, anger and greed is the gateway to hell. Ravana is a symbol of lust. From Ravana’s life we can understand how dangerous lust is and how it completely ruins one’s life.

As soon as one develops lustful thoughts and starts acting on it, his or her misery begins. Ravana’s suffering and humiliation began as soon as he desired to enjoy mother Sita and started acting on his lustful propensity.  Although he succeeded in kidnapping Sita, but he was not even able to go close to her. He foolishly thought that Sita, the eternal consort of Lord Rama, will be captivated by his heroic deeds and vast wealth and kingdom. For his lust he was rebuked by his near and dear ones constantly. In fact, he had become a laughingstock. Even his sons had advised him to return Sita. 

Just imagine in today’s era if a Prime Minister of a country who is already married, has grown up children, kidnaps someone else’s wife and tries to marry her but the lady constantly refuses his proposal then what will be his image among the people.

From the life of Ravana, we should learn that we should never have any lusty thoughts about opposite sex. And even if such thoughts come to our mind because of our past conditionings, we should never try to fulfill it. It will ruin our life. 

Lord Rama helps his devotee to kill the Ravana within

Lord Rama killed Ravana several centuries back but the demon as lust still resides in our heart forcing us to indulge in sinful activities which brings misfortune in our life. Lust is our biggest enemy, and we should put in our best efforts to free ourselves from all lusty thoughts. As Lord Rama gave many chances to Ravana to reform, similarly the merciful Lord also has given us opportunities to kill the Ravana within us.

We contemplate on lustful thoughts and act on it because we think that it is the highest pleasure we can get. And we do not want to deprive ourselves of that pleasure. But if we analyse our own life, we will see that lust may give some temporary feeling of happiness but ultimately it brings misery. If we study the life of great spiritual personalities in Ramayana, we find that instead of engaging their mind and senses in lusty thoughts and activities, they engaged it in serving Lord Rama and experienced great bliss.

The monkeys are considered inferior to human race but by assisting Lord Rama in his mission they became so glorious that today great scriptures and great devotees of Lord Rama sing their glories.  While serving Lord Rama the monkey warriors enjoyed every moment of their life and thus perfected their lives.  

Happiness one experiences in serving the Lord is trillion times greater than any material happiness  including the happiness of enjoying with opposite gender.  That transcendental joy which is everlasting can be achieved if with determination and courage we give up the shelter of Ravana like Vibhishana.  The all-loving Lord will happily accept us like he accepted Vibhishana.

Chant cleanses the heart of lust

One of the best ways to take shelter of the Supreme Lord is by chanting his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. In Siksastakam verse 1, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says that chanting is so potent that it cleanses the heart of all the impurities which we have accumulated life after life. Once one starts developing taste in chanting the holy names of the Lord, one starts losing interest in satisfying any material desire.

Sri Yamunacarya, a great devotee of Lord Krishna who is none other than Lord Rama says, “Since I have been engaged in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa, realizing ever-new pleasure in Him, whenever I think of sex pleasure I spit at the thought, and my lips curl with distaste.” Bhagavad Gita 5.21 purport

The fire of lust will destroy our life but love for Lord Rama will purify our life. Let us kill the Ravana within before it kills us by becoming a sincere devotee of Lord Rama and by engaging our mind and senses in his constant devotional service. The Supreme Lord who conquered mighty Ravana will help us to conquer lust which is a great destructive force.

It will open the gateway to unlimited transcendental happiness

Krishna’s love is selfless and everyone else love has selfish motive

If you observe carefully, you will find that even the person who loves you the most may have some selfish motive. Only Krishna’s love is selfless devoid of all selfish motives.

Our heart has an innate longing to love and be loved. Just as fish cannot live without water, similarly we cannot live without being loved. A lonely heart is a miserable heart. But loving relationship with fellow human beings of this world almost always gives frustration. Either the person whom we love does not reciprocate with our love or even if we experience love it has to end when we have to leave this world.

Love between parents & children is also not perfect

Parents have great attachment for their children (own children) because they feel that their children belong to them. So, they do everything for their children. But when the children grow up, they develop attachment for someone else – to their spouse or to their own children.

Generally, it is seen that children’s love for their parents is not as strong as parents love for their children. It is also seen that in spiritually uncultured society, children throw their parents to old age homes considering them to be a burden.

Does husband & wife love each other selflessly?

A man and woman get attracted to each other and develop strong bonding with each other. But the attraction and attachment are not selfless. A man is attracted to woman’s beauty and woman is attracted to man’s money-making ability. So, if a woman loses her beauty which happens for sure as time passes by, the man may start looking for beauty somewhere else. And if the man’s bank balance starts depleting, woman’s love for man too starts decreasing, she may begin looking for some wealthy paramour.

In India a husband and wife may not leave each other for someone else because family culture and values are still intact to some extent here. But in western countries, it does happen.  However as the influence of western or atheistic culture is growing, we see that divorce rate is also increasing in India especially in big cities. 

But even if husband and wife do not separate, they start losing affinity for each other if their needs or desires are not taken care by each other. And in their mind, they fret marrying a wrong person.  If God would have given us the power to read other’s mind, then almost everyone in this world would be heartbroken! But, the Lord, knew our heart, so did not gift us this ability.

Read: Whom do you love more – Krishna or your husband?

We see that some people become so frustrated because of betrayal by their partners that they keep dogs in their house as life partners. They share their joys and sorrows with their four-legged partner. But as human beings, we need other human beings to take care of our emotional needs.

Any relationship ultimately frustrate in this world

None of the relationship in this world is perfect and purely selfless. Each one looks what is in it for me. No one wants to sacrifice for others’ happiness, but everyone wants others to sacrifice for their happiness.

And suppose that we are extremely fortunate that we get a partner who loves us a lot, is ready to sacrifice everything for us but still the destructive time takes that special one away from us. And then we are terribly lonely.

Relationship in this world ultimately frustrates us, and this is the reason that in this world every soul eventually suffers. 

This is why Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that this world is temporary and miserable. It is not just that this world gets destroyed, so it is temporary, but the relationship also ends abruptly here. The world is miserable because it does not just give us physical pain but most of the time it gives us emotional pain and makes us heartbroken.

Our great longing to love and be loved can never be satisfied by the lesser mortals of this world. Those who understand this and realize this start looking for that love, which is selfless, fulfilling, everlasting and exists even after we die.

Pure selfless love is possible only with Krishna

That pure selfless love is possible only with Krishna. The fortunate souls who have thoroughly understood this reality give up all pain giving relationship of this world and work hard to develop strong relationship with Krishna, the Lord of our heart. Since Krishna is supremely pure, so our love for him does not manifest completely unless we become completely pure. But even if in our impure state we start developing love for Krishna, Krishna starts reciprocating. Those who try this will agree with me.

Scriptures say that Krishna always loves us whether we love him or not. This is the reason that as Paramatma or Supersoul, he always lives with us in our heart. Uddhava puts it beautifully, “He [Supersoul] is present in the hearts of all living beings, just as fire lies dormant in wood.

Krishna does not leave us even for a moment. He is even there in the heart of an atheists who hates him.  His love for you and me is not based on any selfish motive, it is purely selfless.

In this world we see that parents love their children because they expect that their children will take care of them when they are old. A wife loves her husband because he provides her financial security. And a husband loves his wife because she fulfills his physical needs.

But Krishna does not expect anything from us. He has no ulterior motives. In spite of our shortcomings and imperfections, he loves us without any expectation. But we the unfortunate souls look for love from someone else who love themselves and not us. And so, we suffer again and again.

Hearts longing to love & be loved is satisfied only by Krishna

When we go through the pages of Bhagavad Gita, we come to know what is there in Krishna’s heart. In this epic transcendental treatise, Krishna, who is celebrated as the Supreme Lord by all the authorized Vedic scriptures, tirelessly tries hard to tell us that do not suffer in this world but come to me, I will fill your life with love and happiness.

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” Bhagavad Gita 8.15

Great spiritual personalities rejected all so-called flickering material relationship and only focused on developing loving relationship with Krishna. They attained complete perfection and their heart’s longing to love and be loved completely got satisfied. When love for Krishna completely manifests in the heart, the soul joyful floats in the ocean of transcendental bliss.

Who is Lord Nityananda and what was his mission?

A girl on her deathbed finds peace in Hare Krishna Mahamantra

A Polish girl suffering from cancer finds peace when she begins chanting and hearing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra

Dying peacefully

HH Indradumnya Maharaj writes about her in his diary.

“The girl was 16 when she discovered that she has cancer & the cancer had already spread all over her body. The girl was undergoing through tremendous physical pain but fortunately she had discovered a medicine which would help her to bear the unbearable pain. She would find solace & comfort in singing the Hare Krishna kirtan (song). Slowly her condition deteriorated further & it became impossible for her to even speak. Then she requested her brother to sing the kirtan for her.

Her brother who was studying in a college used to phone her and sing the kirtan for her everyday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. It continued for 2 months. And one fateful night the girl left this world while her brother was singing the kirtan for her. Her brother was not aware that his sister has already died. He continued singing the Mahamantra. His mother who was with his sister during her last moments picked up the phone and informed him that his sister is no more. Controlling her tears, she thanked her son for singing the Mahamantra and said, “Your sister died peacefully.” (Reference: travelingmonk.com, I-never-Cry, Volume 11, Chapter 10, Oct 11, 2010).”

The girl was able to withstand tremendous physical pain because she was able to raise her consciousness from material to spiritual. No doubt, her physical body was suffering but her soul was experiencing peace and happiness when she chanted or heard the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

When can we transcend physical pain?

Our real identity is that we are spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Just like our dress covers our body, similarly our physical body covers our soul. The dress we wear does not last forever, similarly the body we wear goes through wear and tear before it makes it final journey to the graveyard. When we give up our old dress, we wear the new one. Similarly, our soul takes up new physical body when our present body becomes unsuitable for living.

If you and me can understand that we are souls and as souls, we are eternal then physical pain and unpleasant material circumstances won’t trouble us much. We will transcend all the pains.

Why don’t we experience we are souls?

But the problem is that we do not experience that we are souls?

Just like we feel that we are sitting inside a car, similarly why don’t we feel that as souls we are sitting inside our body?

Scriptures say that it is because our consciousness is contaminated in this world. It is covered with the impurities of lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion, false ego.

If you make a person wear glasses covered with thick layer of mud, then he won’t be able to see anything. For him everything will look same i.e. black.

Similarly, since we are engrossed in matter, and our consciousness is covered with multiple layers of impurities, so we cannot distinguish between matter and spirit. They look same to us and so we always identify ourselves with our physical body.

Now, if the person cleans the mud from his glasses, then he can see things clearly. Similarly, if we remove the impurities which is blinding our consciousness then we will be able to see ourselves as souls residing in temporary physical body.

Is it possible to clean the impurities? If yes, then how?

Cleaning the impurities is a difficult task, but it is not impossible. Merely by thinking or by verbally saying that we are not this body, but spirit souls will not make us realize that we are spirit souls.

For this, we will have to make conscious efforts. Scriptures have given us a process to remove these impurities.  The holy books say that in the present age, chanting the names of God is the most potent way to clean the heart of all the vices. But what mantra to chant? All the authorized mantras of the Lord are great, but the best is the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

When we start cleaning our heart, we slowly begin to differentiate ourselves from the physical body and physical world. In the beginning our understanding is at preliminary stage but gradually our vision becomes clearer and when we become completely pure, we clearly see that we are souls sitting inside the body.

As souls we belong to Krishna. The greatest benefit of chanting is that it not just purifies our heart, but it also helps to re-establish our relationship with Krishna, our Supreme Father.

When an orphan child reunites with his father, his joy is unlimited. Similarly, when we reconnect to Krishna, we experience incalculable bliss. As soon as we start the process of reconnecting with Krishna, happiness starts manifesting in our heart.

What happens when heart is completely cleansed of all the impurities?

At the onset of dawn there is some glimpses of sunlight, but darkness is also there. Similarly, when we start the process of Krishna Consciousness by chanting the names of Krishna then slowly darkness caused by impurities from our heart starts dissipating. Transcendental happiness starts appearing in our heart but because the impurities are still not completely purged so we do not experience complete joy. So, we suffer too.

When sun appears completely in the eastern horizon then darkness is completely gone. Similarly, when by our sincere chanting, Krishna’s love illuminates our heart then our heart is cleansed of all the impurities. In that spiritual light our consciousness awakens, we forgo all our physical and material attachment and joyfully swim in the ocean of transcendental bliss.

Conscious efforts to connect to Krishna

The fortunate young Polish girl was able to minimize her suffering because she intelligently took the medicine of the holy name. She could not do much about her physical pain. But she uplifted her consciousness by making conscious effort to connect to Krishna. She found joy in hearing the kirtan of Krishna because chanting and hearing nourished her soul.

Physical pain and pleasure are flickering. It comes and go. But spiritual joy is eternal and unlimited. So, we should make conscious efforts to connect to Krishna by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, it will bring peace and happiness.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught how to overcome our suffering?

Most of us do not know how not to suffer. So, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and taught us how to overcome our suffering?

Who does not want freedom from suffering? Is it not true that none of us want to suffer in this world? Have you seen or met anyone who desperately want to become miserable? No sane man would even think of it. But we suffer. Whether we want it or not some unfortunate things happen in our life.

So, is there any way by which we can free ourselves from all suffering?

The answer is yes.

God does not want us to suffer. So, he gave us Vedic scriptures. This transcendental literature teaches us how to live happily in this world. But in spite of that we disregard the teachings of the scriptures. So, the Supreme Lord personally appears in this world to teach us how to lead a pure life so that we attain complete freedom from all suffering.

In this age of Kali Yuga the Supreme Lord appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he taught us how to overcome all our suffering. Before discussing further, let us know who Lord Chaitanya is?

Knowing Lord Chaitanya

Lord Chaitanya is the Supreme Lord. He is Lord Krishna and He is Lord Jagannath. So, Vasudeva Gosh while extolling the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sings, “jei gaura sei kṛṣṇa sei jagannāth.” Lord Chaitanya appeared around 500 years ago in Mayapur.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura elaborately explains it, “Caitanya Mahāprabhu [Lord Chaitanya] was born in Māyāpur, in the town of Nadia, just after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phālguna, 1407 Śakābda, answering to the 18th of February 1486, of the Christian Era.” Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Prologue by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was unhappy when he saw his unfortunate children, you and me, suffering in this world.

Why you & me suffer?

We the people of Kali Yuga are unfortunate. We are unfortunate because we have chosen to be unfortunate. Intentionally, we disregard the teachings of the Vedic scriptures given to us by the Lord. Instead, we like to live independently or rather whimsically. We explore all means to enjoy in this ephemeral material world with our temporary material body and constantly flickering senses. In our pursuit of enjoyment, we fail again and again. In fact, instead of enjoyment we mostly get suffering, but the saddest part is that sometimes we do not even realize that we are suffering.

Even the greatest material accomplishment cannot satiate our heart and is taken away from us at the time of our death. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, our creator, our father, was sorry to see the plight of his children. So, he came.

Most important reason for suffering

We have forgotten our true spiritual identity that we are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. We have forgotten that we are spiritual beings and not material beings. And because of this ignorance, we get entangled in this material world. We try our best to gratify our material body and material senses hoping that it will give us joy. We even indulge in sinful activities. Sinful activities mean those actions which are prohibited by the scriptures. Sin causes suffering.

Many times, we become so habituated to commit sinful activities that in spite of knowing that our action is bringing misery we continue committing it. It increases our suffering, we become helpless and slowly hopeless. Everything starts with ignorance, ignorance of not understanding our relationship with the Supreme Lord.

Attaining freedom from never ending suffering

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this age of downfall to deliver us, the unfortunate souls of Kaliyuga, from our never-ending suffering. He gave us the medicine of the holy names of Krishna, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, which has the potency to give us freedom from all our suffering. He asked everyone to sincerely and attentively chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Chanting the Mahamantra not just frees us from suffering, but it also fills our heart with unlimited bliss.  

Glory of Hare Krishna Mahamantra

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu extols the glories of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra beautifully in his Siksastakam Prayers, “Glory to the Sri-Krsna-Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon.”

Just as sun appears darkness disappears. Similarly, as soon as the holy names of Krishna, appears in our heart by our sincere chanting, our ignorance disappears which is the root cause of our suffering. When our ignorance starts disappearing, we start understanding that we are souls eternally related to Lord Chaitanya. When this understanding dawns upon us, we start putting our best efforts to re-establish our relationship with the Lord.

With determination we try not to indulge in any sinful activities. Slowly because of the mercy of the holy name, our heart gets purified of all sinful desires and proclivities. And what about our past sins? It gets burnt to ashes. So, just by chanting the names of Krishna, our life becomes all auspicious. We attain love of Krishna and even become qualified to return back to the spiritual world, our original home. This is the greatest gift of Lord Chaitanya to us, to the entire human civilization. 

Srila Rupa Goswami, a great Vaisnava acharya, glorifies Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in these beautiful words, “I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, who is more magnanimous than any other avatāra, even Kṛṣṇa Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given — pure love of Kṛṣṇa.” Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 14.16”

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s greatest gift

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gifted us the holy name and taught us that just by chanting these transcendental names of Krishna we can overcome all suffering and can attain Krishna.

So, if we should sincerely take up this process of mantra meditation. Anyone can chant this great mantra – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, men, women, young, old, Indians, non- Indians. For chanting no qualification is required, we just need to have sincere desire to chant in our heart. We can chant at anytime and at any place.

Although best is to chant early in the morning and at a place where there is no distraction. But if we are not able to chant in the morning then we can chant at any time of the day which is suitable for us. And even if we do not find any quiet place still we can chant at public place quietly without disturbing others.

Whenever and wherever we are chanting we should sincerely try to absorb ourselves in holy name. This will make our life auspicious and as promised by the Supreme Lord, will grant us freedom from all suffering.

In Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī writes,”In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”

What is raganuga bhakti & who is qualified to practice it?

Raganuga sadhana bhakti is a devotional practice wherein an advanced devotee develops a genuine desire to serve Krishna just like the eternal residents of Vrindavan. So, the advanced devotee endeavours to cultivate the mood of a brajvasis of Goloka Vrindavan.  Raganuga sadhana bhakta’s desire and attraction to serve Krishna is natural and spontaneous. This stage is achieved only when one has developed deep love and attachment for Krishna. And also is free from all material contaminations.

Raganuga Bhakti Explained

Raganuga bhakti cannot be practiced artificially. In Raganuga bhakti, an advanced devotee tries to serve Krishna by following the footsteps of an eternal associate of Krishna in Vrindavan. One may follow the footsteps of Nanda or Yashoda or Krishna’s cowherd friends or gopis. By serving Krishna following the footsteps of Krishna’s eternal associate, a devotee will also eventually get qualified to serve Krishna in that rasa in the spiritual world. Srila Prabhupada explains, “There is a gradual development of the ambition to become like a particular devotee, and this activity is called raganuga.” Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Sixteen. So, Raganuga bhakti develops gradually.

Srila Prabhupada elaborately explains in the purport of Sri Chaitanya Charitamṛta, Madhya Lila 22.153. “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura says that a devotee is attracted by the service of the inhabitants of Vrindavana — namely the cowherd men, Maharaja Nanda, mother Yashoda, Radharaṇi, the gopis and the cows and calves. An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by an eternal servitor of the Lord. This attraction is called spontaneous attraction. Technically it is called svarupa-upalabdhi. This stage is not achieved in the beginning. In the beginning one has to render service strictly according to the regulative principles set forth by the revealed scriptures and the spiritual master. By continuously rendering service through the process of vaidhi bhakti, one’s natural inclination is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or raganuga bhakti.”

Difference between Ragatmika-bhakti and Raganuga bhakti

There are two terminologies – Ragatmika-bhakti and Raganuga bhakti. Ragatmika-bhakti is practiced by the eternal residents of Vrindavan who are perfected devotees. Raganuga bhakti is means following the footsteps of ragatmika bhaktas. For example, Nanda Maharaj and mother Yashoda are practicing ragatmika bhakti. Now, if an advanced devotee develops a desire to serve Krishna like a parent in Vrindavan then he will follow the footsteps of either Nanda Maharaj or Mother Yashoda. This practice will be called as raganuga bhakti.

An example

Skanda Purana tells the story of a man who was living in Hastinapur. He developed a desire to serve Lord Krishna as his son. Sage Narada explained him that to serve Krishna like a parent, he should follow the footsteps of Nanda Maharaj. He followed the instruction of the sage and achieved desired result. Here it should be noted that the man did not want to become Nanda Maharaj. But he wanted to serve like Nanda Maharaj.

So, an advanced devotee does not want to become Yashoda, Nanda or Lalita sakhi in Vrindavan. Instead, they follow their footsteps, perfect their lives and become qualified to serve like them eternally in Vrindavan.

Who is eligible to practice raganuga bhakti?

“ When an advanced, realized devotee hears about the affairs of the devotees of Vrindavana — in the mellows of santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya — he becomes inclined in one of these ways, and his intelligence becomes attracted. Indeed, he begins to covet that particular type of devotion. When such covetousness is awakened, one’s intelligence no longer depends on the instructions of śāstra [revealed scripture] or on logic and argument.”

So, one of the most important requirements is to have intense longing to serve Krishna like a particular resident of Vrindavan. When one develops that deep genuine craving then one starts following the footsteps of Krishna’s eternal associate of Vrindavan.

Freedom from anartha nivritti is must

Raganuga bhakti can be practiced by only those devotees who are very advanced and pure. In the nine stages of bhakti there is a stage called anartha nivritti. It is the stage where devotees have to struggle the most. It is not easy to get free from anarthas like lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion.  But after determined practice of bhakti, one is able to pass the stage of anartha nivritti.

One cannot even think of practicing raganuga bhakti unless one has crossed the stage of anartha nivritti. For raganuga bhakti, freedom from all material contamination is a must. Practicing devotees like us still have desire to enjoy this material world. We are still struggling with anarthas, so we cannot serve Krishna spontaneously. So, it is recommended that we practice bhakti as per the direction of the spiritual master and the scriptures.

However, an advanced devotee can practice raganuga bhakti, but Srila Prabhupada cautions that even if one has become completely pure and is eligible to practice raganuga bhakti still he should follow the principles of sadhana bhakti. At our stage we should not think that we have become qualified to practice raganuga bhakti and foolishly try to imitate Krishna’s eternal associates in Vrindavan.  

Srila Prabhupada on siddha pranali

There are certain people residing in Vrindavan who follow a process call siddha pranali. In siddha pranali they imagine that eternally they are gopis or gopas of Vrindavan.  Or they think that be imitating goipis and gopas or eternal residents of Vrindavan they will become like them. And so, they start imitating their behaviour externally. Since they are not pure, their activities create disturbance in the society.  Sometimes we see that some people start claiming that it is revealed to them that they are gopis of Vrindavan. Not just women, even men start claiming. So, men dress like gopis. They wear saris, nose rings, earrings and decorate themselves like gopis. None of the Vaisnava acharyas have approved this.

There are some pseudo gurus in Vrindavan who claim that they can reveal the eternal swarupa (identity) of a person in Vrindavan or can train a person to become a gopi or gopa. There are instances that some Iskcon devotees too get carried away by the unscrupulous teachings of such unauthorized gurus and start imitating the footsteps of eternal associates of Krishna.

An Example

For example, one of the devotees who had come to Vrindavan with Srila Prabhupada, one day started making the sound of a peacock and started behaving like a peacock.

When he was asked why he is doing so then the devotee said that one of the guru’s in Vrindavan told him that his real identity is of a peacock in Vrindavan. And so he should practice becoming a peacock in this life. When Srila Prabhupada heard, he disapproved this and said this is nonsense.

As a practicing devotee we should first practice the regulative principles of sadhana bhakti diligently and get free from all the anarthas. 

Iskcon devotees should never give up sadhana bhakti

In fact, the acharyas have said that even if one has become pure and is completely qualified for raganuga bhakti, still he should follow the principles of sadhana bhakti. Srila Prabhupada gives following guidelines to advanced devotees, “….he should always continue to act as a neophyte devotee as long as his material body is there. Activities in devotional service under regulative principles must be followed even by the pure devotee.”

So, for all the devotees of Iskcon irrespective of their number of years of practice, Srila Prabhupada has instructed that they should follow the regulative principles of sadhana bhakti given in the scriptures. This is why we see many Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, Iskcon Sannyasis although are very advanced but they still practice vaidhi sadhana bhakti. They attend mangal arati, Narasimha arati, Tulasi arati, darshana, arati, guru puja and chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. They do not neglect any guideline laid down by Srila Prabhupada.  

Referring to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura’s explanation to Sri Chaitanya Charitamṛta, Madhya Lila 22.165, Srila Prabhupada says, “Externally a devotee performs all the items of devotional service in nine different ways, beginning with sravaṇa and kirtana, and within his mind he always thinks of his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa and follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vṛndavana.”

Importance of attachment to nine process of devotional service

Prahlada Maharaja says that there are nine process of devotional service – sravanam (hearing), kirtanam(chanting), visnu smaranam (remembering), pada sevanam (serving the lotus of the Lord), arcanam (deity worship), vandanam (praying), dasyam (serving the Lord as a servant), sakhyam (serving as a friend) and atma nivedanam (surrendering everything to the Lord).

There are examples of devotees who attained complete perfection by following one of these processes

• sravanam (hearing),- Maharaj Parikshit
• kirtanam(chanting)- Sukhadeva Goswami
• visnu smaranam (remembering): Prahlad Maharaja
• pada sevanam (serving the lotus of the Lord): Lakshmi
• arcanam (deity worship): Prithu Maharaj
• vandanam (praying): Akrura
• dasyam (serving the Lord as a servant): Hanuman
• sakhyam (serving as a friend): Arjuna
• atma nivedanam (surrendering everything to the Lord): Bali Maharaj

Maharaj Ambarisa followed all the process and attained perfection. 

Srila Prabhupada says that among these nine process a devotee should chose the one which he likes the most. And then earnestly follow that process of devotional service. In this way he can become a pure and perfected devotee.

Conclusion

Raganuga bhakti is an advanced stage of devotional practice. Two most important qualification to practice raganuga bhakti are:

1. Intense craving to serve Krishna in a particular relationship like the eternal residents of Vrindavan
2. Freedom from all material contaminations.

One cannot practice raganuga bhakti artificially. Srila Prabhupada and great Vaisnava acharyas have said that even if someone is qualified to practice raganuga bhakti, still he should not give up the principles of Vaidhi bhakti. So, we see that many advanced devotees of Iskcon who have been sincerely practicing bhakti for than 50 years follows all the rules and regulations of vaidhi sadhana bhakti.

What is the attitude of devotees of Krishna towards suffering?

Everyone in this world has to suffer but our attitude towards suffering determine how much we are going to suffer. Devotees of Krishna suffer too. But Krishna’s devotees are sure that if they continue practicing unflinching devotion to Krishna then eventually, he will become free from all the sufferings. But as long as we remain in this world, we have to suffer for the sins which we committed in past.

Devotees patiently tolerate suffering

Materialistic people are heart broken when suffering befalls upon them, but devotees of Krishna do not become disheartened. Because they know that Krishna is always with them whatever may be the situation or circumstances. They do not give up their Krishna Consciousness in adversity. In fact, they become more serious in their devotional life understanding very well that the current suffering is because we forgot Krishna and forgot to live as per the instructions of Krishna.  

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.8 beautifully explains devotees attitude towards suffering. The verse says that devotees tolerate suffering and continue his spiritual journey even during difficult circumstances which makes them eligible for liberation. “My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.” 

Suffering does not go immediately because

Srila Prabhupada explains, “A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities.” So, in this world we will have to suffer. But our suffering will eventually end, we should have faith in Krishna. But suffering will not go away immediately, we need to have patience.

For example, if we switch off a ceiling fan then it does not stop immediately. As soon as we press the off button the speed of the fan gradually starts reducing before it completely stops. Similarly, as soon as we start practicing Krishna Consciousness then our suffering starts reducing.

For example, for a particular sin we might had to suffer a terrible reaction, but Krishna mercifully reduces our suffering. So, when we are suffering, we should be thankful to Krishna that he has minimised our suffering. During our suffering phase we should continue practicing Krishna Consciousness with sincerity and should patiently suffer the reactions of our sins. And we should also have complete faith that Krishna will ultimately end all our suffering. 

My Experience with suffering

Devotees of Krishna experiences that how Krishna intervenes and minimizes the suffering of his devotee.  I have also personally experienced this. Once I fell off from my bike on the road. There was heavy traffic. Somehow people who saw me falling down signalled the vehicles which were coming at high speed to stop. I would have met with a fatal accident but was fortunately saved. However, my leg got crushed under the bike. I had to go to hospital and the doctor said that the entire muscle of my foot has got crushed.

Doctor said that there is no medicine which can develop the muscles. But he said that these muscles will grow on its own and my foot will gain strength and I can then walk normally. I was bed ridden for many weeks. There used to be terrible pain in my foot, and I could not do much about it. But as the doctor had said, slowly the muscles of my foot got build up. And today I can walk normally and can again ride a bike.

As per my past sins I was supposed to suffer a lot. I may have lost my life or would have become handicapped. But Krishna mercifully reduced my pain and my suffering. I am extremely grateful to him.

To reform us, Krishna gives token punishment

In my day-to-day life there are many challenges which keeps on coming. Sometimes it is relationship issue with my spouse. Sometimes it is work issue or financial issues or health issue and so on. I have observed that sufferings keep on coming in different ways. And actually, I am responsible for all my suffering. Because in the past I misused my free will and I committed sins for which I am suffering now. After coming to Krishna Consciousness, I realize that if I do not want to suffer then I should not do anything which is against the scriptures. For my past sins, Krishna is giving me token punishment just to remind me that I should never commit any sins. So, even during suffering, we should never lose hope, should have faith and positive attitude.

Devotees great hope while dealing with suffering

To devotees, Srila Prabhupada gives a lot of hope when he says, “A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise, he should simply think of Kṛṣṇa and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God.” Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Ten, Techniques of Hearing and Remembering

So, by suffering patiently and practicing Krishna Consciousness with determination in adversity devotees become qualified to return back to Krishna. This is the reason that even during suffering devotees have positive attitude.

As long as we are in this material world, we have to suffer because this world is full of miseries. This is confirmed by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 8.15 when he says that this world is duḥkhalayam asasvatam. “After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” Bhagavad Gita 8.15.

So, when suffering comes, we should become more serious in our spiritual life. This is the only way by which we can free ourselves from suffering. Also, we should remember that if we want to lead a sin free happy life then we should do our best to return back to the spiritual world which is our original home. Because in that spiritual abode there is no suffering. There is only bliss.

What are the six characteristics of pure devotional service?

The six characteristics of pure devotional service are:

1. klesaghni: Pure devotional service gives immediate relief from all kinds of material distress.
2. subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.
3. moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service deride the conception of liberation.
4. sudurlabha: Pure devotional service is rarely achieved.
5. sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure.
6. sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.

1) Klesaghni: Gives immediate relief from all distress.

The first characteristic of pure devotional service, Klesaghni, manifests at the stage of nistha, steadiness.  Klesaghni means getting relief from all sufferings. We suffer because of the sins we committed in this life or in previous life.

Our sufferings have three causes:

1. Papam: We suffer because of our sins.
2. Bijam: We suffer because of our material desires. This is the secondary cause of our suffering.
3. Avidya: Our material desires are because of our ignorance. We fail to understand that we are in reality spiritual beings, and our eternal identity is that we are eternal servants of Krishna. Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering.

Padma Purana explains that sinful activities causes four kinds of sinful reactions:

Four kinds of sinful reactions are:

1. aprarabdha: The effect which is not yet fructified
2. kutam: The effect which is lying as seed
3. prarabdha: The effect which is already mature
4. karma bijam: The effect which is almost mature

As of now we are suffering because of our prarabdha karma and in future we will suffer because of aprarabdha karma. However, we can get relief from all distress if we take shelter of Krishna. Devotion to Krishna is so powerful that it burns all our sinful reactions. In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says to Uddhava, “My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire, which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.19.  So, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, is assuring that he will completely destroy all our aprarabdha karma, the unmanifest sinful reaction for which we had to suffer in future.  He also completely destroys our present sins for which we are currently suffering.

Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering

It is said that ignorance is the root cause of all our suffering. It is because of ignorance we get entangled in this material world and get materially contaminated. Material contamination leads to material desire and to satisfy our material desires we indulge in sinful activity which brings unlimited suffering in our life.

There are different rituals given in the Vedic scriptures to counteract our suffering. However, it has been observed that a Vedic ritual may sometime give relief from sinful reaction but it does not destroy sinful proclivity. And because of sinful proclivity a person again commits sin for which he has to again suffer.  However pure devotional service not just give relief from all distress but it completely purifies our heart of all material contamination, it totally destroys all our material desires and all our sinful proclivity. So, a sincere devotee of Krishna never again commits sins and so he never suffers again.

2) subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.

The second characteristic of pure devotional service, subhada, manifests at the stage of nistha, steadiness.  Pure devotional service is all auspicious because it

1. Benefits everyone
2. Attracts everyone
3. Produce good qualities
4. Bestow superior happiness

Benefits and Attracts Everyone

Padma Puraṇa glorifies pure devotional service, “A person who is engaged in devotional service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to be understood to be doing the best service to the whole world and to be pleasing everyone in the world. In addition to human society, he is pleasing even the trees and animals, because they also become attracted by such a movement.”

Lord Chaitanya practically showed that pure devotional service not just attract human beings, but it also attracts animals and trees. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was passing through the forest of Jharikhanda then all the animals including tiger, elephant, deer began dancing and singing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. We see that when Srila Prabhupada began worldwide preaching then many people who had earlier not even heard the name of Krishna became attracted to Krishna and became sincere devotees of Krishna.

Produce good qualities

Scriptures say that those who practice pure devotional service develop saintly qualities and it can be practically seen also. There were many hippies who were drug addict, animal flesh eater, would indulge in illicit sex and other abominable activities but once they began practicing devotion to Krishna they were able to give up all their sinful habits. They became sincere and serious devotees of Krishna. Many even became sannyasis and began preaching the message of Krishna all over the world.

In our life also we can see that once we have started practicing devotion to Krishna, we have been able to give up many bad habits. We see in this world that there are many highly materially educated people but they are addicted to sinful habits like intoxication and meat eating. But a devotee of Krishna may not be materially well educated but by practicing devotion to Krishna they become so pure that they are easily able to give up all the bad habits and is able to lead a happy life. In Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.12 Sukhadeva Goswami says to King Parikshit that those who have unflinching faith in Krishna and are without any duplicity develop all the good qualities of demigods.

Superior Happiness

Srila Rupa Goswami explains in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that there are three sources of happiness:

1. Happiness from material enjoyment i.e. through sense gratification
2. One derives happiness by identifying oneself with the Supreme Brahman i.e. by Brahman realization.
3. Happiness derived from engaging in pure devotional service to Krishna.

Out of these three, happiness derived by practicing Krishna Consciousness is the topmost. There are two reasons for this

1. Happiness achieved by pure devotional service is eternal whereas happiness derived from other process is temporary and flickering.
2. Also, happiness which we experience by engaging in pure devotional service to Krishna includes the happiness derived from other sources and also excels it.

We practically see that there are Mayavadi (impersonalist) sannyasis who are highly educated and very much realized souls but indulge in political or social welfare activities. It is because the happiness which they get by identifying themselves with Supreme Brahman does not satiate their heart, so they look for some material means to find happiness. There are mystic yogis who attain siddhis but they too cannot experience supreme enjoyment. The highest enjoyment is only in Krishna Consciousness.

Two Examples

So, we see that devotees of Krishna maybe material impoverished but they experience so much pleasure in Krishna Consciousness that the want nothing but Krishna. Kholaveca Sridhara was extremely poor, he had almost no material possession, but he would always joyful chant the names of Krishna. When Lord Chaitanya wanted to give him material opulence, he refused, because the happiness which he derived by chanting the names of Krishna was so great that nothing could have replaced it.

Prahlada Maharaja, a great devotee of the Lord, offers prayer to Lord Narasimhadeva, “My dear Lord, I repeatedly pray unto Your lotus feet that I may simply be stronger in devotional service. I simply pray that my Kṛṣṇa consciousness may be more strong and steady, because happiness derived out of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service is so powerful that with it one can have all the other perfections of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification and even the attainment of liberation from material existence.” Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya 

3) moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service derides the conception of liberation

At the stage of bhava, the third characteristics of pure devotional service manifests – moksa – laghutakrt. Explaining how pure devotional service is superior to liberation, Srila Prabhupada explains, “Srila Rupa Gosvami says that if brahmananda, or the happiness of becoming one with the Supreme, is multiplied one trillionfold, it still cannot compare to an atomic fraction of the happiness derived from the ocean of devotional service.”

This is the reason that devotees of Krishna do not want anything from Krishna not even liberation. It is because the joy they experience in practicing devotion to Krishna is unlimited which cannot be expressed in words.

4) sudurlabha: pure devotional service is rarely achieved

The fourth characteristics of pure devotional service – sudurlabha – manifests at the stage of bhava. One cannot attain pure devotional service by one’s own effort and also Krishna is reluctant to give it. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can easily give material happiness and he can even give liberation. But he does not easily give pure devotional service. It is because pure devotional service is so potent that Krishna himself gets purchased by it. We see in Vrindavan that Krishna becomes a puppet of brajvasis.

Sometimes mother Yashoda punishes Krishna, sometimes Krishna carries the shoes of Nanda Maharaj on his head. And sometimes the gopis ask Krishna to dance and the Supreme Lord starts dancing. Similarly, Krishna becomes the messenger of Pandavas and charioteer of Arjuna. We see that Krishna, the Supreme Lord, becomes subservient to his devotees. Since pure devotional service has the power to conquer and control the Supreme Lord, so Krishna is very reluctant to give pure devotional service. However, Krishna can bestow his mercy upon a sincere devotee and give him pure devotional service. Also, by the mercy of a pure devotee one can also achieve pure devotional service.

5) sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure.

The fifth characteristics of pure devotional service – sandrananda-visesatma – manifests at the stage of prema. It is explained that metal is so dense that nothing can penetrate it. Similarly pure devotional service is highly concentrated and dense and so no other thoughts and perception penetrates in the mind of a devotee. So, in pure devotional service, a devotee experiences condensed bliss.

6) sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.

The sixth characteristics of pure devotional service – sri krsnakarsini – manifests at the stage of prema. Krishna attracts everyone but pure devotional service even attracts Krishna. Srimati Radharani is the highest symbol of pure devotional service. Krishna is called Madana-mohana because he attracts thousands of cupids, but Radharani is so attractive that she even attracts Krishna. By her devotion, she controls Krishna. So, Radharani is called, Madana-mohana-mohini.

Devotional service is directly under the control of Srimati Radharani. So, if we have to practice pure devotion then we should follow the footsteps of Srimati Radharani. The residents of Vrindavan and all the pure devotees of Krishna always serve Krishna under the guidance of Srimati Radharani.

Lord Krishna himself confirms that he gets attracted by pure devotional service, “My dear Uddhava, you may know it from Me that the attraction I feel for devotional service rendered by My devotees is not to be attained even by the performance of mystic yoga, philosophical speculation, ritualistic sacrifices, the study of Vedānta, the practice of severe austerities or the giving of everything in charity. These are, of course, very nice activities, but they are not as attractive to Me as the transcendental loving service rendered by My devotees.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.20

Three categories of devotional service

Srila Rupa Goswami says that there are three categories of pure devotional service – sadhana bhakti, bhava bhakti and prema bhakti. In each of these categories, two characteristics of pure devotional service manifests as described below:

Sadhana bhakti

• klesaghni: Relief from all kinds of material distress.

• subhada: All auspiciousness.

Bhava bhakti (the previous two plus the following)

• moksa – laghutakrt: Happiness deriding conception of liberation.

• sudurlabha: Rarely achieved.

Prema bhakti (the previous four plus the following)

• sandrananda visesatma: Incalculable transcendental pleasure.

• sri krsnakarsini: Attracting Lord Krishna.

What is pure devotional service & its two characteristics – Svarupa-Laksanam and Tatastha-Laksanam?

The definition of pure devotional service is given by Srila Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Devotion (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu) 1.1.11

anyabhilasita-sunyam

jnana-karmady-anavrtam

anukulyena krsnanu-

silanam bhaktir uttama

“When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive actions. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna desires.”

In pure devotional service one has no desire for personal enjoyment, one just wants to serve Krishna constantly.  This is beautifully explained by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Siksastakam Text 4, “O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.”  

Pure devotional service has two characteristics – Svarupa-Laksanam (Primary Characteristics) and Tatastha-Laksanam (Secondary Characteristics).

1) Svarupa-Laksanam — Primary Characteristics

Pure devotional service has three primary characteristics (Svarupa-Laksanam):

1. It is for Krsna
2. Devotion to Krishna is an active engagement
3. It is executed with favourable intent.

1. Pure devotional Service is for Krsna

The first and the most important characteristic of pure devotional service is that it is for Krsna and not for anyone else.

Now when we say Krishna then it also includes:

• Krishna’s plenary parts and parcels like Baladeva, Sankarsana, Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Rama, Nrsimha, Varaha etc.
• His differentiated parts and parcels which means the living entities
• His multifarious energies – the material and spiritual worlds

However, it does not mean that the pure devotional can be for anything and everything because Krishna is anything. The correct understanding is that we can love and serve Krishna directly or love and serve those things and persons who are explicitly connected to Krishna. For example, we can love and serve Krishna’s expansions, His pure devotees, His places of pastimes, His paraphernalia.

2. Anusilanam — Devotional Service is an Active Engagement

Pure devotion is not passive but it is an active engagement. When we love someone then we try to do anything to please that person.  Similarly, if we love Krishna then we will put in our best efforts to please Krishna. Anusilanam has two aspects:

• Pravrtti or positive actions: Doing activities which are favourable to Krishna consciousness.
• Nivrtti or negative actions: Avoiding those activities which are unfavourable to Krishna consciousness.

To know the positive and negative activities, we should take guidance from our spiritual master who is coming in guru parampara, disciplic succession. These activities should be performed with our body, mind and words. For example, we should avoid breaking four regulative principles like meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. But we should do activities which are favourable to Krishna Consciousness like chanting the names of Krishna, deity worship, reading Srimad Bhagavatam.

3. Anukulyena — Favourable Intention

While doing devotional service, it is also important that our intent should be to please Krishna. Sometimes demons like Kamsa, Ravana give pleasure to Krishna by giving Krishna an opportunity to fight and protect His devotees. But we cannot say that the demons are engaged in pure devotional service because the demon’s intention is not to please Krishna but to give pain to Krishna and pain to Krishna’s devotees.

On the other hand, some activities may apparently appear that it is displeasing to Krishna but it will fall in the category of pure devotional service if the intent is pure. For example, mother Yashoda punishing Krishna may appear displeasing to Krishna, but it is actually pure devotional service because mother Yashoda’s intention is to always love and care for Krishna.

2) Tatastha-Laksanam — Secondary Characteristics

The two secondary characteristics, Tatastha-Laksanam, of pure devotional service are:

1. anyabhilasita-sunyam — pure devotional service is free from all ulterior motives

A pure devotee engages in serving Krishna only to please Krishna and guru. He does not want anything in return. Sometimes some people may visit temple, bow down to the deity, give donation but they may have hidden motives. For example, they may think that if they come to temple and give donation then in return Krishna will grant them benediction and give them lots of wealth. This is not pure devotional service.  Pure devotional service is free of all ulterior motives, the only motive should be to please Krishna.

2. jnana-karmady anavrttam — pure devotional service is not covered by philosophical or fruitive pursuits.

Philosophical speculation:

If philosophical speculation is taking one to voidism or impersonalism then it is dangerous because it takes one away from Krishna. So, Rupa Goswami is saying that pure devotional service should not be covered by philosophical speculation. But if philosophical speculation is taking one to Krishna then it is acceptable.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The ultimate end of philosophical speculation, then, must be Kṛṣṇa, with the understanding that Kṛṣṇa is everything, the cause of all causes, and that one should therefore surrender unto Him. If this ultimate goal is reached, then philosophical advancement is favorable, but if the conclusion of philosophical speculation is voidism or impersonalism, that is not bhakti.” Nector of Devotion, Introduction

Fruitive pursuits:

Fruitive pursuits may cover our devotional service to Krishna, so we should be cautious. There are many ritualistic or fruitive activities described in the Vedas and if one becomes attracted to these fruitive activities without understanding Krishna then these activities are unfavourable to Krishna Consciousness.  One may get caught up in fruitive activities and stop paying proper attention to pure devotional activities like hearing and chanting.

However, it does not mean that a devotee should not at all engage in ritualistic activities. Sometimes a devotee may perform some ritualistic activities out of social convention. Such activities do no cover devotional service. For example, Lord Chaitanya offered pinda when his father died.

But there are some activities that may cover devotional service. So, one should be very cautious about those activities. For example, putting faith in astrology. Astrology is a Vedic science, and it can serve some functional purpose. But if one gets too much caught up in astrology then he may start putting more faith in destiny then in bhakti.   Srila Prabhupada explains, “Actually, Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be based simply on hearing, chanting, remembering, etc. Described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are nine different processes, besides which everything done is unfavorable to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”

Srila Rupa Goswami has beautifully explained what constitutes pure devotional service. With this understanding we should try our best to engage in pure devotional service to Krishna.

What are the three main causes of suffering & how to get relief from all the sufferings?

There are three main causes of our suffering – papam(sin), bijam(desires) and avidya(ignorance). Srila Rupa Goswami explains in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of Devotion) that we suffer because of the sins which we have committed not only in this life but also in previous lives.  Let us explore the causes of our sufferings and most importantly how to get relief from all our sufferings. Srila Rupa Goswami explains about this in his book Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of Devotion).

Three causes of suffering

The three causes of our suffering are:

1. Papam: We suffer because of our sins.
2. Bijam: We suffer because of our material desires. This is the secondary cause of our suffering.
3. Avidya: Our material desires are because of our ignorance. We fail to understand that we are in reality spiritual beings, and our eternal identity is that we are eternal servants of Krishna. Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering.

Four kinds of sinful reactions

Padma Purana explains that sinful activities causes four kinds of sinful reactions:

Four kinds of sinful reactions are:

• The effect which is not yet fructified (aprarabdha)
• The effect which is lying as seed (kutam)
• The effect which is already mature (prarabdha)
• The effect which is almost mature (karma bijam)

And because of these sinful reactions we have to suffer a lot in this material world. However, if we take shelter of Krishna and engage in pure devotional service then these sinful reactions immediately get vanquished.

Let us see how devotional service destroys each of the sinful reactions:

1) Devotional service destroys unmanifest sinful reactions (aprarabdha-papam)

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says to Uddhava, “My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire, which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.19. Srila Prabhupada explains, “The purport is that as the blazing fire can burn any amount of fuel to ashes, so devotional service to the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can burn up all the fuel of sinful activities.” Nectar of Devotion, Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service Purport.

So, if we take shelter of Krishna then the Supreme Lord guarantees that he will completely destroy all our unmanifest sinful reactions (aprarabdha-papam). It means that whatever sins for which we were supposed to suffer gets destroyed. So, in future we will not suffer for those sins which we committed in the past.

For example, Mrugrari was such a cruel hunter that he would half kill animals and enjoy seeing them suffer and die. For this ghastly act he was supposed to suffer terribly in future. But once he took devotional service to Lord Krishna, he completely got purified and got freedom from all future sufferings.

2) Devotional service destroys manifest sinful reactions (prarabdha-papam)

Our present suffering is because of our past sins. If someone is born in the family of beggars or in a criminal family or in a family where many legal issues are going on or if someone is born as blind, deaf or dumb or suffers from other diseases by birth then it is because of their past sins.

However, devotion to Krishna is so purifying that a person who is suffering because of past sins can get relief from all the sufferings. Everyone is qualified to practice devotion to Krishna. Even someone born in the family of dog eaters can take to Krishna Consciousness. And Krishna as a loving father is always ready to free all of us from all kinds of sufferings.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Devahuti glorifies Lord Kapiladeva by saying, “My dear Lord, there are nine different kinds of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting. Anyone who hears about Your pastimes, who chants about Your glories, who offers You obeisances, who thinks of You and, in this way, executes any of the nine kinds of devotional service – even if he is born in a family of dog-eaters [the lowest grade of mankind] – becomes immediately qualified to perform sacrifices.” Srimad Bhagavatam 3.33.6.

Lord Krishna is so merciful that he forgives us of our past mistakes and purifies us if we take his shelter. However, it does not mean that we should start taking advantage of Lord’s benevolence and keep on committing sins thinking that Krishna will anyway purify us.

A pure devotee of the lord is always careful not to commit any sins.

3) Devotional service destroys Material Desires (bijam)

Getting relief from sins is not enough. It is important that we get freedom from our material desires. Because as long as we have material desires, we will commit sins and so we will suffer.  In Srimad Bhagavatam Parikshit Maharaj says that elephants may enter into a water body to take bath. The elephant may thoroughly clean his body but as soon as he comes out of the water, he takes dust from the shore and puts it on his body.

Similarly, there are people who atone for their sins but as soon there is an opportunity to commit sins, they indulge into it. And because of this they again have to suffer. So, it is important that sinful desires or sinful proclivity should be completely uprooted.

We can get completely purified of our sinful desires when we take shelter of Krishna.

Vedic rituals, austerity, giving charity may temporarily save us from sinful reactions but will not free us from sinful proclivities.  For example, Ajamila was doing his brahminical duties very nicely but since his sinful desires were not burnt completely so he fell down when he saw a prostitute. But later just by chanting the name “Narayan”, he was saved from Yamaduttas. And after that Ajamila practiced devotional life and got purified of his sinful proclivities.

Pure devotional service not just nullify the sinful desires, but it fills our heart with a desire to serve Krishna. Desire to serve Krishna is the antidote of material desire. Once we start experiencing bliss in serving Krishna, we give up all our material desires. When our sinful proclivity is gone, we do not commit any sins and so we do not suffer anymore.

4) Devotional service destroys Ignorance

Srila Rupa Goswami explains that among all the causes of suffering, ignorance is the root cause of all our sufferings. Because of ignorance we identify ourselves with our material body, mind and senses. And so we try to gratify our body, mind and senses in this world.  The more we gratify our material senses, more we get contaminated. We fail to identify that we are spirt souls, parts and parcels of Krishna.

So, instead of cultivating spiritual desires, we cultivate material desires. And because of worldly desires, we keep on committing sins and we suffer. However, when we start practicing devotion to Krishna, we get enlightened. Our true spiritual identity is revealed to us. We start understanding that we are spiritual beings, parts and parcel of Krishna.

Padma Purana explains that “Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the highest enlightenment, and when such enlightenment is there, it is just like a blazing forest fire, killing all the inauspicious snakes of desire.” Just like when there is forest fire all the snakes of the forest get killed, similarly devotion to Krishna is so strong that it burns the snake of ignorance.

We see that when Srila Prabhupada went to west then the hippies were indulging in so many abominable activities. But once they started practicing devotion to Krishna under the guidance of Srila Prabhupada their ignorance were destroyed. Once they got the true spiritual knowledge they gave up all their sinful habits and become first class devotees of Krishna and perfected their lives.

Conclusion

Pure devotion to Krishna removes all the causes of suffering. So, devotional service to Krishna is the only way by which we can free ourselves from all the sins. And eventually of all sufferings both present and future. And then we can lead a blissful Krishna Conscious life.