20210131 Perfect Questions Perfect Answers (Part 1)

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on January 31st, 2021 in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, India.

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

Compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya book, today’s chapter entitled is:

Perfect Questions Perfect Answers (Part 1)

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.234

ubhayera rātre ekatra vāsa, paradina prāte svakāryye gamana:— 
ei-mata premāveśe rātri goṅāilā
prātaḥ-kāle nija-nija-kārye duṅhe gelā

Translatoin: The entire night was passed in this way, in ecstatic love of Godhead. In the morning they both departed to tend to their respective duties.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rāmānanda Rāya and Caitanya Mahāprabhu spent the whole night discussing kṛṣṇa-kathā, they were in ecstatic love of Godhead .

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.235

rāyera dainya o prabhura saṅga prārthanā:— 
vidāya-samaye prabhura caraṇe dhariyā
rāmānanda rāya kahe vinati kariyā

Translation: Before departing from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Rāmānanda Rāya fell to the ground and caught hold of the Lord’s lotus feet. He then spoke submissively as follows.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.236

‘more kṛpā karite tomāra ihāṅ āgamana
dina daśa rahi’ śodha mora duṣṭa mana

Translation: Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya said, “You have come here just to show me Your causeless mercy. Therefore stay here for at least ten days and purify my polluted mind.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.237

tomā vinā anya nāhi jīva uddhārite
tomā vinā anya nāhi kṛṣṇa-prema dite’

Translation: “But for You, there is no one who can deliver all the living entities, for You alone can deliver love of Kṛṣṇa.”

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya could give this greatest mercy of love for Kṛṣṇa to anyone and everyone.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.238

prabhukarttṛka rāyera stuti o tadvaśyatāṅgīkāra:— 
prabhu kahe, — āilāṅa śuni’ tomāra guṇa
kṛṣṇa-kathā śuni, śuddha karāite mana

Translation: The Lord replied, “Having heard about your good qualities, I have come here. I have come to hear about Kṛṣṇa from you and thus purify My mind.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya, He in turn, glorified Rāmānanda Rāya.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.239

yaiche śuniluṅ, taiche dekhiluṅ tomāra mahimā
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-premarasa-jñānera tumi sīmā

Translation: “Now that I have actually seen your glories, what I heard about you is confirmed. As far as the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in a loving mood are concerned, you are the limit of knowledge.”

Purport: By Srila Prabhupada Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu found Rāmānanda Rāya to be the best authority in transcendental knowledge of the loving affairs between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. In this verse the Lord actually states that Rāmānanda Rāya was the limit of this knowledge.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.240

daśa dinera kā-kathā yāvat āmi jīva’
tāvat tomāra saṅga chāḍite nāriba

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “To say nothing of ten days, as long as I live I shall find it impossible to give up your company.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.241

nīlācale prabhura rāyera saṅga vāñchā:— 
nīlācale tumi-āmi thākiba eka-saṅge
sukhe goṅāiba kāla kṛṣṇa-kathā-raṅge

Translation: “You and I shall remain together at Jagannātha Purī. We shall pass our time together in joy, talking about Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.242

sva-sva-kāryānte sandhyāya ubhayera milana:— 
eta bali’ duṅhe nija-nija kārye gelā
sandhyā-kāle rāya punaḥ āsiyā mililā

Translation: In this way they both departed to perform their respective duties. Then, in the evening, Rāmānanda Rāya returned to see Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.243

ubhayera iṣṭagoṣṭhī:— 
anyonye mili’ duṅhe nibhṛte vasiyā
praśnottara-goṣṭhī kahe ānandita hañā

Translation: Thus they met time and time again, sitting in a secluded place and jubilantly discussing devotional service by the question-and-answer process.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.244

prabhu-rāmānanda-saṁlāpa; prabhura praśna, rāyera uttara:— 
prabhu puche, rāmānanda karena uttara
ei mata sei rātre kathā paraspara

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the questions, and Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya gave the answers. In this way they were engaged in discussion throughout the night.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.245

(1) kṛṣṇa-bhaktii parā vidyā:— 
prabhu kahe, — “kon vidyā vidyā-madhye sāra?”
rāya kahe, — “kṛṣṇa-bhakti vinā vidyā nāhi āra”

Translation: On one occasion the Lord inquired, “Of all types of education, which is the most important?”

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “No education is important other than the transcendental devotional service of Kṛṣṇa.”

Purport: (by Śrīla Prabhupada) Texts 245 to 257 are all questions and answers between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānanda Rāya. In these exchanges there is an attempt to show the difference between material and spiritual existence. Education in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is always transcendental and is the best of all forms of education. Material education aims at increasing the activities of material sense gratification. Beyond material sense gratification is another negative form of knowledge called brahma-vidyā, or impersonal transcendental knowledge But beyond that brahma-vidyā, or knowledge of the impersonal Brahman, is knowledge of devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu. This knowledge is higher. And higher still is devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, which is the topmost form of education. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.29.49), tat karma hari-toṣaṁ yat sā vidyā tan-matir yayā: “Work meant for pleasing the Supreme Lord is the best, and education that enhances one’s Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the best.”

Also, according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.5.23-24):

This is a statement given by Prahlāda Mahārāja in answer to a question raised by his father. Prahlāda Mahārāja said, “To hear or chant about Lord Viṣṇu, to remember Him, to serve His lotus feet, to worship Him, to offer prayers to Him, to become His servant and His friend, to sacrifice everything for His service — all these are varieties of devotional service. One who is engaged in such activities is understood to be educated to the topmost perfection.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Kṛṣṇa bhakti is the topmost education. That was confirmed by Prahlāda Mahārāja and that is what Rāmānanda Rāya answered to Lord Caitanya, that nothing is important in this world other than Kṛṣṇa-bhakti.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.52: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: That is external. What is real knowledge?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.53: Rāmānanda: Devotion to Lord Hari (Kṛṣṇa) is real knowledge. Knowledge of the material portion of the Vedas and other scriptures is not real knowledge.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, in the scripture there may be some material knowledge mentioned, but knowledge about the Supreme Personality of Godhead is spiritual and that is eternal, and that is real knowledge.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.246

(2) kṛṣṇadāsyai sarvaśreṣṭha yaśaḥ vā pratiṣṭhā:— 
‘kīrti-gaṇa-madhye jīvera kon baḍa kīrti?’
‘kṛṣṇa-bhakta baliyā yāṅhāra haya khyāti’

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then asked Rāmānanda Rāya, “Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?”

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoys the utmost fame and glory.”

Purport: The greatest reputation a living being can have is to be a devotee of Kṛṣṇa and to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In the material world everyone is trying to be famous by accumulating a large bank balance or material opulence. There is a steady competition among karmīs attempting to advance in a wealthy society. The whole world is turning in accordance with that competitive mood. But this kind of name and fame is temporary, for it lasts only as long as the temporary material body exists. One may become famous as a brahma-jñānī, an impersonalist scholar, or one may become a materially opulent person. In either case, such reputations are inferior to the reputation of Kṛṣṇa’s devotee. In the Garuḍa Purāṇa it is said:

“In this Age of Kali, the fame of one who is known as a great devotee is very rare. However, such a position is superior to that of the great demigods like Brahmā and Mahādeva. This is the opinion of all spiritual masters.”

In the Itihāsa-samuccaya, Nārada tells Puṇḍarīka:

“After many, many births, when a person realizes that he is the eternal servant of Vāsudeva, he can deliver all the worlds.”

In the Ādi Purāṇa, in a conversation between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, it is said, “The most exalted position of liberation is given by Vedic knowledge. Everyone follows in the footsteps of the devotee.” Similarly, in the Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa it is further stated, “Until now, even the great demigods like Brahmā and Lord Śiva did not know the influence of a devotee.” The Garuḍa Purāṇa similarly states:

“It is said that out of thousands of brāhmaṇas, one is qualified to perform sacrifices, and out of many thousands of such qualified brāhmaṇas expert in sacrificial offerings, one learned brāhmaṇa may have passed beyond all Vedic knowledge. He is considered the best among all these brāhmaṇas. And yet, out of thousands of such brāhmaṇas who have surpassed Vedic knowledge, one person may be a viṣṇu-bhakta, and he is most famous. Out of many thousands of such Vaiṣṇavas, one who is completely fixed in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa is most famous. Indeed, a person who is completely devoted to the service of the Lord certainly returns home, back to Godhead.”

There is also the following statement in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.13.4):

“After much hard labor, a person highly learned in Vedic literature certainly becomes very famous. However, one who is always hearing and chanting the glories of the lotus feet of Mukunda within his heart is certainly superior.”

In the Nārāyaṇa-vyūha-stava it is said:

“I do not aspire to take birth as a Brahmā if that Brahmā is not a devotee of the Lord. I shall be satisfied simply to take birth as an insect if I am given a chance to remain in the house of a devotee,”

There are many similar verses in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, especially 3.25.38, 4.24.29, 4.31.22, 7.9.24, and 10.14.30.

It was Lord Śiva who said, “I do not know the truth about Kṛṣṇa, but a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa knows all the truth. Out of all the devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Prahlāda is the greatest.”

Above Prahlāda, the Pāṇḍavas are supposedly more advanced. Above the Pāṇḍavas are the members of the Yadu dynasty, who are even more advanced. In the Yadu dynasty, Uddhava is the furthest advanced, and above Uddhava are the damsels of Vraja-dhāma, the gopīs themselves.

In the Bṛhad-vāmana Purāṇa, Lord Brahmā tells Bhṛgu:

“I underwent meditation and austerities for sixty thousand years just to understand the dust of the lotus feet of the gopīs. Still, I could not understand it. To say nothing of me, even Lord Śiva, Lord Śeṣa and the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, could not understand it.”

In the Ādi Purāṇa the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself says:

“Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the goddess of fortune and even My own self are not as dear to Me as the gopīs.” Of all the gopīs, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the topmost. Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī are the most exalted servitors of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Those who adhere to their service are known as rūpānuga devotees. The Caitanya-candrāmṛta (26) gives the following statement about Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī:

The qualities of one engaged in the service of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu — such as reputation, austerities, penances and knowledge — are not to be compared to the good qualities of others. Such is the perfection of a devotee always engaged in the service of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, from these quotations we can understand that the fame of a devotee surpasses all others, and the highest fame is of those who are devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is the highest perfection. So we should try to serve Lord and the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.54: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: What is real fame?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.55: Rāmānanda: Real fame is to be famous as a great devotee of the Lord. To be famous as a great philanthropist who gives money in charity is not real fame.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.247

(3) rādhā-govinde prema-bhaktii parama dhana:— 
‘sampattira madhye jīvera kon sampatti gaṇi?’
‘rādhā-kṛṣṇe prema yāṅra, sei baḍa dhanī’

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Of the many capitalists who possess great riches, who is the topmost?”

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “He who is richest in love for Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the greatest capitalist.”

Haribol!

Purport By Srila Prabhupada: Everyone in this material world is attempting to acquire riches to satisfy the senses. Actually no one cares for anything other than acquiring material possessions and maintaining them. The wealthy are generally accepted as the most important personalities in this material world, but when we compare a material man of wealth to one wealthy in devotional service to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, the latter is found to be the greatest capitalist. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.39.2):

“What is difficult for the devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the shelter of the goddess of fortune? Although such devotees can obtain anything, O King, they do not desire anything.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the four purusārthās are the dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa. Everyone wants to obtain artha in order to satisfy their senses. But the most valuable wealth is love of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, the highest wealth.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.56: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: What is real wealth?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.57: Rāmānanda: Real wealth is love for Kṛṣṇa. To possess money, followers, and villages is not real wealth.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, we are seeing in this pandemic time, wealthy persons who are philanthropists, they are stepping forward to give help to the poor people. But we see that giving Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the real wealth. So that person who gives love for Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is the greatest philanthropist.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.248

(4) kṛṣṇa-bhakta-vicchedai tīvratama duḥkha:— 
‘duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara?’
‘kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para’

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?”

Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “Apart from separation from the devotee of Kṛṣṇa, I know of no unbearable unhappiness.”

Purport: Concerning this, the Lord states in the Vedic literature:

“A person who does not worship Me, who is unduly attached to family and who does not stick to devotional service must be considered a most unhappy person. Similarly, one who does not associate with Vaiṣṇavas, or who does not render service to his superior, is also a most unhappy person.”

There is also the following statement in the Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.54):

“Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, having the association of His Divine Grace Abhayacaraṇāravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda is the greatest happiness and losing His association is the greatest suffering.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.58: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: What is suffering?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 7.59: Rāmānanda: Real suffering is not to have the association of a dear devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. A wound at the heart or some other kind of material suffering of the body is not real suffering.