← Older revision
Revision as of 14:21, 19 August 2016
Line 1:
Line 1:
+
[[Category:Teachings of Queen Kunti]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Teachings of Queen Kunti]] '''[[Teachings of Queen Kunti|Teachings of Queen Kuntī]]'''</div>
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Teachings of Queen Kunti]] '''[[Teachings of Queen Kunti|Teachings of Queen Kuntī]]'''</div>
<div style="float:right">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=TQK 2 Beyond the Senses]] '''[[TQK 2 Beyond the Senses|2. Beyond the Senses]] - [[TQK 4 Approaching Krsna, the All-pervading Truth|4. Approaching Kṛṣṇa, the All-pervading Truth]]''' [[File:Go-next.png|link=TQK 4 Approaching Krsna, the All-pervading Truth]]</div>
<div style="float:right">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=TQK 2 Beyond the Senses]] '''[[TQK 2 Beyond the Senses|2. Beyond the Senses]] - [[TQK 4 Approaching Krsna, the All-pervading Truth|4. Approaching Kṛṣṇa, the All-pervading Truth]]''' [[File:Go-next.png|link=TQK 4 Approaching Krsna, the All-pervading Truth]]</div>
Line 4:
Line 5:
−
=====TEXT 20=====
<div class="verse">
<div class="verse">
−
tathā parama-haṁsānāṁ
+
:
tathā parama-haṁsānāṁ
−
munīnām amalātmanām
+
:
munīnām amalātmanām
−
bhakti-yoga-vidhānārthaṁ
+
:
bhakti-yoga-vidhānārthaṁ
−
kathaṁ paśyema hi striyaḥ
+
:
kathaṁ paśyema hi striyaḥ
</div>
</div>
−
'''TRANSLATION'''
<div id="translation">
<div id="translation">
Line 18:
Line 17:
- [[SB 1.8.20|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.20]]
- [[SB 1.8.20|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.20]]
−
'''PURPORT'''
+
<div class="text">
Even the greatest philosophical speculators cannot have access to the region of the Lord. It is said in the Upaniṣads that the Supreme Truth, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is beyond the range of the thinking power of the greatest philosopher. He is unknowable by great learning or by the greatest brain. He is knowable only by one who has His mercy. Others may go on thinking about Him for years together, yet He is unknowable. This very fact is corroborated by the Queen, who is playing the part of an innocent woman. Women in general are unable to speculate like philosophers, but they are blessed by the Lord because they believe at once in the superiority and almightiness of the Lord, and thus they offer obeisances without reservation. The Lord is so kind that He does not show special favor only to one who is a great philosopher. He knows the sincerity of purpose. For this reason only, women generally assemble in great number in any sort of religious function. In every country and in every sect of religion it appears that the women are more interested than the men. This simplicity of acceptance of the Lord's authority is more effective than showy insincere religious fervor.
Even the greatest philosophical speculators cannot have access to the region of the Lord. It is said in the Upaniṣads that the Supreme Truth, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is beyond the range of the thinking power of the greatest philosopher. He is unknowable by great learning or by the greatest brain. He is knowable only by one who has His mercy. Others may go on thinking about Him for years together, yet He is unknowable. This very fact is corroborated by the Queen, who is playing the part of an innocent woman. Women in general are unable to speculate like philosophers, but they are blessed by the Lord because they believe at once in the superiority and almightiness of the Lord, and thus they offer obeisances without reservation. The Lord is so kind that He does not show special favor only to one who is a great philosopher. He knows the sincerity of purpose. For this reason only, women generally assemble in great number in any sort of religious function. In every country and in every sect of religion it appears that the women are more interested than the men. This simplicity of acceptance of the Lord's authority is more effective than showy insincere religious fervor.
Line 26:
Line 25:
According to the Vedic system, there are four social divisions (cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam ([[BG 4.13|BG 4.13]])). The highest members of the social order are the brāhmaṇas, those who are intelligent, and then come the kṣatriyas (military men and administrators), the vaiśyas (farmers and businessmen), and finally the śūdras (ordinary laborers). One's place in this system is determined by one's qualities and work (guṇa-karma). The Bhagavad-gītā mentions striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrāḥ ([[BG 9.32|BG 9.32]]), and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam speaks of strī-śūdra-dvija-bandhūnām ([[SB 1.4.25|SB 1.4.25]]). According to these references women, śūdras, and dvija-bandhus are considered to belong to the same category. The word dvija-bandhu refers to one who is born in an exalted brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya family but who has no qualifications of his own. One's social standing, according to the Vedic system, is determined by one's qualifications. This is very practical. Suppose a man is born the son of a high-court judge. This does not mean that he himself is also a high-court judge. Yet because one happens to take birth in a brāhmaṇa family, even if he has no qualifications and is rascal number one, he claims to be a brāhmaṇa, and although his qualifications are less than those of a śūdra, people accept him as a brāhmaṇa. This has caused the downfall of the Vedic civilization. The brāhmaṇas in India are sometimes very much against my movement because I train and accept brāhmaṇas from Europe and America. But we do not care about their arguments, nor will any other reasonable man. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said (CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126):
According to the Vedic system, there are four social divisions (cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam ([[BG 4.13|BG 4.13]])). The highest members of the social order are the brāhmaṇas, those who are intelligent, and then come the kṣatriyas (military men and administrators), the vaiśyas (farmers and businessmen), and finally the śūdras (ordinary laborers). One's place in this system is determined by one's qualities and work (guṇa-karma). The Bhagavad-gītā mentions striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrāḥ ([[BG 9.32|BG 9.32]]), and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam speaks of strī-śūdra-dvija-bandhūnām ([[SB 1.4.25|SB 1.4.25]]). According to these references women, śūdras, and dvija-bandhus are considered to belong to the same category. The word dvija-bandhu refers to one who is born in an exalted brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya family but who has no qualifications of his own. One's social standing, according to the Vedic system, is determined by one's qualifications. This is very practical. Suppose a man is born the son of a high-court judge. This does not mean that he himself is also a high-court judge. Yet because one happens to take birth in a brāhmaṇa family, even if he has no qualifications and is rascal number one, he claims to be a brāhmaṇa, and although his qualifications are less than those of a śūdra, people accept him as a brāhmaṇa. This has caused the downfall of the Vedic civilization. The brāhmaṇas in India are sometimes very much against my movement because I train and accept brāhmaṇas from Europe and America. But we do not care about their arguments, nor will any other reasonable man. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said (CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126):
−
<div class="verse">
+
:
pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
−
pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
+
:
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma
−
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma
+
−
</div>
+
"In every town, city, and village of the world, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will be preached."
"In every town, city, and village of the world, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will be preached."
How is it, then, that Europeans and Americans will not become brāhmaṇas? In fact, one who comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness has already surpassed brāhmaṇism. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG 14.26|14.26]]):
How is it, then, that Europeans and Americans will not become brāhmaṇas? In fact, one who comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness has already surpassed brāhmaṇism. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG 14.26|14.26]]):
−
<div class="verse">
+
:
māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa
−
māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa
+
:
bhakti-yogena sevate
−
bhakti-yogena sevate
+
:
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
−
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
+
:
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
−
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
+
−
</div>
+
"One who takes to bhakti-yoga surpasses the modes of material nature and comes immediately to the transcendental platform (brahma-bhūta) ([[SB 4.30.20|SB 4.30.20]])."
"One who takes to bhakti-yoga surpasses the modes of material nature and comes immediately to the transcendental platform (brahma-bhūta) ([[SB 4.30.20|SB 4.30.20]])."
Line 46:
Line 43:
The stereotyped, crippled idea that only a person born in a brāhmaṇa family can become a brāhmaṇa has killed Vedic civilization, but now we are reviving the correct understanding that the attainment of perfection is meant for everyone. In Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG 9.32|9.32]]) Lord Kṛṣṇa says:
The stereotyped, crippled idea that only a person born in a brāhmaṇa family can become a brāhmaṇa has killed Vedic civilization, but now we are reviving the correct understanding that the attainment of perfection is meant for everyone. In Bhagavad-gītā ([[BG 9.32|9.32]]) Lord Kṛṣṇa says:
−
<div class="verse">
+
:
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
−
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
+
:
ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
−
ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
+
:
striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās
−
striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās
+
:
te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim
−
te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim
+
−
</div>
+
"O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me - though they be lowborn, women, vaiśyas, or śūdras - can approach the supreme destination."
"O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me - though they be lowborn, women, vaiśyas, or śūdras - can approach the supreme destination."
Thus although women, śūdras, and vaiśyas are ordinarily considered to belong to a lower class, when one becomes a devotee he or she goes beyond such designations. Women, śūdras, and vaiśyas are ordinarily regarded as less intelligent, but if one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness one is the most intelligent, as stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (kṛṣṇa yei bhaje sei baḍa catura). And Caitanya Mahāprabhu says:
Thus although women, śūdras, and vaiśyas are ordinarily considered to belong to a lower class, when one becomes a devotee he or she goes beyond such designations. Women, śūdras, and vaiśyas are ordinarily regarded as less intelligent, but if one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness one is the most intelligent, as stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (kṛṣṇa yei bhaje sei baḍa catura). And Caitanya Mahāprabhu says:
−
<div class="verse">
+
:
ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
−
ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
+
:
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
−
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
+
−
</div>
+
"Among all the living entities wandering throughout the universe, one who is very fortunate receives, by the mercy of the spiritual master and the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the seed of devotional service ([[CC Madhya 19.151]])."
"Among all the living entities wandering throughout the universe, one who is very fortunate receives, by the mercy of the spiritual master and the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the seed of devotional service ([[CC Madhya 19.151]])."
Line 77:
Line 72:
Bhakti-yoga is meant for those whose hearts are cleansed, not for the lusty and greedy. Of course, those who are lusty and greedy may try to advance, and gradually they may do so, but once one is situated in bhakti-yoga there is no more lust or greed. Viraktir anyatra ca ([[SB 11.2.42|SB 11.2.42]]). This is the test - when one is free from lusty desires and greed, then he is situated in bhakti-yoga and is actually a paramahaṁsa. Kuntīdevī humbly submits, "You are meant for the paramahaṁsas and munis, those who are cleansed in heart and are engaged in bhakti-yoga. But what are we? We are simply women. We are in a lower class. How can we understand You?" Although she understands everything, she still takes the position of an ordinary woman and says, "How can I understand You?" This is humility.
Bhakti-yoga is meant for those whose hearts are cleansed, not for the lusty and greedy. Of course, those who are lusty and greedy may try to advance, and gradually they may do so, but once one is situated in bhakti-yoga there is no more lust or greed. Viraktir anyatra ca ([[SB 11.2.42|SB 11.2.42]]). This is the test - when one is free from lusty desires and greed, then he is situated in bhakti-yoga and is actually a paramahaṁsa. Kuntīdevī humbly submits, "You are meant for the paramahaṁsas and munis, those who are cleansed in heart and are engaged in bhakti-yoga. But what are we? We are simply women. We are in a lower class. How can we understand You?" Although she understands everything, she still takes the position of an ordinary woman and says, "How can I understand You?" This is humility.
−
+
</div>