Preface
[translated from the Hindi edition]
The unlimited glories of devotion unto the Supreme Lord
(bhagavad-bhakti) are visible in the Purå√as, Çrutis,
Sm®tis, the
Mahåbhårata and the Råmåya√a, as well as in the literatures
of famous Vaiß√ava preceptors (åcåryas). By understanding
the
constitutional nature of unalloyed devotion (çuddha-bhakti)
and
genuinely engaging in its practice, one can easily cross
the ocean
of nescience and achieve life’s ultimate goal of love for
the
Supreme Lord Çrî K®ß√a (k®ß√a-prema). What to speak of the
genuine practice of çuddha-bhakti, even the attainment of a
slight
semblance of bhakti can award the fourfold boons of
economic
development (artha), religiosity (dharma), sense
gratification
(kåma) and liberation (mokßa). Therefore people in general
become attracted towards the cultivation of bhakti. But due
to
being ignorant of the true nature of unalloyed devotion,
they
usually come in contact with pretentious devotees who
desire
only wealth, women and fame, and under their influence
either
practise false devotion or adopt devotional sentiments that
are
against the principles of pure devotion, all the while
imagining
them to be pure bhakti. Coming under the influence of those
desiring impersonal liberation, they practise either a
shadow or a
reflection of real bhakti and deceive themselves. Thus they
do not
achieve the real fruit of bhakti.
Hence, the åcårya of the profound science of devotional
mellows, the most merciful Çrîla Rüpa Gosvåmî, has
explained in
his book Çrî Bhakti-rasåm®ta-sindhu the true nature of
unalloyed
devotion on the basis of scriptural evidences. Moreover, he
has
i
described the nature of chala-bhakti (pretentious
devotion), åbhåsabhakti
(a semblance of devotion), pratibimba-bhakti (a reflection
of devotion), karma-miçrå-bhakti (devotion mixed with
fruitive
action), jñåna-miçrå-bhakti (devotion mixed with impersonal
knowledge), åropa-siddha-bhakti (endeavours that are
indirectly
attributed with the quality of devotion), sa∫ga-siddha-bhakti
(endeavours associated with or favourable to the
cultivation of
devotion) and so on. In the realm of devotion, Bhakti-rasåm®tasindhu
is unanimously accepted as the most authoritative
literature,
but it was composed in Sanskrit, an ancient language that
is comprehensible to very few people in modern times. So
for
the benefit of human society, in his Bhakti-tattva-viveka Çrîla
Bhaktivinoda ˇhåkura has presented the grave and deep
conceptions
of Bhakti-rasåm®ta-sindhu in the Bengali language in a
straightforward and easily understandable manner.
Çrîla Bhaktivinoda ˇhåkura is an intimate eternal associate
of
the saviour of the masses in the age of Kali, Çacînandana
Çrî
Caitanya Mahåprabhu. After the associates of Çrî Gaurahari,
such
as the Six Gosvåmîs, Çrî K®ß√adåsa Kaviråja, Çrî Narottama
ˇhåkura and Çrî Viçvanåtha Cakravartî ˇhåkura, left this
world
and entered the unmanifest pastimes, the one hundred years
that
followed are considered a dark period for the Gau∂îya Vaiß√ava
line. This is because during this period in the Gau∂îya
line no
powerful åcårya appeared who could carry forward the
teachings
of Çrîman Mahåprabhu in their pure form as was done
previously.
As a result, in a short span of time, on the pretext of
following and preaching the doctrine of divine love taught
by
Çrîman Mahåprabhu, many false sects like Åula, Båula,
Kartåbhåjå,
Ne∂å-nedî, Såî, Sahajiyå, Sakhî-bhekhî, Smårta and
Jåtigosåî
appeared and, while engaged in abundant misbehaviour,
began preaching their own imaginary and materially
motivated,
deceitful principles. They defamed Gau∂îya Vaiß√avism to
such
i i Bhakti-tattva-viveka
an extent that educated and respectable people started
viewing it
with abhorrence. Gradually the Gau∂îya conception of
devotion
began to disappear.
At this time, in the year 1838, Çrîla Saccidånanda
Bhaktivinoda
ˇhåkura auspiciously appeared in a well-educated and
cultured
family in the village of Vîra-nagara, which is near Çrî
Navadvîpadhåma
in West Bengal. By compiling approximately one hundred
authoritative books on the science of bhakti in Sanskrit,
Bengali, Hindi, English and other languages, he ushered in
a new
era in the Gau∂îya Vaiß√ava line and re-established its
lost glory.
For this great effort, the Gau∂îya Vaiß√avas will remain
eternally
indebted to him. In the modern age, Çrîla Bhaktivinoda ˇhåkura
set in motion once again the bhakti-bhågîrathî, the mighty,
flowing
river of pure devotion, and for this he is well known as
the
Seventh Gosvåmî.
This Bhakti-tattva-viveka is a collection of four essays he
composed
originally in Bengali on the deliberation of devotional
principles. The first Hindi edition of this material was
serialised
in issues from the fourth and fifth years (1958–9) of Çrî
Bhågavata
Patrikå, a spiritual magazine in Hindi published monthly
from
Çrî Keçavajî Gau∂îya Ma†ha in Mathurå. On the request of
our
faithful readers and by the inspiration of the present-day åcårya
of the Çrî Gau∂îya Vedånta Samiti, Çrî Çrîmad Bhaktivedånta
Våmana Mahåråja, it is now being presented in book form.
By the causeless mercy of the founder of the Çrî Gau∂îya
Vedånta Samiti and its subordinate Gau∂îya Ma†ha branches
throughout India, the most worshipful åcårya-keçarî
jagad-guru
oμ viß√upåda a߆ottara-çata Çrî Çrîmad Bhakti Prajñåna
Keçava
Gosvåmî Mahåråja, Gau∂îya devotional literatures are being
published
by the Gau∂îya Vedånta Samiti. On the most auspicious
occasion of the anniversary of his appearance day, this
edition is
being presented as an offering placed into his lotus hands.
Being
Preface i i i
the great embodiment of affection and forgiveness, may he
transmit
the potency of his mercy into the core of our hearts so
that we
can render maximum service to his innermost desire. This is
our
humble prayer at his lotus feet.
Lastly, I humbly request the faithful readers to deliberate
upon
this literature with great concentration. By understanding
the
true nature of unalloyed devotion, one can relish the
ultimate
goal of all scriptures, the pure nectar of k®ß√a-prema as
exhibited
and preached by Çrî Caitanya Mahåprabhu.
An aspirant for a particle of mercy
of çrî guru and the Vaiß√avas,
Trida√∂i-bhikßu Çrî Bhaktivedånta
Nåråya√a
Introduction
It gives us great pleasure to present this second English
edition
of Çrîla Bhaktivinoda ˇhåkura’s Bhakti-tattva-viveka before
our
faithful readers. This edition is a direct translation of
the Hindi
edition, which was directly compiled and translated from
the
original Bengali by our illustrious spiritual master, oμ
viß√upåda
a߆ottara-çata Çrî Çrîmad Bhaktivedånta Nåråya√a Mahåråja.
The
first Hindi edition was published in 1990 and the first
English
edition in 1997.
Owing to its clear and precise presentation of the science
of
devotion unto the Supreme Lord Çrî K®ß√a in simple and
easily
comprehensible language, this small book has long been a
favourite of Çrîla Nåråya√a Mahåråja. Quoting abundantly from
Çrîla Rüpa Gosvåmî’s Bhakti-rasåm®ta-sindhu and Çrîla Jîva
Gosvåmî’s Bhakti-sandarbha, Bhaktivinoda ˇhåkura shows how
to discriminate between genuine pure devotion to the Lord
and
the many forms of adulterated devotion. This subject matter
is
particularly relevant in modern times, when the exalted
spiritual
teachings of ancient India are receiving greater exposure
than
ever. The concepts explained herein will effectively guide
sincere
spiritual aspirants along the devotional path by providing
them
with a clear picture of true devotion and helping them to
identify
those rare souls who embody such devotion.
Çrîla Nåråya√a Mahåråja has a strong determination to see
the
writings of the great Gau∂îya åcåryas published in English
and
widely distributed. This he shares in common with his dear
v
friend and instructing spiritual master, Çrî Çrîmad A.C.
Bhaktivedånta Swami Prabhupåda, who single-handedly and in
a
relatively short period of time spread the teachings of K®ß√a
consciousness around the entire world. Çrîla Prabhupåda’s
translations
and writings set the standard for the literary presentation
of Vaiß√ava philosophy, and we hope and pray that our
current
efforts, and this volume in particular, are pleasing to
him.
This second English edition differs from the first in that
it has
been carefully re-edited for linguistic and philosophical
clarity. It
also sports a new design and has been typeset to a higher
standard.
Grateful acknowledgement is extended to Lava∫ga-latå dåsî
for copy-editing this new edition, to ‰ßabhådeva dåsa,
Çånti dåsî
and Giridhårî dåsa for proofreading the final manuscript,
to
Atula-k®ß√a dåsa for checking the Sanskrit, to K®ß√a-prema
dåsa
for designing the new cover and to Subala-sakhå dåsa for
providing
the new photograph of Çrîla Nåråya√a Mahåråja. On behalf
of the many devotees serving in Gau∂îya Vedånta
Publications,
we offer this edition into the hands of our beloved gurudeva,
Çrîla
Nåråya√a Mahåråja, praying that he will always bless us
with the
capacity to fulfil his inner heart’s longing.
An aspirant for the service of the
lotus feet of çrî guru and the Vaiß√avas,
Prema-vilåsa dåsa
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the lotus feet of Swami jis great Devotees , Philosophic
Scholars, Purebhakti dot com for the collection)
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