KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM HH HARIVILAS MAHARAJ’S MORNING BHAGAVATAM CLASS ON SB 2.2.33
- Direct bhakti-yoga, is the only absolute and auspicious means of deliverance from the grip of material existence.
- The means of jñāna and yoga are not independent in delivering a performer. Such activities help one to reach the stage of bhakti-yoga after many, many years.
- The purport of all Vedic literatures is to induce one to accept the transcendental loving service of the Lord by all means.
- It is explained in the texts of SB 1st Canto, either direct bhakti-yoga or the means which ultimately culminate in bhakti-yoga, without any tinge of fruitive activity, constitute the highest form of religion. Everything else is simply a waste of time for the performer.
- All our Acharyas agree that bhakti-yoga is not only easy, simple, natural and free from trouble but is the only source of happiness for the human being.
- BG 2.47 – You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
- Routine work performed as an obligation in terms of the scriptural injunctions, without desire for results, is action in the mode of goodness.
- Work with results becomes the cause of bondage; such work is not auspicious.
- Arjuna was therefore advised by the Lord to fight as a matter of duty without attachment to the result. His nonparticipation in the battle is another side of attachment. Such attachment never leads one to the path of salvation.
- Any attachment, positive or negative, is cause for bondage. Inaction is sinful. Therefore, fighting as a matter of duty was the only auspicious path of salvation for Arjuna.
- The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead. (SB 1.2.8)
- The less intelligent people have no information of the needs of the spirit soul and how it is beyond the purview of the body and mind, they are not satisfied in the performance of their occupational duties and cannot be happy simply with emolument of the body and mind.
- Simply by cleansing the cage of the bird, one does not satisfy the bird. One must actually know the needs of the bird himself.
- The need of the spirit soul is that he wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and fulfill his desire for complete freedom. That complete freedom is achieved when he meets the complete spirit, the Personality of Godhead.
- There is a dormant affection for God within everyone; we have to engage ourselves in occupational engagements that will evoke our divine consciousness.
- This is possible only by hearing and chanting the divine activities of the Supreme Lord.
- Even if he goes up to the Svargaloka, he will find no permanent abode for his hankering soul. The hankering soul must be satisfied by the perfect scientific process of perfect devotional service.
- Therefore, with one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.
- Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying. The tendency to glorify others or hear others must be turned to the real object of glorification — the Supreme Being. And that will bring happiness.
- By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God.
SB 2.2.33 TRANSLATION:
For those who are wandering in the material universe, there is no more auspicious means of deliverance than what is aimed at in the direct devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
BHAKTI-YOGA IS THE ONLY ABSOLUTE AND AUSPICIOUS MEANS OF DELIVERANCE FROM THE GRIP OF MATERIAL EXISTENCE.
The means of jñāna and yoga and other allied disciplines are not independent in delivering a performer. Such activities help one to reach the stage of bhakti-yoga after many, many years.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS SIMPLY A WASTE OF TIME FOR THE PERFORMER.
As already explained in the texts of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (First Canto), either direct bhakti-yoga or the means which ultimately culminate in bhakti-yoga, without any tinge of fruitive activity, constitute the highest form of religion. Everything else is simply a waste of time for the performer.
PURE DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RELIGION
It is explained in the texts of SB 1st Canto, either direct bhakti-yoga or the means which ultimately culminate in bhakti-yoga, without any tinge of fruitive activity, constitute the highest form of religion. Everything else is simply a waste of time for the performer.
BHAKTI YOGA IS EASY, SIMPLE & ONLY SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī and all other ācāryas, like Jīva Gosvāmī, agree that bhakti-yoga is not only easy, simple, natural and free from trouble but is the only source of happiness for the human being.
This paragraph explains the absolute importance of Bhakti yoga
In the Bhagavad-gītā (12.5) it is said that those who are attached to the impersonal feature of the Absolute are liable to many troubles in the pursuit of their desired goal, and the empiricist philosophers, searching after the Absolute Truth, realize the importance of Vāsudeva realization as all in all after many, many births (Bg. 7.19). As far as yoga systems are concerned, it is also said in the Bhagavad-gītā (6.47) that amongst the mystics who pursue the Absolute Truth, the one who is always engaged in the service of the Lord is the greatest of all. And the last instruction in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.66)c advises fully surrendering unto the Lord, leaving aside all other engagements or different processes for self-realization and liberation from material bondage. And the purport of all Vedic literatures is to induce one to accept the transcendental loving service of the Lord by all means.
This is a very nice purport. It gives us the essence of all Vedic knowledge. If you want to be happy and attain success in life, if you want to attain the supreme goal of life going back to godhead, take up Krsna consciousness seriously.
(BG 12.5) ADVANCEMENT IS VERY TROUBLESOME FOR JNANA YOGIS, KARMA YOGIS
For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.
(BG 7.19) AFTER MANY MANY BIRTHS REALIZE KRSNA IS EVERYTHING
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
(BG 6.47) BEST OF ALL THE YOGIS (ONE WHO FOLLOW THE MECHANICAL YOGA PROCESS)
And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.
(BG 18.66) ABANDON EVERYTHING AND SURRENDER ONLY TO KRSNA
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
(BG 2.47)
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
This verse has no wiggle room allowed. This verse refutes the karma Mimamsa philosophy – if you work hard you will get the results… Karmanye vadi karasya… is quoted by all in India. They say my duty is to riding a rickshaw,.. that is not your real duty… your duty is to become Krsna Conscious. You can drive a rickshaw and earn money honestly, but that is not your real duty…
There are three considerations here:
- prescribed duties,
- capricious work, and
- inaction.
Prescribed duties are activities enjoined in terms of one’s acquired modes of material nature. Capricious work means actions without the sanction of authority, and inaction means not performing one’s prescribed duties. The Lord advised that Arjuna not be inactive, but that he perform his prescribed duty without being attached to the result. One who is attached to the result of his work is also the cause of the action. Thus he is the enjoyer or sufferer of the result of such actions.
At the end of every puja that Sri Vaishnavas do, they say the mantra “Sarvam Krsnarpanam”.. Even though say Vishnu is the supreme… ultimately they say Sarvam Krsnarpanam…
As far as prescribed duties are concerned, they can be fitted into three subdivisions, namely
- routine work,
- emergency work
- desired activities
DOING PRESCRIBED DUTIES WITHOUT DESIRE FOR RESULTS
Routine work performed as an obligation in terms of the scriptural injunctions, without desire for results, is action in the mode of goodness.
DOING PRESCRIBED DUTIES BUT ATTACHED TO RESULT IS INAUSPICIOUS
Work with results becomes the cause of bondage; therefore such work is not auspicious.
Everyone has his proprietary right in regard to prescribed duties, but should act without attachment to the result; such disinterested obligatory duties doubtlessly lead one to the path of liberation.
Arjuna was therefore advised by the Lord to fight as a matter of duty without attachment to the result. His nonparticipation in the battle is another side of attachment. Such attachment never leads one to the path of salvation. Any attachment, positive or negative, is cause for bondage. Inaction is sinful. Therefore, fighting as a matter of duty was the only auspicious path of salvation for Arjuna.
(SB 7.7.49)
It is possible to engage in Yoga siddhis, gnana, karma without any bhakti. These processes will not be successful if Bhakti is not involved. The modern Brahmanas are encouraging to do these processes
(SB 1.2.8)
The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead.
This is a very important verse… Later we will see a very important statement made by Srila Prabhupada. “Attainment of spiritual knowledge is not sufficient for liberation”… book worms who do not service cannot attain liberation. KC is not an academic pursuit. Gopis are not studying for any diploma.. One has to engage in occupational duty but if you are not making any advancement towards pure devotional service, then it is a waste of time…
GROSS MATERIALISTS
occupational activities are limited to concentrated and extended selfishness.
- Concentrated selfishness centers around the personal body — this is generally seen amongst the lower animals.
- Extended selfishness is manifested in human society and centers around the family, society, community, nation, and the world with a view to gross bodily comfort.
MENTAL SPECULATORS
Above these gross materialists are the mental speculators who hover aloft in the mental spheres, and their occupational duties involve making poetry and philosophy or propagating some ism with the same aim of selfishness limited to the body and the mind.
LESS INTELLIGENT PEOPLE HAVE NO INFORMATION OF THE NEEDS OF THE SPIRIT SOUL
But above the body and mind is the dormant spirit soul whose absence from the body makes the whole range of bodily and mental selfishness completely null and void. But less intelligent people have no information of the needs of the spirit soul.
THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES.
Because foolish people have no information of the soul and how it is beyond the purview of the body and mind, they are not satisfied in the performance of their occupational duties. The question of the satisfaction of the self is raised herein.
WITHOUT KNOWING THE NEED OF THE DORMANT SOUL, ONE CANNOT BE HAPPY SIMPLY WITH EMOLUMENT OF THE BODY AND MIND.
The self is beyond the gross body and subtle mind. He is the potent active principle of the body and mind. Without knowing the need of the dormant soul, one cannot be happy simply with emolument of the body and mind. The body and the mind are but superfluous outer coverings of the spirit soul. The spirit soul’s needs must be fulfilled. Simply by cleansing the cage of the bird, one does not satisfy the bird. One must actually know the needs of the bird himself.
WHAT IS THE NEED OF SPIRIT SOUL?
The need of the spirit soul is that he wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and fulfill his desire for complete freedom. He wants to get out of the covered walls of the greater universe. He wants to see the free light and the spirit. That complete freedom is achieved when he meets the complete spirit, the Personality of Godhead. There is a dormant affection for God within everyone;
spiritual existence is manifested through the gross body and mind in the form of perverted affection for gross and subtle matter. Therefore we have to engage ourselves in occupational engagements that will evoke our divine consciousness. This is possible only by hearing and chanting the divine activities of the Supreme Lord, and any occupational activity which does not help one to achieve attachment for hearing and chanting the transcendental message of Godhead is said herein to be simply a waste of time.
THIS IS BECAUSE OTHER OCCUPATIONAL DUTIES (WHATEVER ISM THEY MAY BELONG TO) CANNOT GIVE LIBERATION TO THE SOUL.
Even the activities of the salvationists are considered to be useless because of their failure to pick up the fountainhead of all liberties. The gross materialist can practically see that his material gain is limited only to time and space, either in this world or in the other. Even if he goes up to the Svargaloka, he will find no permanent abode for his hankering soul. The hankering soul must be satisfied by the perfect scientific process of perfect devotional service.
Emolument – illegal perk from someone, in politics…from a foreign country…
SB 1.2.8 – 14 are very important verses.
(SB 1.2.14 ) THE ULTIMATE DUTY OF OUR LIFE – CONSTANT HEARING AND CHANTING
Therefore, with one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.
Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying.
The actual object of glorification is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created everything manifested before us. We have broadly discussed this fact from the beginning of the “janmādy asya” śloka of this Bhāgavatam. The tendency to glorify others or hear others must be turned to the real object of glorification — the Supreme Being. And that will bring happiness.
Nazis glorify Hitler, Indians glorify Gandhi, Like that everyone is glorifying every other.
“Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying. “In one statement Srila Prabhupada is defining a panoramic view of life.
(SB 1.2.16) AFFINITY FOR HEARING THE MESSAGES OF THE LORD IS ATTAINED BY SERVING PURE DEVOTEES
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya
vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ
syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ
puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt
Shraddha
Sadhu Sanga
Bhajan Kriya
Ruchi Mahat Sevaya
O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vāsudeva.
ASURAS ARE PUT INTO LOWER AND LOWER STATES OF IGNORANCE LIFE AFTER LIFE
In the Bhagavad-gītā (Sixteenth Chapter) a vivid description of the asuras is given in which it is said that the asuras are put into lower and lower states of ignorance life after life and so sink to the lower animal forms and have no information of the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead. These asuras are gradually rectified to God consciousness by the mercy of the Lord’s liberated servitors in different countries according to the supreme will.
NO ONE SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AS GOD OR AN INCARNATION OF GOD UNLESS HE IS CONFIRMED BY THE REVEALED SCRIPTURES.
Such devotees of God are very confidential associates of the Lord, and when they come to save human society from the dangers of godlessness, they are known as the powerful incarnations of the Lord, as sons of the Lord, as servants of the Lord or as associates of the Lord. But none of them falsely claim to be God themselves. This is a blasphemy declared by the asuras, and the demoniac followers of such asuras also accept pretenders as God or His incarnation. In the revealed scriptures there is definite information of the incarnation of God. No one should be accepted as God or an incarnation of God unless he is confirmed by the revealed scriptures.
SERVANTS OF GOD NEVER TOLERATE BEING CALLED GOD
The servants of God are to be respected as God by the devotees who actually want to go back to Godhead. Such servants of God are called mahātmās, or tīrthas, and they preach according to particular time and place. The servants of God urge people to become devotees of the Lord. They never tolerate being called God. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was God Himself according to the indication of the revealed scriptures, but He played the part of a devotee. People who knew Him to be God addressed Him as God, but He used to block His ears with His hands and chant the name of Lord Viṣṇu. He strongly protested against being called God, although undoubtedly He was God Himself. The Lord behaves so to warn us against unscrupulous men who take pleasure in being addressed as God.
BY SERVING THE SERVANT OF GOD, ONE CAN PLEASE GOD MORE THAN BY DIRECTLY SERVING THE LORD.
The servants of God come to propagate God consciousness, and intelligent people should cooperate with them in every respect. By serving the servant of God, one can please God more than by directly serving the Lord. The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God.