05/12/98 - 1795

Lila-Kirtana

USA (VNN) - by Jagat (from Garuda Express)

I offer the following translations of instructions given by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, found in Gaudiya Magazine 13.14, Nov. 10, 1934. These are taken from lectures delivered during the Braj Mandala Parikrama in 1932.

"Until now, we have not arranged for the public singing of lila-kirtana. The reason for this is that it is a very secret possession. However, it is the ultimate object of our practice. But lest anyone make the mistake of thinking that anartha-nivritti is the only goal and it is not necessary to enter into artha-pravritti. For this reason I have had asta-kaliya-lila-kirtana performances started.

"I know that you are not all ready to hear such kirtana, but I want you to know that such a transcendental ideal exists within the realm of devotion which is the reason that you must engage in anartha-nivritti. [In bold type] After anrtha-nivritti comes after artha-pravritti, or the real world of service to the divine spiritual couple. If we do not know that this is the goal, all our efforts may become transformed into impersonalism.[end bold] Anyone who has been chanting the holy names for fifteen or twenty years should take note of this. [Bold] All those who are just beginners have no need of listening to these kirtanas. They will get the wrong idea of what is being sung. These kirtanas are for those who are sevonmukha, who are eager for service, and not for everyone.

"Don't think that the asta-kaliya-lila-smarana is the exlcusive property of the sahajiyas. In fact, it belongs to us. We have to recover it from all these cheaters. My gurudeva heard all these things from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. That is why he repeatedly told me all these things in many ways in the most confidential manner. I had the opportunity to hear one of his last instructions. He said, "If you could deliver Radha Kunda from the hands of eleven atheistic rascals, it would be pleasant to live there." Now perhaps eleven has increased to 108.

"Our days pass in trying only for anartha-nivåtti. Artha pravåtti is also necessary. Artha nivåtti is important, but anartha-nivåtti is necessary until artha-pravåtti has started. When artha-pravåtti is present, then anartha-nivåtti becomes a secondary consideration, because artha-pravåtti becomes prominent. Simply becoming a scholar and instructing others is insufficient. It is necessary to go forward and become a practitioner oneself. It is also important to examine your own advancement on the path of non-duplicitous bhajana."