VNN Editorial - The Jiva's Liberation From Maya

EDITORIAL September 22, 2003 VNN8364 About the Author

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The Jiva's Liberation From Maya

BY PURU DAS ADHIKARI

EDITORIAL, Sep 22 (VNN) — Dear VNN readers, Dandavats. All glories to Sri Sri guru and Gauranga!

I have heard rumors that some devotees are being discouraged from reading Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Jaiva Dharma. There is no real need to discuss why or who is misdirecting anyone in search of the absolute truth in this way. However one partial remedy is to make pertinent segments of this important book readily available to anyone on the internet.

Therefore the Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library, has posted, Ch. 17 Prameya: The Jiva's Liberation From Maya which clearly points out the importance and necessity of sadhu-sanga and avoiding the wrong kind of association.

His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada clearly states in the purport of his translation of Sri Cc. Adi ila Ch. 2 Text 117 that:

"...Imitation devotees, who wish to advertise themselves as elevated Vaisnavas and who therefore imitate the previous acaryas but do not follow them in principle, are condemned in the words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.24) as stone-hearted. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has commented on their stone-hearted condition as follows:

bahir asru-pulakayoh sator api yad
dhrdayam na vikriyeta tad asma-saram
iti kanisthadhikarinam eva asru-pulakadi-
mattve 'pi asma-sara-hrdayataya nindaisa.

"Those who shed tears by practice but whose hearts have not changed are to be known as stone-hearted devotees of the lowest grade. Their imitation crying, induced by artificial practice, is always condemned." The desired change of heart referredto above is visible in reluctance to do anything not congenial to the devotional way. To create such a change of heart, conclusive discussion about Sri Krsna and His potencies is absolutely necessary. False devotees may think that simply shedding tears will lead one to the transcendental plane, even if one has not had a factual change in heart, but such a practice is useless if there is no transcendental realization. False devotees, lacking the conclusion of transcendental knowledge, think that artificiallyshedding tears will deliver them. Similarly, other false devotees think that studying books of the previous acaryas is unadvisable, like studying dry empiric philosophies. But Srila Jiva Gosvami, following the previous acaryas, has inculcated the conclusions of the scriptures in the six theses called the Sat-sandarbhas. False devotees who have very little knowledge of such conclusions fail to achieve pure devotion for want of zeal in accepting the favorable directions for devotional service given by self-realized devotees. Such false devotees are like impersonalists, who also consider devotional service no better than ordinary fruitive actions.

In the introduction to an earlier English version of Jaiva Dharma, Srila Prabhupada's godbrother, Srila B.V. Tirtha Maharaja has written:

"...Thakur Bhakti Vinode is the pioneer of the suddha Bhakti Movement that is at present sweeping over thecounty. In his numerous literary works he has supplied the golden key that unlocks the region of etemal Bliss to all jivas. The teachings of Mahaprabhu give us the real meaning of the Scriptures, reconciling all differences of opinion that trouble the world. In Mahaprabhu centers the only hope of the future and present of all jivas. But the teachings of Mahaprabhu were not grasped by people of this country and their real significance passed long ago clean out of the memory of the nation. Thakur Bhakti Vinode has made the eternal religion live again in his pages. Without his help nobody at the present day can understand the teachings of Mahaprabhu or the Absolute Truth.

With his help the absolute Truth can be easily understood. The absolute Truth alone can reconcile the otherwise erreconcilable differences and discords of this world. It is universally recognised that the Truth is bound to prevail over untruth in the long run. But even the Truth can only be grasped by those whose minds are perfectly free and prepared to receive it when it actually makes its appearance. But most of us are not ready to welcome the Truth for its own sake. Thakur Bhakti Vinode tells us that a perfectly pure mind alone is fit to receive the Truth. Perfect purity is not to be found in the world. It belongs to Divinity alone and is imparted by divine Grace; and God often sends His own beloved to convey His Grace to fallen jivas if only they submit to receive it from him. "

Chapter 17: "Prameya: The Jiva's Liberation From Maya" contains very valuable and essential information from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura to anyone trying to practice Krishna Consciousness Who dares to deny this information to devotees? One can only conclude that the clear words of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura are not welcome by the impure of heart,or those with an opposing agenda.

your servant,
Puru das, das anudas

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