Anyone who is interested in Krsna Consciousness and has access to the internet is probably familiar with the ritvik philosophy. According to it, the last instruction of Srila Prabhupada was that he should remain the only initiating spiritual master and anyone can take a posthumous initiation from him thoroughly a priest, who chants on his beads and does the other rites in front of a picture. There are different versions of the ritvik philosophy, but they are all centered around interpretations of two tapes recorded in the last days of Srila Prabhupada.
Since this idea is widely propagated, many may have doubts about it in the back of their minds. The fear of maybe not be doing the right thing in accepting a spiritual master or the fear of being cheated may hamper one in his spiritual progress. This is an essay that I hope can help to put these doubts to rest. Just like Krsna killed the demon Madhu, I aspire this can help to dispel any doubts you may have on this subject.
The Mundaka Upanisad brings an interesting verse that explains how the different states of consciousness we experience are connected with the soul, and ultimately with the Supersoul inside the heart.
“All the nāḍis of the body are fixed to the heart, like spokes to the central hub of a chariot wheel. The Lord moves about within, manifesting in many ways. Meditate on this transcendental Lord through the transcendental sound vibration and by His mercy, cross beyond the darkness of ignorance. May you be blessed.”)
The nāḍis are subtle energetic pathways, through which the vital airs flow. There are thousands of nāḍis in the body, and they intersect in the chakras. Because they are very subtle pathways, the nāḍis are not understood in modern medicine (which is limited to the study of the nerves and the circulatory system), but nāḍis receive great importance in the Vedic sciences.
The last five days of the month of Kartika are traditionally known as the Bhishma Panchaka. We observe it in honor of Grandfather Bhisma, who fasted in the last stage of his life, preparing to give up his life. In the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting on the Bhishma-panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. The fast should begin by remembering Bhismadeva on the day of the Utthana Ekadasi and should end on Purnima (the full moon]), which comes four days later (five days in total, including the Ekadasi), breaking the fasting in the late afternoon of the 5th day, after the appearance of the moon. The Padma Purana says that one pleases the Lord and makes spiritual advancement by such austerities.
The Padma Purana gives the following instructions on the observance of the Bhisma Panchaka, which were included by Srila Sanatana Goswami in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa:
The verse mentions that starting from the Ekadasi day (arabhya ekadashīm), one should observe a vow of austerity for five days (pañca dināni vratam-icaret) as an act of devotion to please the Lord (bhagavat-prītaye) in honor of the five days of Bhisma (bhishma panchakam). The verse adds that one should do it if able (yadi shaknuyāt), and Srila Sanatana Goswami adds the words kamyatvamiti dik (if one has the desire), emphasizing that this is an optional vow that one can observe or not according to his desire, although it is strongly recommended in the sense that one can obtain great merit by observing it since these days are so dear to the Lord. These five days are considered extremely auspicious to free us from our past karma and increase our devotion to Krsna.
In this second part of the course on the teachings of Lord Kapila, we will study the nature of this material world and our relationship with it. The soul is transcendental, just like the Lord is, but because the soul is very small, it can fall under the control of material energy, while the Lord never falls into illusion. Even though it may be dificult to understand how the transcendental soul falls into illusion, and how the spiritual soul can become related to matter, it is still a fact that we are here. By understanding the nature of this world, we can see the light behind the illusion and find our way back.
Understanding Material nature and how it imprisons us
In the previous chapter, Lord Kapila offered a summary of his teachings, explaining the supreme goal and how the process of devotional service allows one to achieve it. This chapter, the 25th chapter of the 3rd canto, is also explained by Srila Prabhupada in his book Teachings of Lord Kapila, which offers a very concise explanation of the Sankhya philosophy and how it elevates us to the platform of pure devotional service to the Lord.
Now, starting from chapter 3.26, Lord Kapila offers a more detailed explanation of the Sankhya philosophy, an explanation that goes all the way up to chapter 3.32. This is a school of knowledge that has existed for billions of years, since the reign of Svāyambhuva Manu. This is knowledge that can liberate us by helping us to understand both the nature of this material world and the process of devotional service that makes us free from it. These chapters include some of the deepest purports Prabhupada wrote in the whole Srimad Bhagavatam. In this work I will try to explain these purports, so you can easily grasp the details of the topics he discuss and thus be able to go deeper in his purports.
Like in other passages of the Srimad Bhagavatam, a blessing is offered to those who study this section of the teachings of Lord Kapila with faith and attention. The blessing, offered by Maitreya is that by studying this section one becomes fixed in meditation into the Supreme Lord, and at the time of death goes to the Supreme abode, where he attains the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Navadwipa in 1486 as the son of Jagannatha Misra and mother Saci, while Srila Nityananda Prabhu was born in Ekachakra in 1474, as the son of Hadai Pandita, and Padmavati. They grew up separately and met only much later, already in adult life. However, Lord Nityananda and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are considered brothers, how is it so?
This is the first part of a special module inside of our Bhagavatam course, going deep into the Sankhya Philosophy of Lord Kapila described in the Srimad Bhagavatam.
As Prabhupada explains in his purports there are two versions of the Sankhya Philosophy, the atheistic Sankhya, propounded by the impostor Kapila in the last Dvapara-yuga, and the real, devotional Sankhya Philosophy taught by Lord Kapila, the son of Devahuti.
What makes Sankhya philosophy special is that it describes both the workings of this material world, including the creation of the material universe, the structure of the material elements, how the soul becomes entrapped in matter, etc., and the process of devotional service that helps us to become free of it. This makes Sankhya a very fascinating study for all inquisitive minds because it answers our questions on both aspects.
This is a detailed study, where we will go deep into all the details of the explanations of Lord Kapila, according to the conclusions of Srila Prabhupada. This is the first part:
A common question for newlyweds and young devotees considering getting married: Can couples in our movement remain without children, or are children obligatory in family life? This is at the same time a very simple and very complicated question.
On the one hand, children are the normal thing to do in family life. Couples have been begetting children since the beginning of creation and we don’t see people regretting it. Quite the opposite, children are always seen as a source of happiness for the couple and everyone around them. On the other hand, there are many passages of the scriptures that speak negatively about family life and attachment for children. And this may cause many doubts.
In this context, it is important to understand that these passages were written for renunciants who, after completing their duties in family life, are preparing themselves to leave this world. Srila Prabhupada explains that his books are like a drugstore, where we can find the cures for all diseases. However, we need to be wise enough to select the proper medicine and use it in the proper dose. Just like the wrong medicine in the wrong dose can put one’s life at risk, the wrong instructions at the wrong time can cause serious problems on one’s spiritual path. The scriptures offer different processes for different people in different ways and stages of life. We should remember that there are four varnas and four asramas, apart from the outcasts and other groups, and the scriptures include instructions for all of them. There are even instructions for the ones who want to drink liquor or eat meat! The right instructions to follow will be dependent not only on one’s situation but on one’s mentality and spiritual life. What is medicine for one can be poison to the other.
The body is temporary; it is always changing. We become attracted to a certain image, a certain form, and we suffer when it changes or when we eventually lose it. If we ask any old woman if she would like to be 18 again, not many of them would answer no.
If the body is temporary, why do we become so attached to it? And how to free ourselves of this identification?
Verse 2.16 of the Bhagavad-Gita is probably one of the most overlooked verses in the book. Krishna speaks this verse right at the beginning of His explanation about the soul. Prabhupada translates it as:
“Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both.”
The story of Indra and Vrtrasura, narrated in the 6th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam is quite interesting. It describes the fight between a pure devotee and a demon. However, contrary to what one could think by looking at the painting, Vrtrasura is playing the part of the pure devotee, while Indra is playing the part of the demon! How it can be so?
When we speak about “demon” we may think about some creature with horns and tail, but actually, asura, or demon, in the context of the Vedas, means materialist. Many demons are very beautiful, materially pious, and learned in the scriptures, but despite these good qualities they are materialists who just use religion to achieve their materialistic goals. In the process, they don’t hesitate to fight and kill others.
A pure devotee on the other hand is someone who doesn’t want anything from this world. He just wanted to serve Krsna. A pure devotee still may execute his duties in society, according to his position in life, therefore his external actions are not always a reliable way to understand his position. The story of Vrtrasura is very revealing in this regard.
Perfect Family Life (chapters 3.23 and 3.24) Lessons about family life in Krsna Consciousness (3.23) Begetting a ray of Vishnu Creating the necessary facilities The mystic powers of Kardama Muni Traveling through the universe Details about the structure of the Vedic Universe Dividing into nine forms Kardama Muni prepares to take Sannyasa The birth of Kapila Muni Kardama Muni is blessed by the Lord
Before narrating the explanation given by Lord Kapila in the Sankhya philosophy, Maitreya described the family life of Kardama Muni and Devahuti in chapters 3.23 and 3.24. One may question why Srimad Bhagavatam describes their family life, instead of focusing on the teachings of Lord Kapila, but the obvious answer is that Bhagavatam describes it because that’s not less important. The family life of Kardama Muni is not only pure, conducted with the purpose of bringing a ray of Vishnu, an incarnation of the Lord who could benefit the entire universe, but is also a great example for us, illustrating values that are essential for a spiritually conducive family life. It is not possible for us to imitate the austerities of Kardama Muni and Devahuti, nor is it recommended, but we can learn from their example.
Lessons about family life in Krsna Consciousness (3.23)
Pārvatī and Lord Shiva are the most exalted examples of husband and wife in our universe. Lord Shiva is the perfect Vaishnava, and Pārvatī is the most dedicated wife. Lord Shiva lives under a tree and is completely renounced, while Pārvatī is a princess, the daughter of the king of the Himalayas. She could have selected anyone as her husband. but she chose Lord Shiva, not because he is a rich man, but because of his spiritual position. Similarly, although a princess, Devahuti chose Kardama Muni as her husband, even though he was a renounced sage, due to his spiritual advancement. She valued his sanctity and spiritual realization much more than power or money. Therefore, after the marriage, she was happy to serve him while he was practicing his austerities, as described in the first verses of chapter 3.23:
