First Period of Devotional Practice (1st Yama Sadhana) - Worship at the close of the night - Sraddha - Firm Faith

Bhajan will start from firm faith. What sort of faith? 'If we serve Supreme Lord Sri Krishna we serve all and no necessity of doing anything else.' He is at the root. If you pour water to the root of the tree the whole tree is nourished. If you give food to the stomach the whole body is nourished. In that way, if we serve Supreme Lord Sri Krishna we serve all. Without this basis we cannot have progress in bhajan.

ata eva namābhāse sarva pāpa vināṣa āra samsara kṣaya
(Sri Bhakti-Rasamrita-Sindhu, Dakshin Part, 1/52)

Here the glories of the Holy Name has been described, narrated by Bhakti Vinod Thakur with evidences of different scriptures. It is not possible to read all.

Therefore, glow of the Holy Name can destroy all sins and our entanglement with the non-eternal world. You find evidence in Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu.

taṁ nirvyājam bhaja guṇa-nidhe pāvanaṁ pāvanānāṁ
śraddhā-rajyan-matir atitarām uttamaḥ-śloka-maulim
prodyann antaḥ-karaṇa-kuhare hanta yan-nāma-bhānor
ābhāso ‘pi kṣapayati mahā-pātaka-dhvānta-rāśim

Already we have heard the significance of the word 'Guna-nidhe'. One who is richly endowed with all good qualities is addressed as guna-nidhe who has got the aptitude to do Krishna nama, the Highest name. Krishna Nama is the Supreme Redeemer of all redeemers. Among the names of Vishnu highest name is Krishna Nama. The benefit that is obtained by chanting one thousand Vishnu nama is equal to the benefit attainable by chanting one Rama Nama. It is said in Padma Purana. The benefit attained by chanting three thousand Vishnu Nama is equal to the benefit of chanting one Krishna Nama. It is said in Brahmanda Purana that three Rama Nama is equal to one Krishna Nama. So one who has got the aptitude to do the highest Krishna Nama is addressed as Guna-nidhe, who is richly endowed with all good qualities. Krishna, is the Crown of all avataras, and is worshiped by the realized souls, pure devotees (uttamah-sloka-maulim), Who is the Supreme Redeemer of all redeemers, Supreme Rescuer of all rescuers, but condition is with firm faith (sraddha), without hypocrisy (nishkapat) one should chant the Names immediately and with simple-heartedness.

When there is no firm faith, bhajan will not start. What does it mean, nishkapata-mati? It means there should not be any hypocrisy, deceitfulness, and at the earliest, any moment we may lose this precious human birth and again you will get this birth there is no certainty. So, at the earliest and with simple-heartedness, there should not be crookedness. So much emphasis has been given on this. Then after that you do Harinam or worship all different forms.

Nama is compared to Sun to have a clear idea. At dawn when the Sun rises all darkness is removed, like that glow of the Holy Name by entering into the cave of the heart can destroy all great sins and nescience. Cause of the sin is our envelopment with the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord. It is called nescience.

parama pāvana kṛṣṇa tānhānra charaṇa,
niskapata śraddhā saha karaha bhajan,
jānra nāma suryābhās antare praveśi,
dhvaṁsa kare mahāpāp andhakārarāśi,
ei śikṣāṣṭake kahe kṛṣṇalīlā-kram,
ihāte bhajan krame līlāra udgam

We have to remember eight periods of transcendental pastimes of RadhaKrishna. How we can remember? Supreme Lord is Transcendental, His Form is Transcendental, His Pastimes is Transcendental, we are enslaved jivas of this world, conditioned souls, how we can remember? If you are established in the teachings of Sikshastaka which is written by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, then you will be eligible to enter into the transcendental pastimes of RadhaKrishna. Ignoring Sikshastaka you cannot enter, you will not be entitled to enter into the pastimes.

ei śikṣāṣṭake kahe kṛṣṇalīlā-kram

Eight verses and in these verses gradual development how you can get Krishna prema, what is the procedure, it has been narrated in Sikshastaka. And our Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written in Bengali. I have to translate it into Hindi and also in English, if possible.

ihāte bhajan krame līlāra udgam,
prathame prathama śloka bhaja kichu din,
dvitīya ślokete tabe hauta pravīṇ

Gradually you will have progress if you sincerely practice the eight verses written by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

chāri śloke kramaśaḥ bhajana pakkva kara

When you practice the first four verses then your bhajan, then your worship will be accurate.

pañcam ślokete nija siddha deha vara

When in the fifth Verse then you have to think of your own realized form. It is very difficult. If you have sincerely practiced the Sikshastaka, then you can realize your realized transcendental form. That is called the siddha deha. Without that you cannot enter into this transcendental realm.

ei śloke siddhadehe rādhāpadāśraya,
ārambha kariyā krame unnati udaya

Radharani is the Absolute Counter-part of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, the Complete Spiritual potency of Lord Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna Himself is serving Him in the form of Radha. When the Sun rises, with the help of the light of the Sun you can see the Sun, directly you cannot see the Sun. Without the grace of Radharani you can have no realisation of Krishna. So first you have to take the shelter of the lotus feet of Radharani. Then your bhajan will start.

chaya śloka bhajite anartha dure gela,
tabe jāna siddhadehe adhikāra haila

How you can understand you have got the realized form? In the realized form, in the sixth Verse eight ecstatic feelings by doing Harinam will be manifested. By that you can understand.

nayanaṁ galad-aśru-dhārayā
vadanaṁ gadgada-ruddhayā girā
pulakair nicitaṁ vapuḥ kadā
tava nāma-grahaṇe bhaviṣyati

Tears will pour from the eyes, and your voice will be choked, you will not be able to utter the full names of the Supreme Lord. All these horripilations etc ecstatic feelings are not manifested, then you have not got the realized form. That is the proof. There must be some offences. Accurately you are not doing. Gradually you will get. It is not so easy. But if you are sincere, God is there at your back, and all the devotees will come, they will help you. God helps them those who help themselves.

tabe jāna siddhadehe adhikāra haila,
adhikāra nā labhiyā siddhadeha bhāve,
viparjya buddhi janme śaktira abhāve

All these procedures if you do not follow and you want to think mentally with this material mind then reverse will be the result. We think gopis are also humans and we are human beings and in this way we shall be entangled in this world and there will be our spiritual fall. For that reason very carefully one after another we have to have our progress in our bhajan.

viparjya buddhi janme śaktira abhāve
sāvdhāne krama dhara yadi siddhi cāo,
sādhura carita dekhi śuddha buddhi pāo

How bona-fide sadhus are doing we have to follow that, we have to submit to them. With submission you have to perform bhajan, not with worldly vanity.

siddhadeha peye krame bhajana karile,
aṣṭakāla sevāsukha anāyāse mile

After getting this realized form then you will be entitled to enter into the transcendental pastimes of RadhaKrishna. That is highest bliss, highest happiness, not of this worldly happinesss, transcendental happiness, bliss.

śikṣāṣṭaka cinta kara smaraṇa kīrtan,
krame aṣṭakāla-sevā habe uddīpana,
sakala anartha jābe pābe premadhana,
caturvarga phalguprāya habe adarśana

If you follow all these teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu eight verses, then all your ulterior desires will be removed, and all desires for chaturvarga, dharma artha kama, worldly piety, for money, for satisfaction of one's sensual enjoyment, lust, all these things and even desire for emancipation if there be, then you cannot get prema. All these desires will vanish. Then you can enter into the transcendental pastimes.

1st verse of Sri Sikshastaka (mentions) what sort of benefits you can get.

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ
bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ
vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ
prati-padaṁ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁ
paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam

If you do Sri Krishna Sankirtan correctly without tenfold offences or completely name, form attributes, personal associates, realm or in the company of bonafide sadhus, then you will get all these seven attainments, all attainments principally seven attainments.

Cleansing of the mirror of the heart, extinguishing the forest fire of birth, death and threefold afflictions, bestowing eternal soothing benefit like moonlight, life of spiritual learning i.e. awakening of the real self, increasing of the ocean of bliss, bestowing at every step sweet taste of complete transcendental ambrosia, and thoroughly cleanses and cools one’s body, mind and real self. All glories to Sri Krishna Sankirtan!!

All these attainments you will get if you do Sri Krishna kirtan correctly without tenfold offences.

saṅkīrtana haite pāpa-saṁsāra-nāśana
citta-śuddhi, sarva-bhakti-sādhana-udgama
kṛṣṇa-premodgama, premāmṛta-āsvādana
kṛṣṇa-prāpti, sevāmṛta-samudre majjana
(Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 20.13-14)

“By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service. The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Krishna and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Krishna and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.”

What is the significance of Krishna prapti? Krishna prapti means to get the service of Krishna. We cannot enjoy Krishna. He is the Object of Devotion.

Thinking of Krishna-lila (pastimes of Krishna)

niśānte kīrtane kuñja-bhaṅga kare dhyāna,
krame krame citta lagne rasera vidhān

When you are well-established in the eight teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu correctly, you have practiced it, then you are entitled to think about the transcendental pastimes of RadhaKrishna, otherwise not. But here Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written to think about the Krishna lila so that you may have knowledge of some realm and you may have some longing to get that, for that reason. But you should be very careful about observing all the practices of Sikshastaka.

First I heard from my Gurudev, Sikshastaka was introduced only in the observance of Damodar Vrata or Kartik Vrata. Afterwards these have been introduced. A few persons in this world they can understand this.

niśānte kīrtane kuñja-bhaṅga kare dhyāna,
krame krame citta lagne rasera vidhān

At the close of the night along with kirtan, not without kirtan, you have to think about the awakening of RadhaKrishna, think or meditate. Then gradually your mind will be concentrated. In this way you can get transcendental bliss as per Scriptural precept.

rātryante trastavṛnderita bahu-vira-vaibodhitau kirasārī
padyair-hṛdhyair api sukha-śayanād-utthitau tau sakhibhiḥ
dṛṣṭau hṛṣṭau tadātvoditarati-lalitau kakkhaṭīgīḥ saśaṅkau
rādhā-kṛṣṇau satṛṣṇāv api nija-nija dhāmnyāpta talpau smarāmi

At the close of the night Vrnda Devi is very busy, at proper time to awaken RadhaKrishna. For that reason in the night all the birds were sent to a distant place so that they may not make any sound and cause disturbance in the transcendental sleep of RadhaKrishna. Vrnda Devi and the gopis keep guard whole night every day without sleeping. That is not mundane world. In mundane world there are three primal qualities, rajo guna, sattva guna and tamo guna. By Tamo guna you get this sleep, laziness and all these things. But in the spiritual realm they do not require this. Their rest is service of Krishna. By serving Krishna they get their actual rest. We cannot get actual rest. Every night, the whole night they are in guard for the service of RadhaKrishna. We have to think about this. Not this material body, we have got so many drawbacks.

To awaken Radhakrishna at the close of the night, Suk-Sarika, they are the principal birds, parrots, the male parrot and the female parrot, they are not ordinary parrots, they are realized souls, they are personal associates of Krishna, they are within Krishna. Krishna Himself in the form of birds is singing His glories, glories of Radhakrishna. Suk, with very sweet voice sings the glories of Krishna. By hearing that those personal associates, supporters of Krishna they become very much encouraged, Oh our Object of worship is Supreme. And the associates of Radharani, the supporters of Radharani, the devotees, they become very much depressed. But Sarika, female parrot sings more glories than Krishna’s, then Radhika's own associates they become very much glad and Krishna's associates become depressed. In this way sweet competition is going on with Suk and Sarika singing the glories of RadhaKrishna, KrishnaRadha, in this way, so sweet, in sweet voice so that automatically RadhaKrishna open their eyes. There should not be any force.

First Radharani opens Her eyes and then gopis their duty, their responsiblity is finished. Now it is the responsibility of Radharani to awake Krishna. But Krishna is not opening His eyes intentionally. Radharani is in difficulty. She is at the nearest, yet she cannot push Krishna. It is time, awake, she cannot say that, it is a kind of offence. How to awake Krishna, Radharani is in difficulty. Gopis have understood this although now all the responsibility is on Radharani. Because Krishna has got attention on all His devotees, whether higher devotees or lower devotees, that is the qualification of Krishna. There is one female monkey of the name of Kakkhati. She wants to serve Krishna. She has got no qualification. She can make harsh sound so that Krishna opens His eyes. But the gopis are not giving her permission. No, your voice is harsh, you should not make the sound. And she is looking, now you are unable, it is getting late, let me do. No. Let me do. No. She is sad. And Krishna is also not opening His eyes, why you are not giving her permission to serve, you must. Ultimately they are forced to say, alright you do. She made a loud harsh screaming sound but that is not harsh to Krishna. Krishna likes it very much because the devotees sound is always good.

Our Bhakti Siddhanth Saraswati Gosvami Thakur used to hear from a devotee whose voice is not good, I want to hear from you. Because he is a devotee. His voice may not be good, but that is sweet for his Gurudev. Gurudev wants to hear and he says No, but you should sing, like that.

By hearing that sound Krishna opens His eyes. They mutually see with wistful eyes and fear they may be detected now, we are late. But Yogamaya is doing everything, nobody can understand. They run towards Their respective houses. All the houses, all are transcendental, spiritual, it is not like this material. Bed can move, bed can speak, dress can speak, there is no matter in that transcendental realm, everything is spiritual. They enter into the houses and go to Their beds to sleep.

This is the first pastime you have to remember while doing kirtan.

Lila kirtan 1:

dekhiya arunodoy, vrnda-devi byasta hoy, kunje nana raba korailo ………