Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.

From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Preface:
This book of 11 verses in Sanskrit was written by Srila Rupa Goswami in Vrndavana, and
deals the gradual stages of devotion developing within the aspiring bhakta; beginning with the
control of the senses, all the way to hearing about the glories of Radha and Krsna and Their
topmost lilasthana, Sri Radha Kunda. This book is an instructing guide and manual for all
sadhakas. Srila Rupa Goswami gives herein, the basic idea of what a sadhaka should do to
reach the highest platform of love of God.

Upadesamrta means, the nectar of Instruction. Upadesa: instruction, amrta: nectar.

Srila Prabhupada in his Preface explains that the Krsna consciousness movement is conducted
under the supervision of Srila Rupa Goswami. He is the head of the Gaudiya vaisnavas and
together with the other Goswamis of Vrndavana, teaches the whole world about the science of
bhakti yoga. To attain pure love for Krsna one must participate in the mission of Lord Caitanya
(appearing in the mood of Radharani) and follow in His footsteps. And in order to do that, one
must follow in the footsteps of the six Goswamis.

The two main factors to spiritual advancement is 1) control of the senses and 2) the attitude.
Without controlling one’s senses, one cannot understand spiritual life. Rupa Goswami is
teaching us to come to the platform of goodness so that everything connected to Krsna’s
service is assimilated.

Everyone should become a vaisnava goswami, or a fully controlled devotee of Lord Krsna.
Then one can proceed on the path of perfection.

Upadesamrta is one of the first books that a neophyte devotee should study and follow strictly
in order to make spiritual advancement on the path of Krsna consciousness.
Text One

vaco vegam manasah krodha vegam

jihva vegam udharapastha vegam
etan vegan yo visaheta dhirah
sarvam api mam prithivim sa sisyat

A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger
and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.

Study:

1) Prabhupada turns to the inquires of Pariksit Maharaja to Sukadeva Goswami in connection

to atonement. This inquiry was about the position of Ajamila and his chanting of the holy
name after having engaged in so many sinful activities throughout his life.

2) Upadesamrta teaches that unless one controls all of one’s senses --mind, anger and so on,
one cannot be purified and therefore not progress in the path of transcendence.

3) Three stages of actions:

a) By seeing. The thief may see another person steal and being punished and understand
that it is a wrong thing to do.
b) By hearing. The thief may hear from the state law that by stealing one is arrested.
c) By punishment: The thief may see and hear but still think that he can steal. Punishment
may be inflicted but it will not remove the idea of stealing from the thief’s mind and as
soon as he is free, he will steal again.
d) Maharaja Pariksit rejected this principle of atonement and compared it to the bathing of
the elephant in the river.

4 ) Due to past conditioning, many spiritualist have the inclination to sin, thinking that by
chanting the name of God, their sins will be counteracted.
a) Vaisnavas using the chanting to counteract sinful activities
b) Other religionists confessing for their sins and again sinning until the next confess.

5) Although Sukadeva Goswami, as a qualified spiritual master wanted to test his disciple, he
agreed with the fact that prayascita (atonement) is not the way to remove the sinful
tendencies within the heart. Only by awakening one’s dormant love for Krsna can one be
fully purified.

6) Atonement through knowledge:

a) Following a certain method, as following a diet to remain healthy.

b) Control of the senses by tapasya (the austerity of celibacy).
Two ways to achieve results.
- controlling the mind.
- giving in charity and detachment from one’s possessions.
- being truthful.
- being clean.
 - practicing yoga asana.

- meeting a pure devotee of the Lord.

- refraining from the 4 sinful activities.
- rendering devotional service under the guidance of such pure devotee.
- This is the way recommended by Rupa Goswami.

Identity with the body is characterized by the urge of speech, mind and body. In any case,
tapasya is required.

7) Sense control in Krsna consciousness.

a) The control of the speaking power and usage of the tongue (vaco vegam)
- Either you speak about Krsna or you speak about maya.
- Talks of the Mayavadis invite death, compared to the crocking of the frog.
- Talks of the materialists to inquire and inform each other about sense
enjoyment.
- Talks of the jnanis about logic and liberation.
- Talks about frustrations, happiness, miseries, desires, failures, successes etc.
- Talks through writing useless literatures on mundane topics.
- Keeping silent as good as talking non-sense.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
- Rupa Goswami suggests Krsna katha.
- Engaging the speaking process in glorifying Lord Krsna (nama, rupam,
guna, and lila).
- Speaking Krsna katha keeps one beyond the clutches of death. It is the only
remedy to stop the urge of nonsensical talks.
S.B 1.5.10/11: Value of useless words not describing the glories of the Lord as opposed to
descriptions of the glories of the Lord in transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly
composed.

b) The control of the mind (manasa vega).

- by fixing the mind on the lotus feet of Krsna.
- not by negation of thoughts through yoga.
- not by creating vacuum.
Two divisions of mind's urge:
1) avirodha priti (unrestricted attachment):
- adherence to mayavadi philosophy.
- Belief in fruitive results of the karma vadis.
- Plans based on materialistic desires.

2) virodha yukta krodha

- attraction of the conditioned souls towards materialistic plans.
- frustration.
- anger.

c)The control of anger (krodha vegam).

- Anger is very difficult to control.
 - Anger used in the Lord’s service can control material anger.
Lord Caitanya’s anger towards Jagai and Madai, despite His own teaching on
humility.
Arjuna’s anger on the battlefield.
Hanuman’s anger in attacking Lanka to fight for Rama.
- A devotee accepts all insults for himself, but cannot tolerate the pure devotee
being blasphemed or the Supreme Lord. He will act rightly.

d) The control of the tongue and belly (jihva vegam / udhara vegam).
d - Conditioned to taste palatable dishes in connection with tastes:
e *All sorts of food from dead bodies produced through semina and blood.
f *All sorts of vegetables, creepers, greens and milk products.
g *All sorts of spicy and sour foods.
h *All sorts of intoxicants like LSD, pan, betel nuts, tabacco, marijuana, opium,
liquor, tea, coffee etc.
i Non of these above can be offered to Krsna and strictly avoided by the devotee.
- Devotees do not choose what tastes good according to their choice but
only take the remnants left by the Lord Krsna, as prasadam (mercy).
*Devotee does not take prasadam for the sake of enjoying the tongue by eating
too much.
*Not to offer palatable dishes to the deities with the intention to enjoy the
remnants. Lord Caitanya forbids enjoying palatable prasadam.
*Invitation at a rich man’s home with the idea of receiving good prasadam is
also a pitfall.
- Prasadam should be honored at regular times and other regulations
*Those suffering from stomach disorder are not able to control the tongue.
*Not over eating, nor eating too little.
*Fasting days recommended (Ekadasi, Janmastami etc.)
- Restrictions on eating in restaurants, sweetshops, airplanes and food
cooked in the homes of non-vaisnavas.
- Tongue, belly and genital form one straight line. If the tongue is controlled
with prasadam, belly and genitals also are controlled. Bhaktivinoda sings the
glories of prasadam to help us control our senses and remember Krsna.
(sarira avidya jal…)

e) The control of the genitals (upastha vegam).

Two types: 1) legal.
- basic understanding of sex control: only when necessary (according to
religious principles to beget children, otherwise not).
- Sex life within marriage allowed in Krsna consciousness for begetting
children and no other purpose.
- License for sex to produce Krsna conscious children.
2) Illicit.
- Thinking, talking, planning, engaging, or artificial means, with no restraints
nor sastric rules.
- This applies for all asramas. Not only householders but also sannyasis and
brahmacaris.
The full emphasis of this verse is given in the instruction of Jagadananda Pandit in his Prema
Vivarta ch.7.

When one is expert by the practice of devotional service to control all the six items, he can
become a qualified spiritual master and is called a Swami or Goswami.

Goswami: master of the senses, not master of family, community or society.

Maharaja: as a king is powerful enough to control his citizens, a Goswami is powerful enough
to control his senses.
Go-dasa: one who cannot control one’s senses. Such go-dasa is destined to enter the lowest
regions, as described by Prahlada Maharaja. (matir na krsne parata svato va…)

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 2

atyaharah prayasas ca
prajalpo niyamagrahah
jana sangas ca laulyam ca
sadbhir bhaktir vinasyati

One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six
activities:
1)eating more than necessary or collecting more funds then required.
2)over endeavoring for mundane things, which are very difficult to attain.
3)talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters.
4)practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following and not for the
sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and
working independently or whimsically.
5)associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna consciousness.
6)being greedy for mundane achievements.

Study
The Lord has 3 energies:
1) Internal energy (antaranga shakti).
2) External energy (bahiranga shakti).
3) Marginal energy (tathasta shakti).

The jivatma (tatastha shakti) is under the control of either the internal or the external energy
(bahiranga shakti) of the Lord.
When the jivatma is under the control of the external energy he is called duratma.
When he is under the control of the internal energy he is called mahatma.

Description of a mahatma:
- broad minded.
- one who only satisfies the senses of the Lord.
 - fully under the shelter of Srimati Radharani (Bg 9.13).
- sees everyone with a spiritual identity.
- always peaceful, equipoised, never angry, well wishers, good behaviour (S.B 5.5.2)

Description of a duratma or cripple minded.

- expends his activities to do good to others through “ism”
- expends his gratification by sacrificing for family, nation, community, society etc.
- this is extended sense gratification from personal to communal to social.
- no spiritual values to such sense gratification be it personal or extended.
- influenced by the three fold miseries of adibhautika, adidaivika and adyatmika
klesa.

The problems encountered by the conditioned living entities are the struggle between birth,
death, old age and disease. It requires maintenance of the body and that is done by work. But
one should not collect more than necessary.

Animals maintenance:
- by nature’s arrangements the animals do not require more than necessary.
- the animal has no economic problems or scarcities of any sorts.
- If a bag of rice is left on the public place, the bird will only take a few grains and fly
away.

Human maintenance:
- a man will take away the bag of rice and eat as much as the stomach can hold and
stock up the rest.
- this is called atyahara or collecting more than necessary. That is prohibited by
sastra.
- Collecting more than necessary is called prayasas or unnecessary endeavor.
- the entire world suffers as a result of it.

God’s master plan for the maintenance and up-liftment of mankind:

- have land and milk a cow.
- no need to move from place to another to earn livelihood.
- produce food grains on the spot and use the cow milk.
- higher intelligence is provided in order to cultivate God consciousness and one’s
relationship with Him.

Man’s master plan to for maintenance and degradation of mankind:

- misuse of intelligence.
- acquiring more than necessary.
- Producing unnecessary and unwanted things
- Maintenance of slaughter houses, factories, brothels, liquor shops
- False advertisement that going back to the basis is to go back to primitive way of
life.

Following dharma by taking instructions from higher authorities like the acaryas and the
Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.9). That is the first step of human civilization.
In Kali yuga dharma is represented by various religion like Hindu, Christian, Hebrew,
Mohammedan and Buddhist.

Atyahara and prayasa (over collecting and over endeavoring) defects in religious systems.
- religion is meant for attaining emancipation and not for getting bread.
- Religions a fashioned to suit material pursuits.
- The laws of God are meant to be followed so that they disentangle one from
material life.
- People use religion because of atyahara or excessive desire for prosperity.
- True religion is to cultivate devotional service and maintain with the bare
necessities of life.
- Prayasa or endeavor is not for material advancement but for inquiring about the
Absolute Truth.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s addition:

- Accumulating too much knowledge on the mental platform.
- Writing volumes of books on mundane subject matters.
- Anything done to increase sense gratification either in science or with money.
- Ignorance of the future causes accumulation of money (security for sons and
grandsons).

More addition:
- No association with blasphemous mayavadis.
- bhukti kamis. (those interested in material happiness).
- Mukhti kamis (those who desire to merge with the Brahman effulgence of the
Lord).
- Siddhi kamis (those who desire yoga practice).
- Story of the rich man who becomes a cobbler in the next life.
- Devotees should avoid atyahara and prayasa.

Srila Prabhupada’s analysis on the effects of atyahara in the modern world.

- capitalists accumulate too much money.
- Envious communists want to nationalize the funds and properties. But the
communists do not know how to solve economical problems. So when the
leadership falls in their hands it’s chaos.
- Neither the capitalists nor the communist have the right to use funds accumulated.
- all wealth belongs to Krsna and should only be used for His service. That is the only
solution.
Illustration:
- one man finds $100 note and puts it in his pocket. He is not honest. (capitalists)
- one man finds the money and leaves it on the spot. He is not dishonest but unaware
of its proper use. (communists)
- one man finds the note, finds the man (Krsna) who lost it and gives it to him. He is
honest and wise. (Krsna bhakta)

- everyone can use God’s property but without excess. If one takes more than
necessary he is a thief and liable for punishment by the laws of nature.
 - Wealth is to be distributed for the benefit of all according to Nature. Thus no one
will encroach on another’s property and peace can prevail for the proper
development of spiritual consciousness.

Prajalpa (unnecessary talking).

- conversation in social gathering is like the croaking of the frogs.
- Reading newspapers, magazines and novels.
- Solving crossword puzzles.
- Playing cards.
- Fishing.
- Watch TV.
- Debating about useless socio-political schemes.
- Devotees never take part in these activities.

Niyama agraha (neglecting rules and regulations of sastra). Agraha is eagerness to accept and
agraha is failure to accept.
The word niyama agraha is two folds:
1) to accept all rules and regulations for the sake of spiritual advancement.
- following the 4 regulative principles.

2) Not accept rules and regulations for the sake of economic development.

Jana-sanga (associating with people not interested in Krsna consciousness).

- to be strictly avoided. Bhakta sane vasa. Always to associate with devotees of
Krsna.
- Materialists form clubs and associations to enhance material endeavor (stock
exchange and chamber of commerce).
- ISKCON was created to give association to the devotees.

Laulyam (greed).
- desire to attain mystic perfection.
- Merging into the Lord’s existence.
- Obtaining material prosperity whimsically.

Conclusive statement.
By strictly avoiding the six elementary faults listed by Srila Rupa Goswami all enmities will
cease between men and animals, capitalists and communists. All the problems of economics,
politics and instabilities can be solved. The Krsna consciousness movement offers this
scientific education.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 3

utsahan niscyad dhairyat

tat tat karma pravartanat
sanga tyagat sato vrtteh
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service:
1)being enthusiastic,
2)endeavoring with confidence,
3)being patient,
4)acting according to regulative principles (such as sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam –
hearing, chanting and remembering Krsna),
5)abandoning association of non devotees, and
6)following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas.
These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.

Study.

1) To serve Krsna is not a matter of expecting some imaginative ecstasy nor is it based on
sentimental speculation. Service to Krsna is based on the principle of bhakti as defined by
Rupa Goswami: anyabhilasita sunyam…

2) Differentiation between bhakti and so-called yoga.

- bhakti implies activities in the spirit of cultivation.
- when cultivation is spiritual it is not idle.
- people may think of yoga in terms of ways to distract from cumbersome material
activities.
- the practice of meditation is meant to stop all nonsensical activities but only
temporarily.
- devotional service not only stops nonsensical activities but also produces
meaningful devotional activities (9 processes of bhakti recommended by Pralhad
Maharaja).

3) The process of hearing (sravanam) as primordial for engaging in the cultivation of bhakti.
- hearing the first step in cultivating knowledge, and that it is done by approaching a
bonafide guru.
- the principle of approaching guru is an imperative and therefore not mental
speculation.
- ISKCON gives such golden opportunity to meet a guru and receive transcendental
knowledge.

4) Utsaha – Enthusiasm or action for Krsna.

- enthusiasm is a prerequisite for spiritual advancement just as it is the key to success
for a businessman, a student, an artist, or any field of material activities.
- under the guidance of guru, one must learn to use everything in Krsna’s service,
understanding that nothing is separate from Him and therefore provided by Him.
- to use everything in the service of the Lord is a sign of intelligence or utsaha.
- All the rules and regulations must be followed faithfully, with enthusiasm.

5) Dhairyat –Patience. Niscaya –Confidence.

- Prabhupada gives his own example in being patient when started the movement
single handedly.
 - service is to be received from guru and Krsna and executed with patience,
depending on their mercy.
- Analogy of patience:
A recently married young girl may be very eager to have a child must she must be confident
that the child will be born in due course of time and therefore should be patient.
- When coming to Krsna consciousness one
should be confident that Krsna will help and protect.

6) Sanga tyagat –giving up association of non-devotees.

- all karmis, yogis, jnanis, non-devotees and undesirable people should be avoided as
asat sanga tyagat.
- this (asat sanga tyagat) is the first principle of vaisnavism as taught by Lord
Caitanya.
- ISKCON was created to give the proper association to people, with no chance of
further contamination from the modes of passion and ignorance.

7) Sato vrtti –following in the footstep of the previous acaryas.

- following the morning program, engaged in devotional service 24hrs a day, filling
every moment with KC activities as the acaryas did.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati comments on the verse.

- cultivation of speculative knowledge, fruitive activities and material perfections, are
all contrary to the principles of devotional service.
- The activities of the devotees are like the day and those of the materialists like the
night.
- One must be confident (niscaya) that to serve Krsna is the goal of human life. Every
other paths will make one restless. (S.B 7).
- (confidence) A devotee can never fall down from the path of devotional service, as
there is eternal benefit. But if someone takes to varnasrama duties but does not
performs service to the Lord, there is no gain.

-
Upadesamrta Course.
Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 4

dadati pratigrhnati
ghuyam akhyati prcchati
bhunkte bhojayate caiva
sad vidham priti laksanam

Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence,
inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love
shared by one devotee and another.

Study.
These six activities are a natural way of dealing in loving friendship, either with devotees or
ordinary people (ex: the businessman's feast arrangement). But the on the transcendental
platform they are performed on the principle that an inexperienced devotee learns from an
experienced one.
The gifts given in charity for the propagation of Krsna consciousness to the common men.
(dadati pratigrhnati)
The association given to younger devotees and congregation by senior devotees. (ghuyam
akhyati)
The maha prasadam from the Lord distributed by a pure devotee. (bhunkte bhojayate)

The application of these principles by ISKCON

people donating liberally to the expansion of the Society.
People are accepting contributions in the form of books, magazines about Krsna.
ISKCON puts up festivals and invites friends and members to attend and take prasadam.
(Sunday Feast, home programs)
Members and supporters inquire confidentially about methods of devotional service.
The principle of pratigrhnati must be followed by the members of ISKCON (receiving gifts).

Through association, one's desires and ambition develop. A man is known by the company he
keeps. Associating with devotees will help one revive one's dormant Krsna consciousness.
all living entities are originally Krsna conscious (nitya siddha krsna prema).
This awakening takes place by hearing and chanting.
The heart becomes cleansed of all contamination (ceto darpana marjanam)
Krsna consciousness is not imposed upon the heart. It is already there.
The chanting of Hare Krsna not only benefits the chanter but the hearer as well (Caitanya to
Haridas).
To distribute the holy name is a sublime example in giving in charity (dadati).

Association with devotees -the key to loving exchanges.

Bad association:
yogis, jnanis, karmis, mayavadis (the 6 exchanges cannot be applied to them as it becomes
even more affecting).
Eating food prepared by worldly minded people weakens the mind.
Accepting charity from an atheist or mayavadi is not conducive, unless one is very advanced.
Good association:
to always keep association with the devotees.
To always follow the principles
To always follow the acaryas
To always carry out the orders of the spiritual master.

5) The full meaning of dadati (giving in charity). The 50%

A madhyama bhakta loves the Lord, makes friends with devotees, favors the ignorant and
avoids envious and demons.
In making friends and loving the Lord, 50% of one's income should be spent.
Srila Rupa Goswami's example: He retired and gave 50% to Krsna seva, 25% to relatives and
25% for personal emergencies.
All devotees should follow that example.
Sri Upadesamrta Course.
Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 5

krsneti yasya giri tam manasadriyeta

diksasti cet pranatibhis ca bhajantam isam
susrusraya bhajana vijnam ananyam anya
nindadi sunya hrdam ipsita sanga labdhya

One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Krsna. One should
offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation [diksa] and is
engaged in worshiping the Deity, and one should associate and faithfully serve that pure
devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional and whose heart is completely devoid of the
propensity to criticize others.

Study.

1) This verse is the next and gradual step forward to the six exchanges mentioned in the Text 4.
One must be selective in finding one’s association and careful in discriminating.

2) Three types of devotees.

a) Kanistha adhikari.
- Received harinam initiation from guru and is trying to chant Hare Krsna. Should
mentally be respected as a kanistha bhakta.
- Only interested in Deity worship (SB. 11.2.47).
- The idea to rise from such platform to the madhyama platform.
- prakrta sahajiyas, who make a show of chanting Hare Krsna and indulge in sex,
intoxication and money, are to be seen as kanisthas and offered respects in the
mind.

b) Madhyama adhikhari
- Received harinam initiation and is fully engaged by guru in service. Situated
midway. Should be offered humble obeisances.
- Madhyama bhakta sees with discrimination the Supreme Lord, the devotees, the
ignorant, the demons and envious.
- If someone has bad association but is willing to accept instructions, should be
favored.
- If one has taken initiation and is seriously engaged in service should be accepted
as madhyama bhakta.
- His faith is strong but not his sastric conclusions. Has great determination in
performing service and is a candidate for advancement.

c) Uttama adhikhari
- Highest devotee, very advanced, not interested in blaspheming others, the heart
his clean, has unalloyed pure devotion for the Lord. Should associate and
surrender to. This is the most preferable association.
 - One who only sees himself as a servant of the Lord, who only engages in
Krsna’s service, who only wants to spread Krsna consciousness all over the
world.
- An uttama bhakta should be accepted as guru and one should surrender
everything to him.
- An uttama bhakta accepts the alms collected by his disciples, but if one is not
realized and imitates, he will become degraded.

4) ISKCON devotees.
- Temples facilitate sanga, prasadam, and katha.
- Allow sincere students to make progress.
- Produces serious devotees who follow regs strictly, chant 16 rounds and always
make plans for spreading sankirtan.
- These devotees are considered uttama bhaktas.
- Their association is mostly recommended.

5) The gradual process of advancement in Krsna consciousness.

a) Association with devotees.
b) Taking initiation (CC ant.4.192). Loosing interest material activities and
gaining attraction for spiritual activities.
- Europeans and Americans gave up comfort and wealth for Krsna consciousness.
- Initiation takes place when shows detachment from material enjoyments.
- Accepting austerity, celibacy, sense control.
- Eager to receive transcendental knowledge from the spiritual master.
c) Acceptance of the spiritual master.
- One should not accept guru and follow his instructions.
- One should not accept guru as a fashion.
- One must be inquisitive (jijnasu) to learn from guru.
- The inquiries must be strictly on spiritual subject matters.
d) Through the chanting.
- One, who is seriously following the process of chanting and avoids the 10
offenses to the holy name, sees the name and the Lord as non-different. The
neophyte devotees should respect such devotee.
- Prabhupada prescribed 16 rounds for ISKCON devotees to allow concentration
and preaching.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said if one does not chant 64 rounds a day he / she is
fallen. So everyone is fallen!
- Even saying “Krsna” once qualifies one as best of men. (Cc mad. 15.106).
- George Harrison as an example of a person who is worth all respects due to
continuous chanting.
e) Through faith.
- Meaning of faith (Cc. Mad.22.62).
- Faith supports the advancement of the kanistha, madhyama and uttama bhakta.
- The words of Krsna in the Gita are to be accepted with faith, with no
interpretation. (Bg. 10.14 / 18.66).
- To have faith in Krsna’s instruction is sign of advancement.
- Faith in executing service and chanting. Krsna then reveals Himself.
6) Discrimination in choosing.
- One should know who is kanistha, madhyama and uttama adhikhari.
- One’s own position should also be clear and not be in an artificial level.
- An Uttama bhakta is recognized by how many people he converts to Krsna
consciousness.
- Both kanisthas and madhyama can accept disciples but they should know that
they can only help the disciples up to a certain level.
- One should carefully accept an uttama adhikhari as spiritual master.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 6

dåñöaiù svabhäva-janitair vapuñaç ca doñair

na präkåtatvam iha bhakta janasya paçyet
gaìgämbhasäà na khalu budbuda-phena-paìkair
brahma-dravatvam apagacchati néra-dharmaiù

Being situated in his original Kåñëa conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with
the body. Such a devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one
should overlook a devotee’s having a body born in a low family, a body with a bad
complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm body. According to ordinary vision, such
imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming
defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the waters of the
Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy season are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The
Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will
bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.

Study:

1) Srila Prabhupada begins his purport by defining the principle of pure bhakti as well as the
qualities of the soul and the devotee who has developed saintly qualities:
a) Çuddha-bhakti, the activity of the soul proper.
b) A person engaged in devotional service must be free from material motives.
c) A surrendered soul serves Kåñëa without material considerations (anyäbhiläñitä-
çünyam).
d) Bhakti-yoga is the proper activity of the soul, and when one actually engages in
unalloyed, uncontaminated devotional service, he is already liberated (sa guëän
samatétyaitän).
These definitions lead us to understand that:
a) One should therefore not see a pure devotee from a materialistic point of view.
b) Unless one is actually a devotee, he cannot see another devotee perfectly.
c) There are three types of devotees who each see the pure devotee in a different way
(No1.t.5).
 d) No one should criticize the bodily defects of a pure devotee. If there are such defects,
they should be overlooked. We should only concern ourselves with the service rendered
by the guru. (api cet..)

2) Overlooking one’s birth.

a) If one is not born in a brahmana or Goswami family, he should not be neglected.
b) The title Goswami is given by qualification and not heriditary. (Rupa and Sanatana
Goswami).
c) The word gosvämé refers to one who can control his senses, who is master of the
senses. A devotee is not controlled by the senses, but is the controller of the senses.
Consequently he should be called svämé or gosvämé, even though he may not be born
in a gosvämé family.
d) Whether one is a Goswami coming from the branch of Lord Nityananda and
Adwaitacarya, or from America, one should be looked equally. They are non-different.
e) Warning: After acquiring the Goswami title from either group, if one becomes proud of
the title, he immediately falls down.
f) Krsna consciousness is a transcendental movement and there is no room for envy or
jalousy.

3) Overlooking bodily defects.

a) Committing vaisnava aparadha by pointing out the bodily defects of a vaisnava.
b) There are degres of devotees, from neophyte to advanced to very advanced, and one
should not try to look at the external aspect of an advanced devotee from the neophyte
point of view.
c) One should look only at the internal aspect of the service rendered by the pure devotee
and avoid looking at the externals.

4) Overlooking the place of birth.

a) If one thinks that Krsna consciousness is based on a specific section of people, of
devotees and track of land, they will try to bring the maha-bhagavat to their own level.
b) Prabhupada points to his own godbrothers who did not recognize the work he was
doing nor his exalted position.
c) One who is empowered by Krsna to preach should not be considered an ordinary
human being.
d) Everyone should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an empowered Vaiñëava,
or a çuddha-vaiñëava.

5) The offensive mentality.

a) One cannot derive any spiritual benefit by criticizing a pure devotee.
b) It is offensive to try to instruct or advice the spiritual master.
c) The advanced Vaiñëava is always situated as the spiritual master, and the neophyte is
always considered his disciple.
d) The spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a disciple, nor should a
spiritual master be obliged to take instructions from those who are not his disciples.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.
Text 7

syät kåñëa-näma-caritädi-sitäpy avidyä-

pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikä nu
kintv ädaräd anudinaà khalu saiva juñöä
svädvé kramäd bhavati tad-gada-müla-hantré

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kåñëa are all transcendentally sweet like
sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyä [ignorance] cannot
taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every
day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the
root.

Study:

1) The sugar like sweetness of Krsna consciousness versus the bitterness caused jaundice
or avidya.
a) Srila Prabhupada speaks of recovery of spiritual health by the process of daily practice
of Krsna consciousness. Meaning to say that Krsna consciousness is our original and
natural position as spirit souls, whereas to be afflicted by nescience and ignorance
causes the conditioned soul to feel diseased. For such person, the taste to the holy name
is very bitter.

2) The root cause of the disease.

a) Forgetfulness Kåñëa due to being attracted by the external features of Kåñëa’s mäyä
energy. This world of mäyä is called duräçraya, which means “false or bad shelter.” One
who puts his faith in duräçraya becomes a candidate for hoping against hope.
b) There is a struggle for existence which is characterized by patching up one mistake with
another mistake.
c) People in general are misled by blind leaders. The leaders of human society—the
politicians, philosophers and scientists—are blind because they are not Kåñëa conscious.
Such people never surrender to Kåñëa, and they oppose the endeavor of those who wish to
take Kåñëa’s shelter. (B.g 7.15).

3) The treatment.
a) In the present confused state of humanity, Kåñëa consciousness, the chanting of the holy
name of the Lord—Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare
Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare—is the only remedy for setting the world aright. It may not
be palatable for a diseased person but one must applied this medicine with great care and
attention.
b) One begins the treatment by chanting the maha mantra as it cleanses the heart from all
misconceptions that we have about our identity.

4) Three stages of chanting.

a) Offensive chanting: Nama aparadha: When a neophyte takes to the chanting of the Hare
Kåñëa mantra, he generally commits many offenses. There are ten basic offenses to be
avoided.
b) Nama abhasa: The next stage, which is situated between offensive chanting and pure
chanting.
c) Suddha nama: When one attains the pure stage, he is immediately liberated. This is called
bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpanam.

5) The gradual steps to full recovery.

a) In order to get freed from the material disease, one must take to the chanting of the Hare
Kåñëa mantra. The Kåñëa consciousness movement is especially meant for creating an
atmosphere in which people can take to the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra.
b) Sraddha: Faith is required. ISKCON spreads all over the world, even to the most remote
places and to the most unlikely people. By taking to the chanting, they are showing interest
and asking for initiation.
c) Bhajana kriya: One then actually engages in the service of the Lord by regularly chanting
the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, sixteen rounds daily, and refraining from illicit sex,
intoxicants, meat-eating and gambling. By bhajana-kriyä one attains freedom from the
contamination of materialistic life. He no longer goes to a restaurant or hotel to taste so-
called palatable dishes made with meat and onions, nor does he care to smoke or drink tea
or coffee. He not only refrains from illicit sex, but avoids sex life entirely.
d) Anartha nivrtti: One is becoming cleansed of unwanted things (anartha-nivåtti). The word
anartha refers to unwanted things. Anarthas are vanquished when one becomes attached to
the Kåñëa consciousness movement.
e) Nistha: When a person is relieved from unwanted things, he becomes fixed in executing his
Kåñëa.
f) Ruci and asakti: Indeed, he becomes attached to such activities and experiences ecstasy in
executing devotional service.
g) Bhava: This is called bhäva, the preliminary awakening of dormant love of Godhead.
Although mäyä may be present, it cannot disturb a devotee once he attains the bhäva stage.
This is because the devotee can see the real position of mäyä. Mäyä means forgetfulness of
Kåñëa, and forgetfulness of Kåñëa and Kåñëa consciousness stand side by side like light
and shadow.

6) Always remaining situated in the light of Krsna consciousness.

a) If one remains in shadow, he cannot enjoy the facilities offered by light, and if one remains
in light, he cannot be disturbed by the darkness of shadow. By taking to Kåñëa consciousness,
one gradually becomes liberated and remains in light. Indeed, he does not even touch the
darkness. (Madhya 22.31):

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 8

tan-näma-rüpa-caritädi-sukértanänu-
småtyoù krameëa rasanä-manasé niyojya
tiñöhan vraje tad-anurägi janänugämé
kälaà nayed akhilam ity upadeça-säram
The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one’s full time—twenty-four hours a day—
in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord’s divine name, transcendental form, qualities and
eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one’s tongue and mind. In this way one should
reside in Vraja [Goloka Våndävana dhäma] and serve Kåñëa under the guidance of devotees.
One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to
His devotional service.

Study

1) Controlling the mind:

Emphasis is put here on the function and the importance of the mind. In Krsna consciousness
the control of the mind is of prime importance. The mind accumulates and commutes all
thoughts from all the activities performed in this life and even in past lives.

2) Preparing for death.

At the time of death, if the mind is not remembering Krsna, it can force one to take another
birth. (B.g 8.6). And if one does remember Krsna, he is automatically transferred to Goloka
Vrndavana.

3) Control of the tongue and residing in the holy dham of Vraja.

Rupa Goswami advises the devotees that to remember Krsna, the following are essential:
a) Controlling the mind (by remembering Lord Krsna)
b) Controlling the tongue (by honoring only Krsna prasadam and only speaking about
Krsna.)
c) Residing in Vrajabhumi (by following in the footsteps of the Vrajabasis.)

4) Taking residence in Vrajabhumi.

a) It means residing anywhere within the Vraja Mandala of 168 sq miles.
b) It also means to always be situated in Krsna consciousness following in the footsteps of the
Six Goswamis.
c) It means that “A devotee should always reside in the transcendental realm of Vraja and
always engage in kåñëaà smaran janaà cäsya preñöham, the remembrance of Çré Kåñëa
and His beloved associates.
BRS 1.2.294.
d) It means also that: “one should serve the Supreme Lord, Çré Kåñëa, with a feeling similar
to that of His associates, and one should place himself under the direct guidance of a
particular associate of Kåñëa and should follow in his footsteps. BRS 1.2.295

5) The essence of all advice for the discharge of devotional service.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati comments.
a) One who has not yet developed interest in Kåñëa consciousness should give up all
material motives and train his mind by following the progressive regulative principles,
namely chanting and remembering Kåñëa and His name, form, quality, pastimes etc.
b) After developing a taste for such things, one should try to live in Våndävana and pass
his time constantly remembering Kåñëa’s name, fame, pastimes and qualities under the
direction and protection of an expert devotee.
6) The progressive stages of one who is always engaged in chanting and hearing about
Krsna, under the care of a pure devotee.
a) çravaëa-daçä (the stage of hearing). In the neophyte stage one should always engage in
hearing kåñëa-kathä.
b) varaëa-daçä (the stage of acceptance). Constantly hearing the transcendental holy name
of Kåñëa and hearing of His transcendental form, qualities and pastimes.
c) smaraëävasthä (the stage of remembering). When one attains this stage, he becomes
attached to the hearing of kåñëa-kathä. One is able to chant in ecstasy.
d) 5 stages of Krsna smaranam:
- Recollection,
- Absorption, Remembrance of Kåñëa may be interrupted
at intervals.
- Meditation, Remembrance proceeds uninterrupted.
- Constant remembrance, Meditation expands and becomes constant
(anusmåti).
- Trance: Uninterrupted + unceasing anusmåti= samädhi, smaraëa-daçä or spiritual
trance.
e) sampatti-daçä (the perfection of life). Samadhi has fully developed, and the soul comes
to understand his original constitutional position. At that time he can perfectly and
clearly understand his eternal relationship with Kåñëa.

7) The advice given in the Caitanya Caritamrta.

a) Give up all kinds of motivated desires and simply engage in the regulative devotional
service of the Lord according to the directions of scripture.
b) Gradually develop attachment for Kåñëa’s name, fame, form, qualities etc. (Vaidhi
sadhana bhakti)
c) After developing such attachment, one can spontaneously serve the lotus feet of Kåñëa
even without following the regulative principles. (räganuga sadhana bhakti).
d) At that stage the devotee can follow in the footsteps of one of the eternal associates of
Kåñëa in Våndävana.

8) Raganuga bhakti according to the 5 rasas.

a) Santa rasa: Kåñëa’s cows, Krsna’s stick, Krsna’s flute, a flowers around Kåñëa’s neck.
b) Dasya rasa: One follows in the footsteps of servants like Citraka, Patraka or Raktaka.
c) Sakhya-rasa: One can become a friend like Baladeva, Çrédämä or Sudämä.
d) Vätsalya-rasa: One can become like Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodä.
e) Mädhurya-rasa: One can become like Çrématé Rädhäräëé or Her lady friends such as
Lalitä and Her serving maids (maïjarés) like Rüpa and Rati.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.
Text 9

vaikuëöhäj janito varä madhu-puré taträpi räsotsaväd

våndäraëyam udära-päëi-ramaëät taträpi govardhanaù
rädhä-kuëòam ihäpi gokula-pateù premämåtäplävanät
kuryäd asya viräjato giri-taöe seväà viveké na kaù

The holy place known as Mathurä is spiritually superior to Vaikuëöha, the transcendental
world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathurä-Puré is the transcendental forest
of Våndävana because of Kåñëa’s räsa-lélä pastimes. And superior to the forest of Våndävana
is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Çré Kåñëa and was the site of His
various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Çré Rädhä-kuëòa stands supreme,
for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Çré Kåñëa.
Where, then, is that intelligent Person who is unwilling to serve this divine Rädhä-kuëòa,
which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill?

Study

Degrees of importance given to the dhams

1) The spiritual world is three fourths of the total creation of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, and it is the most exalted region.
2) Mathurä and the adjoining areas, although appearing in the material world, are
considered superior to the spiritual world because the Supreme Personality of
Godhead Himself appeared at Mathurä.
3) The interior forests of Våndävana are considered superior to Mathurä because of the
presence of the twelve forests (dvädaça-vana), such as Tälavana, Madhuvana and
Bahulävana, which are famous for the various pastimes of the Lord.
4) Superior to these forests is the divine Govardhana Hill because:
a) Kåñëa lifted Govardhana Hill like an umbrella, raising it with His lotuslike
beautiful hand to protect His associates, the denizens of Vraja, from the
torrential rains sent by the angry Indra.
b) It is also at Govardhana Hill that Kåñëa tends the cows with His cowherd
friends.
c) He had His rendezvous with His most beloved Çré Rädhä and engaged in loving
pastimes with Her.
5) Rädhä-kuëòa, at the foot of Govardhana, is superior to all because it is there that
love of Kåñëa overflows.
a) Advanced devotees prefer to reside at Rädhä-kuëòa because this place is the site
of many memories of the eternal loving affairs between Kåñëa and Rädhäräëé
(rati-viläsa).

The importance of Sri Rädhä-kuëòa from the Caitanya caritamrta.

1) It is stated that when Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu first visited the area of Vrajabhümi,
He could not at first find the location of Rädhä-kuëòa. This means that Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu was actually searching for the exact location of Rädhä-kuëòa.
2) Finally He found the holy spot, and there was a small pond there. He took His bath
in that small pond and told His devotees that the actual Rädhä-kuëòa was situated
there.
 3) Later the pond was excavated by Lord Caitanya’s devotees, headed first by the six
Gosvämés, such as Rüpa and Raghunätha däsa.
4) Presently there is a large lake known as Rädhä-kuëòa there.

The reasons for worshipping Radha Kunda.

1) Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has given much stress to Rädhä-kuëòa because of Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s desire to find it. Who, then, would give up Rädhä-kuëòa
and try to reside elsewhere? No person with transcendental intelligence would do
so.
2) The importance of Rädhä-kuëòa, however, cannot be realized by other Vaiñëava
sampradäyas, nor can persons uninterested in the devotional service of Lord
Caitanya Mahäprabhu understand the spiritual importance and divine nature of
Rädhä-kuëòa.
3) Thus Rädhä-kuëòa is mainly worshiped by the Gauòéya Vaiñëavas, the followers of
Lord Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.
From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 10

karmibhyaù parito hareù priyatayä vyaktià yayur jïäninas

tebhyo jïäna-vimukta-bhakti-paramäù premaika-niñöhäs tataù
tebhyas täù paçu-päla-paìkaja-dåças täbhyo ’pi sä rädhikä
preñöhä tadvad iyaà tadéya-sarasé täà näçrayet kaù kåté

In the çästra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of
the higher values of life is favored by the Supreme Lord Hari. Out of many such people who
are advanced in knowledge [jïänés], one who is practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge
may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others. However, one who has actually
attained prema, pure love of Kåñëa, is superior to him. The gopés are exalted above all the
advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Çré Kåñëa, the
transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopés, Çrématé Rädhäräëé is the most dear to Kåñëa.
Her kuëòa [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Kåñëa as this most beloved of the gopés. Who,
then, will not reside at Rädhä-kuëòa and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional
feelings [apräkåtabhäva], render loving service to the divine couple Çré Çré Rädhä-Govinda,
who perform Their añöakäléya-lélä, Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who
execute devotional service on the banks of Rädhä-kuëòa are the most fortunate people in the
universe.

Study:

Gradual elevation to the highest consciousness.

1) The Lord has three energies.
a) Spiritual energy (superior)
b) Marignal energy (the jiva)
c) Material energy (inferior)
Those living beings within the jurisdiction of the material energy sometimes engage
themselves like dogs and hogs in working very hard simply for sense gratification.

2) Those karmis who follow the Vedas.

However, in this life, or, after executing pious activities, in the next life, some karmés become
strongly attracted to performing various kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. Thus on
the strength of their pious merit, they are elevated to heavenly planets.
a) Those who perform sacrifices strictly according to Vedic injunctions are
elevated to the moon and planets above the moon.
b) On this planet we find many businessmen, politicians and others who are
simply interested in material happiness. They attempt to earn money by all
means, not considering whether such means are pious or impious. Such
people are called karmés, or gross materialists.
c) The good karmis: Those who act on the basis of Vedic knowledge perform
sacrifices for the satisfaction of Lord Viñëu and to receive benedictions
from Him. In this way they are elevated to higher planetary systems. Such
karmés are superior to the vikarmés, for they are faithful to the directions of
the Vedas and are certainly dear to Kåñëa. Gita (4.11)
d) The results:
- If one acts piously, he can attain a new body among the demigods in the
higher planetary systems, or he may attain some other position in which
he can enjoy a higher standard of material happiness.
- On the other hand, those who are engaged in impious activities are
degraded and take birth as animals, trees and plants. Thus those fruitive
actors who do not care for the Vedic directions (vikarmés) are not
appreciated by learned saintly persons.

3) Those who cultivate knowledge of Vedas.

a) Unless one comes to the platform of ätma-tattva, by which one understands that
the soul and not the body is oneself, one remains on the platform of ignorance.
Out of thousands and even millions of ignorant people who are wasting their
time simply gratifying their senses, one may come to the platform of knowledge
and understand higher values of life. Such a person is called a jïäné.
b) The jïäné knows that fruitive activities will bind him to material existence and
cause him to transmigrate from one kind of body to another.
c) Thus a jïäné is considered superior to a karmé because he at least refrains from
the blind activities of sense enjoyment.
d) The defect of cultivate knowledge:
- However, although a jïäné may be liberated from the ignorance of the
karmés, unless he comes to the platform of devotional service he is still
considered to be in ignorance (avidyä). Although one may be accepted
as a jïäné, or one advanced in knowledge, his knowledge is considered
impure because he has no information of devotional service and thus
neglects the direct worship of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.

4) From cultivation of knowledge to execution of devotional service.

a) When a jïäné takes to devotional service, he rapidly becomes superior to an
ordinary jïäné. Such an advanced person is described as jïäna-vimukta-bhakti-
 parama. How a jïäné takes to devotional service is mentioned in Bhagavad-gétä
(7.19)
b) After taking to devotional service under the regulative principles, a person may
come to the platform of spontaneous love of Godhead, following in the
footsteps of great devotees like Närada and Sanaka and Sanätana. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead then recognizes him to be superior.

5) The highest form of devotional service.

a) Of all these devotees, the gopés are recognized as superior because they do not
know anything other than satisfying Kåñëa. Nor do the gopés expect any return
from Kåñëa. Indeed, sometimes Kåñëa puts them into extreme suffering by
separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Kåñëa.
b) Examples:
- When Kåñëa left Våndävana for Mathurä, the gopés became most
dejected and spent the rest of their lives simply crying in separation from
Kåñëa. This means that in one sense they were never actually separated
from Kåñëa. There is no difference between thinking of Kåñëa and
associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-sevä, thinking of Kåñëa in
separation, as Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu did, is far better than serving
Kåñëa directly.
- No one can excel the devotional service of Çrématé Rädhäräëé. Indeed,
even Kåñëa cannot understand the attitude of Çrématé Rädhäräëé;
therefore He took Her position and appeared as Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings.
- Çrématé Rädhäräëé is the most exalted devotee of Kåñëa and that Her
kuëòa (lake), Çré Rädhä-kuëòa, is the most exalted place. This is
verified in a quotation from Laghu-bhägavatämåta (Uttara-khaëòa 45),
as quoted in Caitanya-caritämåta:
yathä rädhä priyä viñëos
tasyäù kuëòaà priyaà tathä
sarva-gopéñu saivaikä
viñëor atyanta-vallabhä
- “Just as Çrématé Rädhäräëé is dear to the Supreme Lord Kåñëa [Viñëu],
so Her bathing place [Rädhä-kuëòa] is equally dear to Kåñëa. Among all
the gopés, She alone stands supreme as the Lord’s most beloved.”
- Therefore everyone interested in Kåñëa consciousness should ultimately
take shelter of Rädhä-kuëòa and execute devotional service there
throughout one’s life.