Radhe Radhe!

Although I was nearly 2 years out of any “discussion” or “debate”, I can still see that there is fighting going on over the differences between one parivar and the other or even worse, between followers of the same parivar.

Been there, done that, gained nothing.

The following verses from Srila Rupa Goswamipada´s “Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu” are the essence for ALL rupanuga Gaudiya Vaishnavas. There is no single doubt about that.

Now, how every Gurudeva teaches his disciples the path to attain that goal, that perfection, may vary in certain ways and nuances. Perspectives may differ, approaches may differ, the practice may be another one, etc…

Each sadhaka will always think that his/her bhava will be the best for HIM or HER, but NOT FOR EVERYONE ELSE…

But the goal is the same: reaching Goloka Vrindavana “in one’s siddha body, with a desire for a particular bhāva.”

So we as Gaudiya Vaishnavas want to attain that wonderful place in the bhava we desire for…manjaris, sakhis, gopas, parents,… We will live there together in perfect harmony.

Let us start here in this world.

It is the duty of every sadhaka to follow the teachings of his/her Guru and develop firm faith (nistha) in him and his teachings.

It is the duty of every sadhaka to associate with like-minded sadhakas who are on the same path and serve them and learn from them.

It is NOT the duty of every sadhaka to discuss his/her personal bhajan with other-minded sadhakas who are striving for another goal in another way.

It is NOT the duty of every sadhaka to criticize or minimize the path of other-minded sadhakas and thereby ruining their own bhajan and the bhajan of the others.

If we all focus on the teachings of our own Gurudeva and if we respect the path of other-minded sadhakas, focusing on the various similarities, all will benefit, and no harm will be done.

If we develop REAL nistha in our Gurudeva, we will never try to find faults or criticize sadhakas who follow another path.

Dandavat pranams,
Tarun

Here are the verses:

|| BRS 1.2.294 ||

kṛṣṇaṁ smaran janaṁ cāsya preṣṭhaṁ nija-samīhitam |

tat-tat-kathā-rataś cāsau kuryād vāsaṁ vraje sadā ||294||

Translation: Remembering the Vṛndāvana form of Kṛṣṇa and His dear associates who have inclinations for service like one’s own, absorbing oneself in hearing topics related to them, one should always live in Vraja.

Jīva Gosvāmī’s Commentary

śrī-jīvaḥ: atha rāgānugāyāḥ paripāṭīm āha kṛṣṇam ity ādinā | sāmarthye sati vraje śrīman-nanda-vrajāvāsa-sthāne śrī-vṛndāvanādau śarīreṇa vāsaṁ kuryāt | tad-abhāve manasāpīty arthaḥ ||294||

Now, the method of rāgānuga-sādhana-bhakti is described. If possible, one should live physically in the places where Kṛṣṇa lived, such as Vṛndāvana. If one cannot do that, then the person should live there mentally.

|| BRS 1.2.295 ||

sevā sādhaka-rūpeṇa siddha-rūpeṇa cātra hi

tad-bhāva-lipsunā kāryā vraja-lokānusārataḥ ||295||

Translation: Following the inhabitants of Vraja, one should perform service in one’s physical body and in one’s siddha body, with a desire for a particular bhāva.

Jīva Gosvāmī’s Commentary

sādhaka-rūpeṇa yathāvasthita-dehena | siddha-rūpeṇa antaś-cintitābhīṣṭa-tat-sevopayogi-dehena | tasya vrajasthasya nijābhīṣṭasya śrī-kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhasya yo bhāvo rati-viśeṣas tat-lipsunā | vraja-lokās tv atra kṛṣṇa-preṣṭha-janās tad-anugatāś ca tad-anusārataḥ

Sādhaka-rūpa refers to the physical body of the practitioner. Siddha-rūpa refers to the body which is suitable for one’s desired service, and which has been developed by internal meditation.  One serves with a desire for the particular bhāva or rati of an associate of Kṛṣṇa situated in Vraja (tad-bhāva-lipsunā). One should follow in the footsteps of the dear associates of Kṛṣṇa in Vraja (vraja-lokā) and others loyal to them.