Siddha-deha

atra kārikā—tac-cintanādi-samaye kuryāt tad-anusārataḥ

atra kārikā—
tac-cintanādi-samaye kuryāt tad-anusārataḥ |
cintanaṁ tu tayos tatra vasan guru-gaṇānvitaḥ ||
punaś cākṣuṣa-līle’smin siddha-dehena sādhakaḥ |
manasā mānasīṁ sevām aṣṭa-kālocitāṁ vrajet ||
sādhakaḥ siddha-dehena kuryāt kṛṣṇa-priyā-gṛhe |
guru-rūpa-priyā-pārśve lalitādi-sakhī-gaṇe ||
nivāsaṁ yāvaṭe nityaṁ śrī-rūpa-mañjarī-yutaḥ |
śrī-yāvaṭa-pure śrīmad-vṛṣabhānu-pure’pi ca ||
nandīśvara-pure rādhā-kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa-taṭa-dvaye |
śrīmad-vṛndāvane ramye śrīmad-vṛndāvaneśayoḥ ||
prātar-ādy-aṣṭa-samaye sevanaṁ tu krameṇa ca |
nānopakaraṇair divyair bhakṣya-bhojyādibhiḥ sadā |
cāmara-vyajanādyaiś ca pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ ||
siddhāṅga-bhāvanā-kramo yathā—
kiśorī gopa-vanitā sarvālaṅkāra-bhūṣitā |
pṛthu-tuṅga-kuca-dvandvā catuḥṣaṣṭi-guṇānvitā ||
nigūḍha-bhāvā govinde madanānanda-mohinī |
nānā-rasa-kalālāpa-śālinī divya-rūpiṇī ||
saṅgīta-rasa-sañjāta-bhāvollāsa-bharānvitā |
divā-niśaṁ mano-madhye dvayoḥ premā-bharākulā ||
sarva-lakṣana-sampūrṇā bhāva-hāvādi-bhūṣitā |
guru-prasāda-jananī guru-rūpā-priyānugā |
gāndharvikā-sva-yūtha-sthā lalitādi-gaṇānvitā ||
rūpa-mañjary-anugatā yāvaṭa-grāma-vāsinī |
cintanīyākṛtiḥ sā ca kāma-rūpānugāminī ||
cid-ānanda-rasamayī druta-hema-sama-prabhā |
sucīna-nīla-vasanā nānālaṅkāra-bhūṣitā ||
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇayoḥ pārśva-vartinī nava-yauvanā |
guru-dattasya nāmno’syā mātā vargādya-mañjarī |
pitā varga-tṛtīyākhyo vargāntāhvayakaḥ patiḥ ||
nivāso yāvaṭe tasyā dakṣiṇā mṛdvikā hi sā |
śrī-rādhā-vastra-bhūṣāḍhyā nānālaṅkāra-bhūṣitā ||
asyaiva siddha-dehasya sādhanāni yathā-kramam |
ekādaśa-prasiddhāni lakṣyante’timanoharam ||
nāma rūpaṁ vayo veśaḥ sambandho yūtha eva ca |
ājñā sevā parākāṣṭhā pālya-dāsī nivāsakaḥ ||
eteṣāṁ viśeṣa-lakṣaṇāny ucyante—
tatrādau nāma-lakṣaṇam—
śrī-rūpa-mañjarīty-ādi-nāmākhyānānurūpataḥ |
cintanīyaṁ yathā-yogyaṁ sva-nāma vraja-subhruvām ||
atha rūpam—
rūpaṁ yūtheśvarī-rūpaṁ bhāvanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ |
trailokya-mohanaṁ kāmoddīpanaṁ gopikā-pateḥ ||
atha vayaḥ—
vayo nānā-vidhaṁ tatra yat tu tridaśa-vatsaram |
mādhuryādbhuta-kaiśoraṁ vikhyātaṁ vraja-subhruvām ||
atha veśaḥ—
veśo nīla-paṭādyaiś ca vicitrālaṅkṛtais tathā |
svasya dehānurūpeṇa svabhāva-rasa-sundaraḥ ||
atha sambandhaḥ—
sevya-sevaka-sambandhaḥ svamanovṛtti-bhedataḥ |
prāṇātyaye’pi sambandhaṁ na kadā parivartayet ||
atha yūthaḥ—
yathā yūtheśvarī-yūthaḥ sadā tiṣṭhati tad-vaśe |
tathaiva sarvathā tiṣṭhed bhūtvā tad-vaśa-vartinī ||
atha ājñā—
yūtheśvaryāḥ śirasy ājñām ādāya hari-rādhayoḥ |
yathoditāṁ tac-chuśrūṣāṁ kuryād ānanda-saṁyutā ||
atha sevā—
cāmara-vyajanādīnāṁ saṁyoga-pratipālanam |
iti sevā parijñeyā yathā-mati vibhāgaśaḥ ||
atha parākāṣṭhā—
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇayor yadvad rūpa-mañjarikādayaḥ |
prāptā nitya-sakhītvaṁ ca tathā syām iti bhāvayet ||
atha pālya-dāsī—
pālya-dāsī ca sā proktā paripālyā priyaṁvadā |
sva-manovṛtti-rūpeṇa yā nitya-paricārikā ||
atha nivāsaḥ—
nivāso vraja-madhye tu rādhā-kṛṣṇa-sthale mataḥ |
vaṁśī-vaṭaś ca śrī-nandīśvaraś cāpy atikautukaḥ ||
atha mañjarī-gaṇa-niṣṭhā—
anaṅga-mañjarī proktā vilāsa-mañjarī tathā |
aśoka-mañjarī ceti rasa-mañjarikā tathā ||
rasāla-mañjarī nāmnā tathā kamala-mañjarī |
karuṇā-mañjarī khyātā vikhyātā guṇa-mañjarī ||
evaṁ sarvāś ca vikhyātāḥ sva-sva-nāmākṣaraiḥ parāḥ |
mañjaryo bahuśaḥ rūpa-guṇa-śīla-vayo’nvitāḥ ||
nāma-rūpādi tat sarvaṁ guru-dattaṁ ca bhāvayet |
tatra tatra sthitā nityaṁ bhajet śrī-rādhikā-harī ||
bhāvayan sādhako nityaṁ sthitvā kṛṣṇa-priyā-gṛhe |
tad-ājñā-pālako bhūtvā kāleṣv aṣṭasu sevate ||
sakhīnāṁ saṅginī-rūpām ātmānaṁ vāsanāmayīm |
ājñā-sevā-parākāṣṭhā-kṛpālaṅkāra-bhūṣitām |
tataś ca mañjarī-rūpān gurv-ādīn api saṁsmaret ||
(Śrī Śrī Gaura-Govindārcana-smaraṇa-paddhati of Gopāla Guru Gosvāmīpāda: 297–329; Śrī Śrī Gaura-Govindārcana-smaraṇa-paddhati of Dhyānacandra Gosvāmīpāda: 78–110)

“Now, the precept [in regard to performing service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa with a siddha-body is stated]: At the time of meditation and so forth on them [viz., Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa], one should, following them, dwell there [i.e., in their abode] in the company of one’s gurus and engage in meditation upon them. Furthermore, in this līlā to be envisioned, a sādhaka should with the mind perform mental [i.e., meditational] service with the siddha-body related to [each of] the eight time periods [of the day]. United with Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī [alt., with one’s guru in sakhī form (DCG variant)], a sādhaka should with the siddha-body always dwell in the home of Kṛṣṇa’s Dear One [viz., Śrī Rādhā] in Yāvaṭa by the side of one’s guru in the form of a dear one [i.e., in the form of a sakhī of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa] in the company of the dear ones [alt., sakhīs (DCG variant)] Lalitā and so forth and perform worship of the beautiful Īśas of Vṛndāvana [viz., Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa] by means of foot-massages and so on with various excellent instruments, foods, beverages, and so on, such as cāmaras, fans, and so on, in Śrī Yāvaṭapura, as well as in Śrī Vṛṣabhānupura [i.e., Barsānā], Nandīśvarapura, on the two banks of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s kuṇḍas [i.e., on the banks of Rādhā Kuṇḍa and Śyāma Kuṇḍa], and in charming Śrī Vṛndāvana at the eight times [of the day] beginning with early morning.
The method for meditation on the siddha-body is as follows:
That figure to be meditated upon is
An adolescent cowherd woman
Adorned with all ornaments,
Possessed of two ample, raised breasts,
Endowed with the sixty-four qualities,
Possessed of hidden bhāva for Govinda,
Enchanting by virtue of the bliss of Madana [viz., Kāmadeva, i.e., by virtue of the bliss of prema],
Adept in discussion of various arts and rasas,
Of divine [i.e., splendid] form,
Filled with an abundance of elation
From the feeling (bhāva) produced by the taste (rasa) of music,
Night and day overwhelmed
With an abundance of prema for the Pair
Within the heart,
Replete with all attributes,
Ornamented with [the three bodily alaṅkāra-anubhāvas, viz.,] bhāva, hāva, and so on [i.e., helā, meaning, (1) the first passion felt in the heart, expressed by flickering of the eyes (bhāva, see UN 11.6–8), (2) a slightly greater expression of passion in which the neck is tilted and there is a blossoming of the eyes, eyebrows, and other features (hāva, see UN 11.9–10), (3) an expression of passion that is evidently suggestive of amour (helā, see UN 11.11–12)],
Born of the guru’s grace,
A follower of the guru in the form of a dear one [of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, i.e., a follower of the guru’s sakhī form],
Situated in Gāndharikā’s [i.e., Rādhā’s] own group,
Attached to the party of Lalitā and so on,
A follower of Rūpa Mañjarī
[Alt., a follower of her own group leader (DCG variant)],
A resident of the village of Yāvaṭa,
A follower of kāma-rūpā [-rāgātmikā-bhakti],
Filled with rasa of [the nature of] consciousness and bliss,
Possessed of radiance like molten gold,
Dressed in a blue, fine silk garment,
Adorned with various ornaments,
Dwelling by the side of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa,
And fresh in youth.
The first letter of the consonant class (varga) of [the first letter of] her [i.e., the siddha-body’s] guru-given name is the [letter that will start the name given for her] mother. The father will have a name of [i.e., that starts from the] the third [letter] in the consonant class (varga) [of her guru-given name]. The husband will have a name of [i.e., that starts from the] the last [letter] in the consonant class (varga) [of her guru-given name]. Her residence is in Yāvaṭa. She is indeed acquiescent and gentle, abounding in the cloth and adornments of Śrī Rādhā, and adorned with various ornaments. The eleven, well-known aspects of this siddha-body are defined as follows: a very charming (1) name (nāma), (2) figure (rūpa), (3) age (vayas), (4) dress (veśa), (5) relationship (sambandha), (6) group (yūtha), (7) order (ājñā), (8) service (sevā), (9) acme [i.e., ultimate aspired for attainment] (parākāṣṭhā), (10) [state of being a] handmaid to be nurtured (pālya-dāsī), and (11) dwelling place (nivāsa).
“The particular characteristics of these are stated [as follows]. Therein, at first, the characteristic of the name (nāma) [is stated]: (1) one’s own name is to be meditated upon as appropriate in accord with the accounts of the names ‘Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī’ and so on of they of fine brows in Vraja [i.e., of the Vraja-gopīs, meaning, one should meditate on the name of one’s siddha-body, which will be such-and-such mañjarī].
“Then, the figure (rūpa) [is described]: (2) the figure is to be meditated upon with great care [alt., perseverant effort] as the form of a group leader (yūtheśvarī) that is enchanting to the three worlds and an excitant of desire (kāma) [i.e., prema] for the Lord of the gopīs [viz., Kṛṣṇa].
“Then, the age (vayas) [is described]: (3) age can be of various sorts. Among them, the age of thirteen—the marvelous adolescence filled with sweetness (mādhurya)—of they of fine brows of Vraja [i.e., of the gopīs] is stated [to be the age to be meditated upon].
“Then, the dress (veśa) [is described]: (4) that which is beautiful by virtue of taste (rasa) [i.e., aesthetic quality] naturally in accord with one’s own body by means of a blue silken garment and so on along with variegated ornaments is the dress [to be meditated upon].
“Then, the relationship (sambandha) [is described]: (5) in accord with the variety [i.e., specific nature] of one’s own disposition of mind, there is a servant and object of service relationship [between the bearer of the siddha-body and Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa]. Never shall one change this relationship, even when in danger of death.
“Then, the group (yūtha) [is described]: (6) as the group of a group-leader always remains under her leadership, so exactly one should remain in all circumstances, being a follower of her leadership.
“Then, the order (ājñā) [is described]: (7) holding the order of the group-leader on the head, one should also engage in that attendance as aforesaid [alt., as appropriate (DCG variant)] of Hari and Rādhā, being filled with bliss.
“Then, the service (sevā) [is described]: (8) the service is to be recognized compartmentally according to one’s understanding as attending to provision of [alt., fulfilling all orders for (DCG variant)] a cāmara, fan, and so on.
“Then, the acme [i.e., ultimate aspired for attainment] (parākāṣṭhā) [is described]: (9) one should meditate, ‘As Rūpa Mañjarī and others have attained the state of being nitya-sakhīs [lit, ‘constant female friends’] of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, so too shall I [attain that].’
“Then, the [state of being a] handmaid to be nurtured (pālya-dāsī) [is described]: (10) she who is in every respect fit to be nurtured, pleasant speaking, and a constant attendant by way of her own disposition of mind is called a pālya-dāsī [lit., ‘handmaid to be nurtured’].
“Then, the dwelling place (nivāsa) [is described]: (11) the marvelous Vaṁśī-vaṭa, Śrī Nandīśvara, and so on, [i.e., all those places] considered among the sites of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Vraja, are the dwelling place [alt., the marvelous sites of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Vraja, such as Vaṁśī-vaṭa and Śrī Nandīśvara, are the dwelling place (DCG variant) to be meditated upon].
“Now, the fixity of the mañjarīs [is described]: addressed, known, and renowned by the names Anaṅga Mañjarī, as well as Vilāsa Mañjarī, Aśoka Mañjarī, Rasa Mañjarī, Rasāla Mañjarī, Kamala Mañjarī, Karuṇā Mañjarī, and Guṇa Mañjarī, and similarly all the others who are renowned by the syllables forming their own names—there are many [such] mañjarīs endowed with [charming] figures, qualities, characters, and ages. One should meditate on all of them—[their] names, figures, and so on, and that given by the guru [i.e., as well as one’s own mañjarī form, meaning, one’s own siddha-body, alt., the mañjarī who is endowed with [charming] dress, figure, qualities, character, and age—one should meditate on all of this given by the guru—the name, form, and so on [of this mañjarī form, that is, one’s guru-given siddha-body]]. Situated [in one’s own mañjarī form] among all of them [i.e., all the aforementioned and alluded to mañjarīs], one should always worship Śrī Rādhikā and Hari. Meditating [in this way], being situated in the abode of Kṛṣṇa’s Beloved [viz., Śrī Rādhikā], and being a fulfiller of her orders, a sādhaka serves during the eight time periods [of the day]. One should meditate on oneself in the imaginational [alt., meditational (DCG variant)] form of a companion of these sakhīs adorned with [their] orders, [their] service, [one’s] acme [i.e., ultimate aspired for attainment], [their] grace, and [their] ornaments, as well as the mañjarīs forms of one’s guru and so forth [i.e., along with one’s grand-guru and the other guru’s in one’s line of succession (paramparā).”

Read on →

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-sudhā-pānād deha-daihika-vismṛteḥ

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-sudhā-pānād deha-daihika-vismṛteḥ |
teṣāṁ bhautika-dehe’pi sac-cid-ānanda-rūpatā ||
(Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta: 1.3.61)

“On account of non-remembrance of the body and the bodily as a result of drinking the nectar of bhakti to Kṛṣṇa, their having a form [constituted] of eternal being, consciousness, and bliss can come about even [when they are] in a body [made] of the [material] elements.”

Read on →

tvaṁ bhakti-yoga-paribhāvita-hṛt-saroja

tvaṁ bhakti-yoga-paribhāvita-hṛt-saroja
āsse śrutekṣita-patho nanu nātha puṁsām |
yad yad dhiyā ta urugāya vibhāvayanti
tat tad vapuḥ praṇayase sad-anugrahāya ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 3.9.11; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 7.383; Bhagavat Sandarbha: 6, 40; Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 1.3.111)

“[Brahmā to Śrī Bhagavān:] O Nātha! You, he the path to whom is seen by hearing, dwell in the lotus-hearts of living beings that have been purified by bhakti-yoga [alt., that have been made fit (for you) by virtue of prema]. O you of highest praise! [Alt., O you who are sung of in many ways!] Out of favor upon the sat, you bring forth that very form of yours which they distinctively meditate on [alt., visualize] with the mind.”

Read on →

rājño jīvatu deho’yaṁ prasannāḥ prabhavo yadi

rājño jīvatu deho’yaṁ prasannāḥ prabhavo yadi |
tathety ukte nimiḥ prāha mā bhūn me deha-bandhanam ||
yasya yogaṁ na vāñchanti viyoga-bhaya-kātarāḥ |
bhajanti caraṇāmbhojaṁ munayo hari-medhasaḥ ||
dehaṁ nāvarurutse’haṁ duḥkha-śoka-bhayāvaham |
sarvatrāsya yato mṛtyur matsyānām udake yathā ||
devā ūcuḥ—
videha uṣyatāṁ kāmaṁ locaneṣu śarīriṇām |
unmeṣaṇa-nimeṣābhyāṁ lakṣito’dhyātma-saṁsthitaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 9.13.8–11)

“[The sages pray to the devas for the sake of Mahārāja Nimi:] ‘May this body of the king live if you all are satisfied [with the sacrifice initiated by the king] and capable [of bringing the king’s body back to life].’ When, ‘So be it’ was said [by the devas in response to the sages’ prayer], Nimi [being situated then only in a subtle body] said, ‘Let me not be subject to the bondage of a [gross] body [again]. Sages who are agitated by fear of disconnection [from a gross body], who are endowed with wisdom related to Hari, and who worship the lotus feet [of Hari], do not desire connection with that [i.e. with a gross body]. [Thus,] I do not wish to don a [gross] body, which is a cause of suffering, sorrow, and fear, since its death, like that of fish [even] in water, can occur everywhere.’ [In reply to the sages] The devas said [with regard to Mahārāja Nimi]: ‘Bodiless [i.e., free from a gross body] and situated in a subtle body, at will let him be observed in the opening and closing [i.e., blinking] in the eyes of the embodied.’”

Read on →

kā vidyā hari-bhaktir eva na punar vedādi-niṣṇātatā

kā vidyā hari-bhaktir eva na punar vedādi-niṣṇātatā
kīrtiḥ kā bhagavat-paro’yam iti yā khyātir na dānādijā |
kā śrīḥ tat-priyatā na vai dhana-jana-grāmādi-bhūyiṣṭhatā |
kiṁ duḥkhaṁ bhagavat-priyasya viraho no hṛd-vraṇādi-vyathā ||8||
bhagavān: bhadram | ke muktāḥ?
rāmānandaḥ: pratyāsattir hari-caraṇayoḥ sānurāge na rāge
prītiḥ premātiśayini harer bhakti-yoge na yoge |
āsthā tasya praṇaya-rabhasasyopadehe na dehe
yeṣāṁ te hi prakṛti-sarasā hanta muktā na muktāḥ ||9||
bhagavān : bhavatu |
kiṁ geyaṁ vraja-keli-karma kim iha śreyaḥ satāṁ saṅgatiḥ
kiṁ smartavyam aghāri-nāma kim anudhyeyaṁ murāreḥ padam |
kva stheyaṁ vraja eva kiṁ śravaṇayor ānandi vṛndāvana-
krīḍaikā kim upāsyam atra mahasī śrī-kṛṣṇa-rādhābhidhe ||10||
bhagavān: bhadram |
(Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭakam: 7.8–10; cited in Alaṅkāra-kaustubha: 8.233–234, 236)

“Bhagavān: What is knowledge?
“Rāmānanda: Hari-bhakti alone [is knowledge], and not, rather, expertise in the Vedas and so on.
“Bhagavān: What is glory?
“Rāmānanda: The renown, ‘He is devoted to Bhagavān’ [is glory] and not that produced by giving and so on.
“Bhagavān: What is wealth?
“Rāmānanda: Fondness for him [i.e., Bhagavān, is wealth], and certainly not an abundance of money, people [i.e., relatives, friends, followers, man-power, or otherwise], villages [i.e., land, property, social influence, etc.] and so on.
“Bhagavān: What is suffering?
“Rāmānanda: The separation of one dear to Bhagavān [is suffering], and not the pain of a wound in the heart or otherwise.
“Bhagavān: Very well. Who is liberated?
“Rāmānanda: Hanta! Those of rasa-laden disposition [alt., nature] who have close contact with [alt., affinity (āsakti) for] those possessed of loving attachment (anurāga) to Hari’s feet and not [rather close contact with or affinity for] attachment (rāga) [to objects of the senses (viṣaya)], [who] have fondness (prīti) for bhakti-yoga filled with a profusion of prema related to Hari, and not [rather] for yoga [i.e., jñāna-, karma-, or aṣṭāṅga-yoga, etc.], and [who] have conviction in the body suitable for he of fervent love (praṇaya) and not [rather conviction] in the [worldly] body, are liberated, and not [rather] the liberated [i.e., those who think themselves liberated].
“Bhagavān: Let it be. What is to be sung?
“Rāmānanda: The acts of play in Vraja.
“Bhagavān: What is the highest good (śreyas) here [in this world]?
“Rāmānanda: The association of the sat.
“Bhagavān: What is to be remembered?
“Rāmānanda: The name of Agha’s Foe.
“Bhagavān: What is to be meditated upon?
“Rāmānanda: The feet of Mura’s Foe.
“Bhagavān: Where is one to be stationed?
“Rāmānanda: In Vraja alone.
“Bhagavān: What is delighting to the ears?
“Rāmānanda: The play in Vṛndāvana alone.
“Bhagavān: What is the object to be approached [i.e., worshiped] here?
“Rāmānanda: The object of worship is the [two-fold] brilliance known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā.
“Bhagavān: Very well.”

Read on →

atha teṣāṁ śuddha-bhaktānāṁ bhūta-śuddhy-ādikaṁ

atha teṣāṁ śuddha-bhaktānāṁ bhūta-śuddhy-ādikaṁ yathā-mati vyākhyāyate | tatra bhūta-śuddhir nijābhilaṣita-bhagavat-sevaupayika-tat-pārṣada-deha-bhāvanā-paryantaiva tat-sevaika-puruṣārthibhiḥ kāryā nijānukūlyāt |
(Bhakti Sandarbha: 286)

“Now, the bhūta-śuddhi [i.e., ‘purification of the elements’, a part of the process of arcana] of pure bhaktas [i.e., of those following the path of bhakti unmixed with karma, jñāna, and so forth] is explained as per my understanding. In that regard, bhūta-śuddhi is to be performed by those whose only puruṣārtha is service to him [i.e., Bhagavān] verily up to [i.e., including] contemplation of [oneself inhering in] the body of an associate of Bhagavān conducive to one’s own desired service to him because of [its, i.e., such contemplation’s] favorability for oneself [i.e., because such is favorable to attaining one’s desired bhāva and service therewith].”

Read on →

na yasya janma-karmabhyāṁ na varṇāśrama-jātibhiḥ

na yasya janma-karmabhyāṁ na varṇāśrama-jātibhiḥ |
sajjate’sminn aham-bhāvo dehe vai sa hareḥ priyaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.2.51; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.28)

“One whose sense of ‘I’ does not adhere to this body along with [its] birth [i.e., nobility] and karma [i.e., performance of austerities, japa, meditation, etc.], or [its] varṇa [e.g., being a brāhmaṇa], āśrama [e.g., being a brahmacārī], and jāti [e.g., being born to a particular set of parents, in a particular country, in a particular region, etc.], is dear to Hari.”

Read on →

siddha-rūpeṇa antaś-cintitābhīṣṭa-tat-sevopayogi-dehena

siddha-rūpeṇa antaś-cintitābhīṣṭa-tat-sevopayogi-dehena … |
(Durgama-saṅgamanī-ṭīkā on Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.2.295)

“The siddha-rūpa [i.e., siddha-deha] is an internally conceived body suitable for service to one’s desired object [i.e., Iṣṭa-devatā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa].”

Read on →

ahaṅkārasya dve vṛttī ahantā mamatā ca iti

ahaṅkārasya dve vṛttī ahantā mamatā ca iti | tayor jñānena layo mokṣaḥ, deha-gehādi-viṣayatve bandhaḥ, ahaṁ prabhor janaḥ sevako’smi sevyo me prabhur bhagavān saparikara eva rūpa-guṇa-mādhurī-mahodadhir iti pārṣada-rūpa-vigraha-bhagavad-vigrahādi-viṣayatve premā | sa hi bandha-mokṣābhyāṁ vilakṣaṇa eva puruṣārtha-cūḍāmaṇir ity ucyate |
tatra kramaḥ | ahantā-mamatayor vyavahārikyām eva vṛttāv atisāndrāyāṁ satyāṁ saṁsāra eva | ahaṁ vaiṣṇavo bhūyāsaṁ prabhur me bhagavān sevyo bhavatv iti yādṛcchikyāṁ śraddhā-kaṇikāyāṁ satyāṁ tad-vṛtteḥ pāramārthikatva-gandhe bhaktāv adhikāraḥ | tataḥ sādhu-saṅge sati pāramārthikatva-gandhasya sāndratvaṁ | tato bhajana-kriyāyām aniṣṭhitāyāṁ satyāṁ tayoḥ paramārthe vastuny ekadeśa-vyāpinī vṛttiḥ vyavahāre pūrṇaiva | tasyāṁ niṣṭhitāyāṁ paramārthe bahula-deśa-vyāpinī vyavahāre prāyiky eva | rucāv utpannāyāṁ paramārthe prāyiky eva vṛttir vyavahāre tu bahu-deśa-vyāpinī | āsaktau jātāyāṁ paramārthe pūrṇā vyavahāre tu gandha-mātrī | bhāve tu paramārtha evātyantikī vṛttir vyavahāre tu bādhitānuvṛtti-nyāyenābhāsa-mayī | premaṇi tayor ahantā-mamatayor vṛttiḥ paramārthe paramātyantikī vyavahāre tu naikāpīti |

(Mādhurya-kādambinī: 8)

“The ahaṅkāra has two vṛttis (functions): ahantā [i.e., I-ness, or identification) and mamatā [i.e., my-ness, or, possessiveness]. Dissolution of these two through jñāna is [called] mokṣa. Their being fixed upon objects of the senses, such as the body and home, is [called] bondage. ‘I am Prabhu’s person [i.e., I belong to Prabhu]. I am a servant, and Prabhu is my object of service. Bhagavān [i.e., Prabhu] along with his companions is verily a vast ocean of sweetness in form and qualities”—their [i.e., these two functions of the ahaṅkāra] being fixed upon the figure of a body of an associate [of Bhagavān] and upon the figure and so forth of Bhagavān [i.e., the vṛtti of ahantā functioning so as to produce identification with the body of an associate of Bhagavān, and the vṛtti of mamatā functioning so as to produce an affectionate sense of my-ness in relation to the figure, qualities, activities, and so forth of Bhagavān] is [called] prema. That [i.e., prema] is distinct from bondage and mokṣa, and is said to be the crown-jewel of puruṣārthas.
“The course [of development] in this regard [is as follows]: when the vṛttis of ahantā and mamatā are present very densely only in worldly affairs, there is only [the condition known as] saṁsāra. When a fortuitous (yādṛcchikī) particle of śrāddhā comes about, [such that one has the resolve,] ‘I shall become a Vaiṣṇava, and my master, Bhagavān, shall be my object of service,’ then those vṛttis have a trace of relation to Ultimate Reality (Paramārtha) and one has eligibility (adhikāra) for bhakti. Then, when association with sādhus occurs, density of that trace of relation to Ultimate Reality develops. Then, when unfixed (aniṣṭhitā) engagement in bhajana occurs, their [i.e., ahantā and mamatā’s] vṛttis are partially in the object, Ultimate Reality, and fully in worldliness. When that [i.e., engagement in bhajana] is fixed (niṣṭhitā), then they are extensively in Ultimate Reality and only mostly in worldliness. When ruci arises, then the vṛttis are mostly in Ultimate Reality, but [still] extensively in worldliness. When āsakti appears, then they are fully in Ultimate Reality, but [still] bearing just a trace in worldliness. In bhāva, however, the vṛttis are absolutely in Ultimate Reality, but possessed of a semblance in worldliness like the continuance of a negated entity. In prema, these vṛttis of ahantā and mamatā are absolutely to the fullest extent in Ultimate Reality and not in worldliness at all.”

Read on →

vaikuṇṭhasya bhagavato jyotir-aṁśa-bhūtā vaikuṇṭhaloka-śobhā-rūpā

vaikuṇṭhasya bhagavato jyotir-aṁśa-bhūtā vaikuṇṭhaloka-śobhā-rūpā yā anantā mūrtayas tatra vartante tāsām ekayā saha muktasyaikasya mūrtiḥ bhagavatā kriyata iti vaikuṇṭhasya mūrtir iva mūrtir yeṣām ity uktam |
(Prīti Sandarbha: 10)

“The figure of one liberated jīva is made by Bhagavān with one of those unlimited figures existing there which is a form of Vaikuṇṭhaloka’s splendor and consists of a portion of the luster of Vaikuṇṭha, that is, of Bhagavān, and thus it has been stated [by Śrīdhara Svāmī in his commentary on SB 3.15.14 in relation to those who reside in Vaikuṇṭha], “whose figure is like the figure of Vaikuṇṭha [i.e., Bhagavān].”

Read on →

Scroll to Top