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WORLD January 12, 1999 VNN2833 Experiences In Bhakti: The Science Celestial BY ADIKESHAVA DAS  VRINDAVAN, INDIA, Jan 12 (VNN) — EXPERIENCES IN BHAKTI: THE SCIENCE CELESTIAL by Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor (Adikeshava das) Dedication: "To My God-brother Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who inspired me to write this book" Preface: This book is an expansion of my article on 'Bhakti the Perfect Science', which appeared in the ISKCON magazine Back to Godhead. No. 54 in 1973. The article was liked so much by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada that he got it translated into several languages and distributed it all over the world. He also desired that I write an independent book on the subject and discussed it more fully and convincingly to fulfill one of the greatest needs of our times. This book is written primarily in fulfillment of his wish. It is hoped that it also, to some extent, fulfills the need of the times. In the first chapter of the book the transcendental character of Bhakti has been explained and it has been emphasized that Bhakti is the essential part of every religious discipline that leads to God. In the second an attempt has been made to prove that Bhakti alone is a science in the real sense of the term, since it alone discovers the Truth and the laws that govern the Truth and its laws alone are necessary and universal. Modern science has already ceased to lay claim to any knowledge of Truth or the Ultimate Reality as such. It disbelieves in the very existence of matter, which the nineteenth century scientists regarded as the ultimate reality. Its discoveries necessarily point to the existence of a Conscious Being behind what is called matter, which, it is humble enough to confess, it cannot know. It also confesses that its laws are not certain, but only probable to the extent that they make life possible. The third chapter enunciates and explains the four fundamental laws of Bhakti. The fourth states that the laws of Bhakti do not stand in need of verification, because they are of divine origin, but stresses that they are experientially verifiable, like the laws of any other science. The last four chapters show how the laws of Bhakti already stand verified by the experiences of saints. One chapter is devoted to each law and numerous experiences from the lives of saints have been adduced to prove it. The experiences have been carefully selected from a wide range of biographical literature pertaining to the saints, who pursued the path of pure Bhakti. They reveal the inner workings of the spiritual world of Bhakti and inspire fresh hope and confidence in the hearts of people, who have lost their way in the maze of Maya, and stand badly in need of light and guidance. I am deeply indebted to my esteemed friend Sri B.R. Sadhu Maharaj for taking all the pains in composing, designing and printing the book. I am also greatly indebted to Sri Badrinarayan Bhagavat Bhushan Prabhu. the founder-acharya of Sri Chaitanya Bhakti Rakshak Mandap, for kindly publishing the book speedily. O.B.L. Kapoor (Adikeshava das) June 1994 Vrindavan. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Appreciation of Srila Adikeshava Maharaj's Literacy and Devotional Character I have read with great pleasure Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor's work entitled 'The Philosophy and Religion of Sri Chaitanya', packed extensively with quotes and notes. The treatise is the hallmark of authentic research. It is in my opinion the first scientific delineation of the philosophy of Sri Chaitanya based primarily on His direct utterances as contained in 'Chaitanya Charitamrita' and 'Chaitanya Bhagavata' and supported profusely by references to the vast literatures left by His learned disciples, most of which was written under His express command and on the basis of the guidelines provided by Him. The book is written in elegant style. I am sure it will be acclaimed not only by the Vaishnavas of India, but by the members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and the lovers of philosophy and religion all over the world. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami President-acharya International Society for Krishna Consciousness Krishna-Balaram Temple Vrindavan. Sept. 17, 1974 Order Information: Hardbound, 190 pg..... $ 14 SHIPPING AND HANDLING Mainland U.S: $4 MINIMUM. On orders over $40, add 10% PR & Hawaii: Priority Air add 20% ($5 minimum) Canada, Mexico: Add 20% of order value. ($5 minimum) Foreign: 1 - M-Sack add 25%; 16lbs. minimum (6-10 weeks) 2 - Parcel Post add 30% (3-6 weeks) 3 - Airmail and Airfreight: Large orders may be 25% to 100%, small orders should add 100% of order value. Foreign Payment: US$ Bank Draft or Money Order payable in US. Please, make checks payable to: Ricardo Palleres 2150 NW 34 Terrace Coconut Creek, FL 33066, USA For further informations or details, e-mail: sadhu@disciples.com About the Author | Other VNN Stories by this Author Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9901/WD12-2833.html
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