20220507 The Catuḥ-ślokī Bhāgavatam

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on May 7th,2022 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!

Continuation of the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book, Today's chapter is entitled as:

The Catuḥ-ślokī Bhāgavatam

Under the section: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas

Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya-līlā 25.113

catuḥślokīra prathama śloka :—

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (2.9.33)—

Translation: “Prior to the cosmic manifestation, only I exist, and no phenomena exist, either gross, subtle or primordial. After creation, only I exist in everything, and after annihilation, only I remain eternally.’

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.33). It is the first verse of the catuḥ-ślokī. For an explanation see Ādi-līlā, chapter one, text 53.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the essence of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is presented in this catuḥ-śloka, Kṛṣṇa is the only one who exist before the creation, he is only one who exist in everything during the manifestation, after the annihilation He only exist, that means the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not dependent on the material manifestation rather the material manifestation is dependent on Him.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.114

śloka-tātparya—kṛṣṇera saccidānanda-vigrahatva:—

''aham eva''-śloke ‘aham’-tina-bāra

pūrṇaiśvarya śrī-vigraha-sthitira nirdhāra

Translation: “In the verse beginning ‘aham eva,’ the word ‘aham’ is expressed three times. In the beginning there are the words ‘aham eva.’ In the second line there are the words ‘paścād aham.’ At the end are the words ‘so ‘smy aham.’ This ‘aham’ indicates the Supreme Person. By the repetition of ‘aham,’ the transcendental personality who is complete with six opulences is confirmed.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, we see Lord Caitanya is talking to the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs particularly to the Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī who is the guru of all Māyāvādī. He is explaining how this verse emphasizes by saying aham three times, the Personality of Godhead.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.115

nirākāravādīke khaṇḍana :—

ye ‘vigraha’ nāhi māne, ‘nirākāra’ māne
tāre tiraskaribāre karilā nirdhāraṇe

Translation: Impersonalists do not accept the personal feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Personality of Godhead is stressed in this verse in order to impress upon them the necessity of accepting Him. Therefore the word ‘aham’ is mentioned three times. To stress something important, one repeats it three times.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Māyāvādīs speculate that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is impersonal Brahman covered with sattva-guṇa. But here by Kṛṣṇa emphasizing that He exist before the creation, during the manifestation and after the annihilation that He is not dependent on the material world. The speculation of the Māyāvādī that the lord is covered by the sattva-guṇa is denied by this presentation.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.116

dvitīya śloke ‘antaraṅga-svarūpa’ vyatīta ‘taṭastha-jīva’ o ‘bahiraṅgā guṇa-māyā’-śaktira lakṣaṇa o tatpratīti-vicāra; jīvao guṇamāyātīta-svarūpa, antaraṅga-darśane nirapekṣa viśuddha svarūpānubhava, vā—’vijñāna’; jīva vā guṇamāyā darśana ‘svarūpa-darśana’ nahe :—

ei saba śabde haya-’jñāna’-’vijñāna’-viveka
māyā-kārya, māyā haite āmi-vyatireka

Translation: [Lord Kṛṣṇa continued:] ‘Actual spiritual knowledge and its practical application are considered in all these sound vibrations. Although the external energy comes from Me, I am different from it.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Māyāvādīs think that all personality is somehow the feature of māyā so this is expressed in this verse that actually He is not dependent on the material world, He is different from it.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.117

sūrya, ābhāsa o tamaḥ—ekai vastura vibhinna pratītira dṛṣṭānta :—

yaiche sūryera sthāne bhāsaye ‘ābhāsa’
sūrya vinā svatantra tāra nā haya prakāśa

Translation: “Sometimes a reflection of the sun is experienced in place of the sun, but its illumination is never possible independent of the sun.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, just like we see the reflection in Sun in some body of water, it is because the Sun is illuminated, without the illumination of the Sun we cannot see the reflection in the water. So, the material world is the reflection of the spiritual world, it is kind of perverted reflection, but the Lord is different from this material manifestation.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.118

‘jñāna’ o ‘vijñāna’ laiyāi sambandha-tattva nirūpita :—

māyātīta haile haya āmāra ‘anubhava’
ei ‘sambandha’-tattva kahiluṅ, śuna āra saba

Translation: “When one is transcendentally situated, he can perceive Me. This perception is the basis of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord. Now let Me further explain this subject matter.

Purport: Real spiritual knowledge has to be received from revealed scriptures. After this knowledge is attained, one can begin to perceive his actual spiritual life. Any knowledge achieved by speculation is imperfect. One must receive knowledge from the paramparā system and from the guru; otherwise one will be bewildered and will ultimately become an impersonalist. One who very scrutinizingly deliberates on genuine spiritual knowledge can realize the personal feature of the Absolute Truth. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always transcendental to this material creation. Nārāyaṇaḥ paro ‘vyaktāt: “Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always transcendental.” He is not a creation of this material world. Without realizing spiritual knowledge, one cannot understand that the transcendental form of the Lord is always beyond the creative energy. The example of the sun and the sunshine is given. The sunshine is not the sun, but still the sunshine is not separate from the sun. The philosophy of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva (simultaneously one and different) cannot be understood by one who is fully under the influence of the external energy. Consequently a person under the influence of the material energy cannot understand the nature and form of the Personality of the Absolute Truth.

Jayapatākā Swami: Since the Māyāvādīs don’t accept the direct interpretation of the Vedas, the commentary of Śaṅkarācārya is not direct, its speculative. Therefore, they all always come up with some offensive interpretation, one has to get this knowledge through the guru-paramparā. From guru-paramaparā of the Vaiṣṇava ācārya and not the Māyāvādīs.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.119

catuḥ-ślokīra dvitīya śloka :–

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (2.9.34)—

Translation: “What appears to be truth without Me is certainly My illusory energy, for nothing can exist without Me. It is like a reflection of a real light in the shadows, for in the light there are neither shadows nor reflections.

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.34). It is the second verse of the catuḥ-ślokī. For an explanation of this verse, see Ādi-līlā, chapter one, Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.54.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Māyāvādīs think that everything is the product of māyā, therefore they are māyā-vādī, actually Kṛṣṇa is the source of everything He is not dependent on māyā rather māyā is dependent on Him. Wherever you think that Kṛṣṇa is not present, he is saying that this is certainly the illusory energy, māyā. because Kṛṣṇa is manifested everywhere.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.120

tṛtīya śloke śrataupanthāya deśakālapātradaśā-nirapekṣa abhidheya sādhana-bhaktira āvaśyakatā vicāra :—

‘abhidheya’ sādhana-bhaktira śunaha vicāra
sarva-jana-deśa-kāla-daśāte vyāpti yāra

Translation: “Now please hear from Me about the process of devotional service, which is applicable in any country, for any person, at all times and in all circumstances.

Purport: The cult of bhāgavata-dharma can be spread in all circumstances, among all people and in all countries. Many envious people accuse the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement of spoiling the rigidity of so-called Hinduism. That is not actually the fact. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu confirms that devotional service to the Lord — the cult of bhāgavata-dharma, which is now being spread as the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement — can be spread in every country, to every person,in any condition of life, and in all circumstances. Bhāgavata-dharma does not restrict pure devotees to the Hindu community. A pure devotee is above a brāhmaṇa; therefore it is not incompatible to offer the sacred thread to devotees in Europe, America, Australia, Japan, Canada, and so on. Sometimes these pure devotees, who have been accepted by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, are not allowed to enter certain temples in India. Also, some high-caste brāhmaṇas and gosvāmīs refuse to take prasādam in the temples of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Actually this is against the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Devotees can come from any country, and they can belong to any creed or race. On the strength of this verse, those who are actually devotees and followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must accept devotees from all parts of the world as pure Vaiṣṇavas. They should be accepted not artificially but factually. One should see how they are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and how they are conducting Deity worship, saṅkīrtana and Ratha-yātrā. Considering all these points, the envious persons must henceforward refrain from their malicious atrocities.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, here Lord Caitanya is saying that His process is available for everyone and every part of world and in all circumstances and to all people. So, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda took advantage of Lord Caitanya’s instructions and distributed it all over the world. So, like this the sanātana-dharma, the eternal religious people, all of the world can be united. So, people think that they have be born in a Hindu family to be a Hindu, but here Lord Caitanya taught that if one follows the abhidheya or devotional service one can automatically be a devotee, all the way from China, Japan, Europe, America, Africa, from anywhere in the world.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.121

sādhana-bhaktira abhidheya—caturvargātīta :—

‘dharmādi’ viṣaye yaiche e ‘cāri’ vicāra
sādhana-bhakti-ei cāri vicārera pāra

Translation: “As far as religious principles are concerned, there is a consideration of the person, the country, the time and the circumstance. In devotional service, however, there are no such considerations. Devotional service is transcendental to all such considerations.

Purport: When we are on the material platform, there are different types of religions — Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and so on. These are instituted for a particular time, a particular country or a particular person. Consequently there are differences. Christian principles are different from Hindu principles, and Hindu principles are different from Muslim and Buddhist principles. These may be considered on the material platform, but when we come to the platform of transcendental devotional service, there are no such considerations. The transcendental service of the Lord (sādhana-bhakti) is above these principles. The world is anxious for religious unity, and that common platform can be achieved in transcendental devotional service. This is the verdict of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When one becomes a Vaiṣṇava, he becomes transcendental to all these limited considerations.

This is confirmed by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (14.26):

“One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”

The devotional activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are completely transcendental to material considerations. As far as different faiths are concerned, religions may be of different types, but on the spiritual platform, everyone has an equal right to execute devotional service. That is the platform of oneness and the basis for a classless society. In his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura confirms that one has to learn from a bona fide spiritual master about religious principles, economic development, sense gratification and ultimately liberation. These are the four divisions of regulated life, but they are on the material platform. On the spiritual platform, the four principles are jñāna, vijñāna, tad-aṅga and tad-rahasya. Rules, regulations and restrictions are on the material platform, but on the spiritual platform one has to be equipped with transcendental knowledge, which is above the principles of religious rituals. Mundane religious activity is known as smārta-viddhi, but transcendental devotional service is called gosvāmi-vidhī. Unfortunately many so-called gosvāmīs are on the platform of smārta-vidhī, yet they try to pass as gosvāmi-vidhī, and thus the people are cheated.

Gosvāmī-vidhī is strictly explained in Sanātana Gosvāmī’s Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, wherein it is stated:

“By chemical manipulation, bell metal is turned into gold when touched by mercury; similarly, when a person is properly initiated, he can acquire the qualities of a brāhmaṇa.”

The conclusion is that devotional service is open for everyone, regardless of caste, creed, time and country. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is functioning according to this principle.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the four principles are dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. These things are somewhat affected by material conditions, but the devotional service is the fifth puruṣārtha which is love for Kṛṣṇa. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is teaching people how to develop the natural love for Kṛṣṇa that is transcendental. So, people with different faiths are doing things which are part of devotional service, if they see the principle of devotional service then all the religions can be united.

Haribol!

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.122

sadgurura sevā o paripraśnadvārā divyajñānalābhera saṅge śuddha-bhakti-tattva-śravaṇera āvaśyakatā :—

sarva-deśa-kāla-daśāya janera kartavya
guru-pāśe sei bhakti praṣṭavya, śrotavya

Translation: “It is therefore the duty of every man — in every country, in every circumstance and at all times — to approach a bona fide spiritual master, question him about devotional service and listen to him explain the process.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, every human being should do this process, approaching a bonafide spiritual master, taking his shelter and asking questions and hearing those answers and learning the process of devotional service. So, this is a kind of post graduate study of spiritual life. When the President of India was a Muslim Scientist, APJ Abdul Kalam, so at that time a devotee offered him a Bhagavad-gītā, so he questioned him whether it was spiritual book, or religious book and the devotee said, it is spiritual book and then he accepted it. So, the spiritual truth of Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is for everyone.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.123

catuḥ-ślokīra caturtha śloka :—

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (2.9.36)—

Translation: “A person interested in transcendental knowledge must therefore always directly and indirectly inquire about it to know about the all-pervading truth.

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.36). It is the fourth verse of the catuḥ-ślokī. For an explanation see Ādi-līlā, chapter one, Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.56.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this was taught to the Māyāvādī sannyāsī that they should enquire from a proper vaiṣṇava spiritual master and they accepted this and thus became vaiṣṇavas. 

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.124

caturtha-śloke abhidheyera aṅgī ‘rahasya’ vā prayojana-varṇana; bhakta-hṛdaye bhakta-premavaśa bhagavān o bhagavad hṛdaye bhagavat-premavaśa bhakta— paraspara samāśliṣṭa vā āliṅgita-vigraha; bhakta o bhagavāne acintyabhedābheda :—

āmāte ye ‘prīti’, sei ‘prema’-’prayojana’
kārya-dvāre kahi tāra ‘svarūpa’-lakṣaṇa

Translation: Supreme affection for Me is called love of Godhead, and that is the ultimate goal of life. Let Me explain by a practical example the natural characteristics of such love.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, how everyone should try to achieve this natural affection, love of godhead is explained here. Actually it is something that we don’t have learn, it’s a part of us and it naturally awakens when we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.125

pañca-bhūta yaiche bhūtera bhitare-bāhire
bhakta-gaṇe sphuri āmi bāhire-antare

Translation: “The five material elements are existing inside and outside of every living entity. Similarly, I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, am manifest within the heart of the devotee as well as outside his body.

Purport: The pure devotee knows that he is a servant of Kṛṣṇa eternally. He knows that everything can be used in the service of the Lord.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, just as we are naturally grateful for our mother and father, we should feel naturally grateful to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, when we realize that he has given us everything.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.126

catuḥślokīra tritīya śloka :—

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (2.9.35)—

Translation: “As the material elements enter the bodies of all living beings and yet remain outside them all, I exist within all material creations and yet am not within them.

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.35). It is also the third verse of the catuḥ-ślokī. For an explanation see Ādi-līlā, chapter one, Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.55.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Kṛṣṇa is simultaneously within and without of all the material creation, this He explains in the Bhagavad-gītā.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.127

bhaktera premapāśe bhagavān āvaddha :—

bhakta āmā preme bāndhiyāche hṛdaya-bhitare
yāhāṅ netra paḍe tāhāṅ dekhaye āmāre

Translation: “A highly elevated devotee can bind Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in his heart by love. Wherever he looks, he sees Me and nothing else.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, although He is one Supreme Personality of Godhead and unlimited individual souls, the individual souls awaken his dormant love for Kṛṣṇa, he can bind Kṛṣṇa in his heart with pure love.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.128

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (11.2.55)—

Translation: “Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who destroys everything inauspicious for His devotees, does not leave the hearts of His devotees even if they remember Him and chant about Him inattentively. This is because the rope of love always binds the Lord within the devotees’ hearts. Such devotees should be accepted as most elevated.

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.55).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, awakening our dormant love of Kṛṣṇa even inattentively puts us in a very elevated situation. So, we should try to serve the Lord in that way and anyone who is serving the Lord should be looked upon as very advanced.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.129

Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (11.2.45)—

Translation: “A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Consequently, he always sees the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the cause of all causes and understands that all things are situated in Him.

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.45).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, by devotional service one sees that Kṛṣṇa is manifesting everything, He is cause of all causes.