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Welcome
Jan 22, 2013 21:43:29 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jan 22, 2013 21:43:29 GMT -5
Welcome to this discussion board created to discuss all topics in the book: The Realization and Manifestation of Your Eternal Identity, written by Uttamasloka ACBSP.
This forum is (for the time being) unmoderated. Please place your questions/comments/discussion in the proper board. There is one discussion board for each chapter plus the introduction and Appendices. Anything that does not neatly fit into those categories may create a new thread on the "General board." Create a new thread by clicking on the link found in the blue header.
We expect that the discussions here will follow proper decorum for Vaishnavas having the adikary to discuss such topics. Those not following proper etiquette will be warned only once and then removed if their behavior is not rectified.
I expect that I will not be able to keep up with every post on every thread. Anyone who would like to participate as an administrator please email me: dhanesvara (at) gmail.
Daso 'smi
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Welcome
Jan 22, 2013 22:08:44 GMT -5
Post by Uttamasloka on Jan 22, 2013 22:08:44 GMT -5
My thanks to Dhanesvara prabhu for setting up this forum. I would like to add the following from my cover letter, sent on 1.14.13...
Public debates and discussions about this book
In spite of my best intentions, it is understood that this book will be met with mixed reviews and will be challenged by some in the worldwide Vaisnava community. Debates to establish the truth, as well as mature philosophical dialog, are encouraged and welcomed, as it will be beneficial for all Vaisnavas. However, I would like to establish some guidelines to insure that valuable time is not wasted in futile discussions.
As you will see when you read this book, I have substantiated every assertion with multiple and extensive references from the acaryas, more so than any other contemporary book on this topic. It will thus be evident that all of the acaryas are in full concurrence with each subject under discussion. All of the requisite qualifications for the processes at each stage of raganuga-bhakti have also been delineated, again with numerous supporting references. No stone was left unturned. No important or controversial topic was avoided.
As a matter of protocol, those intending to challenge my assertions should first present the exact text as it is written (cut & paste is your friend) and not a skewed interpretation (no straw man arguments please), along with the statements by the acaryas that have been provided in support thereof. They can then present their rebuttal or alternative explanation. Anything less than that will be considered an inappropriate tactic of intentional and dishonest distortion and I will not waste time dealing with it. If you want to defeat what has been presented, you’re going to have to bring an equal level of support to the discussion.
This also applies to those prone to fault-finding, offensive and blasphemous attacks, and narrow-minded vision. I will not engage in debates with fanatics, fundamentalists, offenders, literalists, and self-righteous neophytes. It serves no beneficial purpose, other than exposing such undesirable mentalities.
Also, it is not acceptable procedure to argue against what has been presented simply by quoting from Srila Prabhupada alone. That is not the parampara method he taught. Especially regarding these esoteric topics. We are followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and ALL of His acaryas, not just Srila Prabhupada. That is the example and standard he set in stone for us. No other acaryas have said that one must only follow their guru and ignore all other acaryas in deference to him. Srila Prabhupada never did that regarding Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. This particular knowledge, being the highest of all, must be examined holistically.
From Srila Prabhupada’s purport in Caitanya-caritamrta:
The parampara system does not allow one to deviate from the commentaries of the previous acaryas. By depending upon the previous acaryas, one can write beautiful commentaries. However, one cannot defy the previous acaryas. CC, 1.7.134, Purport
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Welcome
Jan 23, 2013 9:44:34 GMT -5
Post by gaurakeshava on Jan 23, 2013 9:44:34 GMT -5
I heartily agree with the mature declaration of the author in regards to debate, etc.
Is the authors book posted somewhere for download or not? Obviously in order to understand the discussion it would help to have read the book.
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sarva
New Member
Posts: 1
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Welcome
Jan 23, 2013 10:51:53 GMT -5
Post by sarva on Jan 23, 2013 10:51:53 GMT -5
If someone would post the URL to download Uttamasloka prabhu's book it would be appreciated. The original link I received was not functional.
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Welcome
Jan 23, 2013 11:47:02 GMT -5
Post by Uttamasloka on Jan 23, 2013 11:47:02 GMT -5
I'm supposed to be very computer savvy and in spite of that I screwed up with the original links. So sorry! D'OH! Here's the link to the book and 2 articles... tinyurl.com/UttamasBook
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Welcome
Jan 23, 2013 12:00:51 GMT -5
Post by Mahashakti das on Jan 23, 2013 12:00:51 GMT -5
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Welcome
Jan 29, 2013 13:24:24 GMT -5
Post by madhudas on Jan 29, 2013 13:24:24 GMT -5
dandavats for creating this forum. ys, madhukanta dasa
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Welcome
Jan 29, 2013 13:25:45 GMT -5
Post by madhudas on Jan 29, 2013 13:25:45 GMT -5
dandavats for creating this forum. ys, madhukanta dasa
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Welcome
Apr 30, 2013 19:55:07 GMT -5
Post by Uttamasloka on Apr 30, 2013 19:55:07 GMT -5
Hey Dravina Prada prabhu! Nice to hear from you again and to have you participate on this forum. I wasn't aware of all your history regarding these matters.
You'll be happy to know that I am not a "manjari-bhava only" proponent and my book opens the door for all four primary rasas. In fact, I have also revealed more details about priya-sakhis as an alternate entry point into madhurya-rasa, besides being a manjari. You'll read those details in chapter 5. That comes direct from Ujjvala-nilamani and Visvanatha Cakravarti's commentaries.
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Welcome
Apr 30, 2013 21:11:59 GMT -5
Post by dp on Apr 30, 2013 21:11:59 GMT -5
Hey Dravina Prada prabhu! Nice to hear from you again and to have you participate on this forum. I wasn't aware of all your history regarding these matters. You'll be happy to know that I am not a "manjari-bhava only" proponent and my book opens the door for all four primary rasas. In fact, I have also revealed more details about priya-sakhis as an alternate entry point into madhurya-rasa, besides being a manjari. You'll read those details in chapter 5. That comes direct from Ujjvala-nilamani and Visvanatha Cakravarti's commentaries. Thanks for the kind welcome Uttama, I look forward to reading more of your book and being a participant here... namaskar, dp
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Welcome
May 1, 2013 10:12:11 GMT -5
Post by dp on May 1, 2013 10:12:11 GMT -5
I'm surprised you did not know my history back then in this regard, most people I hung out with did , like Nistraigunya, Bhargava, Dayal Nitai etc...and of course Jayasachinandana and his wife, who I got slack for hanging out with...
dp
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Welcome
May 1, 2013 14:49:35 GMT -5
Post by Uttamasloka on May 1, 2013 14:49:35 GMT -5
I'm trying to remember specific encounters we might have had regarding these subjects, but my mind is drawing a blank. Let's discuss it privately.
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Post by parthapaul on Feb 9, 2014 6:23:50 GMT -5
Dear Uttama Prabhu n All
I have heartfelt thanks to offer my godbrother Uttama Sloka Prabhu for taking the time and effort to compile this most welcome and timely book. In turn I found the contents inspiring, daunting, challenging, thought provoking and a reminder of what I already "knew" but had forgotten or relegated to be dealt with "in the future". Some pages I hurried over as my brain was unable to compute the contents at first reading. On some sections I gazed through the window of the coffee shop, where I did most of the reading, with a surging sense of new hope and commitment to the singular focus of Krishnabhakti. Like many of my contempories I strayed from the path of my earlier service but never forgot those deep earlier impressions. Still I retained a taste for reading- if not always following- the teachings of the acharyas who seemed so close through their words. For a while I considered that I was no longer a Vaishnava until Bhaktivinode Thakur put me straight through a series of encounters. Later, largely due to lack of association I read widely and became influenced by the likes of Vivekananda and Yogananda- but always looking to see how they dealt with the "thorny" issue of bhakti from their traditions. Needless to say the journey of the jiva is long and complicated with unexpected twists and turns. Uttama does a good job in pacifying the troubled mind of the "fallen" aspirants. I was annoyed and irritated by the cult mentality and immature attitudes found in Western Vaishnavism, although I admit there are plenty of progressive devotees to be found in all situations- evenin the coffee shop ( just a passing phase, probably!). Generally if I fall into conversation with a godbrother I usually say I am a lesser devotee but a better person than I was as a young practitioner. This probably need no explanation to Western devotees of my generation. But being a lesser devotee is as much about realistically accepting where you stand rather than believing an institutional slogan. Quite a few of the Vaishnava books quoted from I have already come across and studied at one time or another over the past 40 years particularly the writings of the great Bhaktivinode Thakur.But Uttama has drawn all this and more together. The Acharyas do speak with one voice. I like his American "can do" approach to ragnuga bhakti. As he writes I expect he has come in for some sharp criticism from the "establishment". I don't know why but the greatest tradition fosters the most critical unaccomodating minds. In the end its about sincere unwavering practice along with theory. This book has inspired me to aspire for that stage Id love to spend time with Uttama Prabhu but that is unlikely due to the great distance. Hare Krishna
Partha das ACBS UK
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Welcome
Feb 9, 2014 15:46:16 GMT -5
Post by Uttamasloka on Feb 9, 2014 15:46:16 GMT -5
Partha prabhu…
Thanks so much for your kind and generous words of encouragement. I am humbled and honored to have been of service to you. I'm very happy to hear your insights and impressions upon reading my book. It's what I hope many will also experience.
For the record, my "can do" attitude has its roots in Canada, which is my birthplace. ;-)
We can in fact associate via Skype, which, to borrow an analogy, will shrink the oceanic difference between us to the water in a calf's hoof print. Check your private messages on this board for my Skype info.
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Welcome
Feb 16, 2014 17:03:48 GMT -5
Post by Gaura dasa on Feb 16, 2014 17:03:48 GMT -5
It's very enlivening for my heart to see these loving Vaisnava exchanges of guyam akhyati prcchati , revealing one's mind in cionfidence, and confidentially inquiring, taking place amongst my godbrothers such as you Partha and Uttamasloka prabhus. This is the perfection of Internet use. I have read the first few chapters of the book and appreciated the time and effort Uttamasloka prabhu has put into pre-digesting so many concepts to make them more easily available to someone less well-read, as myself. I look forward to organizing my life so that I am complete the book and participate in more exchanges based upon it
Your servant, Gaura dasa
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