samaḥ samānottama-madhyamādhamaḥ
sukhe ca duḥkhe ca jitendriyāśayaḥ
mayopakḷptākhila-loka-saṁyuto
vidhatsva vīrākhila-loka-rakṣaṇam
ŚB 4.20.13
Translation by Śrīla Prabhupāda:
“My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.”
Purport by Śrīla Prabhupāda:
“Here is an example of receiving direct instruction from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu. One has to execute the order of Lord Viṣṇu, whether receiving it directly from Him or from His bona fide representative, the spiritual master. Arjuna fought the Battle of Kurukṣetra under the direct order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, here Pṛthu Mahārāja is also being given orders by Lord Viṣṇu regarding the execution of his duty. We have to stick to the principles stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ: every man’s duty is to receive orders from Lord Kṛṣṇa or from His bona fide representative and take these orders as his life and soul, without personal considerations. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states that one should not care very much whether he is going to be liberated or not, but he should simply execute the direct order received from the spiritual master. If one sticks to the principle of abiding by the order of the spiritual master, he will always remain in a liberated position. A common man must execute the rules and regulations of varṇāśrama-dharma by working in his prescribed duty according to the caste system (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra) and the spiritual-order system (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa). If one simply executes regularly and strictly the injunctions given for the different divisions of life, then one satisfies Lord Viṣṇu.
As a king, Pṛthu Mahārāja was ordered by Lord Viṣṇu to keep himself always aloof from the activities of the bodily situation and to engage always in the service of the Lord and thus keep himself in the liberated stage. The word baddha-sauhṛdāḥ in the previous verse is explained herewith. One can fully remain in intimate connection with the Supreme Lord directly or receive orders from His bona fide representative the spiritual master and execute the orders sincerely when one keeps aloof from the activities of the body. The Lord helps us by giving us directions how to act in devotional service and thus advance on the path back home, back to Godhead. He instructs us outwardly in the form of the spiritual master. Therefore, one should not accept the spiritual master as an ordinary human being. The Lord says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit: one should not treat the spiritual master as an ordinary human being, for he is the substitute for the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Śrimad Bhāgavatam 11.17.27). One should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and never be envious of him or consider him to be an ordinary human being. If we follow the instruction of the spiritual master and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will remain always free from the contamination of bodily and material activities, and our life will be successful.”
This is instruction given by Lord Viṣṇu to Pṛthu Mahārāja.
samaḥ samānottama-madhyamādhamaḥ
sukhe ca duḥkhe ca jitendriyāśayaḥ
mayopakḷptākhila-loka-saṁyuto
vidhatsva vīrākhila-loka-rakṣaṇam
ŚB 4.20.13
“My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.”
Pṛthu Mahārāja is also an incarnation of the Lord. But he's a śaktyāveśa-avatāra. Do you follow śaktyāveśa-avatāra? There are seven famous śaktyāveśa-avatāras. Any of you know? You know some, don't know the all. Seven famous śaktyāveśa-avatāras. Number one is Vaikuṇṭhasta Śeṣa, Śeṣa in Vaikuṇṭha. He's sva-sevana śakti-avatāra, the incarnation of servitude. Number two is Ananta in Pātāla. He is bhū-dharaṇa-śakti avatāra. He carries the world on His hood. He is an incarnation of that śakti. Number three is Brahmā. Brahmā is guṇa-avatāra. Brahma is also śaktyāveśa-avatāra. He is sṛṣṭi-śakti-avatāra. He is incarnation of creation, śakti. Number four: Catuṣanaḥ, the four Kumāras. They are jñāna-śakti-avatāras. Number five: Narada. Nārada is bhakti-śakti-avatāra. Number six is Pṛthu Mahārāja. Do you know what incarnation is he? Yes, pālana-śakti-avatāra. Number seven is Paraśurāma. He is duṣṭa-damana-śakti-avatāra; subduing the rascals. That śaktyāveśa-avatāra. So śaktyāveśa-avatāra are generally jīva-tattva. So Pṛthu Mahārāja, being a śaktyāveśa-avatāra also, here Lord Viṣṇu appeared in his sacrificial arena, and instructs him these most important instructions.One thing is there. In this material world, all of us have forgotten Kṛṣṇa because we have all been captured by Māyā. mīyate anayā iti māyā - māyā-śakti is that śakti which always covers up your real identity and which never allows you to know what you are really- svarupa-jñāna vipanna. So the question arises: "Then how can we know Kṛṣṇa and our real identity?" That's the question. What answer is that, Kaviraj Gosvāmī gives that answer in Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
'śāstra-guru-ātma'-rūpe āpanāre jānāna
'kṛṣṇa mora prabhu, trātā'-jīvera haya jñāna
CC Madhya 20.123
Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ (BG 5.29). In Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says. "I am suhṛda of all the living entities, the well-wisher friend." So unless Kṛṣṇa says, we cannot know Kṛṣṇa. So how Kṛṣṇa says?
'śāstra-guru-ātma'-rūpe āpanāre jānāna
'kṛṣṇa mora prabhu, trātā'-jīvera haya jñāna
CC madhya 20.123
The jīva, the living entity, can know the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa that "He is my Prabhu." He is he master and He is trata, He is the deliverer. And how He says? 'śāstra-guru-ātma'-rūpe. He speaks through śāstra, He speaks through guru, the spiritual master, atma means Supersoul as caitya-guru in everybody's heart.
māyā-mugdha jīvera nāhi svataḥ kṛṣṇa-jñāna
jīvere kṛpāya kailā kṛṣṇa veda-purāṇa
CC madhya 20.122
That is also stated. māyā-mugdha jīva - the jīva, who is captured by maya, he has forgotten Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, out of mercy, Kṛṣṇa has, jīvere kṛpāya kailā kṛṣṇa veda-purāṇa.So Kṛṣṇa, out of mercy for the living entities, He has made this Veda Purāṇas. Vedas is niḥśvasita vāṇi. Vedas comes out from the breathing of the Lord, niḥśvasita vāṇi, Veda Purāṇas, so He speaks through śāstra. But another thing is there. What is spoken in śāstra is also very difficult to understand in Vedas and Purāṇas. And there are two types of considerations: aparā-vicāra, tattva-vicāra. Some learned pandits might speak on Vedas by dint of their mundane scholarship because they are written in Sanskrit. So one who is a Sanskrit scholar, he may also say "Alright, I will read the śāstra or Vedas so I can understand." No. You cannot understand like that. You cannot understand the real purport of the śāstra by your own endeavour. That's the problem.
- pāṇḍityādye kabhu nahe’ īśvara-tattva-jñāna-
CC madhya 6.87
That is stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta. One may be a pandit, very learned scholar, but he cannot know Īśvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa. pāṇḍityādye kabhu nahe’ īśvara-tattva-jñāna How can you know?
īśvarera kṛpā-leśa haya ta’ yāhāre
sei ta’ īśvara-tattva jānibāre pāre
CC madhya 6.83
One who has got the mercy of the Lord, he can know īśvara-tattva. Therefore one who knows tattva, the pandits or learned scholars may speak something on these Vedas, but they cannot speak the real truth or tattva. Tattva will not be revealed to them. So we have two considerations, apara-vicāra, tattva-vicāra, apparent consideration and absolute consideration. And it is to be understood through absolute consideration, tattva-vicāra. Therefore the spiritual master, guru, is required.
‘śāstra-guru-ātma’-rūpe āpanāre jānāna
‘kṛṣṇa mora prabhu, trātā’ — jīvera haya jñāna
CC madhya 20.123
So guru, the spiritual master, is required to understand the real purport, the tattva of the sastra. Guru or spiritual master, who is he? Who is he? It is stated here: he is the representative of the Lord.
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo
na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām
Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (3.2.3) and Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23)
Kaṭha Upaniṣad says this thing.
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo
na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
You cannot know that Paramātmā-tattva by medhayā or by bahunā śrutena, na pravacanena - by your own intelligence, by your own scholarship. na medhayā na bahunā śrutena pravacanena - or by listening to karmīs, jñānīs or yogīs or by listening to so many pravacanas from those people who are not real bonafide representatives of the Lord, you cannot know it.
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo
na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām
Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (3.2.3) and Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23)
But one who is very serious, one who is very eager - ‘How I can know that Paramātmā-tattva?’ So who is seated there in the heart as Supersoul, who is known as caitya-guru,
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyaḥ
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām
He assumes a body. He assumes a body. He comes out as spiritual master.” That is stated in Kaṭha Upaniṣad.
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo
na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām
Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (3.2.3) and Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23)
So, the spiritual master is the representative of the Lord. So what the spiritual master says, that is the version of the Supreme Lord. Unless spiritual master teaches, unless spiritual master, guru, does kīrtana in the ear of the disciple, the real tattva will not be revealed. Śāstras are there. Śāstras are there but, unless the spiritual master does kīrtana in the ears of disciples, the real tattva will not be revealed. That is most important.
‘śāstra-guru-ātma’-rūpe āpanāre jānāna
‘kṛṣṇa mora prabhu, trātā’ — jīvera haya jñāna
CC madhya 20.123
Otherwise, the jīva, the conditioned soul, cannot know Kṛṣṇa, cannot know Kṛṣṇa. It is impossible. It is only through guru-kṛpā that he can know. This is stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
‘śāstra-guru-ātma’-rūpe āpanāre jānāna
‘kṛṣṇa mora prabhu, trātā’ — jīvera haya jñāna
CC madhya 20.123
Because guru speaks on the tattva - yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei 'guru' haya. Mahāprabhu has given, Śrīman Mahāprabhu has given a very simple definition of the guru, spiritual master.
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya
CC madhya 8.128
One who knows Kṛṣṇa-tattva, he is guru, and he knows it. How he knows it? ācāryavān puruṣa veda, Upaniṣad says. ācāryavān puruṣa veda - He has heard from his ācārya, spiritual master. So that ācārya also has heard from his ācārya. In this way, evaṁ paramparā-prāptam. The real knowledge comes from Kṛṣṇa, and it comes down through bonafide disciplic succession. So guru, the spiritual master, speaks on this tattva. And we have always this discussion and our discussion is tattva-vicara; it's not apparent consideration or apara-vicāra. And Kṛṣṇa has also stated that thing repeatedly in Bhagavad-gītā: one should know Him in tattva.
janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ’rjuna
Bg 4.9
He says, yo vetti tattvataḥ - "One who knows Me in tattva, he, after quitting this body, he will come to Me." If someone cannot know Him in tattva, na tu mām abhijananti tattvenātaś cyavanti te
ahaṁ hi sarva-yajñānāṁ
bhoktā ca prabhur eva ca
na tu mām abhijānanti
tattvenātaś cyavanti te
Bg 9.24
You see Gītā. In Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says, "If someone does not know Me in tattva, na tu mām abhijānanti tattvenā he cannot enter into My kingdom."
na tu mām abhijānanti
tattvenātaś cyavanti te
Therefore He should be known in tattva therefore spiritual master, guru, is required so you can understand the tattva. Therefore that is stated here. And another thing is there.Here Lord Viṣṇu instructs Pṛthu Mahārāja. Lord Kṛṣṇa instructed directly to Arjuna and here Lord Viṣṇu directly instructs Pṛthu Mahārāja. So one may think that, 'So I may be directly spoken by the Lord.' Arjuna and Pṛthu Mahārāja, they are not ordinary living beings, so we should not expect so. Therefore, for us, we should accept the spiritual master who is the real bonafide representative of the Lord. So then we can be instructed. Unless you take lessons and instructions from the śāstra through guru, you cannot act in this material world successfully. Whatever you will do, that will be wrong. That will be wrong. Because, as you have been captured by Māyā, so you are thinking Māyā's business - aghatana saghatana śakti. It's a very wonderful śakti. And māyā's business, māyā represents sat as asat; presents sat as asat, and asat as sat. So conditioned soul, māyā baddha jīva, what he thinks? "Oh, it is real!" But that's not the real. That's not the real, it's unreal. Sat as asat and asat as sat. So which is the real thing? Which is sat? That, you take lessons from the śāstra through the spiritual master. Therefore Lord Viṣṇu instructs these things here. “My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. sama-darśanaḥ. Please keep yourself equipoise and treat people equally, sama-darśanaḥ.” paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
Bg 5.18
In Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says. “A real pandit, a learned, he has equal vision. He has equal vision, sama-darśinaḥ. He sees brāhmaṇa, caṇḍāla; he sees a dog, elephant, cow and sees them equally." What he sees? He never sees the outward appearance or body. He sees the soul and Supersoul inside the body. Unless you have this vision, how can you develop this sama-darśinaḥ, equal vision?
mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke
jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ
Bg 15.7
“The jīva, the soul, is eternally My fragmental part.” So a jiva is Kṛṣṇa's vastu, is Kṛṣṇa's vastu. One who is learned, a real pandit, a learned soul, he sees “yes, he is Kṛṣṇa's vastu.” So he loves one and all. He treats them equally. Therefore here Lord Viṣṇu instructs Pṛthu Mahārāja. “Please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you.” This is most important. Then He says: “Don't be disturbed by the temporary distress and happiness.” Temporary distress and happiness, don't be disturbed. - dhīras tatra na muhyati - (Bg 2.13) In Bhagavad-gītā it is stated. “One who is dhīra, one who knows Kṛṣṇa, he is never disturbed at any circumstances.” Here in the material world we find it is always changing. It's always changing. So sometimes you may be put in a favorable condition, and sometimes you may be put in an unfavorable condition so one may be very much disturbed. But here Lord Viṣṇu says, "Don't be disturbed by temporary distress and happiness, this is temporary." This material world is temporary, asasvatam. In Bhagavad-gītā, it is stated. This material world is aśāśvata, is not śāśvata, is not eternal. It is temporary. So everything here is temporary, ādy-anta-vanta or temporary. So the happiness and distress may come. mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya - In Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa has also said: - tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata -
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
Bg. 2.14
Similar instruction Kṛṣṇa has given to Arjuna. “Arjuna, as summer comes and goes, winter comes and goes, it never lasts long. So sukha-duḥkha, the happiness and distress.
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino anityā - It is anitya, it is temporary, tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata. Try to tolerate it.” Similar instruction Lord Viṣṇu gives to Pṛthu Mahārāja. “Do not be disturbed by temporary distress and happiness. It has come and it will go away. Fully control your mind and senses.” Next instruction He gives, “Fully control your mind and senses.” How can you control your mind and senses? Mind is the chief of the senses.
indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ
Bg 3.42
indriyāṇāṁ manaś cāsmi
Bg 10.22
In Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says, "The mana, the mind, is the chief of indriyas." And the mana is wicked mind - duṣṭa mana. Mana tumi bada duṣṭa. When Lord Kṛṣṇa instructs Arjuna about the control of the mind, Arjuna says, after hearing from Lord Kṛṣṇa, he says, "Oh Kṛṣṇa, it is very difficult to control this wicked mind. It's very difficult to control. It is as impossible vāyor iva su-duṣkaram
cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa
pramāthi balavad dṛḍham
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye
vāyor iva su-duṣkaram
Bg 6.34
Arjuna said, vāyor iva, pravāha mana vāyu, the air which is blowing. If you want to check its blowing by your own fist, it is impossible. Similarly to control this wicked mind. - pramāthi balavad dṛḍham - it's very, very arrogant this mind. Never, it is never obedient. pramāthi balavad - very strong; dṛḍham - it's quite impossible. Lord Kṛṣṇa admits that fact.
asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho
mano durnigrahaṁ calam
abhyāsena tu kaunteya
vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
Bg 6.35
It's undoubtedly true. This mana, this mind is durnigrahaṁ cañcala - is very fickle and very difficult to be controlled. But this is to be adopted. abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate You should constantly practice vairāgya. That is stated. A very easy process we have how to control our mind. By yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, some do to control this mind and senses. But that's not the real process; that's not the real process. The real process is: if you can engage your mind and senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Lord, then they will be controlled.
hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa
sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate
CC madhya 19.170
hṛṣīka means indriya, senses. If they are engaged constantly in the service of the Lord. Hṛṣīkeśa is one of the names of the Lord who controls the mind and senses of the devotees. Therefore His name is Hṛṣīkeśa. Those who are captured under the clutches of maya, their mind and senses are controlled by māyā-śakti. That is never controlled by Hṛṣīkeśa. Those who completely surrendered themselves, completely surrendered.
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Bg 18.66
Those who have taken complete surrender at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, then He controls the mind and senses of that devotee. That's the thing. So it is a very easy process. One who adopt this easy process, he can very easily control his mind and senses.
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
Bg 9.34
“Always think of Me.” Mind's business is willing, feeling and desiring. It must think. There must be some thinking process in the mind. Kṛṣṇa says, “Only think of Me. Drive out all other thoughts from your mind.” Only think of Kṛṣṇa. man-manā bhava is the most important thing. So those who are real devotees, pure devotees, they always think of Kṛṣṇa. They never think of anything else so their mind is controlled. Only devotees' mind is controlled. One who is not a devotee, his mind cannot be controlled. So fully control your mind and senses. If mind is controlled, the other senses will be controlled. All other senses should be engaged in the service of the Lord. This is the only process how you can control your mind and senses. ‘In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.’ Rāja, or the king, narāṇām narādhipa aham. In Bhagavad-gita Kṛṣṇa says, narāṇām narādhipa aham - “I am narādhipa.” One who is narādhipa, one who is king, he is the representative of Lord Viṣṇu, narāṇām narādhipa. Viṣṇu's work is palana-kriya. So narādhipa, king's duty is to give protection and maintain his citizens. So Lord Viṣṇu gives this instruction: “In this transcendental position..” Transcendental means always fix your mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and engage all your senses in His service. Then you will be in the transcendental position. Otherwise, you will be in the material position. “In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement.” To be controlled by the Lord in whatever position he is posted is His arrangements. One should think like that. 'And your only duty is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.' This is the instruction given. As a king, Pṛthu Mahārāja was ordered by Lord Viṣṇu to keep himself always aloof from the activities of the bodily situation and to engage always in the service of the Lord and thus keep himself in the liberted stage.’ Always engaged in the service of the Lord then you will be put in the transcendental position or liberated stage. ‘One can fully remain in intimate connection with the Supreme Lord directly or receive orders from His bonafide representative the spiritual master and execute the orders sincerely when one keeps aloof from the activities of the body.’ This is most important thing to receive orders from His bonafide representative, the spiritual master, and execute the orders sincerely. One should not concoct. One should not think according to his own whim, “Oh, I can do like this or I do like that.” No. One should always think of the instructions of his spiritual master who is a real bonafide representative of the Lord. And he must execute the orders sincerely when one keeps himself aloof from the activities of the body.
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya
āra nā kariha mane āśā
It is stated.
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya
āra nā kariha mane āśā
What spiritual master, Gurudev has ordered, you should execute it. Don't think otherwise.
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya āra nā kariha mane āśā
One who executes the orders of his spiritual master and receiving it and following his instructions ‘as it is’, following the instructions of the guru, the spiritual master ‘as it is’ and executes it, he is always in a transcendental position. And that is to be done. When some critical moment comes, one cannot think of what is to be done. At that time, he should remember what is the instruction of the guru. What guru has said, spiritual master has said, he should act accordingly. The Lord helps us by giving us directions how to act in devotional service and thus advance on the path back home, back to Godhead. He instructs us outwardly in the form of the spiritual master, and inwardly as the Supersoul, the caitya-guru. Previously I told you, quoting verse from Kaṭha Upaniṣad, he is the spiritual master who is caitya-guru. He assumes.
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas
tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām
Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (3.2.3) and Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23)
He has assumed a body and has come here as spiritual master to instruct us. The Lord helps up by giving us directions how to act in devotional service. He instructs us outwardly in the form of the spiritual master. Therefore one should not accept the spiritual master as an ordinary human being.
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
ŚB 11.27.17
This is the instruction of Lord Kṛṣṇa to Uddhava. We should not think him as an ordinary human being, na martya-buddhyāsūyeta. How is it possible? We see: he is eating, he is sleeping, like an ordinary human being and he is also falling sick as an ordinary human being. How can it be that we will think of him na martya-buddhyāsūyeta? How can we think him, how can we see him that he is not an ordinary human being? This question arises. How can you see guru? With what vision can you see guru, the spiritual master? As it is very difficult to see the Lord. We cannot see the Lord, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa with this eye. bhakti-cakṣu, you can see.
ekānta-bhaktir govinde
yat sarvatra tad-īkṣaṇam
ŚB 7.7.55
Prahlāda's instruction. Prahlāda Mahārāja has said.
ekānta-bhaktir govinde
yat sarvatra tad-īkṣaṇam
Those who have developed ekānta bhakti, aikāntika bhakti in Govinde, at the lotus feet of Govinda, they see Govinda, Lord Kṛṣṇa, everywhere.
ekānta-bhaktir govinde
yat sarvatra tad-īkṣaṇam
ŚB 7.7.55
yāṅhā yāṅhā netra paḍe
tāṅhā kṛṣṇa sphure
CC Ādi 4.85
yāṅhā yāṅhā netra paḍe tāṅhā kṛṣṇa sphure
If your eye sees something, he sees Kṛṣṇa.The pure devotee always sees Kṛṣṇa everywhere. As Prahlāda Mahārāj sees the Lord in the pillar whereas his demoniac father Hiraṇyakaśipu couldn't see. So to see Kṛṣṇa or the Lord,
premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti
yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.38
Brahma-saṁhitā says. Who sees Kṛṣṇa? What sort of eye is required?
premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
Bhakti-vilocanena, bhakti-cakṣu kṛṣṇa, prema-premāñjana - the ointment, kṛṣṇa-prema añjana in the eye. Who has got this eye, he sees Kṛṣṇa everywhere .
yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.38
So to see Kṛṣṇa, one should have bhakti-cakṣu. By this material vision you cannot see Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, how can you see the spiritual master?
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
ŚB 11.27.17
You should not see the spiritual master as an ordinary human being. But generally we see him as an ordinary human being. But how can you see the real form of guru? You cannot see guru or spiritual master through this vision. Guru-datta cakṣure guru-darśana. It is stated. Guru-datta cakṣure guru-darśana. Guru has given one eye.
ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Guru has given one eye. Out of mercy, kṛpa, guru has given. Through that eye you can see guru. You cannot see guru with this material vision. That is. Then you can see how guru is not an ordinary human being. Otherwise, with ordinary vision, you’ll see he is an ordinary human being.
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
ŚB 11.27.17
That ācārya always instructs how to do, how to act in this most horrible place, here in this material world. It is stated this material world is the most severe, a place of most severe test - mahān parīkṣa sthala - This saṁsāra is mahān parīkṣa ra sthala. You see, it is a place of severe test. How can you come out successful in this test? What is required? To hear from the guru, sādhu-guru, vaiṣṇava. - kīrtana śravaṇa kariba - You must hear. You must listen to the instructions of guru, sādhu-guru and vaiṣṇava. And then you can come out successful in this test. Otherwise it is not possible. Ācārya. Who is ācārya?
ācinoti yaḥ śāstrārtham ācāre sthāpayaty api |
svayam ācarate yasmād ācāryas tena kīrtitaḥ ||
Vāyu Purāṇa
Vāyu Purāṇa says. He is ācārya, ācinoti yaḥ śāstrārtham - what is stated, tattva, in śāstra, he himself observes in his day-to-day life, in his very life. ācinoti śāstrārtham; ācāre sthāpayaty api svayam ācarate. He himself practises those things in his daily life, and makes his disciples or followers practise it. He is ācārya.
ācara pracāra ye karanti se ācārya
Therefore Kṛṣṇa says:
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
ŚB 11.27.17
He is ācārya. All of his activities, all of his activities are according to the śāstra-tattva. By his own example, by his own example he teaches the whole world, teaches his disciples, teaches the whole world. That is ācārya.
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
ŚB 11.27.17
So if such an ācārya is there, a spiritual master, you should not treat him as an ordinary human being, navamanyeta karhicit. The spiritual master is not an ordinary human being. He is the substitute for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. ‘One should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and never be envious of him or consider him to be an ordinary human being.’ My Guru Mahārāja says this thing in his purport: “One should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and never be envious of him or consider him to be an ordinary human being.” The spiritual master is as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindm
Gurvaṣṭakam, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
In Gurvaṣṭakam, everyday you chant. He is sākṣād Hari. One should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, saksad Hari. So he is Bhagavān. One may think like that. Māyāvādīs say. In this Māyāvāda philosophy, they treat the spiritual master as Bhagavān, sākṣād Hari. But the Vaiṣṇava philosophy, sākṣād Hari, treats the spiritual master, one should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Supreme Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Truth - ekam eva dvitīya nāsti. That is Absolute Truth, advaya-tattva. ekam eva dvitīya nāsti - no second. He is only one. So if guru, the spiritual master is sākṣād Hari, then how is it? Is guru the absolute truth? No. Guru is not the absolute truth. So what does it mean: saksad hari, one should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Guru is Bhagavān but he is sevaka-bhagavān. He is not sevya-bhagavān. Kṛṣṇa is the sevya-bhagavān. - sarvārādhya sarva-sevya - Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Absolute Truth. He is sevya-bhagavān. He is viṣaya-vigraha, He is to be served. And guru is sevaka-bhagavān, guru is the servant. Guru never says, “I am Bhagavān.” No. “I am the servant of the servant of the servant of servant of the servant of the' Lord.”
gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsa dāsānudāsa dāsānudāsa dāsānudāsāham
Mahāprabhu, Śrīman Mahāprabhu has taught us two bhagavāns: sevya-bhagavan, sevaka-bhagavān. Guru is sevaka-bhagavān. Sevaka means servant. He is not the absolute truth. This is Vaiṣṇava philosophy. sākṣād hari means he is Bhagavān but he is the most intimate associate.
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
Gurvaṣṭakam
He is so intimate. This is guru-tattva - he is one of the sakhīs or mañjarīs of Vṛndāvan.
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
The business of the sakhīs; what are the businesses of the sakhīs? The business of the sakhīs is to unite Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in the kuñja.
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
They are very expert - dakṣa; daksa means expert. They are very expert in doing this business. They will say, the sakhī speaks, goes to Kṛṣṇa and speaks about Rādhā, on behalf of Radha, and another sakhī may go to Rādhā and speak about Kṛṣṇa.
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā tatrāti-dākṣyād
Very expert in uniting. So, so intimate is guru. So how can you treat that guru as an ordinary human being? They are so much intimate associates, associates of the Lord in that world, Goloka Vṛndāvan. Therefore one should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is sevaka-bhagavān, āśraya-sevaka bhagavān. Viṣaya-vigraha bhagavān is only Kṛṣṇa. You will approach Kṛṣṇa through guru, āśraya-sevaka.
āśraya laiyā bhaje, kṛṣṇa nāhi tare tyāge
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura
You should do kṛṣṇa-bhajana taking shelter at the lotus feet of a guru. Guru-unmukhe-bhajan. Bhajanīya vastu is Kṛṣṇa. Bhajanīya vastu is Kṛṣṇa. We do all our bhajan for His pleasure, for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa. How Kṛṣṇa will be pleased, only guru knows because he is a very intimate associate. Only guru knows how Kṛṣṇa will be pleased; nobody knows. So your business is to please Kṛṣṇa. So how can you please Kṛṣṇa? You should take the instructions of the spiritual master and act accordingly, and do your bhajan.
āśraya laiyā bhaje, kṛṣṇa nāhi tare tyāge
Then Kṛṣṇa will never leave you. You have taken shelter. If you have taken shelter at the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master and doing your bhajan according to his instructions. Then Kṛṣṇa will never leave you. This is the process, this is the way. This is the way. If we follow the instructions of the spiritual master and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will remain always free from the contamination of bodily and material activities. And our life will be successful. How we can make our life successful? If we follow the instructions of the spiritual mater and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will always be free from the contaminations of bodily and material activities and our life will be successful. Just execute it.
guru-murkha-padma-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya
āra nā kariha mane āśā
What Gurudeva has said, what my spiritual master has said, just execute it. Just execute it, follow it ‘as it is’. Follow it as it is and execute it. Then you will be always be free from the contaminations of bodily and material activities. The activities we are doing, or the disciple is doing, that is not material activity if he really follows his guru. If he really follows his guru and acts accordingly, those activities are not material activities. Because guru has said to serve Kṛṣṇa. So service of Kṛṣṇa, the activities related to Kṛṣṇa, are not material activities, it is all transcendental. Kṛṣṇa is not material so activities related to Kṛṣṇa under the direction of the guru, spiritual master, are all transcendental. It is not material activities. My Guru Mahārāja says the same thing, “If we follow the instructions of the spiritual master and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will remain always free from contamination of bodily and material activities. And our life will be successful.” This is the success of life. This human form of life, this manuṣya janma, is durlabha janma.
durlabha manuṣya janma
labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte
mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ
ŚB 11.9.29
Śrīmad-Bhagavatam 11th canto says.
labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte
mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ
ŚB 11.9.29
After undergoing so many species of lives, bahu sambhavānte, labdhā-sudurlabham, sudurlabham idam mānuṣyam janmam. This durlabha janma, rarely achieved manuṣya janma, durlabham mānuṣyam janma. It is rarely achieved. If you have been given this manusya janma, sudurlabha, arthada.
labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte
mānuṣyam artha-dam anitya
And also it is anitya, and it is arthada. This is temporarily given. This human form of life or this body may go away at any time. It is anitya, it is temporary, but it is arthada.
What is arthada? dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa, we say, catur varga, four puruṣārthas. And the chief of that pañcama is puruṣārtha, paramārtha. This is arthada, that is paramārtha. This life is meant, the human form of life is meant to achieve that paramārtha. Paramārtha means this kṛṣṇa-bhakti. kṛṣṇa-prema bhakti, that is paramartha. This human, durlabha manuṣya janma, this human form, rarely achieved human form of life, is meant to achieve this paramārtha - kṛṣṇa-bhakti, kṛṣṇa-prema-bhakti. If, achieving this human form of life, someone doesn't engage himself in the loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then his life is spoiled. So this is the success of life, our life will be successful or this human form of life will be successful if we can always engage ourselves in the loving service of the Lord. And how can we engage ourselves? How can we engage ourselves always in the loving of the Supreme Lord?
That is why the instruction of the guru, the spiritual master. We cannot serve Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord according to our own way, own whims. No. No. What pleases Kṛṣṇa, that guru knows; the spiritual master knows. So under his direction, according to his instructions, if you serve the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and engage always in His loving service, then your life will be successful. At every moment one should, every moment one should try to engage himself in the loving service of the Supreme Lord according to the instructions of the spiritual master. Then this human form of life will be successful. Otherwise it is not possible. This is stated.
So these are the instructions given by Lord Viṣṇu to Pṛthu Mahārāja. And your duty is that. These are instructions, you should act accordingly. And this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagāvata mahā-purāṇa is there.
kṛṣṇa-tulya bhāgavata — vibhu, sarvāśraya
prati-śloke prati-akṣare nānā artha kaya
CC madhya 24.318
kṛṣṇa-tulya bhāgavata — this bhagāvata mahā-purāṇa, Bhāgavata is Kṛṣṇa - kṛṣṇa-tulya. It is as good as Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is vibhu. Kṛṣṇa is vibhu, the Bhāgavata is also vibhu.
kṛṣṇa-tulya bhāgavata — vibhu, sarvāśraya
We have to take shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and also we take shelter of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
kṛṣṇa-tulya bhāgavata — vibhu, sarvāśraya
prati-śloke prati-akṣare nānā artha kaya
CC madhya 24.318
In every verse, in every letter, prati-śloke prati-akṣare nānā artha kaya, so many things are there in every verse, every letter because this is Kṛṣṇa. So we have therefore this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class everyday.
Śrīman Mahāprabhu, when He was instructing Sanātana Gosvāmī, Sanātana-siṣka, about sādhana-bhakti, He speak about 64 chausaṭhi aṅga, 64 items of sādhana-bhakti. Then at the conclusion, He spoke about five:
sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa
mathurā-vāsa, śrī-mūrtira śraddhāya sevana
CC madhya 22.128
ei pāṅcera alpa saṅga kṛṣṇa-bhakti janmāya
CC madhya 22.129
He said. This is the conclusion He gave, Śrīman Mahāprabhu.
sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa mathurā-vāsa
This should be done everyday. śrī-mūrtira śraddhāya sevana ei pāṅcera alpa saṅga kṛṣṇa-bhakti janmāya - Our business, the aim of this human form of life, durlabha manava janma is how to develop kṛṣṇa-bhakti then our life will be successful. So, everyday this should be done: nitya bhāgavata-sevayā. It is a daily activity. One must associate with sādhu, sādhu-saṅga, a real sādhu, a pure devotee. Guru, a spiritual master, is a pure devotee. It is every day's business. If you do sādhu-saṅga, you will get four: nāma-kīrtana, sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa, mathurā-vāsa. Sādhu always chants, does hari-kīrtana, serves nāma-kīrtana.
So by the association of sādhus you'll get the opportunity of nāma-kīrtana; sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana. And bhāgavata-śravaṇa. Sādhu speaks. A pure devotee, spiritual master, speaks from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Then you'll get the opportunity of listening to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa. Mathurā-vāsa : to reside in Mathurā. One may think, 'You see, Mathurā is there in India, in Uttar Pradesh. We are here in America. How can we live in Mathurā? So we will leave this place and go there and reside?' No. That is not the thing. That’s not the purport.
What is Mathurā? Mathurā is the appearance place of Lord Krsna. Where Kṛṣṇa appears that is Mathurā. So, where there is a pure devotee, where there is a pure devotee, there is Kṛṣṇa.
nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada
yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ
Kṛṣṇa says, “Where am I? Where will you find Me?
nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada
yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ
“I never stay in Vaikuntha.” nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca “In the heart of the yogīs, mad-bhaktāḥ yatra gāyanti - My devotees, where they glorify Me out of love, congregate themselves, do nāma-kīrtana, nāma-kīrtana, I am there.”
nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada
yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ
“I am there.” Kṛṣṇa says. So, that is Mathurā. Kṛṣṇa appears. The appearance place of Kṛṣṇa is Mathurā. So that is mathurā-vāsa. If you really have such association of sādhu, then you can get these four:
sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa
mathurā-vāsa, śrī-mūrtira śraddhāya sevana
CC madhya 22.128
Fifth one is to serve the śrī-mūrtira, deities. śraddhāya sevā. Therefore we have this vigraha-sevā. Mahāprabhu instructs Sanātana Gosvāmī in Sanātana-śiṣkā. You'll find this thing. So Bhāgavata-śravaṇa, so we do everyday. It is everydays' business. Through this, you will get lessons: what to do, how we can execute, how we can go on in our day-to-day life. This is the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Takes lessons from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. And guru, spiritual master, real sādhu, pure devotee, he always speaks from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam therefore bhāgavata-śravaṇa is there.
These are instructions to Pṛthu, instructions of Lord Viṣṇu to Pṛthu Mahārāja is there. So Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam śravaṇ is necessary, it is necessary for us. So this is.
Thank you very much!