In actual fact we have two profiles. One is our saadak body by which we are executing to the best of ability 'naudha bhakti' (9 main angas of bhakti). The other profile is latent within us. It is revealed in 'bhava' but somewhat at the stage of aashakti. By continuous intense devotional service that profile (swaroop) will come
to manifest particularly if we get the mercy of a Vaishnava-sadhu and Srimati Radharani.
I am still anxious to know the profile of my guru mahararj, Srila Prabhupada. Although many godbrothers such as Tripurari Swami feel that he is a 'gopa', others such as Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja said otherwise, particularly since all of the acharyas in our line of Goudiya Vaishnavism are gopis or manjaris to be more specific. In time that intimate associate of Srimati will be revealed.
Hari Hari,,,Hari Hari.....bifala janama gonainu.......Hari Hari.........Hari Hari...........
'Aashakti' follows the stage of 'ruchee'. Each devotee or 'sadhak' must advance from one stage to the next. There is no leap frogging. A succinct analysis is given in the Madhurya Kadambini as follows:After this, when ruci (taste) which has bhajana (hearing chanting and other devotional activities) as its object of relish, reaches extreme depth, and makes Krsna the object of relish, that is called asakti or attachment. At the stage of asakti, the creeper of bhakti bears clusters of buds. These buds will in no time become flowers, at the stage of bhava. and then fruits at the stage of prema. The statement that ruci has bhajan as the object and asakti has the Lord as the object is a designation signifying proportionate quantity. Actually both ruci and asakti have both components as objects, but by less intensity in taking bhajana as object and greater intensity in taking the Lord as object, asakti become distinguishable from ruci. Asakti polishes the mirror of the heart to such a condition that a reflection of the Lord may suddenly be visible there. Before the stage of asakti, the devotee, realizing that his mind has been overpowered by material objects and desires, after putting forth deliberate effort, withdraws his mind and fixes it on the Lord's form, qualities and activities. In the stage of asakti however, absorption of the mind in the Lord is automatic, without effort. A devotee even at the stage of nistha cannot discover how his mind sometimes withdraws from the Lord and fixes itself on material affairs. The quality of attachment such that the mind sometimes withdraws from material topics and absorbs itself in topics of the Lord is not seen in one who has not attained the stage of asakti. This is however characteristic of the devotee who has attained the stage of asakti.
Early in the morning, seeing another devotee, he will begin talking. "Where are you coming from? You have a salagram sila in a nice case hanging from your neck. Your tongue is quivering every moment from tasting the nectar of Krsna's name as you chant softly. Seeing you like this I feel overwhelming joy. Tell me what holy places you have visited, and describe all the great saintly souls you have met. What realizations have you had, and what realization have you bestowed to others?" In this way he will spend some time drinking nectar in intimate conversation.
Elsewhere, seeing a devotee with and attractive book under his arm he will say, "By your extraordinary presence I can guess that you are very learned. Please recite it for me. Bring to life by your shower of nectarean explanation just one verse of the tenth canto, which is like a cataki bird waiting for raindrops." Hearing the explanation his body hairs will stand on end.
Going elsewhere he will say, "Oh, just today my life will be successful, for this gathering of devotees will immediately destroy all my sins." Thinking in this way he will pay repeated obeisances on the earth. Being honored with affection by the most learned and advanced devotee, the crown jewel of the assembly, he will sit before him in humble, crouched posture, and beg from him with tears in his eyes, while holding his pulse. "
There is more but space is limited, so I suggest that every devotee have this book. It is very essential if we wish to know where we are going progressively and what we will be feeling and seeing at each stage of progress [pilgrim's progress]. If we are not progressing then we should then make a rapid move to the feet of the nearest pure devotee, Vaishnava-sadhu and hear directly from his lotus lips the glories of the Lord.
Hari bol, Hari bol, Hari Hari bolo...........................Hari bol, Hari bol, Hari Hari bolo.....................
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