Transcription made by: Sai Nidhi Mataji and Shrushthi Nidhi Mataji
Gour Govinda Swami:
yad advaitaṁ brahmopaniṣadi tad apy asya tanu-bhā ya ātmāntar-yāmī puruṣa iti so ’syāṁśa-vibhavaḥ ṣaḍ-aiśvaryaiḥ pūrṇo ya iha bhagavān sa svayam ayaṁ na caitanyāt krṣṇāj jagati para-tattvaṁ param iha [CC Ādi 1.3]
rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam [CC Ādi 1.5]
cirād adattaṁ nija-gupta-vittaṁ sva-prema-nāmāmṛtam aty-udāraḥ ā-pāmaraṁ yo vitatāra gauraḥ kṛṣṇo janebhyas tam ahaṁ prapadye [CC Madhya 23.1]
gauraḥ sac-caritāmṛtāmṛta-nidhir gaurama sadaiva stuve gaureṇa prathitaṁ rahasya-bhajanaṁ gaurāya sarvaṁ dade gaurād asti kṛpālur atra na paro gaurasya bhṛtyo 'bhavam gaure gauravam ācarāmi bhagavan gaura prabho rakṣa mām
mādhuryaugha-madhu-sravad-vadana-hemāmbhoja-netrotsavāḥ kāruṇyāmṛta-nirjharā nirupadhi-prauḍha-pratāpācalāḥ mattāmbhodara-dhairya-nirjayi-lasat-kampa-sampad-valī- devo naḥ kula-daivatam vijayatāṁ caitanya-kṛṣṇa-hariḥ [Śrī Caitanya-candrāmṛta (Verse 132)]
ājānu-lambita-bhujau kanakāvadātau saṅkīrtanaika-pitarau kamalāyatākṣau viśvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-pālau vande jagat-priya-karau karuṇāvatārau [Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Ādi-khaṇḍa, Chapter 1, Verse 1]
anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ CC Ādi 1.4
sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya deva, rati mati tāre seva, prema kalpataru dātā vraja rāja nandana, rādhikāra prāṇa dhana, aparūpa ei saba kathā
navadvīpe avatāra, rādhā bhāva ańgīkāra, bhāva kānti ańgera bhūṣaṇa tina vāñchā abhilāṣī, śacī garbhe parakāśi, sańge saba pariṣada gaṇa
gaurahari avatari, premera bādara kori, sādhilā manera nija kāja rādhikāra prāṇapati, ki bhāve kāndaye niti, ihā bujhe bhakata samāja Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
uttama adhama, kichu nā bāchila, yāciyā dileka kola kahe premānande, emana gaurāńge, antare dhariyā dola bhaja gaurāńga kaha gaurāńga laha gaurāńgera nāma re je jan gaurāńga bhaje, sei (hoy) āmāra prāṇa re
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
yasevya-pādam bhaktirlābdhyā premāvidātum paramā pumārtho tasmai jagan maṅgala caitanya candra namo namaste [Śrī Caitanya-candrāmṛta Verse 9]
ānanda-līlā-maya-vigrahāya hemābha-divyac-chavi-sundarāya tasmai mahā-prema-rasa-pradāya caitanya-candrāya namo namas te [Śrī Caitanya-candrāmṛta Verse 11]
sei likhi, madana-gopāla ye likhāya kāṣṭhera puttalī yena kuhake nācāya CC Adi 8.79
Gour Govinda Swami: Translation by Srila Prabhupada. As a wooden doll is made to dance by a magician, I write as Madana-gopāla orders me to do so. This is the position of a pure devotee. One should not take any responsibility on his own but should be a soul surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who will then give him dictation as the caittya-guru, or the spiritual master within. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased to guide a devotee from within and without. From within He guides him as the Supersoul, and from without He guides him as the spiritual master.
kulādhidevatā mora — madana-mohana yāṅra sevaka — raghunātha, rūpa, sanātana CC Ādi 8.80
I accept as my family Deity Madana-mohana, whose worshipers are Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī.
vṛndāvana-dāsera pāda-padma api’ dhyāna tāṅra ājñā lañā likhi yāhāte kalyāṇa CC Ādi 8.81
I took permission from Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura by praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order I have attempted to write this auspicious literature. Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī took permission not only from the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-mohana but also from Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, who is understood to be the Vyāsa of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
caitanya-līlāte ‘vyāsa’ — vṛndāvana-dāsa tāṅra kṛpā vinā anye nā haya prakāśa CC Ādi 8.82
Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is the authorized writer on the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Without his mercy, therefore, one cannot describe these pastimes.
mūrkha, nīca, kṣudra muñi viṣaya-lālasa vaiṣṇavājñā-bale kari eteka sāhasa CC Ādi 8.83
I am foolish, lowborn and insignificant, and I always desire material enjoyment; yet by the order of the Vaiṣṇavas I am greatly enthusiastic to write this transcendental literature.
śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-caraṇera ei bala yāṅra smṛte siddha haya vāñchita-sakala CC Ādi 8.84
The lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī are my source of strength. Remembering their lotus feet can fulfill all one’s desires.
śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa CC Ādi 8.85
Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.
Here Srila Kaviraja Goswami says how he was able to write such transcendental literature, such nectarian transcendental, nectarian pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He says this. As a wooden doll is made to dance by a magician, I write as Madana Gopāl orders me to do so. This is the position of a pure devotee. One should not take any responsibility on his own, but should be a soou surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who will then give him dictation as caitya-guru from within, and spiritual master, without Supreme Personality of Godhead, if the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased, He guides a devotee from within and without.
vṛndāvana-dāsera pāda-padma api’ dhyāna tāṅra ājñā lañā likhi yāhāte kalyāṇa CC Ādi 8.81
I took permission from Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur, praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order, I have attempted to write this auspicious literature. Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur is authorized writer, the vyasa of pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Without his mercy, no one can describe these pastimes.
mūrkha, nīca, kṣudra muñi viṣaya-lālasa vaiṣṇavājñā-bale kari eteka sāhasa CC Ādi 8.83
I am foolish, lowborn, insignificant, and always desire material enjoyment, yet by the order of the Vaishnavas, I am greatly enthusiastic to write this transcendental literature. This is the only process. Order of Vaishnavas, mercy of the Vaishnavas, that is very powerful.
śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-caraṇera ei bala yāṅra smṛte siddha haya vāñchita-sakala CC Ādi 8.84
The lotus feet of Rupa Goswami and Raghunatha Goswami are my source of strength, source of strength. Remembering their lotus feet can fulfill all one's desires. This is only, to beg the mercy of the Vaishnavas. Otherwise, you cannot speak or write on transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No. One who says and thinks that, "I can write. I have qualification. I have, I have such learning, scholarship." If he says like that, he cannot write. He cannot write such thing. He cannot write such thing.
Therefore, Mahaprabhu's teaching is there: tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ [Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka 3]. Thinking always oneself as much humbler than a blade of grass on the street. uttama hañā āpanāke māne tṛṇādhama [CC Antya 20.22]. Who is really Uttama? Crest jewel of Paramahamsa, this Kaviraj Goswami, the crest jewel of Paramahamsa. But he says, "I am lowest of the low." Here he says, "I'm the lowest of the low."
mūrkha, nīca, kṣudra muñi viṣaya-lālasa vaiṣṇavājñā-bale kari eteka sāhasa. "I am foolish, low-born, most insignificant, always desire material enjoyment and no quality, nothing. How? How I have?" I have been enthusiastic, to write such literature. vaisnava-jnanare. By the order of the Vaishnavas, by the mercy of the Vaishnavas, greatly enthusiastic write this transcendental literature. This is order of Vaishnav, Sadguru. That powerful. śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-caraṇera ei bala yāṅra smṛte siddha haya vāñchita-sakala.
This is the krupa abala. The lotus feet of Rupa Goswami, Raghunath Das Goswami are my source of strength, source of strength. That is the source, krupa abala. Those who think that they have strength, they have qualification, they can write, they can speak, they can do, they're demons. They're demons. This is not Vaishnava. This is Vaishnava qualities, tunapi sunicena. Vaishnava is the topmost person, Uttama, crest jewel of Paramahamsas, this Raghuna- this Kaviraj Goswami, that he thinks like this. This is attitude. This is real Vaishnav attitude, Vaishnav quality. There no question of this pride. No question of pride. False ego. No question of false ego.
dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm Bg. 16.4
Gita, sixteenth chapter. Lord Krishna says this thing, this dambikata, this pride,is dambho darpo abhimāna krodha, ajnano, this ignorance. These demonic characteristics. Those who have really received this, transcendental education, para vidya, they are naturally very humble.
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini śuni caiva śva-pāke ca paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ Bg. 5.18
That real education, real vidya, para vidya, spiritual education, not material education. Those who have received material education, they are very puffed up. They are very proud. That is dambha. This is dambha. We say dambha. And this pride comes, the dambha comes ... What do you say in English, pr- dambha?
Devotee: Pride comes before the fall? Pride comes before the fall?
Gour Govinda Swami: No, no. What do you say? Arrogance. Dambha, dambha. No? You have Bhagat Gita? Yes. Yes. You find out that 16:4 verse, what, what is? Con- conceit. Conceit. Yes. I think what Prabhupada written.
dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca krodḥ pāruṣyam eva ca ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm Bg. 16.4
You find? Yes?
Devotee: Pride. Pride,
Gour Govinda Swami: yes. Then? Pride and conceit. Yeah, dambho, pride, darpa, arrogance. abhimāna, conceit. krodha, anger. pāruṣyam, harshness. ajñānaṁ, ignorance. You understand? Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance. These qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O son of partha. This pride, arrogance, pride, dambha darpa. This pride. Pride, arrogance, conceit. abhimāna, conceit. Like this. These are those who have received this material education, they are like this. That's not real education.
And this dambha, this pride come in many, many forms, many, many forms. Tyagar dambha, one who has become a great tyāgi, he also what do you say? Says, he also says that he is, he's a great tyāgi. "I have, I have given up this thing, I've given up this thing, I've given up this thing." Who has given up such thing like me? Such pride. tyāgara dambhava, bhogara dambhava. Pride and enjoyment. I am great enjoyer, like Krishna. Krishna is only enjoyer. I am also the enjoyer. This is pride. Bhogara dambhava.
daya-prasun-sukrata-dambhavasa. I am very merciful. I am a great charitable person. I give such charity to that, such charity to that organization, such charity to that organization, such charity to that person. That's what. Is there anybody like me? This is also pride. This is also pride. daya-prasun. I'm such a great charitable person. You see, this, Bali Maharaja has, had such pride. Yes, Bali Maharaja had such pride, because a demon. Anyhow, he got mercy when he completely surrendered. Atma-nivedana.
So, this pride comes in many, many ways, many, many forms. But this is not Vaishnava quality at all.. Vaishnava is so low, lowest of the low, he thinks always, that is his attitude. His attitude. Lowest of the low is Vaishnava. He never says these things, I have no most, degraded, lowest of the low. He says like this. Where is such question? There is no question of this pride. Therefore, Mahaprabhu teaches this thing. Trunapdapi sunicena, think yourself as much humbler than a blade of grass, and the lowest of the low. Then you can get the mercy. You can, beg for the mercy, you can really get mercy. From sādhu, guru, Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise you cannot get it. Hmm.
Sādhu-guru-kṛpā-vinā, nāhi ko nisṭār. That is said. Sādhu-guru-kṛpā-vinā, nāhi ko nisṭār. we always pray for this. Without the kṛpā, without this kṛpā of sādhu-guru, nobody can achieve success in this, human birth. Nobody can make any advancement in this path of devotional service. Hmm.
So we are singing this song of Devakīnandana dāsa, how he begs mercy at the lotus feet of all the Vaiṣṇavas. Vṛndāvana-vāsī-yata-vaiṣṇavaḥ. All the Vaiṣṇavas in Vṛndāvana. All the Vaiṣṇavas in Nirācāra, puruṣottama-dhāma. Mahāprabhu-gana, Mahāprabhu, dear devotees. All the Mahāprabhu's devotees in Navadvīpa. Mahāprabhu's devotees, Mahāprabhu's men, own men, staying in any part of the world. I pray my Vaiṣṇavas, they are lotus feet, I beg mercy on them. je-dese je-dese baise gaurāṅgera gaṇa , ūrdhva-bāhu kari vandon sabāra caraṇa. Wherever, in what country, what part of the world, gaurāṅgas, men are there. Devotees are there. I, with folded hands, beg mercy from the lotus feet and pay obeisances.
6 verse complete. Those who have already become devotees, servants, dear devotees of gaurāṅga, and those who will in future become, the devotees, he says. Haiben, in future those will become, dear devotees of gaurāṅga. I, pay my obeisances at the lotus feet of all these Vaiṣṇavas, and beg their mercy, and beg their mercy. brahmāṇḍa tārite śakti dhare jane jane, e veda purāṇe guṇa gāya jevā śune [Vrndavana Vasi Jata Vaisnavera Gana- Vaishanava Song -Verse 7]. One, such a, such a person, such, one person, such a one person has, so powerful, one, he can deliver the whole world, whole universe, whole universe. He is so powerful, such strength, spiritual strength he has. That he says.
vandanā karite mui kata śakti dhari tamo-buddhi-doṣe mui dambha mātra kari tathāpi mūkera bhāgya manera ullāsa doṣa kṣami’ mo-adhame kara nija-dāsa
He says. If I say like this, I am begging mercy, all the Vaiṣṇavas, then I have such apprehension that, such pride may come into me, that I can do like this. This is apprehension, dambha he says. He says, tamo-buddhi-doṣe mui dambha mātra kari. Oh, I have begged mercy in all the, Lotus Feet, all the Vaiṣṇavas. This is sort of dambha . May this pride enter into me, please. Oh, Vaiṣṇavas, please excuse me, doṣa kṣami. Please excuse me. I have no such desire. Your heart is so magnanimous. Adoṣa-darśī mora prabhu uddhāra. You never see the, what you say, wrong or mistake or offense of anybody. So, please excuse me, if I commit any offense, commit any wrong by this, please accept me as a speck of dust at your feet, one of your lowest servants, like this. He says, this is what we pray for. We should always pray for the mercy of the sādhu, guru, Vaiṣṇavas. Thereby, we'll get the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
Here, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura we are singing the songs of Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura.
ṭhākura vaiṣṇava pada, avanīra sampada, śuno bhāi hoiyā eka mana āśraya loiyā bhaje, tāre kṛṣṇa nāhi tyaje, āra saba more akāraṇa [Thakura Vaisnava Pada- Vaishnava Song – Verse 1]
ṭhākura vaiṣṇava pada, avanīra sampada, śuno bhāi hoiyā eka mana āśraya loiyā bhaje, tāre kṛṣṇa nāhi tyaje, āra saba more akāraṇa
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, authority, vaiṣṇava ācārya, he says, this lotus feet of the vaiṣṇavas are, what you say, invaluable asset. Invaluable asset of the universe, of the world. One who has taken shelter of such vaiṣṇava, or vaiṣṇavas, and does bhajan, Kṛṣṇa never desires him. Those who have not taken shelter and doing bhajan, they have pride, we are doing bhajan. Such pride is there also. Pride comes in many ways, so many ways, so many ways. So many ways. Āśraya nāyā bhaje, tāte kṛṣṇa nāhiṭe je, ārṣava māreya kāraṇa. This is pride only. Nothing else. He is not prepared to surrender. He is not prepared to take shelter. Oh, I am doing bhajan. Yes. I am doing bhajan. Yes. So proud. Such pride. Āśraya nāyā bhaje, tāte kṛṣṇa nāhiṭe je, ārṣava māreya kāraṇa. Taking shelter of a vaiṣṇava, or vaiṣṇavas, and does bhajan, Kṛṣṇa never desires him. Otherwise, not taking shelter of the lotus feet of vaiṣṇava, sādhu, guru, one who is doing bhajan, Kṛṣṇa never accepts it. Kṛṣṇa never accepts it. But he has, he is so proud, he has such pride that I am doing bhajan. Yes, I am doing bhajan. Yes. Such pride.
vaiṣṇava caraṇa jala, prema bhakti dite bol, āra keho nahe balavanta vaiṣṇava caraṇa reṇu, mastake bhūṣaṇa vinu, āra nāhi bhūṣaṇera anta [Thakura Vaisnava Pada- Vaishnava Song – Verse 2]
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura said, the feet-washing water of a vaiṣṇava, sādhu, real sādhu, vaiṣṇava, is so powerful, is so powerful, only it gives prema-bhakti. Nothing is as powerful as this. vaiṣṇava caraṇa reṇu, mastake bhūṣaṇa vinu, āra nāhi bhūṣaṇera anta. The dust from the feet of a vaiṣṇava is the real ornament. If you can put on this ornament, throughout your body, all over your body. That's it.
tīrtha jala pavitra guṇe, likhiyāche purāṇe, se saba bhaktira pravañcana [Thakura Vaisnava Pada- Vaishnava Song – Verse 3]
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura. Purāṇas, Vedas, purāṇas say, the tirtha-jala, water available in a holy place, is pure water. But Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, bhaktir pravaṁ ca. This is detrimental, this is detrimental to bhakti.
vaiṣṇavera pādodaka, sama nahe ei saba, yāte hoy vāñchita pūraṇa [Thakura Vaisnava Pada- Vaishnava Song – Verse 3]
That the feet you are washing, water of a vaiṣṇava. All these pavitras, all holy water of this tirtha, holy places, cannot be compared to the feet-washing water of a vaiṣṇava. He says. sama nahe , cannot be compared, cannot be equal. jāti hui vāñchita-parṇa. If someone is very fortunate, gets such water, all his desires are fulfilled.
vaiṣṇava sańgete mana, ānandita anukṣaṇa, sadā hoy kṛṣṇa parasańga dīna narottama kānde, hiyā dhairya nāhi bāndhe, mora daśā keno hoilo bhańga [Thakura Vaisnava Pada- Vaishnava Song – Verse 4 ]
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, I am so dīna, so low, so insignificant, lowest of the low, I cannot get such thing. I cannot get such thing. I have no such fortune. I am such unfortunate fellow, he says. Sama, can associate with such vaiṣṇavas? Definitely. You will get transcendental bliss and pleasure, because association of vaiṣṇava, only there is discussions, discourses on nectarian pastimes of Kṛṣṇa. Mahāprabhu, nothing else.
He says like this sādhu-guru-kṛpā-vinā nāhi ko nisṭār. Without the mercy of sadhu guru, Nobody can achieve success in his human birth. That means nobody can achieve the supreme perfection in his life. They are so merciful. Sādhu-gurus are so merciful, sādhu-vaiṣṇavas are so merciful. They are wandering here, tārita-pāmara, in order to deliver this most distressed, degraded persons, their heart bleeds seeing the suffering of this conditioned soul's life after life. Only they have come here for that purpose. tārite pāmara nija kārya nāhi [CC Madhya 8.39]. They have nothing here to do.
They have come down here, holding this rope of what is this? Prema-bhakti-raj. One end of that rope. Holding one end of that rope, prema-bhakti, rope of prema-bhakti, they have come down here. The other end of that rope is tied to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa in Goloka Vṛndāvana. They have come with that. ahaitukī mercy, causeless mercy. Only one thing is required if someone is fortunate, can get such rope. The rope is available for him, and if he can clasp it, with the utmost, what you say, tight, tightness, isn't it? Dhrūḍha-bhāve. No slackness will be there. No slackness, but a tinge of slackness will be there. Hold it with utmost tightness. And that is the only thing needed. Then the sādhu-guru will lift him up. Otherwise he cannot be lifted from the foot of māyā, or durga durga.
Those who are outwardly or externally, outwardly or externally, say, O guru-deva, please shower your mercy on me. Only lips, from lips, they lips. They have this duplicity in their heart. In their heart. Only outwardly, externally, say, in lips, O guru-deva, please shower your mercy on me. But at the proper time you will find, they are not ready, they are not at all eager, to catch hold of that rope. No. Only lips, they say. They have independence. Independent-minded. They are saying, have you no independence? Oh, yes, you have independence. Have you no independence? Are we just like inanimate object? We have independence, we are animate object.
I say, yes, you have independence. Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja[Bg 18.66]. Giving up all varieties of religion, just surrender unto me. You have independence. If you like, you may surrender, you may not surrender. That independence you have. Yes, that independence you have. Kṛṣṇa says this, no, I won't surrender. Yes, that independence you have. Yes, I will surrender, that independence. That is the proper use of independence, if you surrender. If you won't surrender, you abuse your independence. That is abuse and proper use. And as you sow, so will you reap. As you sow, so will you reap.
If you make the proper use of your independence, minute independence, and surrender unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, then you will take shelter there. Eternal place there. Eternal place. Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet. From where nobody falls. In such a place there is no fear, there is no lamentation, no death. You will have such a place. That result you will get. If you, by abusing your minute independence, say, no, I won't take shelter there. You will be captured by māyā and suffer here, life after life. That is the result, as you sow, so will you reap.
These people are so puffed up. Have we no independence? We will follow and accept everything blindly? They are so puffed up, so pride they are. These rascals. These are duplicitous persons. They have duplicity. Kāpatā, kāpatya. They cannot get this mercy and merciful strength. Only in lips they say, Oh, please, Gurudev, dāndavāt, please shower your mercy. How can I get your mercy? In lips only. But proper time, they won't catch hold of that rope, you see. How can they be delivered from this deep dark well of saṁsāra kūpa? They cannot be delivered. They cannot get mercy. They cannot, because they are so independent-minded. And the independence, minority independence has been granted to you only for this purpose, that you will surrender. Unless you have independence, you cannot surrender. Can this thing surrender? Yes, it has no independence, inanimate object. You have independence, then you can surrender. Yes, you have that.
As soon as one surrenders, completely surrenders, that independence is finished now. No independence now. No independence. That independence is there with you as long as you have not surrendered. And if you surrender, then you make the proper use of independence. Then you are accepted by Kṛṣṇa. Accepted by Kṛṣṇa. And you get a place there at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. And there is no question that you will fall from that lotus feet. It is such a place.
aśoka-abhoya, amṛta-ādhāra, tomāra caraṇa-dwaya tāhāte ekhona, viśrāma labhiyā chāḍinu bhavera bhoya [Ātma-Nivedana Song Eight (2)]
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says, O Lord, Your lotus feet is such a place where there is no fear, no lamentation, no death. Such a place. Surrender? No. There is no question of my will. Then these people say, How do you know independence? Yes, you have independence. For what purpose independence has been granted to you? Only to take shelter, to surrender. This is the only purpose. That is the proper use of your independence. As soon as you surrender completely, then it is finished. Then you become as an instrument in the hands of Kṛṣṇa. nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sācin [Bg. 11.33]. Kṛṣṇa says nimitta-mātra-bhava-sabhya-sākṣi.
That, Kavirāja Gosvāmī says here. He is completely surrendered soul unto this Madana mohan. Unto Madana Mahārāja he is completely surrendered soul, he says sei likhi, madana-gopāla ye likhāya, kāṣṭhera puttalī yena kuhake nācāya. He says, As a wooden doll is made to dance by magician, I write as Madana Gopāla orders me, dictates me to write, makes me to write. He says, nimitta-mātra-bhava-sabhya-sākṣi As Kṛṣṇa says, be an instrument in my hand. Instrument has no independence. Has he independence? One who is using instrument, is possessor of instrument, as he likes, he will utilize, he will use it. He is like that.
Kavirāja Gosvāmī says, As a wooden doll, wooden doll has no independence. As a wooden doll is made to dance by magician, I write as Madana Gopāla makes me write. I am an instrument in the hand of Madana Gopāla. He never says, I write. No, he writes. Through me, I am just an instrument in his hand. That Kṛṣṇa said. That Kṛṣṇa said. Be an instrument in my hand. When you completely surrender, then independence finished. You now become a fit instrument, suitable instrument, proper instrument in the hand of Kṛṣṇa. As he likes, as he wills, he will utilize it. Nothing your will or nothing your independence.
You say, have we no independence? Yes, you have independence. But how? What is the use of such independence? That you should understand. jāō hē kṛṣṇa rījha pāhēṅ karau, rījha pāhēṅ. Therefore, Mahājana have said, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said, Narottama Ṭhākura says, What Kṛṣṇa wills, I will do that thing. Nothing my will, no, no my. It's finished now. This is what instrument in the hand. Those who have such independence, they think I have independence. They cannot take shelter. They can't surrender at all. They cannot get such mercy.
This mercy is bal strength. Kṛpābala. Yes. Kavirāja Gosvāmī says the same thing. śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-caraṇera ei bala, yāṅra smṛte siddha haya vāñchita-sakala. The lotus feet of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Raghunātha Gosvāmī are my source of strength. Source of strength. He was invalid. He was very, very old. When he was writing, his hands were trembling. But how he got strength? This strength, mercy, strength, received from lotus feet of Rūpa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Gosvāmī, Vṛndāvana-dāsa Ṭhākura, all the Vaiṣṇavas and Madana-gopāla. This is my source of strength, he says. This Kṛpābala.
So, this question, therefore, is raised. How can I get strength? Strength means spiritual strength, not material strength. How can we get? How can we get? Go on. If you say, Gurudev, please shower your mercy in the lips, inside. Kāpatya is there. Duplicity, the crookedness is there in your heart. In the lips you say, Gurudev, please shower your mercy. Kṛṣṇa knows and Guru knows also, He is manifestation of caitya-guru, Paramātmā. Oh, in His heart such kāpatya is there. Such crookedness is there. Now says, oh, I take shelter, Gurudev, I take shelter. I, please shower your mercy. In lips says. You see, such persons cannot, he says.
If with love and affection we can serve Guru. Niskāpatya-sevā. Service without duplicity. It comes pure love and affection. If you can serve Guru, then you will get that mercy, that strength. Immense strength, we will get immense strength. Immense strength. Krasurbalāsura. Guru-sevā, nāma-sevā. Service unto Lord Spirit, Guru and service unto Lord Spirit of holy name. With the pure love and affection there is no question of crookedness, duplicity. Then you get immense strength, immense spiritual strength. That is what he said here. It's Krupābala. That Kavirāja Gosvāmī says, it's Krupābala. This is source of my strength. He is always very eager and upon doing, how can I serve? I am a servant, I have to serve.
But those who say, yes, I am serving, I am rendering services. I am staying in the temple, I am rendering the services. What sort of service you are rendering? Whimsically, you are rendering whimsical service. Today this thing, next day this thing, next day this thing, next day this thing. As your stupid mind says, oh, let me do like this. All right, let me do. Yes, I am serving. What is that service? Is it accepted by Kṛṣṇa? Oh. As for example, Kṛṣṇa wants that Arjuna will fight and kill them. Isn't it? If Arjuna does that thing, then Kṛṣṇa will accept it. Kṛṣṇa will please. No, no, no, I won't fight. I'll be sannyāsī, I'll do this and this. Why shall I kill? Have I no independence? I have such independence. I won't fight. Kṛṣṇa says, no, I won't fight. Yes, that independence you have. I'll become sannyāsī. I'll do dhyan meditation. I'll meditate you in the jungle. Isn't it? Arjuna said that first. First he said. I'll meditate you. I'll be a dhyāna yogi. I don't want this kingdom, this power, this prestige. I don't want all these things. Why I kill my guru? I'll kill my relatives, my brothers. Those are related.
Now Krsna says you do whatever you want. You have independence. Now you do whatever you want. Then he's intelligent. He really got his mercy. No. naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayācyuta sthito ’smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava [Bg 18.73]. O Achyta O Lord, by Your mercy, all my doubts are cleared, dispelled. All my delusions gone. What I have forgotten now I remember. Smitir labda maya acykuta. I'll do what You want. That means I'll fight. No independence now. No independence. This is proper utilization of independence. What Kṛṣṇa wants I'll do. That's all right. This is proper utilization of independence. Finished. No independence now. Finished. That's all. He really gets mercy. He really gets mercy. Niskapata-sevā. Without duplicity you should serve. With pure love and affection you should serve. Sādhu-guru, guru-gaurāṅga. Then you'll get that merciful strength. Spiritual strength. Immense strength you'll get. Immense strength. That is bala, kṛpā bala.
It is always there, eternally there. Many ways it is there, available there. Those ropes are hanging here in many ways. If you can catch hold of that rope with much tightness, utmost tightness, without any slackness, then you'll get that merciful strength. Otherwise you cannot get. This is kṛpā bala. And such a person, who is fortunate, he is always up and doing, eager. How I can serve, render loving service unto lotus feet of sādhu-guru, lotus feet of guru and gaurāṅga? More and more, give much more and more pleasure to him.
Like this, he is always. No, I cannot render any service, I am such a rascal, such a stupid person, such a crooked person. I cannot render any service. I never said, oh, I have rendered this one, this thing, this thing, this thing. Such service I rendered. This is damba, this pride. No, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't render any service to such a rascal, such a stupid person, such a crooked person. I cannot get any mercy. I cannot do anything. Such false ego is so great in me. He says like, condemns himself, blames himself. Never says, I have done such thing, I have done such thing, I have done such thing, I have done such a, such great service I rendered. This is demoniac nature. Dumbo, that way. sevardhambo, it is sevardhambo. Sevardhambo, you see. Pride in service, rendering service. Is there any such servitor like me? Such pride there also comes. No, I cannot serve.
This is, then such a person can only receive, is only a fortunate person, he is only fortunate person who can receive such strength, kṛpāvala, merciful strength. Strength comes from Kṛṣṇa through sādhu-gurus. We say this is Balarāma's, Baladeva's kṛpāvala. Baladeva's kṛpāvala, you understand? Lord Balarāma, Nityānanda Rāma, you understand? Of Nityānanda Rāma, isn't it? That is Baladeva's kṛpāvala. If they will withdraw, if Lord Balarāma will withdraw his strength, where is your existence? Lord Baladeva will withdraw his, this merciful strength, where is your existence? Can you lift a blade of grass? Can you lift your hand? Where, where? He has inculcated strength unto you. Now you are moving. Now you are moving. Doing something.
If he withdraws that merciful strength, where is your existence? Where is your existence? How can you do? Where are you? At that time, where is your false ego? Such pride. Is that, will there be any pride now? You will feel so powerless, so weak, that you cannot even lift a blade of grass. You cannot even lift your hand. Paralysis, paralysis. You say paralysis. That means, Lord Baladeva withdraws his merciful strength.
Kavirāja Gosvāmī, such a, such an old man, such an old man, oldest person, his hands, legs were trembling. He is an invalid person. But how could he write? With iron pin, with palm leaf. It requires such strength. This strength, he says. This is the source of my strength, he says. He says clearly here. This strength, lotus feet of Rūpa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Gosvāmī, are my source of strength. Remembering their lotus feet, I can fulfill all desires. That is the strength, merciful strength, kṛpāvala. And always, every moment, one who is really intelligent, every moment, he should beg this mercy, this merciful strength.
Śrī Guru Nityānanda Rāma Prasāda, Caitanya bhagavata, Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura said, those who are really intelligent, really fortunate, really wise, they always beg this merciful strength from Guru Nityānanda Rāma. Guru Nityānanda Rāma, taking shelter, their lotus feet, always. Samasaraya para….. bhuga nitāichānde, One is very serious, very eager and serious to cross over the dreadful ocean of material string, existence, drown himself in the ocean of prema-bhakti, he should do the bhajana of nitāichānd. He should clasp very tightly the lotus feet of nitāicānta. Daro nitaira carana dukhani, Clasp tightly the two lotus feet of nitāicānta. That is Guru Nityānanda Pada arasharaya. Then he will really get such merciful strength. He will be able to speak and write about Kṛṣṇa or Gaurāṅga, Mahāprabhu. Kṛṣṇa and Mahāprabhu will accept him as a fit instrument in their hands. And through him they will act. Through him they are acting. There is nothing your will. No, their will will act. Through you, their will. Not your. No I. No independence now. It's gone. That independence is properly utilized, used, and you have taken complete shelter. Now no more independence. Finished. It's there. Will acts through you.
They cannot understand. These people cannot understand this thing. And they say, we not independence? Yes, you have independence. For what purpose? Karunāyādattam. It is said karunāyādattam. Out of mercy, the independence has been granted to you. Out of mercy, the independence has been granted to you. This merciful. Because if you are intelligent, you can make its proper use and take shelter. Surrender unto. Surrender unto. Lotus feet of Sādhu, Guru, Kṛṣṇa. That is why independence has been granted. That is proper use of independence. If you make it obvious, no, I won't surrender. Then you become captured by māyā, develop such pride, ānkāra.
You can become akiñcana. Akiñcana. Akiñcana means one who has bereft of everything, material, nothing. vaiṣṇava-cāraṇena aprāgra. Therefore, the lotus, dust from the Vaiṣṇava lotus feet is transcendental. There is one who is akiñcana, he perceives such things. Rāvaṇa, demon, so proud, dāmbhika. One who has such pride, he cannot go up. He will glide down, down, down, down. He may, by some manipulation, may go up to that Viraja. That brahmajyoti and Viraja. There he will drown. And Viraja, he will be drowned. No more. No more. He cannot go up. No more. No more. Finished.
But vaiṣṇava-cāraṇena, the dust of a Vaiṣṇava is so powerful, it crosses Viraja, Brahma-loka, Vaikuṇṭha-loka. And enters into Goloka Vṛndāvana. It's so powerful. Goes, goes, up, up, up, up, up, up, up. So powerful. Svabhāsa, highest compartment, toughest compartment, most confidential compartment, he enters into it. There is Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa united. There he enters. So powerful. So, if someone thinks, oneself such thing, such, I am so insignificant, like dust. That's what this prayer is:
ayi nanda-tanuja patitaṁ kiṅkaraṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau kṛpayā tava pāda-paṅkaja- sthita-dhūlī-sadṛśaṁ vicintaya [Śikṣāṣṭaka 5]
Why such prayer? Mahāprabhu says, this is the prayer. O Nanda Tanuja, O son of Nanda Mahārāja, I am your king, or I am your servant. Anyhow, I am fallen here, in this dreadful ocean of material existence, and I've been drowning and drowning and drowning here, innumerable lives, lakhs and lakhs of lives. Now please accept me as a speck of dust, speck of dust, and just a dust, speck of dust, at a lotus feet. Just think me like that. This is like a teaching. One who thinks like that, oneself, he becomes akīncana. And, he gets such merciful strength.
He gets such merciful strength. Such a, such dust, is so powerful, he can go up, that can go up, up, up, up, crossing, ah, Viraja, Vaikuṇṭha planet, Brahmāloka, ah, and enters into toughest planet in spiritual world, enters into the most confidential compartment, where Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are united. There he enters. This is what, so powerful. When he is fortunate, he gets such power, such strength, this is merciful strength.
Then he can say, and the example is Śrīla Kavirāja Gosvāmī says, this Mahājana has set example before us. mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ [CC Madhya 17.186]. We have to follow the footprints of Mahājana. No pride, no question of dāmbhikata, just pride, no. Therefore, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhắcūra, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura also, both Mahājanas, Vaiṣṇava ācāryas, they have song like this, vaiṣṇava caraṇa reṇu, mastake bhūṣaṇa vinu, āra nāhi bhūṣaṇera anta. this speck of dust from the lotus feet of Vaiṣṇava is the real ornament, real ornament. If somebody can get such ornament and puts it on his head, like, what do you say? Like a ah? Crown, like crown, very effulgent crown, puts, someone can put it, such ornament on his head, then there is no ornament greater than this, superior to it, this is the super-most ornament, he has put on. Such is the strength, this is strength, that Kavirāja Gosvāmī says, kṛpāvala, this kṛpāvala, this merciful strength, received through the mercy of Vaiṣṇavas, Guru Kṛṣṇa. Then one can act wonderfully, miraculously, wonderfully, miraculously, inconceivably, otherwise, no.
Na kari mane asa, What came out from the lips of Guru, without adding any deliberation to it, just accept it and execute it, as it is, as it is, don't deliberate. Don't try become guru of your guru, you understand, then rejected, get out, rascal! Guru will reject you. Such rascals are there, they think themselves very intelligent, oh Guru Mahārāja, śāstra says this thing, mention this thing, in āstakāle, līlā smaraṇa, I will do only think of sitting and thinking about līlā smaraṇa. Why you nonsense? He is a neophyte, he will do līlā smaraṇa. Such rascaldom, you see. Get out! I reject you. He is rejected. Speculator, only speculating. Speculating. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was always chanting trī lāksana, I will do like that, nonsense. He will do like that, imitating. We are all speculators. Thinking, I am such a great person, I am such a great person, I am like them, him. Such pride, he is such a proud fellow. I am such a, I am an exceptional person. He has not taken shelter of guru, why shall I?
I say, are you an exceptional person? He is most exceptional person. You are not that, why you think like that? Such, this was pride, I am such an exceptional person, I am great. They cite such examples, you see. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, he doesn't, he didn't take initiation, who says? Why will take? Such pride. Are you an exceptional person? That he says, who is this? Pundarik Vidyānidhi? Who is his guru? From whom he took initiation? So why you will take? Are you an exceptional person, like Pundarik Vidyānidhi? He chews palm. So, why not I? Are you like that? He is such pride, such pride, he is pride. Dambho, Karijara, tṛṇād api su-nīcena Baba, such dambho, such pride is there, you see. How can these people get mercy?
You see, Kavirāja Gosvāmī, such greatest jewel of Paramahamsa, Paramahamsa Cudāmani, Sirobhani, How he thinks, how he says. And he teaches us, how can you get this strength, this, what is the source of your strength, this is the source of your strength. You never beg for it, how can you get it? You are such pride. Dhambikata. This is demon. Demon in the guise of a Vaiṣṇava, hypocrite, like kalanemi. kalanemi was a great demon, but he was a guidance of sādhu, like a sādhu.
Devotee: Kāraṇīmi. Kāraṇīmi,
Gour Govinda Swami: yes, Kāraṇīmi. He was a great demon, but also a sādhu, chanting Ram-Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram. He was so great sādhu, such a great demon. He was of demons. Now scattered. Hari, Hari, Hari, Hari. Govinda, hey. Kali-yuga, measuring rod is this dambho. Pride. Therefore, they are always quarreling between two persons, two groups, two parties, two nations, two states, two countries. Two. Kala. Kala. This is dambho. Kala. I am great. I am great. Who are you? Kala, dambho. Mahāprabhu says, tṛṇād api su-nīcena I was just imitation taking, not real taking. You rascal. What you are? You cannot lift your hand. What strength you have? Such pride. Dhambikata
Devotee: So, now that you have detected my kapatiya, I will not beg any more mercy. Then what shall I do?
Gour Govinda Swami: Who says to beg mercy? Don't beg.
Devotee: You said, you should beg mercy. But you also said kapatiya is there. So now you have detected my kapatiya. It is now coming through me. It is kapatiya begging. Then what shall I do?
Gour Govinda Swami: Catching straw or grass in your teeth, beg mercy. Beg. Open. With open heart. With open heart you beg. Not with lips only.
Devotee: This is very strongly bolted. Yes. Heart is very strongly bolted. Yes. I have put some nice iron gates there.
Gour Govinda Swami: So why? So long. So why have you put all those things? Give me tip now. Throw it out. Break it and throw it out. Open your heart. Hare here. So, pride is going. Yes. Because in Kali-yuga it is very great.
Devotee: When we listen to you, then we can actually understand that all this pure devotional service, it is such a rare thing.
Gour Govinda Swami: Yes, rare thing.
Devotee: Before we were thinking, well, we can get it.
Gour Govinda Swami: Oh, this is also one sort of dhambhikata. Yes, I can get. Yes.
Devotee: But now, by hearing you, we can understand this is such a rare thing. Because, you know, so many people, like you say, know, as so-called Vaisnavas. Ah, so-called Vaisnavas. So-called Vaisnavas, yes. So-called Vaisnavas.
Devotee: So it means such a rare thing.
Gour Govinda Swami: I say. Vaisnava. Oh, is there any? I did this thing, I do this thing, I do this thing. Anybody like me has done such thing? Don't you know me? Such dhambhikata. Such dhambhikata. You see. Isn't it? You see. You see. Demons. Demons in guise of Vishnu. Demons in guise of Vishnu.
Devotee: You know our movement, many?
Gour Govinda Swami: And guise of Vishnu. Anyhow, Mahaprabhu. Prane ka kahibe kare, Anyhow. Let Mahaprabhu be merciful upon such demons. And chill their demoniac qualities, attitudes, characteristics in their heart. By showing His causeless mercy. So, only we pray for them unto Mahaprabhu. Nothing else we can do. Because He has not cut throat of any demon. Mahaprabhu. He has not cut throat any demon. He killed the demoniac attitudes in their heart. So, we pray unto Mahaprabhu. Please take care of these demons, Mahaprabhu. That's all we do. We do this thing. Always praying, praying.
Devotee: Maharaj, since Prabhupada has departed, there are so many devotees who have written books. So, how can we detect which ones are authorized?
Gour Govinda Swami: Anyhow. So, anyhow, now it's coming, coming. We have now any body. Write some book. The book should be reviewed. Then the review board is there. Some regulations, some principles, you know. Let down. Some reviewers are there. Now it's coming up in this body. Reviewed. Permission, sanction will be there. Yes, we have reviewed. And now it is. We give our recommendation. This should be published. Like this.
Devotee: If somebody writes a book that is not authorized, what will the benefit be?
Gour Govinda Swami: avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūtaṁ hari-kathāmṛtam śravaṇaṁ naiva kartavyaṁ sarpa-occhiṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ [Padma Purana] This is not real Vaisnava. He speaks Hari-katha. It's like sarpa-occhiṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ. That means milk touched by a poisonous serpent. Effect will be like that. Oh, this is nice milk. Let me see. Poisonous effect. Already said. This has already been said. This is so strange, you see. And this Kali yuga and material world. Bhakti-siddhanta-saraswati prabhpada says, not at all a fit place for any gentleman to live. Such nasty place. This material world. Such nasty place.
If you speak something from authority. Previous Acharyas have said, and they have written in these books. May be because Swami has written, but even I can't remember. Oh, he says like that. We don't know when they say. Prabhupad has not said like this. They say like this. How is it Prabhupad has not said? Prabhupad sings so many songs of Bhakti Vinod Thakur. He sings as sad goswami. Isn't it? So nicely she sings. Why he has not said? These people say like this.
Devotee: Sometimes my rascal mind comes with this and says, Oh, Gurudev is asking so much. No, I speak in such high level. Let me just go back and try to serve Prabhupada simply. Prabhupada does not ask so much. My mind is like that. Oh, Gurudev is speaking in such high level. Nobody speaks. Sometimes it's so discouraging because he says, unless you do like that, then no service accepted, nothing like that. Let me just, this is too advanced for me. Let me just follow Prabhupada. Mind is like that.
Gour Govinda Swami: Yes, this thing is going on.
Devotee: The mind says that.
Gour Govinda Swami: That's right. Stupid mind says. And we are servant of that stupid mind. Godas. We are Godas. We are not Goswami’s. We are Godas. We listen to the prompting of stupid mind. Stupid mind is your guru. Stupid mind is my guru. I will only listen to that my guru is stupid mind. Isn't it? Stupid mind. Very stupid mind. Yes. Listen to this stupid mind. Stupid mind says this thing. Oh, we can do it like this. Yes, yes. We can do it. That's right. Yes. Oh, yes. We can do like this. This little stupid mind. This stupid mind. Have you controlled your mind?
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says hara je menicaami O gopīnātha mana je pāgala mora nā māne śāśana. Oh, Gopinath, my mind is so stupid. Such rascal. Such mad mind. I try my best to inflict some control over it. But I failed. I failed. I failed. He admitted his defeat. And he said mind is my guru. Stupid mind is my guru. What stupid mind says, I do. Hari, Hari. Such thing is going on. What to do?
Devotee: So, what does Bhaktivinoda say? I have failed to control my mind, then?
Gour Govinda Swami: tumi hṛṣīkeśa hṛṣīka damiyā, tārahe samsṛti-ghore, you are hṛṣīkeśa Gopinath master of the control over the mind. Please take care of your mind. And deliver me from this grief of this stupid mind. He begs mercy. Let us be the Gopinath. Are you begging?