Sri Bhajana-Rahasya

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Just as the sage Bhagiratha brought the River Bhagirathi (Ganga) to the earth, om visnupada Srimad Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya brought the present flow of the Bhagirathi of pure bhakti to this world. In his book Sri Harinama-cintamani, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has presented an extensive deliberation on the glories of holy name, on the distinctions between nama, nama-abhasa and nama-aparadha, and on the method of chanting the holy name. He has complied Sri Bhajana-rahasya as a supplement to Sri Harinama-cintamani. There are eight pairs of names I maha-mantra. In this book, Thakura Mahasaya describes the mercy of these eight pairs of names, and provides a remarkably beautiful glimpse of how to cultivate one's contemplation of asta-kaliya-lila through the chanting of the maha-mantra.

Several years ago, at the request of the sincere devotees of Mathura and Vrndavana, I continuously spoke on this book for some time. The listeners gave rapt attention and I also felt boundless joy. When I had completed my classes, the faithful listeners repeatedly requested me to publish a Hind edition of this book. At that time, however, I was busy publishing some books by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura – in particular his commentary on Bhagavad-Gita – and I was also engaged in preaching pure bhakti, as practised and propagated by Sriman Mahaprabhu, around the world. Therefore I was unable to give this project my attention.

Some time late, I retuned from preaching in the West to Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha in Mathura. During the month of Karttika, daughter Kumari Savita gave me manuscript of Sri Bhajana-rahasya in Hindi with my commentary, Bhajana-rahasya-vrtti. I was so pleased and asked her how she had prepared it. She humbly replied that she had compiled it from notes she had care fully taken during my lectures. I kept the manuscript with me and after Karttika-vrata, took it with me when I again went abroad to preach.

We arrived at the very beautiful island of Cebu, which, being part of the Philippines, is situated in the Pacific Ocean. When, in that favourable atmosphere, I looked at the manuscript of Bhajana-rahasya to edit it, I became astonished and could not believe that I had actually spoken it. I felt sure that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya himself had inspired me to speak this commentary. To compile the manuscript, daughter Savita had also meticulously searched through many authoritative books on raganuga-bhakti, thus further enriching the Bhajana-rahasya-vrtti commentary.

The guardian of the Sri Gaudiya Sampradaya and the founder of Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, my most worshipful gurudeva, acarya-kesari astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, used to mercifully encourage and inspire me, his servant, to publish Hindi editions of the books of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya. Today, offering this book into his lotus hands, I feel unbounded joy. All glories unto him! All glories unto him!

The services and endeavours of daughter Kumari Savita in preparing the manuscript of this book, daughter Srimati Janaki-devi in helping her, Sri Om Prakasa Brijabasi "Sahitya-ratna", Srimati Vrnda-devi, Srimati Santi-devi, Sriman Purandara Dasa Brahmacari, Sriman Subhananda Brahmacari "Bhagavata-bhusana", Sriman Navina-krsna Brahmacari "Vidyalankara", Sriman Paramesvari Dasa Brahmacari and other who were involved in composing it on the computer, proofreading and performing other services, are all greatly praiseworthy and notable. My heartfelt prayer at the lotus feet of Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharvika-Giridhari is that They bestow an abundance of merciful blessings upon them.

I am confident that persons eagar for bhakti, and it particular Sadhakas of raganuga-bhakti who are eagerly desirous of vraja-rasa, will greatly honour this book, and that by studying it, faithful persons will attain the eligibility to enter the prema-dharma of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Finally, may the condensed personification of Bhagavan's compassion, my most worshipful Sri Guru-pada-padma, shower me with profuse mercy so that I may attain the eligibility to fulfil his inner-most desire. This is my submissive prayer at his crimson lotus feet.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura emerged as the most prominent emissary and guardian of the supramundane mission and teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The indebted Gaudiya Vaisnava community referred to him as the Seventh Gosvami, thus recognizing his contribution to be on par with that of the exalted Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. For the benefit of the souls in this material world, he authored more than one hundred books on the science o devotional service.

In this Sri Bhajana-rahasya he presents an astounding analysis of the Hare Krsna mantra based on the eight verses of Sriman Mahaprabhu's Siksastaka. Supporting this presentation by referencing abundant quotes from Vedic literature, he guides the practitioner of bhakti through the successive stages to perfection, all the while revealing the meditation of one who has achieved that stage.

An eminent disciple of the illustrious lion-like acarya Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami, Srila Narayana Maharaja is recognised as one of the most influential Vaisnava teacher of the modern era. A sannyasi for almost fifty years, he has traveled around the world fifteen times preaching Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message of divine love. In both Hindi and English he has published dozens of books on the science of devotional service.

Srila Narayana Maharaja's insightful commentary on Sri Bhajana-rahasya will certainly be greatly welcomed by the Vaisnava community. Being the first commentary ever on this immaculate compilation of verses by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, his Bhajana-rahasya-vrtti guides the reader through all aspect of spiritual practice. In easily comprehensible language, it reveals the inner meaning of the Hare Krsna mantra and provides many confidential and illuminating explanations.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Srila Bhaktivinodha thakura emerged as the most prominent emissary and guardian of the supramundane missionand teaching of sri caitanya Mahaprabhu. The indebted Gaudiya Vaisnava Community refferred to him as the seventh Gosvami, thus recognishing his contribution to be on par with that of the exalted Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. For the benefit of the souls in this material world. He authored more than one hundred books on the science of devotional service.

In this Sri Bhajana – rahasya he present an astounding analysis of the hare krsna mantra based on the eight verses of sriman Mahaprabhu’s siksastaka. Supporting this Presentation by referencing abundant quotes from vedic literature, he guides he practitioner of bhakti through the successive stages to perfection, all the while revealing the meditation of one who has achieved that Stage.

An eminent disciple of the illustrations lion –like acarya Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami, Srila Narayana Maharaja is recognised as one of the most influential Vaisnava teachers of the modern era. A samyast for almost fifty years, he as travelled around the world fifteen times preaching Sri Caitanya Mahapabhu’s message of divine love. In both Hindi and English he was published dozens of books on the science of devotional service.

Srila Narayana Maharaja’s insightful commentary on sri Bhajna – rahasya will certainly be greatly welcomed by the Vaisnava Community. Being the first commentary ever on this immaculate compilation of verses by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, his Bhajna- Rahasya will certainly be greatly welcomed by the vaisnava community. Being the first commentary ever on this immaculate compilation of verses by bhaktivinoda Thakura , his Bhajana – Rahasya – vrtti guide the readers through all aspects of spiritual practice. Easily comprehensible language, it reveals the inner meaning of the hare krsna mantra and provides many confidential and illuminating explanations.

[translated from the Bengali edition]

Sri Bhajana – rahasya is compiled by Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya . He has collected in to the form of a Book several confidential hints from his own method of bhajana to guide sincere sadhakas who are performing bhajana under his direction. Some Year ago, this destitute person observed him performing bhajana. He was constantly reciting and relishing verses such as the ones in this book, thus becoming over whelmed with bhagavat – Prema.

For sadhakas whose faith is on the neophyte platform, the system of arcane is provided. Many people are unable to understand the distinction between arcana and bhajana and there before use the world bhajana to refer to arcana. One can practise bhajana by performing the nne kinds of devotion, navadha- bhakti. Because arcana is included within navadha – bhakti, it is also considered a part of bhajana There is a difference between complete bhajana and partial bhajana. Arcana means to worship the diety with awe and reverence; that is, with knowledge of the Lord’s opulence and by observing etiquette. It is also arcana to serve Bhagavan with various paraphernalia according to rules and regulation and with the mundane conception of identifying rendered with intimacy and sense of possessiveness, the hot rays of awe and reverence are still apparent to a small degree, but no one can refuse the excellent sweetness of its cool, pleasant moonbeams. A brief arcane- paddhati has been added as an appendix to this book.

Within the framework of this book, the secret meaning of bhajana is given in a way that captivates the heart. In the process of arcane, one remains more or less entangled in one’s relationship with the gross and subtle body. In the realm of bhajana however the sadhaka passes beyond both the gross and subtle bodies to directly serve bhagavan. The transcendental sentiments that other preceive in great personalities (mahapurusas), who perform bhajana and who are completely free form all kinds of material designation, are not worldly or illusory Due to . being directly within the proximity of the non-dual supreme Absolute Truth (advaya – jnana –para –tattva), who is beyond perception, they experience the transcendental sentiments of devotional service that are beyond the range of material senses and material time.

Rahasya means “a profound subject that is instructed by the guru and that is required to be known by those with great faith”. As a result of fir receiving spiritual instructions and then performing visrambha-seva, which is the third among te sixty four limbs of sadhana-bhakti mentioned in bhakti – rasamrta –sindhu , a devotee beigns to follow the path of Sadhus. To do so is to cultivate bhajana – rahasya. Niskincana – bhktas (renounced devotees) who are absorbed in bhagavad – bhajana become freed from material bondage.

Therefore also become completely freed from the association of those bound by worldly desires. At that time, the inclination to engage in service throughout the twenty – four hours of the day (asta- kala) awakens in their hearts. Pure devotes who are intent on rendering seva consider the association of non – devotes, who are attached to either enjoyment or renunciation, to be an obstacle in the attainment of their desired goal. Anyabhilasis (those with desires other than to serve Krsna ),Karmis and jnanis do not have a taste for bhajana rahasya. Therefore, due to being unqualified to enter the realm of bhajana, which is transcendentally illuminated by the eight division of the day, they do not revere this book.

When the day and night are divided in to eight parts, each part is known as a yama. There are three Yamas during the night, three during the day, one at dawn and one at dusk. Only pure Vaisnavas are able to perform krsna – bhajana with one – pointed determination in all respects and at all times. Such continuous bhajana is not possible as long as one gross and subtle material conception of “I” and “mine” remain. The living entities will not be liberated form his conditioning if they attribute mundane conceptions to matters related to hari. Vaisnava devoted to bhajana who have archevd threi pure identity ( suddha – svarupa )are forever prepared to serve krsna.

The Eight Verses of Siksastaka, composed by Sri Gara Sundara, Contained transcendental sentients favourable to bhajana throughout the eight periods of the day. The Eleven verses of Sri Rupa Gosvami’s Sri Radha-krsnayor asta – kaliya -lila-samrana- mangala – stotram * and the poetry that expresses longing for asta-kala-bhajana composed by all the exalted personalities who follow him, prescribe continuous bhajana Upon becoming completely free form mundane conception of time, place and recipient, the servant of the spiritual master should constantly sri Bhajana rahasya.