Post by niscala on Apr 5, 2014 12:04:16 GMT -5
It is clear from the book that eligibility for the raganuga path, characterised by lobha, arises from mercy, either from a raganuga devotee in this life, in a past life or from the Lord within.
But the mercy of raganuga devotees is manifested through their instructions as well, and going through their instructions regarding this path is simply taking advantage of mercy which is already given to us. Reading the sweet lila in books like Sri Krsna Bhavanamrita, Lalita Madhava and so on, is the means to attain that greed, as explained by Narottama Dasa Thakura:
(Prema Bhakti Candrika 14, 61)
“Do not neglect the practice of lila-smarana, hold it as the essence of the body and the mind.”
“The very life of the mind is smarana, the abode of all sweetness, and the essence of smarana is the vilasa of Radha-Krishna. That is the sadhya (perfection), that is the sadhana (method of practice), and there is nothing apart from this. This truth is the essence of all principles of devotion.”
“When the eye is smeared with medicinal ointment, its ability of perception becomes more and more refined, and accordingly it is able to perceive more and more subtle objects; similarly, according to the degree of the mind’s having become purified by hearing and chanting of My purifying pastimes, all the subtle truths of reality become manifest in the heart of the sadhaka.” (SB 11.14.26)
From these words of the Lord it is known that through sadhana-bhakti the consciousness of the sadhaka becomes more purified every day, and he gradually becomes more and more greedy.
We are also given personal tuition in how to express that greed or longing, as in prayers of longing, like Utkallika Vallari and Stava Mala. These prayers are so powerful, they can inflame what may only be small desire for participation in Krsna's pastimes, for the feelings expressed herein can be quite contagious. I have taken some excerpts from Stava Mala which are pure lobha, expressed for our benefit. These are written by Rupa Goswami our preceptor, teaching us how to live inside the experience of surrender. It is heart wrenching:
O king of Vrndavana O queen of Vrndavana bowing down before You with a choked voice this foolish person appeals to You
Although I am not worthy to receive Your mercy please be merciful to me for You are the crowns of all who are merciful.
O king and queen worshiped by the masters of all the worlds they who are very merciful are filled with mercy even for the unworthy and even for the offenders. Although I have not the dimmest shadou of pure devotion which is the only way to attain You still because You are the masters of playful transcendental pastimes please be merciful to me
O my king and queen in this world many powerful controllers and many playful persons are seen to be merciful to the impious and indifferent. Although I am the lowest and You the highest although I am fool and You the greatest philosopher although I am wicked and You the most saintly and although I commit offenses when I thinë of You still
O king and queen the shadou of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins please be kind to this person who sometimes chants Your holy name. The most unpardonable sin is made nonexistent by a small particle of devotion to You This makes me hopeful For this reason I now appeal to You.
Although this living entity is cowardly eunuch intense pain has now made him bold O king and queen again and again he appeals to You Please be kind to him Loudly crying and taking a straw between his teeth this sinful soul begs O king and queen please be kind!" Calling out Alas Alas! this unfortunate person begs Please hear my appeal¡ O king and queen please hear my appeal!" Filled with anguish and again and again calling out Alas Alas! I beg O oceans of mercy please be kind to this unworthy person!"
Placing his face in his hands this person cries in anguish O king and queen please please give a small drop of Your mercy!" Crying I who am a great fool beg in a piteous voice O merciful king and queen please splash me with Your waves of mercy!"
To they whose hearts are filled with sweet ecstatic devotion You mercifully give sweet pure love. O King and queen I wish only to serve You I do not wish anything else Please become kind to me. O king and queen who are kind to the shelterless please be kind to this person and grant the direct service he begs. Folded palms placed on his head this poor person begs May my desire now be fulfilled.
When coming through the forest will Your splendid fragrance overwhelm my nose with immeasurable happiness?
O queen of Vrndavana bowing down and rolling about on the Yamuna's shore this person with an agitated heart and a choked voice appeals to You.
Even though he has committed offenses even though he is unqualified and even though his intelligence is crooked please give this person a small particle of Your devotional service.
Because the fresh butter of Your heart is always melting in the splendor of Your transcendental mercy it is not proper for You to neglect this anguished person
Please reveal the lotus faces of You both as with the enthusiasm of two maddened elephants You enjoy pastimes in the pleasure-groves of Vrndavana O queen please be kind to me Please be kind.
Falling down like a stick on the ground distressed and stammering with words choked with emotion I beg You O Queen Gandharvika please be kind to this foolish person and count him one of Your associates.
But the mercy of raganuga devotees is manifested through their instructions as well, and going through their instructions regarding this path is simply taking advantage of mercy which is already given to us. Reading the sweet lila in books like Sri Krsna Bhavanamrita, Lalita Madhava and so on, is the means to attain that greed, as explained by Narottama Dasa Thakura:
(Prema Bhakti Candrika 14, 61)
“Do not neglect the practice of lila-smarana, hold it as the essence of the body and the mind.”
“The very life of the mind is smarana, the abode of all sweetness, and the essence of smarana is the vilasa of Radha-Krishna. That is the sadhya (perfection), that is the sadhana (method of practice), and there is nothing apart from this. This truth is the essence of all principles of devotion.”
“When the eye is smeared with medicinal ointment, its ability of perception becomes more and more refined, and accordingly it is able to perceive more and more subtle objects; similarly, according to the degree of the mind’s having become purified by hearing and chanting of My purifying pastimes, all the subtle truths of reality become manifest in the heart of the sadhaka.” (SB 11.14.26)
From these words of the Lord it is known that through sadhana-bhakti the consciousness of the sadhaka becomes more purified every day, and he gradually becomes more and more greedy.
We are also given personal tuition in how to express that greed or longing, as in prayers of longing, like Utkallika Vallari and Stava Mala. These prayers are so powerful, they can inflame what may only be small desire for participation in Krsna's pastimes, for the feelings expressed herein can be quite contagious. I have taken some excerpts from Stava Mala which are pure lobha, expressed for our benefit. These are written by Rupa Goswami our preceptor, teaching us how to live inside the experience of surrender. It is heart wrenching:
O king of Vrndavana O queen of Vrndavana bowing down before You with a choked voice this foolish person appeals to You
Although I am not worthy to receive Your mercy please be merciful to me for You are the crowns of all who are merciful.
O king and queen worshiped by the masters of all the worlds they who are very merciful are filled with mercy even for the unworthy and even for the offenders. Although I have not the dimmest shadou of pure devotion which is the only way to attain You still because You are the masters of playful transcendental pastimes please be merciful to me
O my king and queen in this world many powerful controllers and many playful persons are seen to be merciful to the impious and indifferent. Although I am the lowest and You the highest although I am fool and You the greatest philosopher although I am wicked and You the most saintly and although I commit offenses when I thinë of You still
O king and queen the shadou of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins please be kind to this person who sometimes chants Your holy name. The most unpardonable sin is made nonexistent by a small particle of devotion to You This makes me hopeful For this reason I now appeal to You.
Although this living entity is cowardly eunuch intense pain has now made him bold O king and queen again and again he appeals to You Please be kind to him Loudly crying and taking a straw between his teeth this sinful soul begs O king and queen please be kind!" Calling out Alas Alas! this unfortunate person begs Please hear my appeal¡ O king and queen please hear my appeal!" Filled with anguish and again and again calling out Alas Alas! I beg O oceans of mercy please be kind to this unworthy person!"
Placing his face in his hands this person cries in anguish O king and queen please please give a small drop of Your mercy!" Crying I who am a great fool beg in a piteous voice O merciful king and queen please splash me with Your waves of mercy!"
To they whose hearts are filled with sweet ecstatic devotion You mercifully give sweet pure love. O King and queen I wish only to serve You I do not wish anything else Please become kind to me. O king and queen who are kind to the shelterless please be kind to this person and grant the direct service he begs. Folded palms placed on his head this poor person begs May my desire now be fulfilled.
When coming through the forest will Your splendid fragrance overwhelm my nose with immeasurable happiness?
O queen of Vrndavana bowing down and rolling about on the Yamuna's shore this person with an agitated heart and a choked voice appeals to You.
Even though he has committed offenses even though he is unqualified and even though his intelligence is crooked please give this person a small particle of Your devotional service.
Because the fresh butter of Your heart is always melting in the splendor of Your transcendental mercy it is not proper for You to neglect this anguished person
Please reveal the lotus faces of You both as with the enthusiasm of two maddened elephants You enjoy pastimes in the pleasure-groves of Vrndavana O queen please be kind to me Please be kind.
Falling down like a stick on the ground distressed and stammering with words choked with emotion I beg You O Queen Gandharvika please be kind to this foolish person and count him one of Your associates.