Post by niscala on Apr 27, 2015 8:53:25 GMT -5
ON "HIGHER TOPICS"
Sometimes the question of whether it is a good idea to read the books on "higher topics" comes up and it can be a real wet blanket on anyone who has gained enthusiasm from reading Uttamasloka's book, sowing seeds of doubt about prematurity... Here are some of my thoughts on it, posted on a forum. I hhope they make sense to the devotees here.
"Our Gurumaharaja did not even like us to read the general books what to speak of the high topic books. "
The reason for such prohibition is obviously that the "higher topics' require higher qualification. The problem is that a real devotee doesn't think himself ever qualified enough, and if he has only got past instructions from his guru not to read higher topics, then he may never go ahead, but this attitude is criticized by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in Sri Caitanya Siksamrta:
"On the path of gradual development, care must be taken to to become steadily elevated to a higher level, no matter what the present level. By good fortune, the tendency of the soul is to elevate itself gradually, but there are certainly obstacles along the path, and so the soul may fail to reach the ultimate goal. Those who desire to reach a higher standard must always be conscious of this fact.
In progressing from one level of life to the next, two things should be considered. The aspirant should be firmly fixed in one position to take a firm step to the next higher level. Then in order to advance successfully to the higher level, when one foot gives up the previous place, that foot must firmly fix itself in the higher level before the other foot can follow on to that new level.
Simultaneously, the aspirant must give up attachment to the lower level, becoming firmly established on the higher level. By moving too quickly, the aspirant will fall. By moving too slowly the results will come slowly...
...Some people lament that they have not attained devotion to Krsna but at the same time they do not make any real attempt to raise themselves to the level of Krsna bhakti. They remain bound to one of the levels and do not attempt to progress to the practices of the next higher level- this is known as niyamagraha. If people stop at one stage, how can they expect to progress to the top?"
Therefore one should strive for the next level. Obviously the motivation that one is qualified enough or sufficiently advanced is not a good one, as it lacks humility. But the very opposite mentality of being extremely humble can also be a motivation to move forward. If one is keenly aware and strongly dissatisfied with one's current level of adhikara, which is having no prema for Radha/Krsna, then we are following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas, for such a realization is expressed so feelingly in prayers of our previous acaryas, such as those by Narottama Dasa Thakura in Prarthana,. These prayers are full of lobha, or longing for a relationship with Krsna, following in the mood of the Vraja inhabitant one is most attracted to. This lobha, longing for that which one is devoid of, is the qualification for raganuga and hence higher topics. In the prayers of Narottama, is a strong recognition of LACK of qualification- he feels he has no prema. But this propels him to want it like anything, and that desire propels him forward into the rich horizon of devotional emotions and longings for Krsna.
Such prayers make it clear that one should consider oneself unqualified- and ironically that very attitude makes us qualified.
Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains the mechanism:
This greed never arises in anyone on such basis, nor does the candidate ever consider whether he is qualified for the path of raganuga
bhakti or not. Rather, simply after hearing about the subject matter,or seeing it, that greed will arise in him. Raga Vartma Candrika, 1.5
We saw in the quote by Bhaktivinoda Thakura that one must strive upwards for the next level, and the deliberate effort is mentioned in the above verse- "hearing about the subject matter or seeing it (enacted in a play)" Of course the subject matter is the very books which we describe as "higher topics" They are not meant to be avoided for all time!
The sadhana for such a sadhaka is specifically hearing, chanting and remembering the nama, rupa and lila of Krsna in relation to his desired rasa. He dives headfirst into such topics, not considering whether he is qualified or not, and for this he should not be discouraged.
From the commentary of Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura on
BRS 1.2.295:
True, on the path of raganuga-bhakti, meditating on the divine pastimes is the main sadhana, however in the primary stage we are not qualified for leela-smaran. Therefore we should concentrate more on hearing, chanting and following the other rules of bhakti. Then as our chitta gets more and more purified, we are drawn towards lila-smaran. Slowly our smaran becomes more intense. Ultimately when we reach the zenith of bhajan, lila-smaran naturally becomes the major part of bhajan.
This describes a natural progression- "we are drawn towards lila smaranam". Of course the lila books or "higher topics" are excellent facilitators of remembrance of the lila- simply because they are full of lila!
It is not that automatically we progress in ragaunga- we must learn the sadhana from the sastra, which means again the need to study these books given by our acaryas:
However, wherever that greed has appeared, it is understood that the person must have studied the scriptures in order to attain that greed. It is also necessary to study the scriptures in order to understand the proper sādhana for rāgānugā-bhakti. RVC
Another great source of discouragement is the mistaken belief that one needs to be completely free from anarthas before taking to raganuga, but here we see that anarthas can be present even at the very last stages of raganuga- bhava bhakti:
“In spite of the fact that bhava or rati has appeared (utpanna-ratayah), the obstacles have not completely dissipated. Such persons are therefore classed as sadhakas. “ VCT commentary to BRS 2.1.276
So we should not be discouraged, by past instructions from gurus that may not be appropriate now, nor should we be discouraged by our own lack of qualification or advancement- in fact that recognition should propel us forward. Nor should we be discouraged if we have anarthas....Nor by the same faulty reasoning should we discourage others. That is not the purpose of guru and sastra.
Let us stop trying to hold each other back, on account of past instructions to past devotees who were not qualified for higher topics, and not assume that everyone has made no advancement since then. That would be a gross miscalculation, hence a gross disservice. When a primary school teacher says "you are not ready for college, you have to be SO-O-O qualified" it would be silly to think that applies at the end of high school. As to whether one is at high school, or is repeating the first grade over and over due to aparadha, past or present, let each person be his own judge.
Sometimes the question of whether it is a good idea to read the books on "higher topics" comes up and it can be a real wet blanket on anyone who has gained enthusiasm from reading Uttamasloka's book, sowing seeds of doubt about prematurity... Here are some of my thoughts on it, posted on a forum. I hhope they make sense to the devotees here.
"Our Gurumaharaja did not even like us to read the general books what to speak of the high topic books. "
The reason for such prohibition is obviously that the "higher topics' require higher qualification. The problem is that a real devotee doesn't think himself ever qualified enough, and if he has only got past instructions from his guru not to read higher topics, then he may never go ahead, but this attitude is criticized by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in Sri Caitanya Siksamrta:
"On the path of gradual development, care must be taken to to become steadily elevated to a higher level, no matter what the present level. By good fortune, the tendency of the soul is to elevate itself gradually, but there are certainly obstacles along the path, and so the soul may fail to reach the ultimate goal. Those who desire to reach a higher standard must always be conscious of this fact.
In progressing from one level of life to the next, two things should be considered. The aspirant should be firmly fixed in one position to take a firm step to the next higher level. Then in order to advance successfully to the higher level, when one foot gives up the previous place, that foot must firmly fix itself in the higher level before the other foot can follow on to that new level.
Simultaneously, the aspirant must give up attachment to the lower level, becoming firmly established on the higher level. By moving too quickly, the aspirant will fall. By moving too slowly the results will come slowly...
...Some people lament that they have not attained devotion to Krsna but at the same time they do not make any real attempt to raise themselves to the level of Krsna bhakti. They remain bound to one of the levels and do not attempt to progress to the practices of the next higher level- this is known as niyamagraha. If people stop at one stage, how can they expect to progress to the top?"
Therefore one should strive for the next level. Obviously the motivation that one is qualified enough or sufficiently advanced is not a good one, as it lacks humility. But the very opposite mentality of being extremely humble can also be a motivation to move forward. If one is keenly aware and strongly dissatisfied with one's current level of adhikara, which is having no prema for Radha/Krsna, then we are following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas, for such a realization is expressed so feelingly in prayers of our previous acaryas, such as those by Narottama Dasa Thakura in Prarthana,. These prayers are full of lobha, or longing for a relationship with Krsna, following in the mood of the Vraja inhabitant one is most attracted to. This lobha, longing for that which one is devoid of, is the qualification for raganuga and hence higher topics. In the prayers of Narottama, is a strong recognition of LACK of qualification- he feels he has no prema. But this propels him to want it like anything, and that desire propels him forward into the rich horizon of devotional emotions and longings for Krsna.
Such prayers make it clear that one should consider oneself unqualified- and ironically that very attitude makes us qualified.
Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains the mechanism:
This greed never arises in anyone on such basis, nor does the candidate ever consider whether he is qualified for the path of raganuga
bhakti or not. Rather, simply after hearing about the subject matter,or seeing it, that greed will arise in him. Raga Vartma Candrika, 1.5
We saw in the quote by Bhaktivinoda Thakura that one must strive upwards for the next level, and the deliberate effort is mentioned in the above verse- "hearing about the subject matter or seeing it (enacted in a play)" Of course the subject matter is the very books which we describe as "higher topics" They are not meant to be avoided for all time!
The sadhana for such a sadhaka is specifically hearing, chanting and remembering the nama, rupa and lila of Krsna in relation to his desired rasa. He dives headfirst into such topics, not considering whether he is qualified or not, and for this he should not be discouraged.
From the commentary of Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura on
BRS 1.2.295:
True, on the path of raganuga-bhakti, meditating on the divine pastimes is the main sadhana, however in the primary stage we are not qualified for leela-smaran. Therefore we should concentrate more on hearing, chanting and following the other rules of bhakti. Then as our chitta gets more and more purified, we are drawn towards lila-smaran. Slowly our smaran becomes more intense. Ultimately when we reach the zenith of bhajan, lila-smaran naturally becomes the major part of bhajan.
This describes a natural progression- "we are drawn towards lila smaranam". Of course the lila books or "higher topics" are excellent facilitators of remembrance of the lila- simply because they are full of lila!
It is not that automatically we progress in ragaunga- we must learn the sadhana from the sastra, which means again the need to study these books given by our acaryas:
However, wherever that greed has appeared, it is understood that the person must have studied the scriptures in order to attain that greed. It is also necessary to study the scriptures in order to understand the proper sādhana for rāgānugā-bhakti. RVC
Another great source of discouragement is the mistaken belief that one needs to be completely free from anarthas before taking to raganuga, but here we see that anarthas can be present even at the very last stages of raganuga- bhava bhakti:
“In spite of the fact that bhava or rati has appeared (utpanna-ratayah), the obstacles have not completely dissipated. Such persons are therefore classed as sadhakas. “ VCT commentary to BRS 2.1.276
So we should not be discouraged, by past instructions from gurus that may not be appropriate now, nor should we be discouraged by our own lack of qualification or advancement- in fact that recognition should propel us forward. Nor should we be discouraged if we have anarthas....Nor by the same faulty reasoning should we discourage others. That is not the purpose of guru and sastra.
Let us stop trying to hold each other back, on account of past instructions to past devotees who were not qualified for higher topics, and not assume that everyone has made no advancement since then. That would be a gross miscalculation, hence a gross disservice. When a primary school teacher says "you are not ready for college, you have to be SO-O-O qualified" it would be silly to think that applies at the end of high school. As to whether one is at high school, or is repeating the first grade over and over due to aparadha, past or present, let each person be his own judge.
