intro to Sri PremSamput [page / day] * Anista- means harm, evil, injury and mischief, as well as, that which is not desired. Whatever one desires is fulfilled. So what are such persons in need of? Those who are void, destitute, empty, indigent, poor, needy, etc., cherish the fulfillment of their wishes and nourish those desires that they might attain what they have wished for. Those whose coffers are full, however, have no need to go out begging. A hungry or thirsty person hankers after food and water. But those whose bellies are full; even if you place in front of them a great variety of tasty eatables and drinks; they will not feel the least bit enticed. If you have received a fruit from a desire tree, even only once, then why would you be tempted to taste another fruit from another tree? Therefore, that person who has, by attaining the perfection of yoga practice (yoga-siddhi), been elevated to the position of aptakama, and who has therefore obtained the fruits of all his desires, does not depend in the least on the affection or patronage of others. He doesn’t depend on anything period, full stop. He remains indifferent both to those who love him, as well as to those who don’t. Those who are aptakama -though their gaze is directed in an external direction- don’t become excited by the prospect or hope of obtaining something. Therefore there is no need for them to show affection to someone just to try and fulfill their desires through this means. This example of an aptakama person is not, however, applicable to Bhagavan Sri Krsna. Even though Sri Bhagavan is aptakama; even though he, personally, is lacking in nothing; though he has no personal requirements, he nevertheless agrees to fulfill the desires of his devotees, without any expectation of personal profit in doing so. He acknowledges, by their desire, that there may be some necessity, some requirement in need of fulfillment. So there is no comparisonbetweenanaptakamapersonandSriBhagavan.KrsnahastoldArjuna, na me parthasti karttavyam trisu lokesu kincana | nanavaptamavaptavyam vartta eva ca karmani || yadi hyaham na vartteyam jatu karmanya tandrtah | mama varmaanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah || [Srimad BhagavadGita 3.22-3] ‘He Partha! Since there is nothing unobtainable, or to be obtained, by me in these three worlds, it may be said that for me there is nothing to be done; no work or responsibility for me. Nevertheless, I am inclined to engage in activity. For, if I did not engage in work, free from indolence, then everyone would follow my path. Apathetic to activity, the progress of human beings would become hindered.’ Since Sri Bhagavan is bhaktaparadhin (subservient to his devotees), in order to fulfill the desires of his devotees he must support those desires. In truth, he is full in himself, capable of fulfilling his own desires and neutral to others. He is lacking in nothing. Nevertheless, it is the natural characteristic of the sweetness of this quality of becoming subjugated by his devotees’ love, not only that he becomes subservient to his devotees, but that he may also, if the need so arises, accept the position of a devotee himself. So it is not possible to compare bhaktapremadhin Sri Bhagavan with a person who is aptakama, and therefore indifferent to the love of others. This truth is very clearly enunciated by Srila KrsnadasKaviraj Gosvami: krsnamadhuryer ek adbhuta svabhava | apna asvadite krsna kare bhaktabhava || [SriCaitanyaCaritamrta Adi 7.9] ‘An unprecedented natural characteristic of Krsna’s sweetness is, that he accepts the mood of a devotee in order to relish his own sweetness.’ Thirdly, there are the ungrateful persons who do not consent to help those who have rendered them some benefit. So if anyone shows them some affection or doesn’t show them affection, it has no noticeable effect on them. Though they are attached to external sense objects and though they desire to receive some benefit from others, while they themselves possess the ability to render kindness in return, they never show the respect deserved of others by rendering them some service, due to their natural characteristic of ingratitude. However, Bhagavan Sri Krsna cannot be counted amongst these ungrateful persons since he is forever anxious and eager to repay the debt of love he owes his devotees. He is always enthusiastic to reciprocate the love of his devotees; to bestow upon them the corresponding results of their worship of him. He becomes eternally bound in love to those who offer him no more than a few leaves of Tulasi. The following verse is quoted in HariBhakiVilas, from GautamiyaTantra: tulasidalamatrena jalasya culukena va | vikrinite svamatmanam bhaktebhyo bhaktavatsalah || ‘Receiving only one Tulasi leaf and a palmful of water, Bhaktavatsala Bhagavan sells his soul to his devotees.’ Therefore, Bhaktapremádhin Bhagavan can never be ungrateful to his devotees. The Lord’s promise reverberates throughout the pages of SriCaitanyaCaritamrta, amare ta ye ye bhakta bhaje yei bhave | tare sei bhave bhaji ei mor svabhave || [SriCaitanyaCaritamrta Adi 4] ‘It is my natural characteristic to worship my devotee in the same manner that my devotee worships me.’
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 01:59:30 +0000