How to Act and Who is liberated-SP

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Yesterday for our weekly Saturday Feast program, we looked carefully at the verse in BG 3.9 which states that all work must be done for Lord Vishnu otherwise all that work is Karma, or binding the soul to the wheel of birth and death.  Personally I don’t think devotees think enough about the beginning chapters of BG, which stress how to act in this world, which is the foundation for how to act eventually upon the spiritual platform. Please consider thoughtfully, these quotes from Srila Prabhupadas books.

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

1.Madhya 2.31  Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting

the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change and feel

ecstasy, at which time tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on

end."

(So this above verse in CC gives us the end result of chanting Hare Krsna mantra.

We should not forget that this is the end point and reward for successful execution

of chanting Hare Krsna maha mantra. To forget it means we are just blindly following rules without profit.)

2. SB 2.3.24 P   . If there is no such change, the heart must be

considered steel-framed, for it is not melted even when there is

chanting of the holy name of the Lord. We must always remember that

hearing and chanting are the basic principles of discharging

devotional duties, and if they are properly performed there will

follow the reactional ecstasy with signs of tears in the eyes and

standing of the hairs on the body. These are natural consequences and

are the preliminary symptoms of the bhava stage, which occurs before

one reaches the perfectional stage of prema, love of Godhead.

   If the reaction does not take place, even after continuous hearing

and chanting of the holy name of the Lord, it may be considered to be

due to offenses only. That is the opinion of the Sandarbha. In the

beginning of chanting of the holy name of the Lord, if the devotee has

not been very careful about evading the ten kinds of offenses at the

feet of the holy name, certainly the reaction of feelings of

separation will not be visible by tears in the eyes and standing of

the hair on end.

3. Excerpts from Srila Bhaktivinoda and his book called Sri Bhaktyaloka 

There are two types sanga-association an attachment. Association is of two types-with non devotees and with women. Similarly attachment is also two types-attachment  for prejudices and attachment for assets.
Those matahmas who wish to attain perfection in Devotional service should carefully  give up sanga in the form of association and attachment, otherwise this sanga will gradually ruin everything.

Now let us consider sanga in the form of attachment. Attachments are of two kinds-attachment for prejudices and attachment for assets. First I will discuss the attachment for prejudices. There are two type of prejudices-ancient and current. The conditioned living entity has been performing fruitive activities and endeavoring for knowledge since time immemorial and the prejudices that have developed in his subtle body as a result are called ancient prejudices. Those prejudices are known as ones nature. As stated in BG—the embodied spirit master of the city of his body does not create activities nor does he induce people to act not does he create the fruits of action. All this is enacted by the modes of material nature.”Srila Baladev Vidyabhusana comments-The primordial  material  desire that is active since time immemorial is called ones nature. Due to such a desire the living entity is supplied with material bodies and other paraphernalia. False identification with the bodies causes one to act and causes others to act although this is not the pure souls real constitution or nature.” Regarding the bondage of prejudices of knowledge the BG says (14.6) O sinless one the mode of goondess  being purer than the others is illuminating and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge. Srila Baladev  comments-“I am wise, I am happy”. By this pride the living entity is bound by goodness.

Peoples association with karma and jnana is the result of attachment born from the prejudices of  ones nature that are produced from past karma and jnana.

From ancient prejudices one develops association with karma and jnana Association with these ancient prejudices is inevitable. Despite all attempts up to suicide one cannot give up ones prejudices.

The prejudices or attachments for good and bad attained in this life due to association are called modern prejudices. Everyone in the world is under the control of these two kinds of prejudices.  When a living entity is not bound by maya then by nature he is a servant of Krsna.  Being bound by maya a living entity cannot give up ancient and modern wicked prejudices.  At that time ancient wicked prejudices become his second nature.  Only sadhu sanga can reform the attachment to prejudices. Sadhu sanga is the only remedy for this disease. Unless one reforms his attachments to prejudices, one cannot attain perfection in Devotional service by any means.

Association with prejudices is very dangerous. By affectionately associating with pure devotees of the Lord ones association with prejudices in the form of karma and jnana is destroyed. Due to this association with prejudices a living entites propensity for ignorance and passion becomes stronger. Whatever propensities for goodness passion  and ignorance are seen in peoples eating sleeping and sensual activites are all due to association with prejudices. Karmis and jnanis disrespect Vaisnvavas only due to this attachment for prejudices.Until the attachment for prejudices is destroyed the 10 offenses in chanting will not be uprooted.

4.The 6^th Offenses to chanting the Holy Names-Give some concocted interpretation to the chanting of the Holy Names. This means  the chanting of Hare Krsna depends upon proper understanding of the philosophy before one can chant without offense. Otherwise

why there are so many books on the subject? And why no tears and hairs standing on end when we sing the names of God??

5.Define Pure Bhakti Yoga-SB 3.29.8 P   To act under the direction of a bona

fide spiritual master with a motive to satisfy the Supreme Personality

of Godhead is pure devotional service. But if one has a motive for

personal sense gratification, his devotional service is manifested

differently

6. One time Sruti Kirti told a story when Prabhupada was in the LA Temple.

Prabhupada had his japa beads on his hand, then took the bead bag

and tossed it on his table and said: "there my 16 rounds are finished,

now I can do any damn thing I want."   

7. NBS 13 P-If a diseased person is being cured of the symptoms of his disease

but does not care for the principles of healthy living, there is every

possibility of a relapse. Similarly, the neophyte devotee serious

about advancing in devotional service must carefully follow the

principles of regulative devotional service; otherwise there is every

possibility of his falling down. Strictly speaking, if a devotee

ignores the regulative principles and acts according to his whims--if,

for example, he does not eat krsna-prasadam but eats anywhere and

everywhere, such as in restaurants--there is every possibility of his

falling down. If he accumulates money without spending it for

devotional service, there is every possibility of his falling down. If

he applies his energy not in the service of the Lord but in some

material activity, there is every possibility of his falling down. If

the devotee does not engage himself always in hearing and chanting the

topics of Krsna and His activities but instead indulges in idle talk,

there is every chance of his falling down. If a neophyte devotee does

not follow the orders of the spiritual master and simply officially

sticks to the principles, or if he does not strictly follow the

principles, there is every possibility of his falling down. To become

greedy is another cause of falldown. And to associate with persons who

are not in devotional service is the last word in maya's allurements

for causing a devotee to fall down  

8. 750203mw.haw               
1. Devotee (1): No, I know, but for his actions other than just following
the four regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds. He does so
many other things during the day. Where does he derive his authority
if he's not, let's say, living in the temple?
Prabhupada: I do not follow. The authority is guru. You have accepted.
Bali Mardana: For everything.
Jayatirtha: Say I have some outside job, I'm living outside, but I'm
not giving 50% of my income. So then that work that I'm doing, is it
actually under the authority of the guru?Prabhupada: Then you are not following the instruction of guru. That
is plain fact.Jayatirtha: So that means that whole activity during the day, working,
that means I am not following the instruction of the guru. It's
unauthorized activity.Prabhupada: Yes. If you don't follow the instruction of guru, then you
are fallen down immediately. That is the way. Otherwise why you sing,
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. It is my duty to satisfy guru.
Otherwise I am nowhere. So if you prefer to be nowhere, then you
disobey as you like. But if you want to be steady in your position,
then you have to follow strictly the instruction of guru   

9. 730506SB.LA                    Lectures                  215476/530501

So the beginning you cannot do so, that anything

you can dovetail. No. In the beginning you have to learn first of all

how to become Krsna conscious. You are, we are in the training period.

We are in the training period. We should not imitate: "Oh, Yudhisthira

Maharaja was ordered to speak lies, so let us go on speaking all

lies." No, not that. You cannot do so. First of all, be trained up.

For being trained up, you have to follow the regulative principles,

the orders of spiritual master. In this way, sevonmukhe hi jihvadau.

When your all parts of your limbs will be engaged in Krsna's service,

hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam, in this way when you are actually advanced,

then whatever you do in Krsna consciousness, that is good.

Example-760314mw.may- Acyutananda: If a man says, "I am giving you this donation because it

is a spiritual organization," but if the money is misused, does that

man benefit?

Prabhupada: If money is misused, then both of them become implicated.

If it is not used for Krsna, then both of them becomes under the laws

of karma.

(This particular quote example is to show us how exacting do the laws of nature operate upon

us all. One would naturally think that if he or she gives some donation to some spiritual group, then some good spiritual result would come. But it is just the opposite, if one is not careful. )

10.  Bg 7.29 T     Intelligent persons who are endeavoring for liberation from old age
and death take refuge in Me in devotional service. They are actually
Brahman because they entirely know everything about transcendental and
fruitive activities.

Bg 4.16 T      Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action
and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is
knowing which you shall be liberated from all sins.

Bg 2.49 T    O Dhananjaya, rid yourself of all fruitive activities by devotional
service, and surrender fully to that consciousness. Those who want to
enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

Bg 4.17 T     The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore
one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and
what inaction is.

                               PURPORT

   If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has
to understand the distinctions between action, inaction and
unauthorized actions. One has to apply oneself to such an analysis of
action, reaction and perverted actions because it is a very difficult
subject matter. To understand Krsna consciousness and action according
to the modes, one has to learn one's relationship with the Supreme;
i.e., one who has learned perfectly knows that every living entity is
the eternal servitor of the Lord and that consequently one has to act
in Krsna consciousness. The entire Bhagavad-gita is directed toward
this conclusion. Any other conclusions, against this consciousness and
its attendant reactions, are vikarmas, or prohibited actions. To
understand all this one has to associate with authorities in Krsna
consciousness and learn the secret from them; this is as good as
learning from the Lord directly. Otherwise, even the most intelligent

person will be bewildered.      

11. Bg 4.20 T   Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever
satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although
engaged in all kinds of undertakings.

                               PURPORT

   This freedom from the bondage of actions is possible only in Krsna
consciousness when one is doing everything for Krsna.

12. Bg 4.33 P    The purpose of all sacrifices is to arrive at the status of
complete knowledge, then to gain release from material miseries, and,
ultimately, to engage in loving transcendental service to the Supreme
Lord (Krsna consciousness). Nonetheless, there is a mystery about all
these different activities of sacrifice, and one should know this
mystery. Sacrifices sometimes take different forms according to the
particular faith of the performer. When one's faith reaches the stage
of transcendental knowledge, the performer of sacrifices should be
considered more advanced than those who simply sacrifice material
possessions without such knowledge, for without attainment of
knowledge, sacrifices remain on the material platform and bestow no
spiritual benefit

Real knowledge culminates in Krsna consciousness,
the highest stage of transcendental knowledge. Without the elevation
of knowledge, sacrifices are simply material activities. When,
however, they are elevated to the level of transcendental knowledge,
all such activities enter onto the spiritual platform. Depending on
differences in consciousness, sacrificial activities are sometimes
called karma-kanda, fruitive activities, and sometimes jnana-kanda,
knowledge in the pursuit of truth. It is better when the end is
knowledge.

13. Bg 5.2 P    One is considered to be a failure in life as long as he makes no inquiry about his real identity. As long as he does not know his real identity, he has to
work for fruitive results for sense gratification, and as long as one
is engrossed in the consciousness of sense gratification one has to
transmigrate from one body to another. Although the mind may be
engrossed in fruitive activities and influenced by ignorance, one must
develop a love for devotional service to Vasudeva. Only then can one
have the opportunity to get out of the bondage of material existence."
   Therefore, jnana (or knowledge that one is not this material body
but spirit soul) is not sufficient for liberation. One has to act in
the status of spirit soul, otherwise there is no escape from material
bondage.

14. 760510SB.HON                   Lectures                 
The injunction is that tad viddhi, if you want to understand
transcendental subject matter, not material, spiritual... Spiritual is
completely unknown to us because we do not know what is spiritual. We
are identifying with this body. You do not know even that "I am spirit
soul." So where is the possibility of spiritual understanding? One
cannot see himself, what he is. He is thinking, "I am this body,"exactly like the dog. The dog is thinking, "I am dog." So if I think,
"I am American," "I am Indian," where is the difference? There is no
difference. Yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke. If one thinks that "I
am this body," then he's no better than sa eva go-kharah. The animals,
they also think like that, "I am this body."

15. 741117SB.BOM                   Lectures  

 This is self-realization. Self-realization means to see one's proper
identity. At the present moment we are not finding out our proper
identity. We are seeing to the body. I see you, your body, and you see
me, my body. We have no vision of the real person, which is, who is
occupying this body. This is the first lesson we get from
Bhagavad-gita: dehino 'smin yatha dehe. Dehi... This body is called
deha, and the owner of the body is called dehi.

So when we can see that we are not this body, "I am not this body,"
that is beginning of self-realization. That is called brahma-bhuta
stage. Aham brahmasmi: "I am not this material body." Aham brahmasmi.
This is self-realization.

(Prabhupada explained above, that as long as one thinks and acts as this

body, then that fruitive work will continue to bind us to birth and death. “As long as he does not know his real identity, he has to work for fruitive results for sense gratification”.)

(Srila Prabhupada explains below that liberation is not just chanting 16 rounds and following the 4 regulative principles-because that is just the beginning. )

16. 760607mw.la                 Conversations               

Hari-sauri: Because sadhana-bhakti is a gradual process, they

immediately want the highest perfection quickly.

Prabhupada: That is the danger. But if they at once go to rasa-lila,

because they are not trained up neither they are liberated, they'll

think this rasa-lila is just like our young boys, young girls mix

together, have sex like that.

… And they'll do that. That sahajiya tendency is very

easy to take up…. Thinking of Radha-Krsna lila, that is in liberated stage,

not in the conditioned stage.

Ramesvara: Each one of us has an original relationship with Krsna,

some as plant, some as tree, some as cow, some as cowherd boy. So if

that is re-established, why should the devotee desire to change it?

Prabhupada: That will be revealed when you are liberated. Why you are

bothering now?

Ramesvara: That's the point.

Prabhupada: A patient is thinking, "How shall I dance when I become

healthy?" First of all, rascal, become healthy, then talk of all this.

The rascals are thinking like that. You are patient; first of all cure..

(So all these devotees in these days were following the regulative principles as

best they could, yet still Prabhupada says that ones siddha deha,(spiritual body)

will be revealed when one is liberated, but not right now!)

17. 760816rc.bom                Conversations               

Acyutananda: Some of the devotees, they said that it is for liberated

souls. So they said, "Well, we are all liberated."

Prabhupada: Yes. Liberated for going to hell.

18. 760816rc.bom                Conversations               

Prabhupada: Liberated soul never says that "I am liberated." As soon

as he says "liberated," he's a rascal. A liberated soul will never say

that "I am liberated." That is liberated. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He is

God--guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan. "My Guru Maharaja saw Me a

fool number one, and he has chastised Me." He's God. This is the

example. If one remains always a servant ever-lastingly of guru, then

he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he's a

rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha

dekhi'. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why He's posing Himself that

murkha? "I am fool number one." That means that is liberation. You

must be ready always to be chastised by guru. Then he's liberated. And

as soon as he thinks that "I am beyond this chastisement, I am

liberated," he's a rascal. Why Caitanya Mahaprabhu says guru more

murkha dekhi' karila sasan? This is sahajiya-vada. He is thinking, "Oh

I have become liberated. I don't require any direction of my guru. I'm

liberated." Then he's rascal. Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because

they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave

all direction and never said that "This man should be the next

acarya." But these people, just after his passing away they began to

fight, who shall be acarya. That is the failure. They never thought,

"Why Guru Maharaja gave us instruction so many things, why he did not

say that this man should be acarya?" They wanted to create

artificially somebody acarya and everything failed. They did not

consider even with common sense that if Guru Maharaja wanted to

appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many

things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insist upon

it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man

came, then another, acarya, another acarya. So better remain a foolish

person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is

perfection.

(Better we learn how to act first, then liberation will come later)

19. Bg 5.26 P   In the conditioned soul the desire to enjoy the fruitive results of
work is so deep-rooted that it is very difficult even for the great
sages to control such desires, despite great endeavors. A devotee of
the Lord, constantly engaged in devotional service in Krsna
consciousness, perfect in self-realization, very quickly attains
liberation in the Supreme. Owing to his complete knowledge in
self-realization, he always remains in trance.

(So now here below, Srila Prabhupada talks about just ordinary karma yoga-, not even bhakti yoga, and how karma yoga is superior of Vaidhi Bhakti yoga)

20. 740401mw.bom                Conversations               
Prabhupada: Karma-yogi means one who does everything for Krsna. He's
karma-yogi.Guest (1): One who does everything for...?
Prabhupada: For Krsna.
Guest (1): For Krsna.
Prabhupada: Just like you are doing, doing some work. For whom you are
doing?Guest (1): For my own benefit.
Prabhupada: That's all. So that is karma. But when you do the same
thing for Krsna, that is karma-yoga.

Prabhupada: ..done not meant for Krsna, that is
for his own satisfaction. Just like Arjuna wanted to become
nonviolent: "No, no, Krsna. I cannot kill my kinsmen." That is a good
proposal. But that was his satisfaction.Guest (1): That is very correct.
Prabhupada: Yes. That was his satisfaction. But Krsna wanted that "You
must fight." And when he agreed to that, that is his perfection.Before that, he was trying to satisfy he.(himself)
... Whatever you do, that is your satisfaction. That is karma.
..karma. ...for your own sense satisfaction,
that is karma. And if you do it for Krsna's satisfaction, that is
karma-yoga.

Makhanlal: Pure bhakti and karma-yoga considered to  be exactly the
same?
Prabhupada: Exactly the same.
Prabhupada: Pure bhakti is above karma-yoga. Pure bhakti is above
karma-yoga.Bhagavata: That is the difference between the Chapter Karma-yoga and
Karma-yoga in Krsna Consciousness.
Prabhupada: Yes. Pure, pure devotion means Sravanam kirtanam.Makhanlal: ...you're performing, is the vaidhi-bhakti stage of...
 ...of the sadhana-bhakti, the regulative principles.
Prabhupada: Yes, vaidhi-bhakti means regulative principles, and when
you are accustomed, automatically you perform, that is raga-bhakti.
Makhanlal: So vaidhi-bhakti is considered superior to karma-yoga then.
Prabhupada: No. Karma-yoga is better.
Makhanlal: Karma-yoga is better?
Prabhupada: Yes.

Indian man: Pure bhakti is superior.
Prabhupada: Pure bhakti is sravanam kirtanam. Sravanam kirtanam
visnu-smaranam pada-sevanam, that is pure bhakti. (break)
Yasomatinandana: ...formed by anybody.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Yasomatinandana: Karma-yoga.
Prabhupada: Unless one is inclined to take to devotion, it is not
possible to take to karma-yoga. Who can sacrifice the profit?
Yasomatinandana: Does karma-yoga mean to follow exactly the sastras?
Prabhupada: Karma-yoga means yat karosi yaj juhosi kurusva tat
mad-arpanam.Yasomatinandana: Doing only for Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is karma-yoga.Devotee: Which means?
Prabhupada: "Whatever you do, the result give Me."Devotee: To Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Yasomatinandana: So we are also, those who are on the vaidhi-bhakti
(indistinct) on karma-yoga path because we are...
Prabhupada: Yes. They are acting under the order of the spiritual

master. That is bhakti-yoga.
Bhagavata: So when one follows the nine activities of devotion purely,
that is pure bhakti.
Prabhupada: Yes.Bhagavata: Then when he's following those nine activities, then he's
superior.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Bhagavata: Then that's superior to karma-yoga, to follow those nine
principles purely.Prabhupada: Yes.
Makhanlal: Raganuga-bhakti is also superior to karma-yoga then?
Prabhupada: Bhakti is perfect stage. That is not for ordinary man.

21. 760920SB.VRN   ..Sinful activities mean anything you do without any purpose

to serve to Krsna, that is sinful. That is sinful. Not that "In the

material calculation this is very good work, the opening of hospital

or this or that, very good work. And Deity worship and going to the

temple is bogus." You may think like that.

22. 720827SB.LA                    Lectures                  211232/530501

 No. Brahmana means one who has seen, brahma-darsana. Darsana means seeing. And in that platform you can see God, or you can realize what is Absolute Truth.

…Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Out of many millions of

persons, kascit, somebody is trying to become a brahmana. That is

siddhaye. Kascid yatati siddhaye. Siddhaye means to become successful.

And yatatam api siddhanam. And out of many millions of persons who has

become successful, out of them some may know what is Krsna.

   So anyway, brahma-darsanam. Brahma-darsanam means the preliminary

understanding of the Absolute Truth. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti

sabdyate. In the preliminary understanding, impersonal Brahman is

realized; and if you make further progress, then you are, you realize

the localized aspect, Paramatma. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese

'rjuna tisthati. In your heart you will see. And, further progress

means you'll see Visnu, or Lord Krsna--brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan

iti. The one thing, thing is one, absolute, but a different capacity.

… Ordinary men, those who are in the sunshine, they cannot understand

what is the temperature in the sun globe. And even if you go nearer to

the sun globe, it is very difficult to enter into the, within the

planet. Similarly, the first understanding of the Absolute Truth is

impersonal Brahman, brahma-darsanam. Then, if you can make further

progress, then you will see that Absolute Truth within your heart by

yoga system. And if you make further advance, then you see Him eye to

eye and give your service, render your service personally. These are

the stages.

23. 721001SB.LA                    Lectures                  

Vaisnava means he is transcendental to the brahminical qualities also. But if you do not

maintain even brahminical qualities, then where you are a Vaisnava?

   So to become a Vaisnava is not so easy thing, because it is

transcendental to the brahminical quality. But it is very easy. Lord

Caitanya has made it easy, provided you stick to the principles. If

you simply chant regularly Hare Krsna... This is the special facility

for the people in this age. You can remain steady in transcendental

position. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. As soon

as you remain in the offenseless chanting platform, immediately you

become transcendental to these material qualities. Very simple.

Some conclusions:

We started out at the very beginning with the verse from CC which stated that if ones heart is steel framed, then tears wont come to the eyes when chanting nor will the hairs stand on end. So

The last verse above says everything is very easy-AS LONG as one remains upon the offenseless platform of chanting Hare Krsna . I don’t know what everybody else concludes, but as far as myself is concerned, if these transcendental symptoms do not appear that means I am still chanting with some offense.

So these verses test our Krsna Consciousness and actual level of understanding.

Prabhupada has several times said that when one joins this movement and gets initiated

he is just like a beginning student who has entered the university. A freshman is hardly the

same as a graduating senior who has passed all his tests. So when one can follow the

basic pre requisites such as 16 rounds a day and the 4 reg's, that mean he has come to

at least the human platform, and not necessarily the transcendental platform, as some mistakenly are thinking. For example a fully qualified brahmana (kanistha adhikari) is still on the material platform     

So the whole point is this-If we are actually on the transcendental platform, which means every action we perform is for the satisfaction of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krsna, then this work is A-karma, or without reaction. That is moksa, and in that platform, tears will come to the eyes when we chant Hare Krsna.

NoD 10    Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also recommended this process of hearing as

a means of self-realization in the present age of Kali. In this age it

is very difficult to follow thoroughly the regulative principles and

studies of the Vedas which were formerly recommended. However, if one

gives aural reception to the sound vibrated by great devotees and

acaryas, that alone will give him relief from all material contamination.