Ekāntitā

aho alaṁ kautukam etad īkṣyate

aho alaṁ kautukam etad īkṣyate
yathaiṣa vikrīḍati martya-loka-gaḥ |
tathaiva vaikuṇṭha-padopari sthito
nija-priyānāṁ paritoṣa-hetave ||
(Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta: 2.5.70)

“[Śrī Nārada along with Uddhava to Gopa Kumāra:] Aho! This great delight is seen: as he [i.e., Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa] sports situated in the mortal plane [i.e., in the Dvārakā on Earth], so exactly does he [sport here in the Dvārakā] situated above the domain of Vaikuṇṭha for the sake of the complete satisfaction of his dear ones.”

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aho bhagavato līlā-mādhurya-mahimādbhutaḥ

aho bhagavato līlā-mādhurya-mahimādbhutaḥ |
tad-eka-niṣṭhā-gāmbhīryaṁ sevakānāṁ ca tādṛśam ||
(Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta: 2.5.69)

“[Śrī Nārada along with Uddhava to Gopa Kumāra:] Aho! The wonder of the greatness of the mādhurya of Bhagavān’s līlā! [And] The depth of the one-pointed fixity upon him of his servants is like that as well!”

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vraja-bhūmāv ayaṁ jātas tasyāṁ gopatvam ācarat

vraja-bhūmāv ayaṁ jātas tasyāṁ gopatvam ācarat |
gopālopāsanā-niṣṭho viśiṣṭo’sman mahāśayaḥ ||
(Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta: 2.5.62)

“[Śrī Uddhava along with Śrī Nārada to Gopa Kumāra:] He was born in the land of Vraja, he has engaged in cowherding (gopatva) there, and he has fixity in worship (upāsanā) of Gopāla. This great soul is superior to us.”

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ājñāyaivaṁ guṇān doṣān mayādiṣṭān api svakān

ājñāyaivaṁ guṇān doṣān mayādiṣṭān api svakān |
dharmān santyajya yaḥ sarvān māṁ bhajet sa ca sattamaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.11.32; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.62; Bhakti Sandarbha: 200; Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 2.8.62)

“[Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Uddhava:] Fully understanding qualities and faults in this manner, one who shall completely relinquish all one’s own dharmas even though [they are] instituted by me and worship me is also the best of the sat.”

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tava vikrīḍitaṁ kṛṣṇa nṛnāṁ parama-maṅgalam

tava vikrīḍitaṁ kṛṣṇa nṛnāṁ parama-maṅgalam |
karṇa-pīyūṣam āsādya tyajanty anya-spṛhāṁ janāḥ ||
śayyāsanāṭana-sthāna-snāna-krīḍāśanādiṣu |
kathaṁ tvāṁ priyam ātmānaṁ vayaṁ bhaktās tyajema hi ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.6.44–45; cited in Bhakti Sandarbha: 164; Prīti Sandarbha: 111)

“O Kṛṣṇa, having attained [i.e., heard about] your superb play, which is the highest auspiciousness for human beings and nectar for the ears, people relinquish [their] desire for all else. [So,] How could we, your bhaktas while lying down, sitting, walking, standing, bathing, playing, eating, and so on, relinquish you, our Beloved, our very Self?”

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yo yo viśeṣo’pekṣyaḥ syād anyo’pi likhiteṣv iha

athopasaṁhāraḥ |
yo yo viśeṣo’pekṣyaḥ syād anyo’pi likhiteṣv iha |
tat-tac-chāstrāt sa sa jñeyo nitarāṁ ca guror mukhāt ||
santy anye’pi sadācārā bahavaḥ śāstra-darśitāḥ |
na likhyante’tra te sarve grāhakābhāvato’dhunā ||
kṛtyāny etāni tu prāyo gṛhiṇāṁ dhanināṁ satām |
likhitāni na tu tyakta-parigraha-mahātmanām ||
avaśyaṁ tāni sarvāṇi teṣāṁ tādṛktva-siddhaye |
prāg apekṣyāṇi bhaktir hi sadācāraika-sādhanā ||
teṣāṁ ca pūrva-likhitāt kṛtyāny ekānti-lakṣaṇāt |
vyaktiṁ yātāny athāpy ante likhyante’lpāni kānicit ||
athaikānti-kṛtyam
prāk prema-bhakti-sampatteś cihnāni likhitāni hi |
tāny evaikāntināṁ prāyo jñāpakāni vidur budhāḥ ||
sarva-tyāge’py aheyāyāḥ sarvānartha-bhuvaś ca te |
kuryuḥ pratiṣṭhā-viṣṭhāyā yatnam asparśane varam ||
ata evoktam ekādaśe śrī-bhagavatā—
jñāna-niṣṭho virakto vā mad-bhakto vānapekṣakaḥ |
sa-liṅgān āśramāṁs tyaktvā cared avidhi-gocaraḥ ||
ekāntināṁ gatānāṁ tu śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇābjayoḥ |
bhaktiḥ svataḥ pravarteta tad-vighnaiḥ kiṁ vratādibhiḥ ||
tathā brahma-vaivarte—
yathā katham api śrīmān śrīkāntaṁ samupāśritaḥ |
kurute’khila-pāpānāṁ pralayaṁ kiṁ punar vrataiḥ ||
viṣṇu-rahasye brahma-nārada-saṁvāde māsopavāsa-kathanānte—
indriyārtheṣv asaktānāṁ sadaiva vimalā matiḥ |
paritoṣayate viṣṇuṁ nopavāso’jitātmanaḥ ||375||
kiṁ tasya bahubhis tīrthaiḥ snāna-homa-japa-vrataiḥ |
yenendriya-gaṇo ghoro nirjito’duṣṭa-cetasā ||376||
jitendriyaḥ sadā śāntaḥ sarva-bhūta-hite rataḥ |
vāsudeva-paro nityaṁ na kleśaṁ kartum arhati ||377||
ye smaranti sadā viṣṇuṁ viśuddhenāntarātmanā |
te prayānti bhayaṁ tyaktvā viṣṇu-lokam anāmayam ||378||
prabhāte cārdha-rātre ce madhyāhne diva-saṅkṣaye |
kīrtayanti hariṁ ye vai na te taranti bhavārṇavam ||379||
ānandito’thavā cārtaḥ kruddhaḥ śānto’thavā harim |
yo’nukīrtayate bhaktyā sa gacched vaiṣṇavīṁ purīm ||380||
garbha-janma-jarā-roga-duḥkha-saṁsāra-bandhanaiḥ |
na bādhyate naro nityaṁ vāsudevam anusmaran ||381||
evam ekāntināṁ prāyaḥ kīrtanaṁ smaraṇaṁ prabhoḥ |
kurvatāṁ parama-prītyā kṛtyam anyan na rocate ||382||
bhāvena kenacit preṣṭha-śrī-mūrter aṅghri-sevane |
syād icchaiṣāṁ sva-mantreṇa sva-rasenaiva tad-vidhiḥ ||383||
vihiteṣv eva nityeṣu pravartante svayaṁ hi te |
ity ādy ekāntināṁ bhāti māhātmyaṁ likhitaṁ hi tat ||384||
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 20.364–383; 371 cited from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.18.28, 373 cited from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.20.36; 374 cited from Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa; 375–381 cited from Viṣṇu-rahasya)

“Now, the conclusion [of this text, viz., Hari-bhakti-vilāsa:] Should particular matters of consideration arise in addition even to those described here [in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa], those are to be learned from the appropriate śāstra [that addresses those matters] and expressly from the mouth of guru. ||364|| There are many additional forms of sadācāra shown in the śāstra. Not all of these are described here [in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa] because of the absence of [suitable] recipients at present. ||365|| These activities (kṛtyas) [i.e., the activities described in this text], however, for the most part, have been described for wealthy and virtuous householders, and not rather for great souls who have forsaken acquisition [i.e., for those who have renounced household life]. ||366|| All of those [activities] are certainly to be observed beforehand [i.e., before one becomes a renunciant] in order to attain that state of theirs [i.e., to attain the position of a renunciant, meaning, the qualifications required to live a life of renunciation], since bhakti is that the only means of attainment of which is sadācāra (sadācāraika-sādhanā) [i.e., bhakti is attained only by observance of sadācāra in the sense that it is attained only by means of a purified mind and sādācāra is a primary means of bringing that about]. ||367|| Their [i.e., renunciants’] activities were also made evident by the aforementioned characteristics of the one-pointed [i.e., of the ekānti-bhaktas, as discussed in HBV 10.59–76 and elsewhere]. Now as well at the end [of this text], a few of them will be described. ||368||
“Now, the activities of the one-pointed (ekāntis)—the wise know the signs of the attainment of prema-bhakti aforementioned [in HBV 11.633–645] to be, for the most part, indications [i.e., characteristics] of the one-pointed. ||369|| It is best that they shall try to be untouched by the stool of pratiṣṭhā, which is the cause of all anarthas and difficult to abandon even after the renunciation of all else. ||370|| Therefore, it is said in the Eleventh Canto [i.e., SB 11.18.28] by Śrī Bhagavān: ‘One who is detached and fixed in jñāna, or, one who is disinterested and my bhakta, shall relinquish the duties of one’s āśrama along with their paraphernalia and proceed outside the scope of injunctions.’ ||371|| The bhakti of those who have attained one-pointedness (ekāntitā) upon the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa shall proceed [i.e., be continuous conducted] of its own accord [i.e., it shall remain continuously engaged in without the need of any external impetus in the form of injunctions or otherwise]. What [is the use] of rites (vratas) and so forth that are [simply] obstructions to it? [i.e., There is no necessity of one-pointed bhaktas observing the many of the various types of rites (vratas), codes of conduct (sadācāra), and so on aforementioned in this text because the purpose of these things is prompting engagement in bhakti and one-pointed bhaktas are already automatically engaged in bhakti by the bhakti ever-present in their hearts; observation of rites and so on is thus redundant for them and furthermore shall even be an obstruction to the flow of their expression of bhakti]. ||372|| [Thus Śrī Bhagavān further states in SB 11.20.26:] ‘Bhaktas who are one-pointed upon me have no qualities [i.e., merits, sins, or otherwise] produced by qualities and faults [i.e., by observance of injunctions and neglect of prohibitions].’ ||373||
“Similarly, [it is stated] in Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa: ‘One who is fully sheltered howsoever in Śrīkānta becomes fortunate and causes the dissolution of all [their] sins. [So,] What further [is the use] of vratas [for such a person]? [There is no need for them at all.]’ ||374||
“At the end of the discussion of fasts related to months [throughout the year] in the conversation of Brahmā and Nārada in Viṣṇu-rahasya [it is also stated]: ‘The ever-pure mind [alt., desire, understanding, perception, or devotion] of those who are unattached to the objects of the senses is pleasing to Viṣṇu, and not the fasting of those of uncontrolled mind. ||375|| What [is the use] of so many tīrthas, or baths, fire sacrifices, japa, and rites (vratas), for one of unpolluted mind by whom the fearsome senses have been completely conquered? ||376|| One who has controlled the senses is always tranquil and given to the welfare of all beings. One who is dedicated to Vāsudeva is never required [alt., fit] to suffer. ||377|| Those who always remember Visṇu with a pure inner self leave behind fear and attain the plane of Viṣṇu free from suffering. ||378|| Those who praise Hari in the morning, at midnight, at midday, and at the end of the day certainly cross over the ocean of material existence. ||379|| [Whether] Blissful or distressed, angry or peaceful, one who continuously praises Hari with bhakti shall attain the abode of Viṣṇu. ||380|| A person who always continuously remembers Vāsudeva is not disturbed by the fetters of saṁsāra in the form of the sufferings of the womb, birth, old age, and disease.’ ||381||
“In this way, the one-pointed, who engage for the most part in praising (kīrtana) and remembrance (smaraṇa) of Prabhu with paramount prīti, have no taste for other activities. ||382|| Should they, because of some bhāva, have a desire for [engaging in] worship of the feet of the Śrī-mūrti [i.e., Deity] of their Beloved [i.e., their Iṣṭa-devatā], that act [i.e., their acting upon that desire to render such worship] is only because of their own mantra and their own rasa [i.e., that desire and the action based upon it are not motivated by any injunction but rather are inspired by the influence of their mantra, that is, the influence of the Iṣṭa-devatā of their mantra, and their own taste (rasa) for serving him]. ||383|| They proceed of their own accord in their regular prescribed activities [i.e., they perform their regular activities out of natural inclination and liking, and not merely out of any sense of obedience to injunction]. Such greatness of the one-pointed as this [i.e., as has been thus discussed, along with numerous other additional exalted characteristics not mentioned here] shines, and that indeed has been described [here in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa]. ||384||”

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na mayy ekānta-bhaktānāṁ guṇa-doṣodbhavā guṇāḥ

na mayy ekānta-bhaktānāṁ guṇa-doṣodbhavā guṇāḥ |
sādhūnāṁ sama-cittānāṁ buddheḥ param upeyuṣām ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.20.36; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.210; Bhakti Sandarbha: 177, 312, 321; Durgama-saṅgamanī-ṭīkā on Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.2.293

“[Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa:] Bhaktas who are one-pointed upon me, are sādhu [i.e., free from attachment and aversion (rāga and dveṣa)], are equanimous, and have attained that which is beyond the intellect, have no qualities [i.e., merits, sins, or otherwise] produced by qualities and faults [i.e., produced by observance of injunctions and neglect of prohibitions].”

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na kiñcit sādhavo dhīrā bhaktā hy ekāntino mama

na kiñcit sādhavo dhīrā bhaktā hy ekāntino mama |
vāñchanty api mayā dattaṁ kaivalyam apunar-bhavam ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.20.34; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.215; Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.2.41; Bhakti Sandarbha: 174)

“My virtuous, wise, and one-pointed bhaktas [i.e., my bhaktas who foster prīti solely for me] do not desire anything, not even absolute non-repetition of birth [i.e., mokṣa] when offered [to them] by me.”

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ekāntino yasya na kañcanārthaṁ

ekāntino yasya na kañcanārthaṁ
vāñchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannāḥ |
atyadbhutaṁ tac-caritaṁ sumaṅgalaṁ
gāyanta ānanda-samudra-magnāḥ ||
tam akṣaraṁ brahma paraṁ pareśam
avyaktam ādhyātmika-yoga-gamyam |
atīndriyaṁ sūkṣmam ivātidūram
anantam ādyaṁ paripūrṇam īḍe ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 8.3.20–21; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.193; Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.2.37; Bhakti Sandarbha: 165)

“[Gajendra to Śrī Bhagavān:] I praise him, the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Īśa—inexhaustible, unmanifest, knowable by means of the yoga related to the Self, beyond the senses, as though minute, very far off, infinite, original, and fully complete—from whom the one-pointed, those who have taken full shelter in Bhagavān and are immersed in an ocean of bliss by singing of his highly astonishing and most auspicious activities, desire no object whatsoever.”

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vighnākulatve’pi mano-rati-paratā

vighnākulatve’pi mano-rati-paratā | …
yasya kṛcchra-gatasyāpi keśave ramate manaḥ |
na vicyutā ca bhaktir vai sa vai bhāgavato naraḥ ||
āpad-gatasya yasyeha bhakir avyabhicāriṇī |
nānyatra ramate cittaṁ sa vai bhāgavato naraḥ ||
(Skanda Purāṇa; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 10.67–68)

“[A third degree of one-pointedness (ekāntitā) upon Śrī Bhagavān is described:] Being devoted with rati in the mind even while being disturbed by obstructions [is described in Skanda Purāṇa]: ‘A person whose mind rejoices in Keśava and whose bhakti does not digress even when one is beset with hardship is verily a Bhāgavata. A person beset with adversity here [in this world] whose bhakti is unwavering and whose mind does not rejoice elsewhere [i.e., apart from in Śrī Bhagavān] is verily a Bhāgavata.”

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