SCSMath Nityānanda Dās

Preface
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is conducted under the supervision of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, or Bengali Vaiṣṇavas, are mostly followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, of whom the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana are direct disciples. Therefore Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung:

rūpa-raghunātha-pade ha-ibe ākuti
kabe hāma bujhaba se yugala-pīriti

“When I am eager to understand the literature given by the Gosvāmīs, then I shall be able to understand the transcendental loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in order to bestow upon human society the benediction of the science of Kṛṣṇa. The most exalted of all the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa are His pastimes of conjugal love with the gopīs. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the best of the gopīs. Therefore, to understand the mission of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and follow in His footsteps, one must very seriously follow in the footsteps of the Six Gosvāmīs – Śrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha, Śrī Jīva, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and Dāsa Raghunātha.

Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī was the leader of all the Gosvāmīs, and to guide our activities he gave us this Upadeśāmṛta (The Nectar of Instruction) to follow. As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left behind Him the eight verses known as Śikṣāṣṭaka, Rūpa Gosvāmī gave us Upadeśāmṛta so that we may become pure Vaiṣṇavas.

In all spiritual affairs, one’s first duty is to control his mind and senses. Unless one controls his mind and senses, one cannot make any advancement in spiritual life. Everyone within this material world is engrossed in the modes of passion and ignorance. One must promote himself to the platform of goodness, sattva-guṇa, by following the instructions of Rūpa Gosvāmī, and then everything concerning how to make further progress will be revealed.

Advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower. A follower of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should become a perfect gosvāmī. Vaiṣṇavas are generally known as gosvāmīs. In Vṛndāvana, this is the title by which the director of each temple is known. One who wants to become a perfect devotee of Kṛṣṇa must become a gosvāmī. Go means “the senses,” and svāmī means “the master.” Unless one controls his senses and mind, one cannot become a gosvāmī. To achieve the highest success in life by becoming a gosvāmī and then a pure devotee of the Lord, one must follow the instructions known as Upadeśāmṛta, which have been given by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has given many other books, such as Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Vidagdha-mādhava and Lalita-mādhava, but Upadeśāmṛta constitutes the first instructions for neophyte devotees. One should follow these instructions very strictly. Then it will be easier to make one’s life successful. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

September 20, 1975, Viśvarūpa-mahotsava

Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma Mandira

Ramaṇa-reti, Vṛndāvana, India

Jan 24, 2020

Q: If we say that Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu are the most merciful avatars of Bhagavan, why Mahaprabhu was so strict with Chotto Haridas? For me, it’s kind of scandalous that Mahaprabhu got satisfied with his suicide. And why Nityananda Prabhu got so angry with Shivananda, because of him being late? Please, explain these two pastimes: Chota Haridas’ chastisement and Nityananda Prabhu’s kicking Shivananda Sen.

— Devotion—the heroic aspect in pastimes.
— The offence of exploitation in the garb of spirituality.
— Pay attention to your own level, do not meddle in the higher aspects.
— The lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu aren’t a harsh thing.
— Vrindavan Das Thakur distributes Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy.
— To take shelter of Mahaprabhu’s teaching.
— Pragmatism.
—  Whose opinion matters?
— The literature that resonates in the heart as the truth.
— Krishna is your dearmost friend.
— How to deal with adverse circumstances.

Q: How to break your family karma? 

— Accept responsibility and concentrate on self-improvement.
— Karmic dress of the soul.
—  Put all your energy in the service and all obligations are met. 

Q: Does the Lord love everyone equally, or He favours devotees more? 

— Krishna can’t conceal His bias towards His devotees.
— An ocean of divine love.
— You’ll find everything at the lotus feet of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

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