Sri Gaudiya Kanthahara

Contents 1 Guru-tattva The Guru Principle One must accept a guru in disciplic succession A qualified guru and disciple are hard to find A genuine guru knows the truth about Krsna A guru is a master of his sense A pure devotee is the guru of all varnas and asramas A guru is an acarya of sambandha-jnana Who is an acarya? Example is better than precept Inconceivable oneness and difference of guru, Vaisnava, and Krsna Siksa-guru–Caitya-guru and mahanta (personal)-guru By the mercy of Krsna gets the mercy of guru Guru gives scientific knowledge about the highest spiritual reality The spiritualmaster is the energy of Krsna The guru is gaura-sakti and gaura-priyatama A guru in name only commits a great offense Scholarship is no qualification for becoming a guru A non-Vaisnava cannot be a guru Bogus gurus The injunction to abandon a bogus guru A materialistic, professional, family or vyavaharika-guru must be given up One who rejects a false guru must accept a real guru Why become a disciple? Who thinks the spiritual master an ordinary man goes to hell One who thinks the guru ordinary does not progress For transcendental knowledge on must approach a guru The guru takes one beyond jnana to pure devotion Guru and Lord Nityananda are non-different The authorized sacred tradition Lord Brahma, the original teacher Sri Madhva-the sampradaya acarya The Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya 2 Bhagavat-tattva The Bhagavata Principle Bhagavatam is the crown jewel of all revealed scriptures Bhagavatam is the ripened fruit of the Vedic desire tree Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of Krsna Paramahamsas sing Bhagavatam for the benefit of all souls Bhagavatan is dear to the topmost paramahamsas Bhagavatam is the natural commentary on Vedanta Bhagavatam is the essence of all the scriptures Whoever disregards Bhagavatam is lost Bhagavatam reveals the inner meaning of Vedanta Bhagavatam is the cream of the Vedas and the very form of Krsna Self-manifest and enternal, Bhagavatam is not ordinary literature Bhagavatam is beyond sensual experience Two kinds of bhagavata: the book and the person The inconceivable nature of Bhagavatam Bhagavatam is understood through Vaisnavas Study Bhagavatam in light of previous acarya Who does not recognize Bhagavatam is doomed The proud cannot relish the nectarean juice of the Bhagavatam Lecturing on Bhagavatam as a profession is prohibited Who won’t hear the Srimad-Bhagavatam Further prohibitions against lecturing on Bhagavatam for money Don’t hear Bhagavatam from nondevotees The eighteen Puranas The Puranashave three divisions – sattvika, rajasika and tamsika What is to be known as sastra What is Pancaratra The words of the Pancaratra are as goods as God Narada Pancaratra is the cream of Vedic literature Narada Pancaratra is authorized 3 Vaisnava-tattva The Vaisnava Principle The definition of a Vaisnava Different kinds of Vaisnavas Three kinds of devotees – arcane-marga and neophyte devotees Arcana-marga and the advanced devotees Arcana-marga and the advanced devotee The symptoms of a neophyte devotee Symptoms a madhyama-adhikari Symptoms of an uttama-adhikari Further symptoms of an uttama-adhikari The Paramahamsa Vaisnava Description of the three kinds of devotees from Caitanya-caritamrta A ordinary Vaisnava A superior Vaisnava The topmost Vaisnava Who is a Vaisnava The twenty-six qualities of a Vaisnava Vaisnavas see with equal vision The Lord is conquered by devotion A Vaisnava is supremely merciful The glories of the servants of the Vaisnavas Further glories of the Vaisnavas Without taking shelter of a Vaisnava all knowledge is lost Only Vaisnavas are really merciful to the fallen The glories of exclusive Vaisnava Vaisnava is very rare Out of many liberated souls, a pure devotee is very rare A Vaisnava is beyond mundane knowledge A Vaisnava is paradukha-duhkhi A Vaisnava is transcendental A Vaisnava’s birth, family and nation are of no importance A devotee is dearer than one’s own family The twelve Mahajana Important devotees Prahlada is the best of the devotees Better than Prahlada are the Pandavas Uddhava is superior to the Yadavas The gopis are superior to Uddhavai The gopis are superior to the Laksmis of Vaikuntha Radharani is the best of all devotees The glories of Gauranga’s devotees The unfortunate position of nondevotees Pure devotees to Gauranga is best of all Without devotion to Gauranga, one’s knowledge of scripture is nonsense Without the mercy of Gauranga’s devotee everything is impossible 4 Gaura-tattva The Gauranga Principle The evidence from sruti for Lord Caitanya Evidence from Bhagavatam for Lord Caitanya Evidence of Mahabharata for Sri Caitanya Evidence of the Puranas for Lord Caitanya The version of the Gosvamis Sri Gauranga is the source of all avataras Sri Gauranga is unattainable by worldly knowledge Lord Caitanya’s sixfold nature Sri Gauranga is the Supreme Truth Lord Caitanya is the jagad-guru Lord Gauranga is the best of all Gauranga’s tattva, nama, rupa and lila Gauranga delivers all by distributing nama Gauranga is the giver of Krsna prema Who cheat themselves out of love of God One can know the conclusion of scripture by Sri Gauranga’s mercy Lord Gauranga’s preaching pastimes Sri Gauranga’s example and precept Gauranga’s principle and ultimate goals Sri Gauranga principle and ultimate goals Sri Gauranga is like a lion Sri Gauranga external reason for appearing Lord Gauranga’s confidential reason for appearing He has the mood of Sri Radha but externally spreads the holy name The pastimes of Sri Caitanya are eternal Materialists and demonic persons are envious of Sri Gauranga Gauranga is not the enjoyer of Gaura-Nitai The position of those who cheat themselves of Lord Gauranga’s mercy Gauranga appears as His holy name and as His deity Gauranga’s teaching in a nutshell 5 Nityananda-tattva The Nityananda Principle Nityananda and Advaita-Two main branches of the Caitanya tree Baladeva is the original Sankarsana Balarama and Nityananda are non-different The glories of Nityananda Prabhu Nityananda is the savior of the most fallen The desire for bhakti is strengthened by the mercy of Nitai Nityananda is the foremost preacher Nityananda mad about serving Sri Caitanya Those who doubt that Gaura and Nitai are inseparable are offenders Faith in Gaura without Nitai, or vice verse, opposes pure devotional service 6 Advaita-tattva The Advaita Principle The truth about Advaita Prabhu Advaita is the material cause of mundane creation Advaita is Sadasiva The Meaning of the name Advaita Advaita Acarya is a preacher of krsna-bhakti He is the avatara of Mahavisnu and a devotee of Lord Caitanya Advaita and Nityananda are servants of Advaita The saragrahi followers of Advaita are devotees of Gauranga The useless followers of Adavaita Acarya were cut off from Gauranga’s mercy 7 Krsna-tattva The Krsna Principle The one Absolute Truth is realized in three ways Bhagavan realization is complete, Paramatma and Brahman are partial The conclusion of the sruti about Brahman The conclusion of Bhagavad-gita The conclusion of the Gosvamis The conclusion of the Gosvamis Nirvisesa means Krsna has no material qualities Yogis worship the Supersoul Paramatma is an ekamsa expansion of the Supreme Lord The Supreme Truth has three potencies Visnu is the Supreme Truth Krsna is the Supreme Visnu Krsna is the independent Supreme Person Krsna is the ultimate goal of all vedic literature The meaning of Bhagavan Krsna is the Supreme Master Krsna is the cause of all cause Krsna is the Supreme Shelter of everything Krsna is the Original person On the basis of rasa, Krsna is superior to Narayana Narayana is the opulent pastime expansion of Krsna The demigods recognize Krsna as Supreme This world is maintained by an extended expansion of Krsna Krsna is Lord of Vrdavana, with two hands holding the flute The real from of Krsna The Vedas of speak of the pastimes of the Supreme Lord By Serving Krsna the universe is satisfied The demigods are never envious of Krsna Krsna appears in three categories The two division of svayam-rupa Two divisions of svayam-rupa-prabhava and vaibhava Prabhava-vilasa-Expanding many forms to marry thousands of queens Vaibhava-prakasa The four-handed Vasudeva is prabhava-vilasa Tad-ekatma-rupa Two divisions of tad-ekatma-rupa Two divisions of vilasa forms are for different moods and pastimes from prabhava-vilasa come the catur-vyuhas The original catur-vyuha are the Lords in Mathura and Dvaraka The twenty-four principal expansions of the original catur-vyuha The original catur-vyuha expands into Vaikuntha Further expansions of the second quadruples Svamsa expansions appear in the material world Six kinds of avataras Who is called Svayam Bhagavan Avatari and the different avataras of the Lord The distinction between avatara and avatari The avataras of the Lord are divine Time and purpose for Lord’s avatara The principal reason for Krsna’s advent Krsna’s avataras are countless The purusa-avataras are the origin of everything Because He descends to the material world, the Lord is called avatara Mahavisnu is a partial part of Krsna Mahavisnu is beyond the modes of nature Pradyumana becomes Grabhodakasayi Visnu Aniruddha is Ksirodakasayi Visnu Brahma is the avatara of rajo-guna Brahma is empowered for the work of creation Rudra is the avatara of the mode of ignorance The distinction between Krsna, Siva, and jiva Rudra is one with, yet different from the Lord The difference between Siva and Krsna Rodra is always absorbed in a synthesis of the qualities of maya Visnu is above the modes of nature Visnu is a svamsa expansion of Krsna Krsna expands as Visnu just as an original candle lights other candles The constitutional position of Visnu, Brahma ad Siva The eternal and transcendental character of Krsna’s birth and pastimes Evidence from sruti about the transcendental character of Krsna’s pastimes The apani-padah verse means that His body is transcendental The Lord’s body is not material Transcendental science can’t be understood by material intelligence The body of the Lord is transcendental substance The name and form of the Lord Who cannot understand Krsna’s From is a mudha The deity from of the Lord appears in eight kinds of material substances 8 Sakti-tattva The Sakti Principle The energies of the Supreme Lord are unlimited The Lord’s unlimited energy is divided into three principle categories Three varieties of the Lord’s energy The evidence from sruti for cit-sakti The evidence from smrti for cit-sakti The evidence from smrti for jiva-sakti The evidence from for maya-sakti The evidence of the smrti for maya-sakti Two kinds of maya is the shadow of yoga-maya Hladini, samvit and sandhini-three kinds of energy Those who are most dear to Krsna are His internal energy Sri Radhika is Krsna’s most complete energy All the Lakshmi are expansion of Sri Radha 9 Bhagavad-rasa-tattva The Principle of The Mellows of Divine Rasa Krsna, the ocean of transcendental mellows appears differently to devotees The absolute truth is the personification of divine mellows The fine principle rasa The seven secondary rasa Srimad Bhgavatam on santa-rasa Being fixed in Krsna is a quality of santa -rasa The essential feature of santa-rasa Dasya-rasa = santa -rasa + service Srimad-Bhagatam on dasyarasa The Srimad-Bhagavatam on the glories of dasya-rasa The glories of being a servant of Krsna The srutis on sakhya-rasa In sakhya-rasa the Lord may be defeated by the jiva Sakhya-rasa Vatsalya-rasa Rati is the root is the cause of rasa Two kinds of alambana Krsna is the best of all objects of worship Srimad Radharani is the best of all asrayas Subdivision of rasa 10 Jiva-tattva The Jiva Principle The jiva is a separated infinitesimal particle (vibhinnmsa) of the Lord The nature of the jivas is transcendental substance The jivas is a particle of a ray of Paramatma The jivas is conscious atomic energy The infinitesimal soul is pure, but… The soul pervades the body with consciousness The evidence of Vedanta on the nature of the soul Two kinds of souls-“bound” and “liberated” The soul’s constitutional position The jiva is an eternal servant of Krsna The jiva is Krsna’s tatastha sakti The jivas is a manifestation one with and different from the Lord The jivas are dependent on God Suddhavaita -on the difference between jiva and isvara Sankara was an proponent on the difference between jiva and isvara The cause of the jiva’s ignorance In ignorance, the soul suffers repeated birth and death Attaining Krsna’s lotus feet is liberation from all material suffering The siddhanta of the Visisthadvaita -vada The Siddhanta of Dvaitadvaita-vada on the subject of the jiva The siddhanta of Suddhadvaita-vada A liberated soul attains a perfect spiritual body in the service of Krsna Suddhadvaita-vada on the distinct position of the eternally liberated souls One who equates the jiva with the Supreme Lord is an atheist 11 Acintya-bhedabheda-tattva The Principle of Inconceivable Oneness and Difference The sruti on the subjects of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva Srimad-Bhagavatam on acintya-bhedabheda-tattva Smrti on acintya-bhedabheda-tattva The Brahma-sutras support the view of sakti-parinamavada The meaning of parinama-vada and vivarta-vada 12 Abhideya-tattva The Methodological Principle Sreyas and preyas The purpose of human life Three different paths-karma, jnana, and bhakti who qualifies for karma, jnana, or bhakti To be fixed in that for which one is qualified is a good quality Even sages and demigods are bewildered trying to understand the Vedas The Vaisnava guru never encourages karma Karma-yoga does not give freedom from the fear of birth and death Bhagavatam derides karma and jnana Materialistic karmic activities are condemned The path of karma is condemned in the Vedas Without worshipping Visnu, worship of demigods is improper Impersonalism is condemn the ascending path of knowledge Destinations of followers of the ascending and descending path Education, austerity, work, knowledge, etc. doesn’t enable one to see God The Vedas on the ascending path of impersonal knowledge Bhakti is superior to karma and jnana The eightfold Yoga system does not lead to the highest goal Mind control through pranayama is impossible Yoga and pranayam are a waste of time Who is a real yogi and sannyasi Without bhakti there is no means to attain the Supreme Pure devotion is the only means to attain Krsna The goal of bhakti and the goal of karma and jnana are not the same The character of bhakti 13 Sadhana-bhakti-tattva The Principle of Devotional Practice Jnana-misra-bhakti-Devotion mixed with knowledge Karma-misra-bhakti-Devotion mixed with karma The definition of bhakti The srutis glorify bhakti Two kinds of bhakti -vaidhi and raganuga Vaidhi-bhakti Raga-bhakti The nine limbs of bhakti Sravana and smarana are best Sravana The gradation of what is obtained by sravana The glories of sravana The meaning of the world kirtana The material senses can’t appreciate the transcendental nature of Krsna Kirtana The glories of Krsna-kirtana Kirtana describing the Lord’s qualities is the aim of all knowledge The glories of the qualities of the Supreme Lord Nama-kirtna is the only way in Kali-yuga The harinama verse explained Smarana The result of remembering material subjects verses remembering Krsna The result of remembering Krsna Kirtana is better than sravana and smarana Pada-sevana The result of Pada-sevana Arcana Vandana The glories of vandana Dasyam The different branches of dasyam The prayer of the servant of the Lord The definition of sakhyam Two divisions of sakhya-based on faith and on friendly affection Generic sakhyam, based on faith Sakhyam based on intimate feelings of friendly affection Generic sakhyam, based on faith Sakhyam based on atma-nivedanam Saranagati Duties and religious principles (dharma) favorable to bhakti Detachment is favorable for bhakti Grhastha conduct is favorable for bhakti Fasting on Ekadasi is favorable for bhakti What destroys bhakti A Vaisnava’s remnants have the power to bestow prema The glories of maha-prasada Attachment to wife and home is antagonistic to developing bhakti Thing unfavorable to devotional service Bad association destroys bhakti Prohibition and strictures regarding behavior that destroys bhakti Renouncing bad association Avoid attachment to accepting too many disciples and overendeavoring Remaining undisturbed by material misfortunes Avoiding lamentation Prohibitions on worshipping other gods On should avoid giving pain to other living beings Bhakti is superior to false renunciation Things opposed or bhakti reside in five places The different kinds of bad association that destroy bhakti Association with women destroy bhakti Remembrance of sexual pleasure condemned The power of a woman to attract the mind One should completely give up all association with women Grhamedhi-dharma condemned Tamasic and rajasic foods are antagonistic to bhakti Meat-eating destroy bhakti The senses are like wines, and the tongue is the most powerful Misconceptions to be avoided in sadhana-bhakti To view devotees externally is antagonistic to bhakti Conception of good and bad are antagonistic to bhakti Materialistic persons and their treading of Bhagavatam are condemned Fake, show-bottle, and professional Bhagavatam reciter Attempts as liberation will not lead to bhakti Desires for enjoyment and liberation destroy bhakti The senses are useless if not lead to bhakti Without the mercy of Gauranga it is impossible to control the senses or practice bhakti The six kinds of saranagati Humility The value of association with a pure devotee The sruti state that association with saints as the only thing worth doing Sadhu-sanga is the only way Those who have few pious credits miss the association of great souls A devotee has all good qualities; a non-devotee has none From sadhu-sanga comes faith, devotional attachment, and prema-bhakti With humility and hankering for Krsna, a devotee prays as follows 14 Varnadharma-tattva The Principle of Social Order Two kinds of varnasrama-divine and demonic Divine varnasrama The demoniac social system The character of the followers of demonic society The future life of the followers of demonic society The future life of the followers of demonic society The birth, family, and knowledge of demonic society are useless The characteristics of each varna Bhagavad-gita on varnasrama Qualities of brahmanas Qualities of ksatriyas Qualities of vaisyas and sudras The division of varna and asrama according to guna and karma Evidence from Srimad-Bhagavad about the divisions of varnasrama In satya-yuga, there was only one varna; paramahamsa Division occur owing to guna and karma The position of varna-dharma in Kali-yuga` Brahmanas in kali-yuga are brahmanas in name only The evidence from Caitanya-bhagavata The smrti on how the Brahmana caste was debased The opinion of the truth-loving Vedic Rsis The sruti, smrti, Puranas, and Itihasas on Brahmana-karma Evidence from the Mahabharata Evidence from the Srimad Bhagavatam The ancient commentator, Nilakantha, on the conduct of brahmanas Srimad Svami’s opinion Mahaprabhu’s definitions of what is and isn’t brahmana The evidence of the Smrti The verdict of the Mahabharata on the occupation of brahmanas The smrti on the occupational behavior of brahmanas An example of the conduct of a brahmana The evidence of Vedanta-Surta and the example of Citraratha Madhavacarya’s commentry, quoting from Padma-Purana Members of other castes who became brahmanas Examples from Bhagavatam on birth as a brahmana The opinion of Lord Brahminical conduct The seminal brahmanas of kali-yuga are impure What is diksa Diksa can make a common man a brahmana The guru initiates the humble disciple The evidence of Mahabharata The conclusion of the Gosvamis Three kinds of birth-seminal, brahminical, and mantra-diksa Sridhara Svami’s remarks on the three kinds of birth Who has done the forty-eight kinds of samskaras is a brahmana The one branch and the many branches Vaisnavas are not sudras Except for paramahamsas, devotees accept the sacred thread Those who are brahmanas in name are conceited and proud Real brahmanas Giving the sacred thread to those not on the Vedic path is forbidden The consequences for the brahmanas in name only Students and practitioners of professional brahminism are condemned Demigod worship and other unbrahminical activities Demigod worship by brahmanas is condemned Demigod whorship is damned Spiritual brahmanism Who is a Brahmana A Vaisnava is the best of all and the guru of everyone A Vaisnava from a candala family is worshipable by brahmanas Vaisnava are infallible Differences between low-born devotees and expert brahmanas Benefits of taking the holy name of Krsna Advaita Prabhu instructs that a Vaisnava is guru of the brahmana A Vaisnava is the guru for millions of brahmanas 15 Asrama-dharma-tattva The Principle of Asrama-Dharma Every soul is in one of the four asrma Definition of the four asramas Rules for the different four asramas Rules for brahmacaris All asramas are meant for serving Hari alone Scriptures make concessions for materialistic people Grhasthas should not get bewildered by family life A grhastha may live at home, in the forest, or on the road The character of those too attached to family life The destination of attached householders Both men and women should avoid family attachment Enjoyment of conjugal pleasures in household life is condemned The purpose of household life The unholy household The duty of vanaprasthas Homes are in different modes Karma-sannyasa, jnana-sannyasa, and tridandi sannyasa A dhira sannyasi A narottama sannyasi Prohibitions against karma-sannyasa in Kali-yuga The meaning of the word tridandi Rupa Gosvami’s definition of tridandi Tridandi-sannyasa mentioned in the Vedas Srimad-bhagavatam mention tridanda sannyasa The tridandi attains perfection according to the Menu-samhita The hundred and eight names of the tridandi sannyasi A tridandi sannyasa is worshipable by all asramas Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s examples Impersonalist sannyasis are condemned only unmotivated devotional service gives satisfaction to the soul Fallen sannyasis are compared to vomit-eaters Sannyasis should not become vanhtasis Great souls are transcendental to all the asramas The Vedic explanation of “paramahamsa” The Supreme Lord is transcendental to all material considerations Red cloth is in napropriatte for paramahmsas Bhagavatam gives the characteristic behavior of a paramahamasa The mentality of a paramahamsa 16 Sraddha-attva The proper funeral ceremony Vaisnavas need not perform funeral rites or offer ablations to forefathers Lord Caitanya’s internal reasons for performing the funeral ceremony Vaisnavas must deceive the smartas for their own good Funeral ceremony of the karmis is demonic The behavior of Advaita Acarya The characteristics of a staunch devotee 17 Nama-tattva The Holy Name Principle The Supreme Lord Krsna is the root of all religion Krsna is the only way Chanting the holy name of the Lord is the eternal dharma for all souls The holy name is the essence of the srutis The constitutional nature of the holy name The Vedas sing the glories of the holy name The glories of the holy name in the smrti-sastras The holy name grants all perfection in Kali-yuga Sridhara Svami on glories of the holy name Rupa Goswami on the glories of the name The efficacy of gayatri and the holy name The glories of Hari-katha The glories of the holy name surpass that of impersonal Brahman Kirtana of the holy name is best of all The holy name is not regulated by time, place and circumstance The Bhagavatam on the subject of loud kirtana Loud kirtana is the best Loud kirtana benefits the chanter of the holy name and those who hear it Mahaprabhu loudly chanted the holy name The opinion of Baladeva on the form of the maha-mantra Hare Krsna is the maha-mantra for the age of Kali The Upanisads on the Hare Krsna maha-mantra The Puranas on the Hare Krsna maha-mantra Chanting the holy name qualifies one for deliverance The holy name is chanted in the stage of practice and in perfection Things unafavorable for nama-kirtana The characteristics of the principal and secondary name The secondary names and their symptoms Fruits of the principal and secondary name of the Lord The principle name The fruit of offenselessly uttering the principle name The principle result of chanting the holy name is Krsna-prema Nama-kirtna fulfills all aspects of bhajana The pure name arises within the asscociation of devotees The holy name cannot be realized through the material sense Determination for chanting the holy name Kirtana gradually awakens the form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord The four kinds of namabhasa The results of the pure holy name and namabhasa The results of namabhasa and namaparadha The proper mentality for chanting without offense The ten offenses to the holy name The principle offense to the holy name Apardhis are punished forever Six kinds of Aparadha Aparadhis should have their tongues cut out The great fault of hearing blasphemy of Vaisnavas The way to overcome Aparadha The second offense to the holy name The third offense to the holy name The fourth offense to the holy name The fifth offense to the holy name Other processes of purification are a waste of time The sixth offense to the holy name Auspicious activities other than pure chanting are useless The seventh offense to the holy name The eight offense to the holy name The ninth offense to the holy name The tenth offense to the holy name of Krsna The real name of Krsna can never awaken in Mayavadis One gain life by chanting the holy name of Krsna and dancing The qualification of jagad-guru 18 Prayojana-tattva The Principle of The Ultimate Goal The definition of bhava Mahaprabhu’s verse on bhava The cause of bhava, transcendental emotion Where the symptoms of bhava appear The practical symptoms of bhava Two kinds of raga-marga-the practitioner and the perfected soul Prema develops into Sneha, raga, anuraga, bhava and mahabhava One with eyes of prema can see the Supreme Person The shelter of madhurya-rasa-bhakti The direct and indirect tasting of rasa The definition of rasa The qualification for madhurya-rasa The prohibition for those who are unqualified The separation experienced in madhurya-rasa Extreme separation The prayer of one who aspires to worship Krsna in madhurya-rasa Appendix Pramana-tattva 399 Subjects Index 401 Verse Index 435