Topic: Madhurya Kadambini
Devotional service begins with shraddha. The faith one develops in the process of devotional service is the beginning of spiritual journey. Sadhu-sanga or association of devotees develops the faith. Bhajana kriya is to render devotional service under the guidance of spiritual master. One is cleansed of his unwanted attachment (anartha nivruthi) as he begins to render devotional service. As a result one becomes fixed up in Krsna consciousness. This stage is called nishta. Nishta leads to ruchi or taste to chant the Holy Name. The seventh stage is called ashathi or attachment. The next stage is bhava or intense emotion for Krsna. Finally, it culminates at prema or spontaneous love.
Devotional seedling comes with two leaves kleshagni and shuvada. Klesha means sufferings and gna means killer or destroyer. Shuva means auspiciousness and da means giver. As soon as one takes to Krsna consciousness, he immediately feels two changes – all his sufferings have been eradicated and all auspiciousness have been bestowed upon him. Klesha is of five types- avidha, ashmita, dvesha, raag, avinivesh. Shuvada manifests in twelve ways – detachment from material nature, attachment to Krsna, favorable attitude to devotional service, mercy, forgiveness, truthfulness, simplicity, equanimity, fortitude, gratitude, respect and humility. These are the natural qualities that develop in a devotee. Bhajana kriya is the next development that manifests in a devotee. It is of two types –anishtitha (unsteadiness), nishtitha (steadiness). Anishtitha is of 6 types – false enthusiasm, sporadic endeavor, indecision, and combat with Maya, inability to follow the vows, enjoying the material facilities. One who transcends these stages becomes fixed up in devotional service.
Pure devotional service is free from the desires of sense gratification and the speculative knowledge. Devotional service is of two types – mixed and pure devotional service. Mixed devotional service is mixed with three things namely, desire for material enjoyment, liberation and attainment for mystic power. One who is free from all these contaminations and renders devotional service is called pure devotional service. One who accepts whatever is favorable to devotional service and rejects if other wise is considered to be a pure devotee. According to Srimad Bhagavatam, pure devotional service is rendering service with one’s body, mind and word for the pleasure of Krsna. Pure devotional service is of three types – sadhana bhakti (following the rules and regulations), bhava bhakti (spontaneous sentiment), prema bhakti (pure love for Krsna). Sadhana bhakti is of two types namely, vaidhi bhakti and raaganuga bhakti. Vaidhi bhakti is rendering devotional service following the injunctions of the scriptures. Raaganuga bhakti is rendering devotional service following the footsteps of one of the resident of Vrindavan. Sadhana bhakti is of 64 angas and nine of them are primary. Sravanam (hearing), kirtanam (chanting), smaranam (remembering), pada-sevanam(rendering service to the lotus feet of the Lord), archanam (deity worship), vandanam (offering obeisances), dasam (becoming servant of the Lord), sakyam (becoming friend of the Lord) and atma-nivedanam (offering oneself completely to the Lord).
Anartha nivruthi is to become completely cleansed of material contamination. Material contamination is of four types namely, contamination due to sinful activities, pious activities, offenses and material facilities achieved in the discharge of devotional service. The first two categories are in regard with material consideration while the last two are from the spiritual consideration. One who wants to acquire glory on the material platform namely, distinction, adoration and profit through devotional service are considered to be contaminated.
The contamination arriving due to sinful activities fall into the five types of suffering previously mentioned. The contamination arriving due to pious activities are due to the attachment to the results of pious activities. It corresponds to karma kanda section. Contaminations due to the offenses are arising from the offenses to the Holy Name and service.
The contaminations can be removed in five ways – ekadesha vartini (localised), bahudesa vartini (many), prayichi (almost complete), purna (complete) and atyantithi (absolute). In ekadesha vartini, one anartha or contamination is taken care of. In bahudesa vartini many anarthas are taken care of. In prayichi, almost all of the anarthas are being taken care of and bhava manifests. In purna, one becomes completely cleansed of all contaminations and prema manifests. In atyantithi, one reaches the perfected stage and reaches the lotus feet of the Lord. One may not have become free from the clutches of material contamination and yet he is free from the influence of death. This is the sublime and powerful nature of devotional service. One who renders sincere devotional service is subjected to the mercy of Holy Name and by Its mercy one’s anarthas is considerably reduced. As a result, one develops a taste for devotional service. Prabhupada often pointed out that one who constantly chants the Holy Name will become pure devotee eventually. The sufferings of those devotees are not due to their previous sinful activities but due to the mercy of Lord Himself. The devotees become purified by going through these sufferings. The devotee considers these sufferings as the mercy of the Lord since they are abated by the Lord.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you very much.