Verses From Hari Bhakti Vilasa

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Excerpts from Srila Sanatana Goswami's

Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa

TAD-VIJNANARTAM SAD GURUM EVABHI GACCHET


SAMIT PANIH SROTRIYAM BRAHMA NISTHAM

ACARYAVAN PURUSO VEDA

(MUNDAKA UPANISAD 1-2-2 CHANDOGYA 6-14-2


quoted in Haribhakti Vilasa 1:35)
It is said in the Vedic scriptures that to understand the
Supreme Lord and transcendental science, a dedicated soul, with
folded hands, should approach a spirtual master, acarya, who is
expert in Vedic literatures, who is coming in disciplic
successon, and completely fixed in transcendental realization.

NAISA TARKENA MATIR APANEYA PROKTA


ANYENA EVA SUJNANAYA PRESTHAH

(KATHA UPANISAD 1-2-9)

To achieve the topmost transcendental knowledge, a


person, rather than engaging his intelligence and personal
abilities in argument or following false paths, he should
approach a bonafide spiritual master to attain wonderful
transcendental knowledge from him.

PARICARYYA YASO LABHA LIPSUH SISYAD GURUR NA HI


KRPA SINDHUH SUSAM PURNAH SARVA SATVOPAKARKAH
NISPRHAH SARVATAH SIDDHAH SARVA VIDYA VISARADAH
SARVA SAMSAYA SANCCHETTA'NALASO GURUR AHRTAH

HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-45, 46) QUOTED FROM THE VISNU SMRITI)

A person who is desirous of obtaining wealth, fame or


service from others is not qualified to become a guru, but one
who is an ocean of mercy or one who feels pain by seeing others
in distress, one who is engaged in the welfare of others; one
who is free from the desire for sense gratification; one who is
merciful to all living entities; one who has achieved perfection
in all kinds of knowledge; one who removes all doubts of his
followers; and one who is free from all kinds of laziness, is
qualified as a spirtual master.

MAHA BHAGAVATA SRESTHO BRAHMANO VAI GURU NRNAM


SARVESAM EVA LOKANAM ASAU PUJYO YATHA HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-53 quoted from the PADMA PURANA)


It is found in the Padma Purana, that the topmost
mahabhagavata devotee (pure devotee), who is engaged in the
occupational duty of a Vaisnava continuously, who is expert in
glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan, one who
is a brahmana (twice born), is able to become the spiritual
master for all mankind. Such a brahmana is equally worshipable
as Lord Hari among men.

MAHA KULA PRASUTO'PI SARVA YAJNESU DIKSITAH


SAHASRN SAKHADHYAYI CA NA GURUH SYAD AVAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-54) quoted from the PADMA PURANA)

Even if one is a famous brahmana, born in a high class


family, who is expert in performing sacrifices, who has achieved
a Vedic education and who is well versed in Vedic injunctions in
a thousand Vedic scriptures, if he is not a Vaisnava, he is
unable to become a spiritual master.

GRHITA VISNU DIKSAKO VISNU PUJAPARO NARAH


VAISNAVO'BHIHITO'BHIJNAIR ITARO'SMAD AVAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-55)


(quoted from the PADMA PURANA)

A person who is initiated in Visnu mantras, and who is


expert in worshiping Lord Visnu, such a person is known as a
Vaisnava. Besides this, everyone else is an avaisnava.

THE SYMPTOMS OF AN UNQUALIFIED GURU

BAHVASI DIRGHA SUTRI CA VISAYA ADISU LOLUPAH


HETUVADA RATO DUSTO'VAG VADI GUNA NINDAKAH
AROMA BAHUROMA CA NINDITASRAMA SEVAKAH
KALA DANTO'SITA USTHAS CA DURGANDHI SVASA VAHAKAH
DUSTA LAKSANA SAMPANNO YADYAPI SVAYAM ISVARAH
BAHU PRATIGRAHA ASAKTA ACARYYAH SRI KSAYAVAH

(quoted from TAVASAGARA-- HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-56-58)

One who eats too much, one who is very slow, one who is
hankering for sense gratification, one who is argumentative in
untrue subjects, one who is wicked (vicious), one who speaks
unspeakable language, one who speaks about the sins of others,
one who criticizes the good qualifications of others, one who has
no hairs or skin holes on the body and one who has too many hairs
or skin holes on the body, one who follows the lower class
spiritual orders, one who has black feet, one who has black lips,
one who has bad breath, one who has bad character, one who
desires to gain more money even if he has sufficient funds--if
someone accepts such a spiritual master, his beauty, wealth and
good fortune are lost.

THE SYMPTOMS OF A DISCIPLE

KAMA KRODHA PARITYASI BHAKTA'S CA GURU PADAYOH


DEVATA PRAVANAH KAYAMANOVAGBHIR DIVA NISAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-60 quoted from MANTRA MUKTAVALI)

A person who is free from lust and anger, who is


completely devoted to the lotus feet of a spiritual master, who
is mentally dedicated to the demigods and who is devoted to the
Supreme Lord with mind, body and words, day and night, such a
person is qualified to be a disciple.

*
PLEASE QUOTE S.B. 11-10-6 WITH THE TRANSLATION

THE UNQUALIFIED DISCIPLE

SAD GURUH SVASRITAM SISYAM VARSAM EKAM PARIKSAYET


RAJNI CA AMATYAJA DOSAH PATNI PAPAM SVA BHARTARI
TATHA SISYARJITAM PAPAM GURUH PRAPNOTI NISCITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA-1/76-77 quoted from SARA SANGRAHA)

A true spiritual master should examine a candidate who is


staying under his shelter for at least one year. It is his duty
because the sins acquired by the queen go to the king because the
wive's sins are transferred to the husband. In that very way,
the sins acquired by the disciples are surely achieved by the
genuine spiritual master.

GUROR AGRE PRTHAK PUJAM ADVAITAM CA PARITYAJET


DIKSAM VYAKSAM PRABHUTVAM CA GUROR AGRE VIVARJAYET
YATRA TATRA GURUM PASYED TATRA TATRA KRTANJALI
PRANAMET DANDVAD BHUMAU CCHINNA MULA IVA DRUMAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1-89,90)
quoted from Devyagama and spoken by Lord Siva.)

One should not accept his own worship and should not
think or speak that there is no difference between him and his
guru. One should not give initiation to others, one should not
give lectures in front of the spiritual master (unless he has
been asked by the spiritual master to do so), and one should not
show his potency and power in front of the spiritual master.
Anywhere that one sees his spiritual master, he should, with
folded hands and in a humble mood, pay his obeisances to him just
as an uprooted tree falls on the ground.
YATHA TATHA YATRA TATRA NA GRHANIYAC CA KEVALAM
ABHAKTYA NA GUROR NAMA GRHANIYAC CA YATATMAVAN
PRANAVAH SRIS TATO NAMA VISNU SABDAD ANANTARAM
PADA SABDA SAMETAM CA NATAMURDHANJALI YUTAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1/94-95)


quoted from Narada Pancaratra

One should not speak the name of his own spiritual master
everywhere. One should not speak the original name of his
spiritual master without using a respectable title with it. One
should not disrespectfully recite the name of the spiritual
master, but if it is necessary, then with folded hands and bowing
head, in humble mood, should recite the name of the spiritual
master, putting "om sri srila,"then the name of the spiritual
master, and then Visnupada with it. Thus he may recite the name
of his spiritual master.

VASUDEVAM PARITYAJYA YO'NYA DEVAM UPASATE


TYAKTVA'MRTAM SA MUDHATMA BHUNKTE HALAHALAM VISAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1/112 quoted from SKANDA PURANA)

(In the conversation between Narada Muni and Lord Brahma)

Anyone who gives up the worship of Vasudeva (the son of


Vasudeva, and worships other demigods, he is like a person who
gives up the nectar and drinks the greatest snake poison.

YASTU NARAYANAM DEVAM BRAHMA RUDRADI DAIVATAIH


SAMATVE NAIVA VIKSETA SA PASANDI BHAVED SADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 1/117)


quoted from VAISNAVA TANTRA

Any person who thinks or sees Lord Brahma, Rudra, Indra


and other demigod equal to Lord Narayana, he is certainly a
hypocritical spiritualist.

ADIKSITASYA VAMORU KRTAM SARVA NIRARTHAKAM


PASU YONIM AVAPNOTI DIKSAVIRAHITO JANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2-6)


quoted from Visnuyamala

For a person who is not properly initiated, all of his


activities become fruitless. Such an uninitiated person can take
birth in the animal kingdom in the future.

ATO GURUM PRANAMYEVAM SARVASVAM VINIVEDYA CA


GRHNIYAD VAISNAVAM MANTRAM DIKSA PURVAM VIDHA NATAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/10 quoted from the VISNU NATAH)

Therefore, after paying proper obeisances to the


spiritual master and offering him everything, according to rules
and regulations, one should accept initiation and mantras from
him.

YATHA KANCANATAM YATI KASYAM RASA-VIDHANATAH


TATHA DIKSA VIDHANENA DVIJATVAM JAYATE NRNAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/12 quoted from TATVA SAGARA)

As bellmetal is turned into gold when mixed with mercury


in an alchemical process, so in that very way, by the process of
proper initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, a person is
becomes a brahmana.

MANTRA ARAMBHAS TU CAITRE SYAT SAMASTA PURSARTHADAH


VAISAKHE RATNA LABHAH SYAT JYAISTHE MARNAM DHRUVAM
ASADHE BANDHU NASAH SYAT PURNAYUH SRAVANE BHAVET
PRAJAJA NASO BHAVED BHADRE ASVINE RATNA SANCAYAH
KARTIKE MANTRA SIDDHIH SYAT MARGA SIRSE TATHA BHAVET
PAUSE TU SATRUPIDA SYAT MAGHE MEDHAVI BARDHANAM
FALGUNE SARVA KAMAH SYUR MALA MASUM PARITYAJET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/17-19 quoted from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

In Gautamiya Tantra, it is stated that one who accepts


initiation in Caitra, achieves the four objects of human life
(religiousity, economic development, sense gratification and
liberation); in Vaisakha, he achieves all kinds of wealth, in
Jyestha he certainly achieves death; in Asadha some relatives
die; in Sravana he attains an increase in his duration of life;
in Bhadhra his offspring die; in Asvina he collects wealth; in
Kartika he achieves perfection in chanting of his received
mantra; in Pausa he receives torture from his enemies; in Magha
he receives an increase of intelligence; in Phalguna he achieves
his ultimate goal, but the extra month is rejected for such
process. FOOTNOTE NEEDED

RAVAU GURAU TATHA SOME KARTAVYAM BHDHA SUKRAYOH


(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/22 quoted from the SKANDA PURANA)

The pure days when the initiation should be accepted are


Sunday, Thursday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
ROHINI SRAVANA ARDRA CA DHANISTHA CA UTTARA TRAYAH
PUSYAM SATABHISAS CA IVA DIKSA NAKSATRAM UCYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/23 quoted from the Narada


tantra

The purified constellation days are Rohini, Sravana,


Ardra, Dhanistha, Svati, Visakha, Hasta, Jestha, and three
Uttaras. One should accept initiation on these constellation
days.

PURNIMA PANCAMI CAIVA DVITIYA SAPTAMI TATHA


TRAYODASI CA DASAMI PRASASTA SARVAKAMADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/26 quoted from SARA SANGRAHA)

The full moon day, the fifth day, the second day, the
seventh day, the thirteenth day and the tenth day (of the
fortnight) are the best to accept initiation. If one accepts
initiation on these days, all of ones desires are fulfilled.

SULAGNA CANDRA TARA ADI BALAM ATRA SADAIVA HI


LABDHO'TRA MANTRO DIRGHAYUH SAMPAT SANTATI-VARDHANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/29 quoted from the RUDRA YAMALA)

For accepting initiation, one should always check


auspiciopus moments, the position of the moon and constellations,
accepting initiation at the most auspicious places of pilgrimage
increases ones duration of devotional life, wealth of spiritual
realization and number of followers.

THE PROCESS OF INITIATION WITH MANTRAS

PARIDHAYANSUKE SISYA ACANTO YAGA MANDAPE


GATVA BHAKTYA GURUM NATVA GUROR ASITA DAKSINE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/127)

A disciple, after taking his bath, wearing very clean and


nice clothes with a nice chadder, purifying himself by accepting
acamana, with devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
paying his long obeisances at the lotus feet of the spiritual
master many times, should sit down with folded hands, facing his
spiritual master.

NYASYA PANITALAM MURDHIN TASYA KARNE CA DAKSINE


RSYADI YUKTAM VIDHIVAN MANTRAM VARATRAYAM VADET
DIRGHA MANTRAM CA SISYASYA YAVADAGRAHANAMPATHET
GURU DAIVATA MANTRAIKYAM SISYASTAM BHAVAYAN PATHET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/130,131)

Thereafter, holding the head of the disciple with both of


his hands, the spiritual master should recite the mantras in the
disciple's right ear systematically. Following the process of
great sages, he should recite this mantra three times. If the
mantra is very long and difficult, then he should carry on
reciting it again and again until the disciple has practiced it.
The disciple should at that moment think the spiritual master,
demigods and the mantra which he is recieving are equally
respectable.

SVA MANTRO NA UPADESTAVYO VAKTAVYAS CA NA SANSADI


GOPANIYAM TATHA SASTRAM RAKSA NIYAM SARIRAVAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/136 quoted from NARADA PANACARATR

A disciple, after receiving the genuine mantra from his spiritual


master should not reveal it to others. Similarly, he should keep
the subjects of Vedic literatures (like the Srimad Bhagavatam)
secret and he should protect them as much as he protects his own
body.

FOOTNOTE NEEDED

PRAPTAM AYATANAD VISNOH SIRASA PRANATO VAHET


NIKSIPED AMBHASI TATO NA PATET AVANAU TATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/138 quoted from NARADA PANCARATRA)

If he obtains a garland or ornament from the temple of


Lord Visnu, he should accept it and wear it upon his neck with
bowing head. Thereafter, he should throw it in the water. He
should not bury it or throw it on the earth.

YAIH KRTA CA GURO NINDA VIBOH SASTRASYA NARADA


NAPI TAIH SAHA VAKTAVYAM VAKTAVYAM VA KATHANCANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/141 quoted from the NARADA PANCARATRA)

Oh Narada, under no circumstances should one associate


with or talk with a person who criticizes the spiritual master,
the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Vedic Scriptures.

EKADASYAM NA CA ASNIYAT PAKSAYOR UBHAYOR API


JAGARAM NISI KURVITA VISESA ARCAYED VIBHUM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/146 quoted from the Pancaratrantara)

One should not eat anything on the Ekadasis of both


forthights. One should remain awake over night on Ekadasi and
specifically worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead and chant
His holy names.

GOPAYED DEVATAM ISTAM GOPAYED GURUM ATMANAH


GOPAYED CA NIJAM MANTRAM GOPAYED NIJA MALIKAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/147 quoted from the SAMMOHANA TANTRA)

ONe should keep secret his own worshipable Lord. He


should keep secret the name of his own spiritual master. He
should keep secret his own mantra that he received and he should
always hide his own japa mala (chanting beads).

NA NINDED BRAHMANAN DEVAN VISNUM BRAHMANAM EVA CA


RUDRAM ADITYAM AGNIM CA LOKAPALAN GRAHANS TATHA
VANDET VAISNAVAM CA API PURUSAM PURVA DIKSITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 2/221)

One should pay obeisances and offer respects to a


brahmana; the demigods; Visnu, the Personality of Godhead; Lord
Brahma; Rudra (Lord Siva); Surya (the sun god); Agni (fire god);
Lokapalas (the presiding deities of this world; the nine planets;
and the devotees (Vaisnavas) who are already initiated and
should never criticize them either.

SMARTAVYAH SATATAM VISNUR VISMARTAVYO NA JATUCIT


SARVE VIDHI NISEDHAH SHUR ETAYORE EVA KINKARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/47 quoted from the GARUDA PURANA)

Krsna is the origin of Visnu. He should always be


remembered and not forgotten at anytime. All of the rules and
prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of
these two principles.

APAVITRAH PAVITRO VA SARVAVASTHAN GOTO'PI VA


YAH SMARET PUNDARIKAKSAM SA VAHYABHYAN TARAH SUCIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/47 quoted from the (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/47
quoted from the Garuda Purana spoken by Narada Muni and from the
VISNUDHARMA spoken by Pulaksya Rsi (sp??)

type translation from the Deity worship book

PRAYASCITTANY ASESANI TAPAH KARMATMAKANI VAI


YANI TESAM ASESANAM KRSNA ANUSMARANAM PARAM
KRTE PAPE'NUTAPO VAI YASYA PUNSAH PRAJAYATE
PRAYAS CITTANTU TASYAIKAM HARI SAMSMARANAM PARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/49,50 quoted from the Visnu Purana)

Among all atonements such as austerity, charity, japa


(silent chanting), and fasting, the rememberance of Lord Sri
Krsna is the topmost. The atonement to remomve sinful activities
is the only way, but remembering Lord Hari is the topmost
atonement to remove sin.

KARMANA MANASA VACA YAH KRTA PAPA SANCAHAH


SO'PY ASESAH KSAYAM YATI SMRTVA KRSNAGHRI PANKAJAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/55 quoted from the BRAHMA VAIVARTA


PURANA)

Anyone who has accumulated sins by actions, mind and


words, those sins are removed only by remembering the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna.

SAKRN MANAH KRSNA PADARAVINDAYOR


NIVESITAM TAD-GUNA-RAGI YAIR IHA
NA TE YAMAM PASA-BHRTAS CA TAD-BHATAN
SVAPNE 'PI PASYANTI HI CIRNA-NISKRTAH
(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:1:19)

Even if a person has not fully realized Krsna, he becomes


completely free from all sinful reactions by accepting the true
method of atonement, full surrender at His lotus feet. Even in
dreams, such surrendered souls do not see Yamaraja or his
carriers, who are equipped with ropes to bind the sinful.

LABHAS TESAM JAYAS TESAM KUTAS TESAM PARA BHAVAH


YESAM INDIVARASYAMO HRDAYASTHA JANARDANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/62 quoted from the PANDAVA GITA)


The blue lotus colored Supreme Personality of
Godhead in the form of Syamasundara, in whoever's heart He
resides, ???????????????????????

VEDESU YAJNESU TAPAHSU CA IVA DANESU TIRTHESU VRATASU CAIVA


ISTESU PURTESU CA YAT PRADISTAM NRNAM SMRTE TAT PHALAM ACYUTE CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/63 quoted from the SKANDA PURANA)

Whatever merit is gained by performing sacrifice,


performing austerities, giving charity, going to the places of
pilgrimage, fasting, following the scriptural rules and
regulations and building water ponds and gardens is all attained
by one who remembers the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri
Visnu (Krsna).

YASYA SMARANA MATRENA JANMA SAMSARA BANDHANAT


VIMUCYATE NAMAS TASMAI VISNAVE PRABHA VISNAVE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/71 quoted from the SKANDA PURANA)


Just by remembering the all influencial, powerful Lord
Sri Visnu, ones connection within this world of repeated birth
and death is completely cut. To such a personality of Godhead, I
pay my obeisances.

TADAIVA PURUSO MUKTO JANMA DUHKHA JARA ADIBHIH


BHAKTYA TU PARAYA NUNAM YADA IVA SMARATE HARIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA quoted from Parasara in the SKANDA PURANA

When someone remembers the Supreme Lord Hari with


devotion, at once he becomes free from fear, distress, old age,
etc. without a doubt.

NIRASIR NIRMAMO YASTU VISNOR DHYANA PARO BHAVET


TAT PADAM SAM AVAPNOTI YATRA GATVA NA SOCATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/77 from VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Anyone who, after giving up all sense enjoyment and


greed, engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord Visnu, he
attains Lord Visnu's abode where there is no distress.

ETAN SANKHYA-YOGABHYAM
SVA-DHARMA-PARINISTHAYA
JANMA-LABHAH PARAH PUMSAM
ANTE NARAYANA SMRITI

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:1:6)

The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by


complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic
powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to
remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life.

TATAH PADODAKAM KINCIT PRAK PITVA TULASI DALAIH


GRHITE NACARET TENA SVA MURDHNY ABHISECANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/87)

?????????????
SARVA MANGALA MANGALYAM VARENYAM VARADAM SIVAM
NARAYANAM NAMASKRTYA SARVA KARMANI KARAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/89 from the VAMANA PURANA)

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Narayana, who is all


auspicious among auspicious things, who is the best of all, who
gives benedictions of all kinds, should always be remembered
while performing all kinds of activities.

UPA PATAKESU SARVESU PATAKESU MAHATSU CA


PRAVISYA RAJANI PADAM VISNU DHYANAM SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/102 quoted from the Narada Pancaratra)

Anyone who wants to become free from all kinds of


obstacles and great difficulties, should always remember and
worship Lord Sri Visnu early in the morning or the last part of
the night within his house.

VIBHAJYA PANCADHA RATRIM SESE DEVA ARCAN ADIKAM


JAPAM HOMAM TATHA DHYANAM NITYAM KURVITA SADHAKAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/104 quoted from the VAIHAYASA PANCARATRA

A mendicant should divide the whole night into five parts


after sunset and in the last part he should daily perform japa,
sacrifice and meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

RATRES TU PASCIME YAME MUHURTAU BRAHMYA UCYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/105 quoted from the VISNU SMRITI)

Therefore it is written that the last part of the night


is called the brahma muhurta.

NA KRSTE SASYA MADHYE VA GO VRAJE JANA SANSADI


NA VARTMANI NA NADYA ADI TIRTHESU PURUSARSABHA
NAPSU NAIVAMBHASAS TIRE NA SMASANE SAMACARET
UTSARGA VAI PURISASYA MUTRASYA CA VISARJANA
NIDHAYA DAKSINE KARNE BRAHMASUTRAH UDANG MUKHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/160,161,164 quoted from the VISNU PURANA


AND VYASA GITA)

One should not pass stool and urine on the tilled


agricultural land, in the middle of growing crops, in the cow
barn, in the midst of habitation, in the path or alleys, on the
river banks, in the water, nearby water and at the crematoriam.
While passing stood or urine, one should rap his brahman thread
(sacred thread) around his right ear and face north if possible.
KARNOPAVITY UDANG VAKTRO DIVASE SANDHYAYOR API
VINMUTRE VISRJEN MAUNI NISAYAM DAKSINA MUKHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/168 from the SKANDA PURANA, KASI KHANDA)
After putting the brahman thread on the right ear, in the
daytime and the evening, one should face in the northern
direction and at night in the southern direction. One should
remain silent while passing stool and urine. 2

MUKHE PARYYASUITE YASMAD BHAVED ASUCI BHAGNARAH


TATAH KURYAT PRAYATNENA SUDDHYARTHAM DANTA DHAVANAM
UPAVASE'PI NO DUSYED DANTADHAVANAM ANJANAM
GANDHA ALANKARA SAD VASTRA PUSPA MALANULEPANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/225,226) quoted from the SKANDA PURANA,


KASI KHANDA

If one does not brush his teeth and clean the mouth, it
remains foul. Cleanliness is destroyed with a foul mouth.
Therefore one should endeavor to properly brush his teeth. One
should even clean his teeth, and possibly put ointment,
sandlewood paste, ornaments, clean pure clothing, fragrant flower
garlands, even some perfume on the body, even on the fasting
days. In this, there is no offense.3

TATAS CA ACAMYA VIDHIVAT KRTVA KESA PRASADHANAM


SMRTVA PRANAVA GAYATRAU NIBADHNIYAC SIKHAM DVIJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/235)

Thereafter, a twice born person (brahmanas ksatriyas,


vaisyas) after cleansing his teeth and mouth with proper acamana
purification, should tie his sikha while chanting the Gayatri
mantra which begins with om.

PRATAR MADHYANYAYOH SNANAM VANAPRASTHA GRHASTHAYOH


YATES TRISAVANAM SNANAM SAKRTTU BRAHMACARINAH
SARVE CA API SUKRT KURYYUR ASAKTAU CA UDAKAM VINA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3-240, 241 spoken by Daksa Prajapati)

The vanaprasthis (retired persons) and grhasthas


(householders) are required to bathe twice daily (in the morning
and at noontime. A sanyasi should bathe three times a day and a
brahmacari needs to bathe only once a day. If due to some
unavoidable circumstance, one is not able to bathe as described
here, one bath is sufficient for all. If someone cannot even take
one bath, he should at least take a mantra bath.

SNANA HINO NARAH PAPI SNANA HINO'SUCIH SADA


ASNAYI NARAKAM BHUKTVA PUKKASADISU JAYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/247 from the PADMA PURANA)

A person who does not take bath is said to be sinful.


Without a bath, a person is said to always remain unclean. A
person who does not take bath goes to hell and then he takes
birth in the womb of woman in the lowest class dynasty.

YAMYAM HI YATAHA DUHKHAM NITYA SNAYI NA PASYATI


NITYA SNANENA PUYANTE API PAPA KRTO NARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/249)from the PADMA PURANA

A person who takes bath daily will not suffer in hell.


What further can be said? Even a sinful person becomes purified
by taking bath daily.

DUH SVAPNAM DUSTA CINTA CA BANDHYA BHAVATI SARVADA


PRATAH SNANA VISUDDHANAM PURUSANAM VISAM VARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/252 from the PADMA PURANA)


Anyone who takes a morning bath properly never
experiences horrifying dreams and dirty anxiety.

UTSAHA MEDHA SAUBHAGYA RUPA SAMPAT PRAVARTAKAM


MANAH PRASANNATA HETUH PRATAH SNANAM PRASASYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/257 from KASI KHANDA)

One who takes bath early in the morning achieves


enthusiasm, intelligence, good fortune, good beauty, wealth and
happiness of mind. Therefore bathing in the morning is
glorified.

GUROH PADA UDAKAM PUTRA TIRTHA KOTI PHALA PRADAM


VIPRA PADODAKA KLINNAM YASYA TISTHATI VAI NARAH
TASYA BHAGIRATHI SNANAM AHANY AHANI JAYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/282, 283 from the PADMA PURANA)


Oh son, the water which washes the feet of the pure
spiritual master is equal to the water of ten million places of
pilgrimage. Furthermore, the water which has washed the feet of
a qualified brahmana, if it washes the head of any person, he
attains the merit of regularly taking bath in the place of
pilgrimage where the Ganges flows.

PRTHIVYAM YANI TIRTHANI TANI TIRTHANI SAGARE


SA SAGARANI TIRTHANI PADE VIPRASYA DAKSINE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/284 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

Whatever places of pilgrimage are available on this


planet, they are all combined in the ocean. Furthermore, all the
places of pilgrimage including the ocean are within the right
foot of a qualified brahmana.

TATHAIVA TULASI MISRA SALAGRAMA SILA JALAM


ABHISEKAM VIDADHYA CA PITVA TAT KINCIT AGRATHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/286 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

A person should drink a portion of Tulasi leaf water


which has been used to bathe Salagram Sila and then touch it to
his head.

SALAGRAMA SILA TOYAM APITVA YASTU MASTAKE


PRAKSE PANAM PRAKURVITA BRAHMA HA SA NIGADYATE
VISNU PADODAKAT PURVAM VIPRA PADODAKAM PIVET
VIRUDDHAM ACARAN MOHAD BRAHMA HA SA NIGADYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/288, 289 from the GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

One who does not drink the water which emminates from
bathing Salagram Sila, and touching it to his head, he is
considered a killer of a brahmana. Before drinking the water
which has emanated from washing the lotus feet of Lord Visnu, one
should drink the water which has washed the feet of a pure
brahmana. Anyone, due to illusion, who acts otherwise, is also
considered equally the killer of a brahmana as well.

AKALA MRTYU HARANAM SARVA VYADHI VINASANAM


VISNOH PADODAKAM PITVA SIRASA DHARAYAMY AHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/290 from the GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

This is the month for accepting carinamrta. This


carinamrta removes untimely death and frees one from all kinds of
diseases. I therefore accept this carinamrta emanating from
washing the lotus feet of Lord Visnu and I place it on my head.

GANGA GODAVARI REVA NADYO MUKTI PRADAS TU YAH


NIVASANTI SA TIRTHAS TAH SALAGRAMA SILA JALE
KOTI TIRTHA SAHASRAIS TU SEVITAIH KIM PRAYOJANAM
TIRTHAM YADI BHAVET PUNYAM SALAGRAMA SILODBHAVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/293, 294 from the PADMA PURANA

The water which washed Salagram Sila includes the water


from the Ganga, Godavari, Reva and other liberating rivers. If
this bath water from the Salagram Sila is available, then there
is no need for thousands of other places of pilgrimage.

GANGA PRAYAGA GAYA NAIMISA PUSKARANI


PUNYANI YANI KURU JANGALA YA MUNANI
KALENA TIRTHA SALILANI PUNANTI PAPAM
PADODAKAM BHAGAVATAH PRAPUNATI SADYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/301 from the NRSINGHA PURANA)


Ganga, Prayaga, Gaya, Naimisa, Puskara, Kuruksetra,
together with other places of pilgrimage remove the sins of a
person after long connection with them. But water which has
washed the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead at
once purifies a person.

YO'NYATRA KURUTE YATNAM DHARMA KARYYE DVIJOTTAMAH


VIHAYA SANDHYA PRANATIM SA YATI NARAKAYUTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 3/315 from MANU SMRITI)

Any twice born brahmana who does not perform the Gayatri
mantra properly and engages in other activities and vows, goes to
hell for one billion years.

KRSNALAYAM YO KURUTE PATAKABHIS CA SOBHITAM


SADAIVA TASYA LOKE TU VASAS TASYA NA CA ANYATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/50 quoted from the BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

(In Dvaraka Mahatmya it is stated) Any person who decorates the


temple of Lord Hari with a nice flag, lives eternally in His
(Lord Hari) abode. He does not live anyehere else besides there.

SUVARNA RUPYA SANKHASMA SUKTI RATNA MAYANI CA


KAMSYAYA TAMRA RAITYAMI TRAPUSI SAMAYANI CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/59 quoted from the BRAHMA PURANA)

Gold, silver, conchshell, stone, perils, quartz,


bellmetal, iron, copper, brass, aluminum and lead utensils are
purified by washing them with water.

SUTIKA SAVA VINMUTRA RAJAHSVALA HATANI CA


PRAKSEPTAVYANI TANY AGNAU YACCA YAVAT SAHED API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/67 from the BRAHMA PURANA)

If the utensils are touched by a woman who has just given


birth to a child, touched a dead body, who has evacuated, who
has urinated or who is passing through menstruation, they can
only be purified by heating it over a fire (flame).

MADYAIR MUTRA PURISAIR VA SLESMA PUYASTHISTHIVANAIH


SAM PRSTAM NAIVA SUDHYETA PUNAH PAKENA MRNMAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4-70 from MANU SMRTI)


If an earthen pot is touched with wine, urine, stool,
mucus, pus or the salaiva of a person, even if it is heated over
fire (flame), it cannot be purified.

SNATASYA VANHI TAPTENA TATHAIVA ATAPA VARINA


SARIRA SUDDHIR VIJNEYA NA TU SNANA PHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/119)

Any person who takes bath with hot water which is heated
with fire or with sunlight, his body certainly becomes cleansed,
but he does not get the result of taking a bath.

PAURNA MASYAM TATHA DARSE YAH SNAYAD USNA VARINA


SA GO HATYA KRTAM PAPAM PRAPNOTI IHA NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/122 by Svayambhuva Manu)

Any person who takes a hot bath on a full moon day and
newmoon day becomes implicated with the sin of killing a cow in
this world. Of this there is no doubt.

SNANA SATI TARE NAIVA VASASAMBHASI GATRATAH


SAM MARJJYA VASASI DADHYAT PARIDHANA UTTARIYA KE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/144 PADMA PURANA)

Whatever cloth one has used while taking bath, after


taking bath, the same cloth cannot be used to dry the body.
Another piece of cloth should be used to dry the body. Afterwards
garments can be used to cover the body.

NAGNAU MALINA VASTRAH SYAT NAGNAS CA ARDHA PATAH SMRTAH


NAGNO DVIGUNA VASTRAH SYAT NAGNO RAKTA PATAS TATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/147 spoken by Atri Muni)

Anyone who is wearing dirty clothes is equal to a nude


man. Ordinarily,if the cloth is torn into half, the person
wearing it is said to be naked as well. Any person who is
wearing double clothes is also said to be nude. Anybody wearing
red colored clothes is said to be nude.

SAUCAM SAHASRA ROMANAM VAYU AGNI ARKA INDU RASMIBHIH


RETAH SPRSTAM SAVA SPRSTAM AVIKKAM NAIVA DUSYATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/153 spoken by Angira Muni)


Woolen clothes can be purified by air, fire and
sunlight and moonlight. A blanket made from sheep wool, even if
they are touched by a mensturating lady, or a dead body, they do
not become contaminated.

DHARAYED VASASI SUDDHE PARIDHANA UTTARIYAKE


ANICCHANNA SUDESE SUKLE ACAMET PITHA SAMSTHITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/161 spoken by Angira Rsi)

One should wear a chadder which is not torn, which is very


beautiful, pure, clean and bright. After putting on nice
garments one should sit on a seat and take acamana.

TATO DVADASABHIH KURYAN NAMABHIH KESAVA ADIBHIH


DVADASA ANGESU VIDHIVAD URDHVA PUNDRANI VAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/169 from the BRAHMA PURANA, spoken by the
Supreme Personality of Godhead)

Thereafter, a Vaisnava should put twelve tilaka marks on


his body, chanting the names of Kesavah namah all over his body
bodily limbs. Sacred clay should be used for tilaka and the
tilaka marks should be shooting upwards.
????????????????????????????????????????

(In this regard, Sanatana Gosvami gives a nice


commentary, saying that "this sacred tilaka should begin saying
Kesavaya namah from the forhead. The length of this tilaka
should be approximately eight inches, but on other parts of the
body, the size of the tilaka is said to be equal to the size of a
lamp's flame and this should be used according to ones sampradaya
or Vaisnava tradition.)

????????????????a verse was on the tape but not written


HBV 4/172,173 PADMA PURANA UTTARAKHANDA

/
URDHVA PUNDRE TRIPUNDRAM YAH KURUTE NARADHAMAH
BHANKTVA VISNU GRHAM PUNDRAM SA YATI NARAKAM DHRUVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/181 from the PADMA PURANA, spoken by Sri
Narada Rsi.)

Any person who puts upward sacred tilaka on his


forehead and above that puts on tripundra (three lines going
north to south), he attains the sin of breaking a temple of Lord
Visnu and thus goes to hell without a doubt.

YASYA URDHVA PUNDRAM DRSYETA LALATE NO NARASYA HI


TAD DARSANAM NA KARTAVYAM DRSTVA SURYA NIRIKSAYET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/186 quoted from PADMA PURANA,
UTTARAKHANDA in KARTIKA MAHATMYA SECTION)

Any person who does not have a Vaisnava tilaka which


shoots upwards like a flame, to see his face is not auspicious.
If suddenly, due to destiny, one sees his face, he should purify
himself by seeing the sun.

URDHVA PUNDRE NA KURVITA VAISNAVANAM TRIPUNDRAKAM


KRTA TRIPUNDRA-MARTYASYA KRIYA NA PRITAYE HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/189 KARTIKA MAHATMYA)

A Vaisnava should not use tripundra, (the three lines


which go from north to south) instead of Vaisnava tilaka which
shoots upwards like a flame on his body. Anyone who puts this
tripundra (the three lines going north to south), his services
are not for pleasing Lord Sri Hari.

URDHVA PUNDRAM MRDA SAUMYAM LALATE YASYA DRSYATE


SA CANDALO'PI SUDDHATRMA PUJYA EVA NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/193 from the PADMA PURANA)

If anybody wears a beautiful Vaisnava clay tilaka mark


which shoots upwards, if such a person is seen, even if he is
born in a dogeater's family, he is considered pure and is
undoubtedly a worshipable person as well.

URDHVA PUNDRASYA MADHYE TU VISALE SUMANOHARE


LAKSMYA SARDHAM SAMASINO DEVADEVO JANARDANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/194 from the PADMA PURANA, UTTARAKHANDA,


conversation between Lord Siva and Parvatidevi)

In that beautifully arranged Vaisnava tilaka mark which


shoots upwards like a flame, which has a broad space between in
which the Lord of all Lords, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Lord Narayana resides which His consort, Laksmidevi.
U

URDHVA PUNDRA DHARO MARTYO GRHE YASYA ANNAM ASNUTE


TADA VINSAT KULAM TASYA NARAKAD UDDHARAMY AHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/203 BRAHMANDA PURANA spoken by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead.

If a Vaisnava who wears the sacred tilaka mark which goes


upward like a flame eats in anyones house some grains, I (the
Supreme Personality of Godhead) twenty previous generations from
their suffering in hellish planets.
VIKSADARSE JALE VAPI YO VIDADHYAT PRAYATNATAH
URDHVA PUNDRAM MAHABHAGA SA YATI PARAMAM GATIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/204 BRAHMANDA PURANA)

(This is spoken by the Supreme Lord about how to put a


tilaka mark on ones forhead) Any person who sees his reflection
within a mirror or in steady water and carefully decorates his
forhead with Vaisnava tilaka which shoots upwards like the flame
of a lamp, goes back to Godhead.

DASANGULA PRAMANANTU UTTAMOTTAMA UCYATE


NAVANGULAM MADHYAMAM SYAD ASTANGULA MATAH PARAM
ETAIR ANGULI BHEDAIS TU KARAYEN NA NAKHAIH SPRSET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/205,206 quoted form the BRAHMA PURANA)

(The Supreme Personality of Godhead said about the size


of the tilaka) If any person's tilaka is as long as ten fingers,
it is said to be the best. The second best is that which is the
length of nine fingers, and the lowest kind of tilaka is when it
is eight fingers long on ones forehead. In this way, there are
differnces of ways to apply the Vaisnava tilaka which goes
upwards like a flame, but one should never touch or make his
tilaka with the finger nail.

ARABHYA NASIKAMULAM LALATANTAM LIKHEN MRDAM


NASIKAYASTRA YO BHAGA NASA MULAM PRACAKSATE
SAMARABHYA BHRUVOR MULAM ANTARALAM PRAKALPAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/211 212 PADMA PURANA, UTTARAKHANDA)

(One should begin his tilaka from the root of his nose to
the end of the forehead) From the beginning of the forehead
until the end of the forehead, one should put a sacred clay mark
with a space in it. The third portion of the nose is said to be
the root of the nose from between the eyebrows until the end of
the forehead, one should leave a space within his tilaka.

NIRANTARALAM YAH KURYYAD URDHVA PUNDRAM DVIJADHAMAH


HI TATRA STHITAM VISNUM LAKSMIM CAIVA VYAPOHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/213)

Certainly Laksmi and Narayana leave the tilaka of the


that lowest twice born person who puts on Vaisnava tilaka which
goes upwards like the flame of a lamp without keeping a space
within it (the tilaka).

VAMA PARSVE STHITO BRAHMA DAKSINE TU SADA SIVAH


MADHYE VISNUM VIJANIAT TASMAT MADHYAM NA LEPAYET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/217 PADMA PURANA, UTTARAKHANDA)

On the left side of Vaisnava tilaka, Lord Brahama resides


and on the right side, Sadasiva, the original Lord Siva resides
and within the space of the tilaka, Lord Hari stays eternally.
Therefore, one should not apply tilaka without leaving a space in
the middle.

ANAMIKA KAMADOKTA MADHYAMA AYUSKARI BHAVET


ANGUSTHAH PUSTIDAH PROKTAS TARJJANI MOKSA SADHANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/221 from SMRITI)

(The outcome of applying tilaka with the use of different


fingures) One who uses the ring finger to apply tilaka achieves
his desired goal of life. One who uses the middle fingure
increases his duration of life. One who uses his thumb to apply
his tilaka achieves nice nourishment. Anyone who uses the little
fingure achieves liberation.

GOPI CANDANA KHANDANTU YO DADATI HI VAISNAVE


KULAM EKOTTARAM TENA SAMBHAVET TARITAM SATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/228 by Narada Muni in the PADMA PURANA)

Anyone who gives a piece of gopicandana (sacred clay) to


a Vaisnava, he delivers or purifies 108 ancentors of his dynasty.

SRI KHANDE KVA SA AMODAH SVARO VARNAH KVA TADRSAH


TAT PAVITRYAM KVA VAI TIRTHE SRI GOPI CANDANE YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/231 from SKANDA PURANA, KASI KHANDA


SECTION, spoken by Yamaraja)

In which candana can such a nice sweet fragrance be found


as is found in gopi candana (sacred clay). Where is that color
equal to the color of gopicandana? Where is that heavenly
feeling which is felt by one using gopicandana? Where is that
thing which is more purifying than gopicandana?

GRHA NA PIDANTI NA RAKSASAM GANAH


YAKSAH PISACA URAGA BHUTA DANAVAH
LALATA PATTE KHAGA GOPI CANDANAM
SANTISTHATE YASYA HAREH PRASADATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/238 from GARUDA PURANA spoken by Narada


Muni)

Oh king of the birds (Garuda), if gopicandana is marked


on anyones forehead by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, no planets
(Sun, Moon, Mars, etc.) yaksas (semi demigods) pisaca (ghosts and
devils), snakes and demons can harm him if he is wearing
gopicandana on his forehead.

DUTA SRNATU YAD BHALAM GOPI CANDANA LANCHITAM


JVALADINDHANAVAT SO'PI TYAJYO DURE PRAYATNATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/240 SKANDA PURANA KASI KHANDA


spoken by Yamaraja)

Yamaraja said, Oh messengers, listen to me. Anyone whose


forehead has the mark of gopicandana, please carefully leave them
alone as one stays away from a red hot fire.

TULASI MRTTIKA PUNDRAM LALATE YASYA DRSYATE


DEHAM NA SPRASATI PAPAM KRIYAMANAS TU NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/243 SKANDA PURANA, KASI KHANDA)

Brahma said, Oh Narada, whoever's forehead is decorated


with nice Vaisnava tilaka with clay obtained from Tulasi's root,
even if he commits sin, the sin is unable to touch his body.

FOOTNOTE

SANNIVEDYAIVA HARAYE TULASI KASTA SAMBHAVAM


MALAM PASCAT SVAYAM DHATTE SA VAI BHAGAVATOTTAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/309 quoted from the SKANDA PURANA)

Any person who wears a garland of Tulasi wood after


placing it on the neck of Lord Hari, he is certainly the greatest
devotee.

HARAYE NARPAYED YAS TU TULASI KASTHA SAMBHAVAM


MALAM DHATTE SVAYAM MUDHAH SA YATI NARAKAM DHRVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/310 SKANDA PURANA)

That foolish person, who after making a nice garland from


Tulasi wood does not offer it to the Supreme Lord Hari, but
instead wears it himself, he certainly goes to the hellish
planets.

NIRMALAYA TULASI MALA YUKTO YASCASCARYED HARIM


YAD YAT KAROTI TAT SARVAM ANANTA PHALADAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/319 from AGASTYA SAMHITA)

Anyone who wears a Tulasi garland which has been offered


to Lord Hari, then whatever he does to worship Him will give him
unlimited results

TULASI KASTHA MALANCA KANTHASTHAM VAHATE TU YAHA


APY ASAUCO'PY ANACARO MAME VAITY NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/322 from VISNU DHARMOTTARA by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead)

Any person who wears a garland of Tulasi wood around his


neck, even if he is impure or does not have a good character, he
achieves liberation. Of this, there is no doubt.

TULASI KASTHA MALANTU PRETA RAJASYA DUTAKAH


DRSTVA NASYANTI DURENA VATODDHUTAM YATHA DALAM
TULASI KASTHA MALABHIR BHUSITO BHRAMATE YADI
DUHSVAPNAM DURNIMITTANCA NA BHAYAM SASTRAJAM KVACIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/337, 338 quoted from GARUDA PURANA, spoken
by Markandeya Muni)

If the messengers of Yamaraja see a person who is wearing


a garland or necklace of Tulasi wood around his neck, they run
away from him has a leaf is blown by the wind. If anybody
wanders about, wearing a necklace of Tulasi wood around his neck,
he becomes free from all bad dreams, dangerous situations and all
kinds and fear from weapons.

RIKTA PANIR NA PASYETA RAJANAM BHISAJAM GURUM


NA UPAYANAKARA PUTRAM SISYAM BHRTYAM NIRIKSAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/343 from SMRTI MAHARNAVA)

One should not visit a king, a spiritual master, or a


doctor with empty hands. One should not welcome his own son, his
disciple or a servant with a gift.

PRATHAMAM TU GURUM PUJYA TATAS CAIVA MAMARCANAM


KURVAN SIDDHIM AVAPNOTI HY ANYATHA NISPHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/344 from SMRTI MAHARNAVA spoken by the


Supreme Personality of Godhead)

If anyone worships his spiritual master first and then


Me, he certainly achieves perfection. Otherwise, his worship
remains fruitless.

YASYA DEVE PARA BHAKTIR TATHA DEVE TATHA GURAU


TASYAITE KATHITA HY ARTHAH PRAKASANTE MAHATMANAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/346 stated in the SRUTIS, SVETASVATARA
UPANISAD)

Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in


both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of
Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.

ACARYA MAMA VIJANIYAN NAVA MANYETA KARHICIT


NA MARTYA-BUDDHYASUYETA SARVA DEVA-MAYO GURUH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/347 SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:17:27)

One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect


him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an
ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.

YASYA SAKSAD BHAGAVATI JNANA DIPA PRADE GURAU


MARTYA SAD DHIH SRUTAM TASYA SARVAM KUNJARA SAUCA VAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/349 SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:15:26

The spiritual master should be considered to be directly


the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for
enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material
conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being,
everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic
studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant.

GURUR BHAHMA GURUR VISNU GURUR-DEVO MAHESVARAH


GURUR EVA PARAM BRAHMA TASMAT SAMPUJAYET SADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/352 quoted from MANU SMRITI)

The spiritual master is equal to Lord Brahma. He is


equal to Lord Siva. He is equal to the Supreme Brahman.
Therefore, one should worship his own spiritual master very
carefully at all times.

GURUR YASYA BHAVET TUSTAS TASYA TUSTO HARIH SVAYAM


GUROH SAMASANE NAIVA NA CAIVA UCCA ASANE VASET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/353 VAMANA KALPA, spoken by Brahma)

If the spiritual master is pleased upon someone, Lord


Hari Himself is pleased with him. ONe should not sit on the
spiritual master's seat or an equal or higher seat than him.

HARAU RUSTE GURUS TRATA GURAU RUSTE NA KASCANA


TASMAT SARVA PRAYATNENA GURUM EVA PRASADAYET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/360 quoted from the ADITYA PURANA))

If Lord Hari is displeased with someone, the spiritual


master can protect him, but if the spiritual master becomes
unhappy with someone, there is no shelter for him. Therefore, one
should carefully endeavor to properly please ones spiritual
master.

PRATIPADYA GURUM TASTU MOHADVI PRATI PADYATE


SA KALPA KOTIM NARAKE PACYATE PURUSA DHAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/365 quoted from BRAHMA VIVARTA PURANA)

ANy person who has once accepted a bona fide spiritual


master and then, due to illusion, gives him up, that lowest of
mankind then falls into hell to suffer for ten million kalpas
(ten thousand yugas).

AVAISNAVA UPADISTENA MANTRENA NIRAYAM VAJET


PUNAS CA VIDHINA SAMYAG GRAHAYED VAISNAVAD GUROH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/366 quoted from NARADA PANCARATRA)

If someone, due to some circumstance is initiated by a


non Vaisnava spiritual master, he is destined to go to hell. He
should again accpet reinitiation from a Vaisnava spiritual master
according to Vedic instructions.

(Srila Sanatan Gosvami writes a commentary on this verse,


stating) "Either he is situated properly or he is situated
improperly." From this quote, it should be understood that the
spiritual master is never to be rejected, but if somebody has
accepted a non vaisnava spiritual master then according to
scriptures, it is allowable that such a spiritual master be
rejected because such a spiritual master remains selfish while
delivering the mantra. A real sadhu or a saintly person
(Vaisnava) is not like that. He is very merciful upon a person
to whom he is delivering the sacred mantra. Vaisnava generally
means a twice born person who knows the scriptures properly.

YE GURU AJNAM NA KURVANTI PAPISTHAH PURUSADHAMAH


NA TESAM NARAKA KLESA NISTARO MUNI SATTAMA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/367 quoted from AGASTYA SAMHITA)

Oh best of the sages, any person who avoids or dissobeys


the orders of the spiritual master, such a sinful person, the
lowest of mankind, is taken to hell for suffering, and there is
no deliverance for him.

ADHI KSIPYA GURUM MOHAD PURUSAM PRAVADANTI YE


SUKARATVAM BHAVATY EVA TESAM JANMA SATESV API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 4/369 quoted from AGASTYA SAMHITA)

Those people, due to ignorance, who disrespect a


spiritual master, and think of him as an ordinary person, they
all take their next hundred births as pigs.

TESAM AGAMA MARGENA SUDDHIR NA SRAUTA VARTMANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/5 quoted from VISNU YAMALA)

In Kaliyuga, whatever brahmanas take birth are equal to


sudras and are equally impure. According to scriptural
injunctions, they are purified, but in Kaliyuga, they cannot be
purified by chanting or learning Vedic mantras.

ASINAH PRAGUDAGVAR ARCCED STHIRAYANTV ATHA SAMMUKHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/20 quoted from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

11:27:19)

One should sit on a seat in front of the Deity, facing


east or north to worship Him.*

VANSAD AHUR DARIDRATVAM PASANE VYADHI SAMBHAVAM


DHARANYAM DUHKHA SAMBHUTIM DAURBHAGYAM DARAVASANE
TRNA ASANE YASOHANIM PALLAVE CITTA VIBHRAMAM
DARBHASANE VYADHI NASAM KAMBALAM DUHKHA MOCANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/25,26 quoted from NARADA PANACARATRA)

If one sits on a bamboo seat, he invites poverty; one who


sits on a seat made from stone invites disease; if one sits on a
seat made from clay, he invites distress; if one sits on a seat
made of wood, he invites misfortune, if one sits on a seat made
from straw, his fame is destroyed; if one sits on a seat made
from leaves, it causes bewilderment; A seat made from kusa grass
removes diseases and a seat made out of wool removes all kinds of
distress.

SAUVARNAM RAJATAM KANSYAM YENA DIYATE BHAJANAM


TAN SARVAN SAMPARITYAJYA TAMRANTU MAMA ROCATE
PAVITRANAM PAVITRAM YO MANGALANAM CA MANGALAM
VISUDDHANAM SUCINCAIVA TAMRAM SANSARA MOKSANAM
DIKSITANAM VISUDDHANAM MAMA KARMA PARAYANAH
SADA TAMRENA KARTAVYAM EVAM BHUMI MAMA PRIYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/356, 36, 37 quoted from the VARAHA PURANA)
(The Supreme Personality of Godhead says) The
utensils made out of gold, silver and bellmetal, which are used
for My worship, I reject them. I only like copper pots. Among
all purified metals, copper is most purified and among all
auspicious utensils, the most auspicious and purified is copper
and it cuts the shackles of this material world if someone uses
it for Me. Oh Mother Earth, an initiated and purified person who
is engaged in My worship, it is his duty to use copper pots for
my worship because they are very pleasing to Me.

KECIT CA TAMRA PATRESU GAVYADER YOGA DOSATAH


TAMRA ATI RIKTAM ICCHANTI MADHU PARKASYA BHAJANAM

(HARI BHAKIT VILASA 5/38 quoted from the VARAHA PURANA)

But, gavya, etc, if put with a copper pot, is spoiled,


therefore, instead of copper pots, for madhuparka, one should use
other kinds of pots.

Sanatan Gosvami gives his commentary on this verse. He


states that clarified butter mixed pancagavya (ghee, milk,
yogurt, stool and urine of a cow), or pancamrta (milk, ghee,
yogurt, honey, and sugarwater), if they are put together in the
copper pot, they are said to be destroyed. Furthermore, the
smriti sastra says. TAMRA PATRE STHITAM GAVYAM MADYA TULAYAM
GHRTAM VINA, "If panacagavya or madhuparka is put into a copper
pot, it turns into wine, with the exception of ghee. This is the
opinion of the authorities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead
in the boar incarnation directly stated DADHI SARPIR MADHU SAMAM
PATRE AUDUMBARE MAMA, "One should offer Me a mixture of yogurt,
ghee, honey etc. in a pot made of audumbara wood.

GHRTAM DADHI TATHA KSAUDRAM MADHUPARKO VIDHIYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/49 from VISNU DHARMA)

Madhuparka is a combination of ghee, honey and yogurt.

SAILI DARU MAYI LAUHI LEPYA LEKHYA CA SAIKATI


MANOMAYI MANIMAYI PRATIMA ASTVIDHA SMRTA
CALA ACALETI VDIVIDHA PRATISTHA JIVA MANDIRAM
UDVASA VAHANE NA STAH STHIRAYAM UDDHAVARCANE
ASTHIRAYAM VIKALPAH SYAT STHANDILE TU BHAVED DVAYAM
SNAPANAM TV AVILEPYAYAM ANYATRA PARIMARJANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/257,258,259 quoted from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM


11:27:12-14)

Stone, wood, iron or metal, mud, picture, sand, mind and


jewels are the eight ingredients that Deities can be made from in
this world. THerefore, there are two kinds of Deities, moveable
and immoveable into which the Supreme Lord is called. Oh
Uddhava, with both the moveable and immoveable forms, the Lord
may be invited or sent away, but in the form of Salagram Sila,
this principle in not applicable. Bathing of wooden or clay
Deities is done with a wet cloth. Otherwise, all the Deities are
bathed with water.

GANDAKYAS CA IVA DESE CA SALAGRAMA STHALAM MAHAT


PASANAM TAD BHAVAM YAT TAT SALAGRAMAM ITI SMRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/296 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

Near the Gandaki River, there is a big place called


Salagram. The stones which appear in that place are called
Salagram Sila.

SNIGDHA KRSNA PANDARA VA PITA NILA TATHAIVA CA


VAKRA RUKSA CA RAKTA CA MAHA STHULA TU LANCCHITA
KAPILA DARDURA BHAGNA BAHU CAKRAIKA CAKRIKA
BRHAN MUKHI BRHAC CAKRA LAGNA CAKRATHAVA PUNAH
BADDHA CAKRA ATHAVA KACID BHAGNA CAKRA TV ADHOMUKHI

(HARI BHAKTI VILAS 5/297, 298 quoted from SKANDA PURANA)

There are different kinds of Salagram Silas available


such as oily ones, black ones, yellow ones, blue ones, crooked,
dry ones, red ones, huge????, without any marks, brown ones, in
the shape of a frog, broken, with one or many disk marks, with
many faces, specific?????a grand disk mark????, with a broken
disc, facing down, complete disc, half disc, etc.

KHANDITAM SPHUTITAM BHAGNAM PARSVA BHINNAM VIBHEDITAM


SALAGRAMA SAMUDBHUTAM SAILAM DOSAVAHAM NA HI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/309 from BRAHMA PURANA spoken by the


Supreme Lord)

Even if the Salagram Sila is broken in half or broken a


little, or having a broken back, even in such a condition,
Salagram Sila is free from fault and can be worshiped.

KHANDITAM TRTITAM BHAGNAM SALAGRAME NA DOSABHAK


ISTA TU YASYA YA MURTIH SA TAM YATNENA PUJAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/310, SKANDA PURANA, spoken by Lord Siva)


Broken, deformed or slightly broken Salagram Sila can be
worshipped. There is no fault in worshipping Salagram Sila in
these conditions. Whatever form one appreciates, he should
worship it very carefully.

KAMAIH KRODHAIH PRALOBHAIS CA VYAPTO YO'TRA NARADHAMAH


SO'PI YATI HARER LOKAM SALAGRAMA SILARCANAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/370 from PADMA PURANA)

Those people who are the lowest of mankind and who are
controlled by lust, anger and greed they can be elevated to the
abode of Lord Hari by worshiping Salagram Sila.

DIKSA VIDHANA MANTRAJNAS CAKRE YO BALIM AHARET


SA YATI VASNAVAM DHAMAM SATYAM SATYAM MAYO DITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/374 PADMA PURANA)

Anyone who has attained mantra diksa initiation properly


and is worshiping Salagram Sila, whatever he offers to Salagram
Sila, he achieves the abode of Lord Visnu. Of this, there is no
doubt. I personally say this.
??????????????/who says this???????????????

SALAGRAMA SILA CAKRAM YO DADYAD DANAM UTTAMAM


BHU CAKRAM TENA DATTAM SYAT SASAILAM VANAKANANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/382 PADMA PURANA

Giving charity of Salagram Sila is the best of all


charities. Any person who has given this charity has achieved
the result of performing all auspicious activities and he has
given charity of the whole earthly planet, decorated with
forest, jungles, and mountains.

DRSTVA PRANAMITA YENA SNAPITA PUJITA TATHA


YAJNA KOTI SAMAM PUNYAM GAVAM KOTI PHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/384 from SKANDA PURANA)

Lord Siva spoke to Skanda, his son, saying that any


person who has seen Salagram Sila, payed obeisances to Him,
bathed and worshipped Him, has achieved the results of performing
ten million sacrifices and giving ten million cows in charity.

PUJITO'HAM NA TAIR MARTYAIR NAMITO'HAM NA TAIR NARAH


NAKRTAM MARTYA LOKE YAIH SALAGRAM SILARCANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/396 SKANDA PURANA)


(Lord Siva speaks to his son, Skanda) In this mortal
world, if anyone does not worship Salagram Sila, I do not at all
accept any of their worship and obeisances.

YO DADATI PHALAM VISNOH SALAGRAMA SAMUDBHAVAM


VIPRAYA VISNU BHAKTAYA TENA ISTAM BAHUBHIR MAKHAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/407 SKANDA PURANA)

ANy person who has donated a Salagram Sila to the devotee


of Lord Visnu (Vaisnava) or to a qualified pure brahmana, he has
achieved the results of performing unlimited sacrifices and
austerities.

SA DHANYAH PURUSO LOKE SAPHALAM TASYA JIVITAM


SALAGRAMA SILA SUDDHA GRHE YASYA CA PUJITA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/409 quoted from SKANDA PURANA)

In any house, if a person worships Salagram Sila


properly, those persons are glorified and their existence is
successful in this world.

SALAGRAMA SILARUPI YATRA TISTHATI KESAVAH


NAVADHANTE'SURAS TATRA BHUTA VETALAK ADAYAH
SALAGRAM SILA YATRA TAT TIRTHAM TAT TAPOVANAM
YATAH SANNIHITAS TATRA BHAGAVAN MADHUSUDANAH

HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/427, 428 quoted from the BRHAN NARADIYA
PURANA)

In any place, if Lord Kesava is situated there in the


form of Salagram Sila, there, neither demons, nor ghosts, nor
devils, can create any obstacles to that person or place. Any
place where Salagram Sila is situated can be turned into a place
of pilgrimage and a place for performing austerities because the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Madhusudhana (killer of the Madhu
demon, personally resides there.)

SALAGRAMA SILAYAM YO MULYAM UDGHATAYET NARAH


VIKRETA CA ANUMANTA CA YAH PARIKSAM UDIRAYET
SARVE TE NARAKAM YANTI YAVAD AHUTA SAMPLAVAM
ATAH SAMVARJAYED VIPRA CAKRASYA KRAYA VIKRAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/436, 437 from SKANDA PURANA


spoken by Lord Siva to his son Skanda)
Oh brahmana, under no circumstances should anyone ever
buy or sell Salagram Sila. One should not even suggest a price
to be payed for Salagram Sila. No one should find faults in Him
or explain some mistakes in Him. All of these persons must go to
the hellish planets and live there until the complete
annhilation.
SALAGRAMA SILAYANTU PRATISTHA NAIVA VIDYATE
MAHA PUJANTU KRTVADAU PUJAYET TAM TATO BUDHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA, 5/438; quoted from SKANDA PURANA)

There is no installation process for Salagram Sila. The


learned and purified souls have recommended a grand worship of
Him and then regular worship thereafter.

SALAGRAMA SILAYANTU SAKSAT SRI KRSNA SEVANAM


NITYAM SANNIHITAS TATRA VASUDEVO JAGAD GURUH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/444 PADMA PURANA))

The worship of Salagram Sila is the worship of Lord Hari


directly. Jagat Guru, the spiritual master of the universe, Lord
Vasudeva, eternally resides within Salagram Sila.

STRIYO VA YADI VA SUDRA BRAHMANAH KSTRIYADAYAH


PUJAYITVA SILA CAKRA LABHANTE SASVATAM PADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/452 SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord


Brahma and Narada Muni)

Worship of Salagram Sila can be done by women, sudras


(low caste) brahmanas (twice born), ksatriyas (administators),
etc. and they can all achieve the eternal abode of Lord Krsna
perfectly.

PASPAIR ARANYA SAMBHUTAIS TATHA NAGARA SAMBHAVAIH


APARYYUSITA-NISCHIDRAIH PROKSITAIR JANTU VARJITAIH
ATMA RAMA UDBHAIR VA PI PUTAIH SAMPUJAYED HARIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/3 NRSINGHA PURANA)

Whether flowers are grown in the forest, in the city or


within ones own house, whether they are picked from the tree, if
they are fresh, not broken into pieces, and are washed and free
from all kinds of germs and worms, such pure flowers should be
used to worship the Supreme Lord Hari.

TANYEVA SUPRASASTANI KUSUMANI MAHASURA


YANI SYUR VARNA YUKTANI RASA GANDHA YUTANI CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/4 VAMANA PURANA conversation between Bali


Maharaja and Prahlada)

Oh king of the demons (Prahlada Maharaja), to worship the


Supreme Lord, one should use good quality, juicy and naturally
fragrant (gum myrrh) flowers.

MALATI TULASI PADMAMAM KETAKI MANI PUSPAKAM


KADAMBA KUSUMAM LAKSMIH KAUSTUBHAM KESAVA PRIYAM
KANTAKINY API DEYANI SUKLANI SURABHINI CA
TATHA RAKTANI DEYANI JALAJANI DVIJOTTAMA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/21, 22 SKANDA PURANA)


Malati (white jasmin), Tulasi, lotus, Ketaki
(woodapple),manipuspa, and kadamba flowers are very dear to Lord
Sri Kesava, as dear a Laksmidevi and Kaustuba gem are dear to
Him.

YAIH KAISCID IHA PUSPAIS CA JALAJAIH STHALAJAIR API


SAMPUJYA KATHITAIR BHAKTYA VISNU LOKE MAHIYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/54 SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord


Siva and his wife, Uma)

Whether flowers are grown in the water (lilies or lotus


flowers) or grown on the land (jasmin, roses,etc) if these
fragrant flowers are used in the service of Lord Sri Hari, the
person offering them will be able attain the abode of Lord Hari
and live there with full respect.

RTUKALA UDBHAVAIH PUSPAIR YO'RCAYED RUKMINI PATIM


SARVAN KAMAN AVAPANOTI YAN DIVYAN YANSCA MANUSAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/55 VISNU RAHASYA; conversation between


Markandeya and Indradyumna)

Any person, if he worships the dear Lord of Rukminidevi


with flowers, according to the season, all of his desires will be
fulfilled in this world and in the next (the spiritual world).

VARNANANTU YATHA VIPRAS TIRTHANAM JANHAVI YATHA


SURANANTU YATHA VISNU PUSPANAM MALATI TATHA
MALATYAHI TATHA DEVAM YO'RCCAYED GARUDADHVAJAM
JANMA DUHKHA JARA ROGAIR MUKTO'SAU MUKTIM APNUYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/77, 78 SKANDA PURANA; conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada)

As brahmanas are considered to be topmost in the social


order, and among places of pigrimage, the Ganges is said to be
the topmost, among the demigods, Lord Visnu is the topmost,
similarly, among flowers, malati (white jasmine) is the best.
Any person who worships Lord Sri Hari, the rider of Garuda,
becomes liberated from the repetition of birth and death.

PUSPANAIKENA MALATYAH PRITIR YA KESAVASYA HI


NA SA KRTU SAHASRENA BHAVATE NARADO'BRAVIT
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/82 GARUDA PURANA)

Narada Muni said, The Supreme Lord becomes so happy by


being offered just one malati (white jasmine) flower, that He
does not even become as happy by the performance of one thousand
sacrifices.

VISNOR ANGAT PARIBHRASTAM MALATI KUSUMAM KHAGA


YO DHARAYET CA SIRASI SARVA DHARMA PHALAM LABHET
ADATVA KESAVE YASTU SVA MURDHNA MALATIM VAHET
SANARAH KHAGA SARDULA SARVA DHARMA CYUTO BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/88, 89 GARUDA PURANA

Oh best of the birds, any person who takes malati flowers


(white jasmine) which have been offered to Lord Hari and places
them on his head or other parts of the body, he attains the
results of performing all kinds of meritorious activities. If
any person takes a malati flower, and without offering it to Lord
Kesava, wears it on his own head, he becomes implicated with sins
and fallen from all meritorious activities.

MALATI MALAYA VISNUH PUJITO YENA KARTIKE


PAPAKSARA KRTAM MALAM HATHAT SAURIH PRAMARJJATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/92; SKANDA PURANA; conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

In the month of Kartika (October-November), any person,


if he worships Lord Visnu with Malati (white Jasmine) flowers,
whatever sinful activities are registered for him by Yamaraja,
death personified, are removed.

KAMALAIH KAMALAKANTAH PUJITAH KARTIKE TU YAIH


KAMALA ANUGA TESAM JANMANTARA SATESU API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/102 PADMA PURANA; UTTARA KHANDA)

Any person who offers lotus flowers to Lord Narayana, the


dearest personality of Laksmidevi in the month of Kartika,
Laksmidevi resides with him for hundreds of births.

KADAMBA KUSUMAIR HRDYAIR'RCAYANTI JANARDANAM


TESAM YAMALAYO NAIVA NA JAYANTE KUYONISU
NA TATHA KETAKI PUSPAIR MALATI KUSUMAIR NA HI
TOSAM AYATI DEVESAH KADAMBA KUSUMAIR YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/111, 112 SKANDA PURANA; conversation


between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)
Any person, if he worships Lord Janardana, does not go to
suffer in the place of Yamaraja (hell) and does not fall into the
lower species in the next life. The Supreme Lord becomes so
happy by seeing Kadamabha flowers that He does not even feel
satisfied being worshipped with the Ketaki (wood apple) flowers
or Malati (white jasmine).

KARNIKARA MAYAIH PUSPAIH KANTAIH KANAKA SUPRABHAIH


ARCAYITVA ACYUTAM LOKE TASYA LOKE MAHIYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/151; VISNU PURANA)

If someone worships the Supreme infallible Lord Hari


with the beautiful fresh yellow Karnikara flowers, he remains
with full respect in His eternal abode.

Type the verse and translation for SB 10/21/5 VARHA PIDAM


NATAVARA VAPUH KARNAYO KARNIKARAM....

VARSA KALE TU DEVESAM KUSUMAIS CAMPAKA UDBHAVAIH


YO'RCAYANTI NARA BHAKTYA SAMSARE NA PUNARCATIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/157 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Any person who worships the Supreme Lord in the rainy


season with the Campaka flower (a fragrant, white or greenish
flower), he does not take another birth in this material world
with a material body.

PUSPA JATISU SARVASU SAUVARNAM PUSPAM UTTAMAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/194 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Siva and Uma (his wife)

Among all kinds of fragrant flowers, the best flower is


considered to be yellow colored flowers which are the Lord's
favorite.

NA SUSKAIH PUJAYED VISNUM KUSUMAIR NA MAHIGATAIH


NA AVISIRNA DALAIH KLISTAIR NA CAIVA ASU-VIKASITAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/205 from VISNU RAHASYA)


A whitish fragrant flower, if it falls on the ground
(touches the ground), one should not worship Lord Sri Visnu with
it. Any flower, whose petals are not in good condition or it has
been made to blossom, such flowers should not be used to worship
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

NA SIRNA DALAIH SLISTAIR NA ASUBHAIR NAVIKASIBHIH


PUTI GANDHA UGRA GANDHINI AMLA GANDHANI VARJAYET
KITA KOSA VIPADDHANI SIRNA PARYUSITANI CA
BHAGNA PATRAN CA NA GRAHYAM KRMI DUSTAM NA CA AHARET

HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/210, 211 SKANDA PURANA; conversation between


Brahma and Narada

Any flowers whose petals have become rotten and decayed


and whose petals are sticking together, the flowers which are
impure or unblossomed, one should not use them for worshiping the
Lord. Those flowers in which the fragrance has been created from
an external source, which are foul smelling, pungent smelling,
sour smelling, one should not offer these flowers. Any flowers
which have worms inside are considered contaminated and such
rotten flowers, with broken petals, should not be picked.

NA PARYUSITA DOSOSTI JALAJA UTPALA CAMPAKAIH


TULASY AGASTYA VAKULE VILVE GANGA JALE TATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/213 JNANA MALA)

The lotus flower, born in the water, Campaka (yellow


fragrant flower), Tulasi, Agastya flower, and Bakula flowers,
Bilvapaka and Ganges water, these do not become contaminated
(stale) even if they are kept for a long time.

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/214 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

NA GRHE KARAVIRASTHAIH KUSUMAIR ARCAYED HARIM


PATITAIR KUSUMAIR AMLANAIH SVASAIRVA JANTU DUSITAIH
AGHATAIR ANGA SANSPRSTAIR DUSITAIS CAIVA NA ARCAYET

One should not worship Lord Hari with either a flower


from the Karavira tree, whether it is grown in the house or
outside. Flowers which have fallen on the ground, unblossomed
flowers, bent flowers, foul smelling flowers, flowers with
insects inside, flowers which are damaged, flowers which are
destroyed with the hands or other parts of the body should not be
used in the worship of the Lord.

KUSUMAN AMALABHE TU CAURYADANAM NA DUSYATI


DEVATARTHANTU KUSUMAM ASTEYAM MANUR ABRAVIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/224)

(If, due to unavailability, if the flowers are stolen,


there are no faults in it.)
Manu Maharaja says: "If the flowers are stolen to worship the
Supreme Lord, that is not considered to be theft.

PUSPE SAKA UDAKE KASTHE TATHA MULE PHALETRNE


ADATTA ADANAM ASTEYAM MUNUH PRAHA PRAJAPATIH
GRHITAVYANI PUSPANI DEVARCANA VIDHAU DVIJAH
NAIKASMAD EVA NIYATAM ANANUJNAPYA KEVALAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/225, 226; KURMA PURANA)

Prajapati Manu says that, If somebody does not donate or


give, then if flowers, vegetable leaves, water, wood, roots,
fruits, and straw is stolen, then it is not called theft. Oh
brahmanas, if somebody takes all these things without being given
them by the owner of a garden, then it should not be made a habit
to take every time from one place and person.

HASTE YAD VIDHRTAM PRANAMA SAMAYE YAD VAMA HASTE KRTAM


YACCANTAR JALADHAU TAMA ARCANA VIDHAU PUSPANCA TAD VARJAYET
BHANKTVA YAD VITAPADIKAM KSITIRUHAM CA UTPATYA YACCAHRTAM
YACCAKRAMYA SAMAHRTAM TAD AKHILAM PUSPAM BHAVATY ASURAM
CAURYA AKRSTAM ANUKTI DUSTAM ASUCHI SPRASTAM YAD APROKSITAM
YAC CA AGHRATAM ADHO'MBARE VINIHITAM KRITAM CA TAD VARJAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VIALASA 7/229, 230;quoted from the KURMA PURANA)

If someone pays obeisances while having flowers in the


hands, that flower cannot be used to worship the Deities. If the
flowers are picked with the left hand or flowers are washed by
dipping them in the water, these flowers should be rejected in
the Deity worship. If the flowers are picked after breaking the
branch of the tree or uprooting the tree, or climbing upon the
tree, they can only be used to worshsip the demons, not for the
demigods or the Supreme Lord. The flowers which are stolen
continuously from one place or the flowers which are taken
without permission of the owner or flowers which are touched by
untouchables (ladies during their menstruation period, etc.),
flowers unsprinkled with water, externally scented flowers,
flowers which are put inside the cloth which is used on the lower
parts of the body and flowers which are bought from a dirty place
should be rejected in the worship of the Deities of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.)
PUSPA ABHAVE HI DEYANI PATRANY API JANARDANE
PATRA ABHAVE PAYO DEYAM TENA PUNYAM AVAPNUYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VIASA 7/233 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

If there is a shortage of flowers to worship the Supreme


Lord, leaves of the tree can be used. If leaves are not even
available, water should be offered, because, by doing so, one
remains meritorious.

PATRANI SA SUGANDHINI PALLAVANI MRDUNI CA


TENA PUNYAM AVAPNOTI PUSPA DANA SUMUDBHAVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/236 VISNU DHARMOTTARA 3RD CANTO)

The leaves which are used to worship Lord Sri Hari should
be fragrant and very soft. If one uses these leaves, he gets the
merit of offering flowers to the Lord.

YAD GRHE NASTI TULASI SALAGRAMA SILARCANE


SMASANA SADRSAM VIDYAT TAD GRHAM SUBHA VARJITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/261 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

If someone does not have a Tulasi plant in his house to


worship Sri Salagram Sila, his house is considered to be like a
crematorium and is rewarding inauspiciousness.

Therefore, it is said:

TULASIM VINA NA KRIYATE NA PUJA


SNANAM NA YAD TAT TULASIM VINA KRTAM
BHUKTAM NA TADYAT TULASIM VINA KRTAM
PITAM NA TADYAT TULASIM VINA KRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/262 from the Brhan Naradiya Purana)

Worship of the Supreme Lord without Tulasi is not


considered to be worship. Bathing of the Supreme Lord without
Tulasi is not considered to be bathing. Offering food to the
Supreme Lord without Tulasi, is not said to be giving Him food,
and giving the Lord water with Tulasi is not considered to be
offering Him water.
TULASI RAHITAM PUJAM NA GRHNATI SADA HARIH
KASTHAM VA SPARSAYED TATRA NO CETTANNAMATO YAJNET
TULASI DALAM ADAYA YO'NYAM DEVAM PRAPUJAYET
BHAHMA HA SA HI GOGHNAS CA SA EVA GURU TALPAGAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/263, 264 VAYU PURANA)

The Supreme Lord Hari does not accept worship of anyone


without Tulasi. Therefore, if Tulasi leaves are not available
then one can use Tulasi wood to touch the Supreme Lord's body.
If even Tulasi wood is not available, one should chant the name
of Tulasi while worshipping Lord Sri Hari. If somebody worships
other demigods with Tulasi, they get the sin of killing a
brahmana, a cow and enjoying the wife of his own spiritual
master. Therefore it is said...,

TULASI DALA SAM MISRAM HARER YACCHED CA TAT SADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/265 GARUDA PURANA in the matter of making


an offering of food to the Lord)

Therefore, one should always offer food to the Supreme


Lord with Tulasi leaves.

KRSNA VAYP ATHAVA 'KRSNA TULASI KRSNA VALHABHA


SITA VAYP ATHAVA KRSNA DVADASI BALLABHA HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VIASA 7/271 VISNU RAHASYA)

Whether it be blackish or greenish, all Tulasis are dear


to the Supreme Lord Visnu. Both dvadasi tithis, whether on the
dark fortnight or the light fortnight are equally dear to Lord
Hari.

SARVASAM PATRA JATINAM TULASI KESAVA PRIYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/274 PADMA PURANA, conversation between


Yamaraja and a brahmana)

Among all kinds of leaves. Tulasi leaves are very dear to


Lord Kesava.

YOGINAM VIRATAU VANCHA KAMINANCA YATHA RATAU


PUSPESU API CA SARVESU TULASYANCA TATHA HAREH
NIRASYA MALATI PUSPAM MUKTVA PUSPAM SARORUHAM
GRHANATI TULASIM SUSKAM API PARYYASITAM HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/280, 281 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Markandeya and Indradyumna)
Just as yogis desire worldly detachment and lusty desires
to ???????stop, similarly the Supreme Lord Hari likes Tulasi
among all kinds of flowers. The Supreme Lord Sri Hari gives up
Malati (white jasmine) flowers, Muktapuspa (a white mongara) and
lotus flower, but He accepts even dry, stale Tulasi leaves,
happily.

YAT PHALAM SARVA PUSPESU SARVA PATRESU NARADA


TULASI DALA MATRENA PRAPYATE KESAVA ARCCANE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/284 SKANDA PURANA)

Oh Narada, whatever merit one receives by offering all


kinds of flowers and all kinds of leaves to Lord Sri Kesava, that
same merit, one can attain just by offering just one Tulasi leaf
alone to Him.

MANI KANCANA PUSPANI TATHA MUKTA MAYANI CA


TULASI PATRA DANASYA KALAM NARHANTI SODASIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/286 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Devaduta and Vikundala)

By offering flowers equipted with perils and gold, one


does not even achieve one sixteenth of the merit which can be
achieved by offering just one Tulasi leaf to Lord Vinsu.

NA TASYA NARAKA KLESO YO ARCAYET TULASI DALAIH


PAPISTHO VALP APAPISTHAH SATYAM SATYAM NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/299 AGASTYA SAMHITA)

Whether one is a sinful person or a pious person, if he


worships Lord Sri Visnu with Tulasi leaves, I personally, truely
and repeatedly say that he will never fall into hell to suffer.

AROPYA TULASIM VAISYA SAMPUJA TAD DALAIR HARIM


VASANTI MODA MANASTE YATRA DEVAS CATURBHUJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/319 PADMA PURANA)

Oh vaisya, any person, after planting a Tulasi tree, and


worships the Supreme Lord with the leaves from that tree, he will
go to the spiritual world, and will live with the four armed
Supreme Lord happily there.

YO'RCAYED HARI PADABJAM TULASI KOMALAC CHADAIH


NA TASYA PUNARA AVRTTIR BRAHMA LOKAT KADACANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/322 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA conversation


between Yamaraja and Bhagiratha)

Any person who worships the lotus feet of the Supreme


Lord Hari with Tulasi leaves and very soft manjaris (flowers),
they never return to this world after attaining the Supreme
Lord's abode.

YAH PUNAS TULASI PATRAIH KOMALAIR MANJARI YUTAIH


PUJAYET SUTRA BADDHAIS TU KRSNAM DEVAKI NANDANAM
YA GATIR YOGA YUKTANAM YA GATIR YAJNA SILINAM
YA GATIR DANA SILANAM YA GATIS TIRTHA SEVINAM
YA GATIR MATR-BHAKTANAM DVADASI VEDHA VARJINAM
KURVATAM JAGARAM VISNOR NRTYATAM GAYATAM PHALAM
VAISNAVANAM TU BHAKTANAM YAT PHALAM VEDAVADINAM
PATHATAM VAISNAVAM SASTRAM VAISNAVEBHYAS CA YACHHATAM
PHALAM ETAN MAHIPALA LABHATE NA ATRA SAMSAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/331-334 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Markandeya and Indradyumna)
Any person who worships Lord Sri Hari, the son of
Devaki, with a nice garland made out of nice soft manjaris and
Tulasi leaves, strung on a thread, those people receive the
result of a person who performs great yogic processes, one who
takes a vow to perform many sacrifices, one who gives charity,
one who visits the places of pilgrimage, one who serves his own
mother properly, one who gives up fasting on Ekadasi which is
overlapped by dvadasi????, one who remains awake over night to
please the Supreme Lord Visnu and dances at night, one who serves
a devotee of Lord Visnu, one who studies Vaisnava scriptures, one
who gives charity to a Vaisnava. Without a doubt, such a person
recieves all these results.

MANJARIBHIH SAPATRABHIR MALABHIS CAPI KESAVAH


TULASYA KARTIKE PRITO DADATI PADAM AVYAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA7/340 PADMA PURANA; KARTIKA MAHATMYA)

Any person who offers a garland made out of Tulasi leaves


and manjaris to LOrd Sri Kesava during the month of Kartika, He
gives such a person His eternal abode.

ASNATVA TULASIM CHITVA YA PUJAM KURUTE NARAH


SO'PARADHI BHAVET SATYAM TAT SARVAM NISPHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/346 VAYU PURANA)


Any person who tries to pick Tulasi leaves to worship
Lord Hari, without first taking bath, they are certainly
offenders and whatever good activities they do will remain
fruitless.

TULASY AMRTA JANMASI SADA TVAM KESAVA PRIYA


KESAVARTHE VICINVAMI VARAADA BHAVA SOBHANE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/347 SKANDA PURANA)

type the translation from the Deity worship book.

MOKSAIKA HETO DHARANI PRASASTE VISNO SAMAS TASYA GUROH PRIYETI


ARADHANARTHAM VARA MANJARIKAM LUNAMI PATRAM TULASI KSAMASVA
ITY UKTVA TULASIM NATVA CITVA DAKSINA PANINA
PATRANI EKAIKASO NYASET SAT PATRE MANJARIR API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/349,350 GARUDA PURANA)

Oh Tulasidevi, you are the only solace for liberation.


There is nothing equal to or superior to you. You are the
spiritual leader for everyone and you are very dear to the
Supreme LOrd. Therefore I pick your leaves and the best of
flowers (manjaris) to worship Him. Please forgive me.

NA CHINDYAT TULASIM VIPRA DVADASYAM VAISNAVAH KVACIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/354 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Oh brahmanas, a Vaisnava never picks Tulasi leaves on


Dvadasi, (the day after Ekadasi).

BHANUVARAM VINA DURVAM TULASIM DVADASIM VINA


JIVITASYA AVINASAYA NA VICINVITA DHARMA VIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/355 GARUDA PURANA)

A scripturally learned person, if he does not want to


decrease his duration of life, he should not pick grass for
worshiping and Tulasi leaves on the dvadasi day.

DVADASYAM TULASI PATRAM DHATRI PATRAS CA KARTIKE


LUNATI SA NARO GACCHET NIRAYAN ATI GARHITAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/356 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Krsna and Satyabhama)

Any person, on dvadasi day, (day after Ekadasi), in the


Kartika month, if he picks Tulasi leaves or Amalaki leaves, he
falls into a grieviously hellish planet to suffer.

YO DADATI HARER DHUPAM TULASI KASTHA VANHINA


SATA KRATU SAMAM PUNYAM GO'YUTAM LABHATE PHALAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/26)

Any person who offers dhoopa, incense powder with the


fire created of Tulasi wood to Lord Hari, he achieves the result
of donating ten thousand cows and performing one hundred great
sacrifices.

NAPADO VIPADAS TASYA BHAVANTI KHALU DEHINAH


HARER DATTA AVASESENA DHUPAYED YAS TANUM SADA
NA ASAUKHYAM NA BHAYAM DUHKHAM NA ADHIJAM NAIVA ROGAJAM
YAH SEVAYED DHUPASESAM VISNOR ADBHUTA KARMANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/32, 33 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Gautama and Ambarisha)

Any person who, after offering dhoopa to Lord Sri Visnu


and always takes the remnants on his head, I personally confirm
that he will never receive any disturbances and problems in his
life. One who offers dhoopa to Lord Sri Visnu, Who performs
transcendental activities, to that person, there is no scarcity
of ecstacy. He does not fear anything nor experience any mental
disturbance.

GHRTENA DIPO DATAVYO RAJAN TAILENA VA PUNAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/41 BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)

Oh king, one should offer a ghee lamp to the Supreme


Lord, made out of ghee or oil.

HAVISA PRATHAMAH KALPO DVITIYAS CA AUSADHO RASAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/42 MAHABHARATA)

The best lamp offered to the Lord is made out of ghee.


If one is unable to offord this, then it is acceptable to use
medicated oils (sesame seed oil, mustard seed oil or sunflower
oil).
GHRTENA VA ATH TAILENA DIPAM PRAJVALAYET NARAH
VISNAVE VIDHIVAT BHAKTYA TASYA PUNYA PHALAM SRNU
VIHAYA PAPAM SAKALAM SAHASRA ADITYA SAPRABHAH
JYOTISMATA VIMANENA VISNU LOKE MAHIYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/52, 53 NRSINGHA PURANA)

A person who offers a burning ghee lamp, according to the


Vedic literatures, to Lord Sri Visnu, please listen to the merit
he acquires; he becomes free from all kinds of sins and achieve
brightness like that of a thousand suns and at last, they ride
upon a transcendental plane, and with full respect, attain the
abode of Lord Visnu.

PRASANGA ALIKHYATE 'TRAIVA SRIMAD BHAGAVAD ALAYE


DIPA DANASYA MAHATMYAM KARTIKIYANCA TAD VINA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/60 RAMA ARCANA CANDRIKA)


Offering a ghee lamp in the month of Kartika in the
temple of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, their merits cannot
be explained.

EKADASYAM CA DVADASYAM PRATI PAKSAM TU YO NARAH


DIPAM DADATI KRSNAYA TASYA PUNYA PHALAM SRNU
SUVARNA MANI MUKTADHYAM MANOJNAM ATI SUNDARAM
DIPA MALAKULAM DIVYAM VIMANAM ADHIROHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/66, 67 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Any person who, regularly on all fortnight of Ekadasi and


dvadasi days offers a ghee lamp to Lord Sri Visnu, please listen
to this merit. That person rides on a transcendental plane
nicely decorated with gold, diamonds, and perils and covered with
bright lamps and goes to the Supreme abode of the Lord.

PRADIDA STHAPITAS TATRA SURATARTHAM DVIJOTTAMA


TENAPI MAMA DUSKARMMA NIHSESAM KSAYAM AGATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/72 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA about Yajna


Dvajas's previous life)
Oh best of brahmanas, previously, due to desire of
copulation, I lit one lamp in the temple of Lord Hari. By doing
so, all of my sins were destroyed.

In this regard, Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his


commentary. Digdarsini commentary on this verse, stating "One
should offer a ghee lamp in the temple of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead in order to please Him, but in this verse it is said
that even if a ghee lamp is offered in the temple of the Supreme
Lord, even to perform some sinful activity as was described in
this verse. This sinful person found the temple of Lord Visnu
empty and silent because all the activities of worship had been
completed that day, therefore the Lord accept his lamp. The
history goes like this. The king Yajnadhaja was in his previous
life a low born dog eater and was engaged in greatly greivious
sinful activities. Once, just to enjoy another's wife, he
entered into a temple where all of the day's puja was completed.
There, he lit a lamp and spent the whole night engaging in
sinful activities. Then when the guards found him engaging in
such activities, they killed him there and thus he attained
brahma loka where he enjoyed for a long time. After some time,
by his own free will, he came to earth and became a devotee king,
a great devotee to the Supreme Lord.

'SONAM VADARAKAM VASTRAM JINAM MALINAM EVA CA


UPABHUKTAM NA VA VADYAT VARTIKA ARTHAM KADACANA
SVAYAM ANYENA VA DATTAM DIPAM NA SRI HARER HARET
NIRVAPAYEN NA HINSA CA SUBHAM ICCHAN KADACANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/87, 88)

One should not offer a lamp to the Lord whose wick made
of red color, old, dirty or used cotton cloth. Any person who
wants benefit in his life should never remove or take away the
lamp to some place or remove the oil from the lamp which is
offered by himself or somebody else to Lord Sri Hari.

YAH KURYAD HINSANAM TENA KARMMANA PUSPITEKSANAH


DIPA HARTA BHAVED ANDHAH KANO NIRVVANA KRD BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/90 VISNU DHARMOTTARA CANTO 1)

Any person, if he removes oil, etc from the lamp, he gets


eye diseases in his next life. Any person who steals or takes
away the lamp, becomes blind. Any person who extinguishes the
lamp offered to the Lord becomes a one eyed person.

DIPA VRKSAS CA KARTAVYAS TAIJASADYAIS CA BHAIRAVA


VRKSESU DIPO DATAVYO NATU BHUMAU KADACANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/95 KALIKA PURANA)

Oh Bairava, one should properly make a lamp stand and


offer a lamp upon it. One should never offer a lamp and put it
on the ground.

NAIVEDYA PATRAM VAKSYAMI KESAVASYA MAHATMANAH


HAIRANYAM RAJATHAM TAMRAM KANSYAM MRNMAYEVA CA
PALASAM PADMA PATRANCA PATRAM VISNOR ATI PRIYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/115 SKANDA PRANA conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Brahma says to Narada, "I shall describe to you about the


utensils for offering food to Lord Sri Kesava. They are golden,
silver, copper, bell metal, clay and palashpatra and lotus leaf.(
Utensils made out of these elements) are very dear to Lord Sri
Visnu.

NANA VIDHA ANNA PANAIS CA BHAKSANADYAI MANOHARAI


NAIVEDYAM KALPAYED VISNOS TAD ABHAVE CA PAYASAM
KEVALAM GHRTA YUKTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/121 VAIDHAYANA SMRTI)

One should offer to Lord Sri Visnu different kinds of


food: grains, beverages, prepared in the best way possible. If
one is unable to acquire all of this, then one should offer Him
sweetrice which is mixed with ghee, for food without ghee is said
to be eaten by demons.

NA BHAKSAM NAIVEDYARTHE BHAKSESU APY AJA MAHISI


KSIRAM PANCA NAKHA MATSYAS CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/152 HARITA SMRTUI)

Uneatable food should not be offered to the Lord and


among those foods which are eatable, milk from the goat and milk
from the buffalo,and milk from animals which have five nails
(tigers, lions and elephants, etc.) and fish should not be
offered to the Lord.

MAHISAN CA VIKAM CA AJAM AYAJNIYAM UDAHRTAM


MAHISAM VARJEYEN MAHYAM KSIRAM DADHI GHRTAM YADI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/155 VARAHA PURANA)

Ghee made from sheep and goats is unusable in the worship


of the Lord. If someone offers Me (the Lord) yogurt, milk or
ghee, one should not offer me these items made from buffalo,
sheep or goats.
VRNTAKAM JALISAKAM KUSUMBHA SMANTAKAM TATHA
PALANDU LASUNAM SUKLAM NIRYASAN CAIVA VARJAYET
GRJANAM KINSUKAN CAIVA KUKUNDANCA TATHAIVA CA
UDUMBARAM ALAVUN CA JAGDHVA PATATI VAI DVIJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/158, 159 KURMA PURANA)

One should not eat eggplant, banana leaves, sunflower


leaves and asmantaka leaves, onions, garlic. One should not eat
sour gruel (a thin watery pouriage) or the juice of the tree.
One should also give up turnips and beetroots, carrots, kinsuka,
forest figs, and white pumpkin. If the twice born persons eat
these things, they all become fallen.

YO BHAKSATI BRNTAKAM TASYA DURATARO HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/161 SKANDA PURANA)

Anyone who eats eggplants, Lord Sri Hari always stays a


far distance from him.

VARTANKUM URHATIN CAIVA DAGDHAM ANNAM MASURAKAM


YASYA UDARE PRAVARTETA SASYA DURATARO HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/162)

Beetroot, eggplant, burnt grains (rice) masura (pink


dal), whoever has these foods in his stomach, Lord Sri Hari
remains a long distance from him.

YATRA MADYAM TATHA MANSAM TATHA VRNTAKA MULAKE


NIVEDAYEN NAIVA TATRA HARER AIKANTIKI RATIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/164 quoted from YAMALA)

Any food which is mixed with wine, meat, eggplant and


beetroot, if it is offered by someone to the Lord, he cannot
receive unalloyed devotion to Lord Janardana.

YAT KINCID ALPAM NAIVEDYAM BHAKTA BHAKTI RASAPLUTAM


PRATI BHOJAYATI SRI SASTAD DATRN SVASUKHAM DRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/195 HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)


The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very satisfied
even if very minute food if offered to him with a devotee with
full devotion and at once he gives full happiness to the offerer.

TATO VICITRAIR LALITAIH KARITAIR VA SVAYAM KRTAIH


GITAIR VADYAIS CA NRTYAIS CA SRI KRSNAM PARITOSAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/251 VAMANA PURANA Prahlada speaks to


Bali)

Thereafter, either by himself or with others, one should


compose and sing nice songs in ecstacy and satisfy Lord Sri
Krsna.

NRTYANTAM VAISNAVAM HARSAD ASINO YASTU PASYATI


KHANJO BHAVATI RAJENDRA SO'YAM JANMANI JANMANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/253)

Oh greatest king, if anyone sees a Vaisnava dancing in


ecstacy and goes on sitting and dancing, he becomes crippled
birth after birth.

VISRJYA LAJJAM YO'DHITE GAYATE NRTYATE'PI CA


KULA KOTI-SAMAYUKTO LABHATE MAMAKAM PADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/262 LINGA PURANA spoken by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead)

Any person giving up his shame and sings and dances and
studies Vedic literatures near Me, he along with his ten million
ancestors will live in My abode.

VISNOR GITANCA NRTYANCA NATANANCA VISESATAH


BRAHMAN BRAHMANA JATINAM KARTAVYAM NITYA-KARMA VAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/264 NARADA PURANA)

Daily a brahmana should certainly sing and dance and pray


to the Suprme Lord Visnu to please Him.

KESAVAGRE NRTYA GITAM NA KAROTI HARER DINE


VANHINA KIM NA DAGDHO' SAU GATAH KIM NA RASATALAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/267)

Any person, on the day of Lord Hari (both Ekadasis) who


does not dance and sing in front of Lord Sri Kesava, do you think
that he does not burn himself in the material fire? Or do you
think that he does not go to the lowest planetary system named
Patalaloka?

YAD ANANDA KALAM GAYAN BHAKTAH PUNYA ASRU VARSATI


TAT SARVVA TIRTHA-SALILA SNANAM SVAMALA SODHANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/273 HARI BHAKIT SUDDHODAYA

Devoted devotees, while singing for the Supreme Lord with


a choked throat, with hairs standing on end, or with tears from
their eyes like rain, they burn their acquired sins, and achieve
the merit of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage.

PLEASE TYPE TWO VERSES FROM SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM WHERE SUTA GOSVAMI
SPEAKES 11:12:49,50

NAHAM VASAMI VAIKUNTHE NA YOGIHRDAYE RAVAU


MAD BHAKTA YATRA GAYANTI TATRA TISTHAMI NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/284 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Krsna and Satyabhama and from a conversation between Prthu
Maharaja and Narada Muni)

(THe Supreme Personality of Godhead said) Oh Narada, I do


not live either in the spiritual world, Vaikunthadham nor in the
hearts of yogis nor where the sun shines, but wherever My
devoted devotees chant My glories, I stay there.
NRTYATAM SRIDATER AGRE TALIKA VADANAIR BHRSAM
UDDIYANTE SARIRAS THAH SARVEH PATAKA PAKSINAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/292 VISNU DHARMOTTARA spoken by Narada


Muni)

ANy person, if he sings, clapping hands in front of the


husband of the Goddess of Fortune and dances again and again, the
sins run away from his body just like a bunch of birds fly away
from a place.

VINA VADANA-TATVAJNAH SRTI JATI-VISARADAH


TALAJNAS CA APRAYASENA MOKSA MARGAM NIYACCHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/293 SANGITA-SASTRA)

Any person who is expert in playing the tamboura


and is learned in various scriptures and expert in clapping
hands, they can easily please the Supreme Lord Vinsu Who is the
solace of liberation.

BAHU VARTI SAMAYUKTAM JVALANTAM KESAVOPARI


KURYYAD ARATRIKAM YASTU KALPA KOTIM VASED DIVI
KARPURENA TU YAH KURYAD BHAKTYA KESAVA MURDHANI
ARATRIKAM MUNI SRESTHA PRAVISED VISNUM AVYAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/299, 300 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Any person who performs arati to the head of LOrd Sri


Kesava with a lamp with many ghee wicks and camphor, they for ten
millions kalpas (one kalpa is one thousand yugas), stay in
heavenly planets and then go back to the abode of Lord Visnu.

KOTAYO BHAHMA HATYANAM AGAMYA GAMANA KOTAYAH


DAHATY ALOKA MATRENA VISNOH SARATRIKAM MUKHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/304 HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

Anyone who sees the beautiful face of Lord Sri Visnu at


night with the lamp light, just by looking at His beautiful face,
one removes millions of sins of killing a brahmana and millions
of sins acquired by enjoying unenjoyable woman (sister, daughter,
mother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and another's wife).

SANKHE KRTVA TU PANIYAM BHRAMINTAM KESAVOPARI


SANNIDHAU VASATE VISNOH KALPANTAM KSIRA SAGARE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/ 316)


Any person who circles around the head of Lord Kesava a
conchshell filled with water, they, for an unlimited time stay
near Lord Sri Visnu in the milk ocean

SARVA DEVESU YAT PUNYAM SARVA DEVESU YAT PHALAM


NARAS TAT PHALAM APNOTI STUTVA DEVAM JANARDANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/346 VISNU DHARMA)

Whatever merit one attains by praying to all the demigods


and studying all Vedic literatures, the same amount of merit one
attains just by praying to the Lord of lords, Sri Janardana.

STUVANN AMEYA MAHATMYAM BHAKTI GRATHITA RAMYA VAK


BHAVED BRAHMADI DURLABHYA-PRABHU KARUNYA BHAJANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/349 HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

Any person, who, with great devotion, composes beautiful


prayers glorifying the uncomparable glories of the Supreme Lord,
he achieves the mercy of the Supreme Lord which is rarely
achieved even by great demigods like Lord Brahma, etc.

ABALAM PRABHUR IPSITONNATIM KRTA YATNAM SVAYASAH STAVE GHRNI


SVAYAM UDDHARATI STANARTHINAM PADA LAGNAM JANANI IVA BALAKAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/351 HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

Just as a mother accepts her little child who is hungery


and anxious to suck his mother's breast, in the very way, the
merciful Supreme Lord, carefully accepts and liberates and
encourages His devotee who is helplessly praying to Him.

DORBHYAM PADBHYANCA JANUBHYAM URASA SIRASA DRSA


MANASA VACASA CETI PRANAMO'STANGA IRITAH
JANUBHYAN CAIVA BAHUBHYAM SIRASA VACASA DHIYA
PANCANGAKAH PRANAMAH SYAT PUJASU PRAVARAVIMAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/360, 361 from Aghama)

One who, while paying obeisances, uses two hands, two


feet, two thighs, the chest, the head, sight, mind and words is
said to be astangadandavat or paying obeisances while using eight
limbs. ANd one who uses two thighs, two hands, head, words and
intelligence is said to be paying pancangadandavat or obeisances
using five limbs which is very much accepted in the worship of
the Supreme Lord.
GARUDAM DAKSINE KRTVA KURYYAT TAT PRSTHATO BUDHAH
AVASYAM CA PRANAMNS TRIN SAKTAS CED ADHIKA ADHIKAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/362)

A learned person, while paying obeisances in front of the


Lord, should keep Garuda on the right side and keep the Lord on
the left side and pay obeisances. Paying obeisances too close to
the Lord has been forbidden. One must pay obeisances a minimum
of three times, but if he is able to, he can pay obeisances more
times than that.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his digdharsanitika to


the verse, stating that Garuda, who is situated in front of the
Lord, one must put him on the right side and then pay obeisances
to the Lord, keeping Him to the left. One obeisances for the
front side, one for the backe side, one from the side keeping Him
on the left, but one is forbidden to pay obeisances from very
close to the Lord. As it is further stated,"obeisances should be
payed from front back and keeping Him left", etc. One should pay
obeisances a minimum of three times to the Lord because by doing
so, one achieves unlimited benefits.which are difficult to
describe. Just as one should not circumambulate only once
because scriptures forbid one to do so, if one has the ability to
do he can continue paying extra obeisances and circumbulating
the Lord such as three, six, forty-eight, a hundred and eight,
etc.

DANDA PRANAMAM KURUTE VISNAVE BHAKTI BHAVITAH


RENU SANKHYAM VASET SVARGE MANVANTARA SATAM NARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/366 SKANDA PURANA)

Any person, if he just pays one obeisances to Lord Visnu


with devotion, whatever dust or particles of sand stick to his
body while paying obeisances, that many hundreds of manus
duration of time, he remains in the heavenly planets (there are
fourteen manus in one day of Lord Brahma or 4,320,000,000 divided
by fourteen times one hundred years, the person paying obeisances
lives in the heavenly planets).

SATHYENA API NAMASKARAM KURVATAH SARNGA DHANVANE


SATA SANMARJITAM PAPAM TAT KSNAD EVA NASYATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/370 SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord


Brahma and Narada Muni)

Even is somebody secretly pays obeisances to the Lord,


Who also holds a bow in His hand, even he becomes free from sins
acquired from one hundred lives.
ABHIVADYAM JAGANNATHAM KRTARTHANCA TATHA BHAVET
NAMASKARA KRIYA TASYA SARVA PAPA PRANASINI
JANUBHYANCA PANIBHYAM SIRASA CA VICAKSANAH
KRTVA PRANAMAM DEVASYA SARVAN KAMAN AVAPNUYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/372, 373 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

ANy person who pays obeisances to Lord Jaganatha gets


liberated and their sins are all burnt at once if he pays
obiesances using two thighs, two knees, two hands and one head,
he can have all of his desires fulfilled at once.

EKO'PI KRSNASYA KRTAH PRANAMO DASASVAMEDHA AVABHRTHAIR NA TULYAH


DASASVAMEDHI PUNARETI JANMA KRSNA PRANAMI NA
PUNAR BHAVAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/376 NARADIYA PURANA)

One who pays just one obeisances to Lord Sri Krsna,


whatever merit he achieves, that merit cannot be achieved even by
performing ten horse sacrifices and taking bath in places of
pilgrimages. The performer of ten horse sacrifices can take birth
again in this world, but a person who has payed obeisances to
Lord Sri Krsna again and again will not take birth again in this
world.

VISNOR DANDA PRANAMARTHAM BHAKTENA PATITA BHUVI


PATITAM PATAKAM KRTSNAM NA UTTISTHATI PUNAH SAHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/377 HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

Devoted devotees, while paying obeisances to Lord Sri


Visnu, when they fall on the ground, all their sins fall from
their body but when they get up from paying obeisances, their
sins do not come up again, or their sins do not remain in the
body but all get destroyed.

ATI PAPAM DURACARAM NARAM TAT PRANATAH HAREH


NEKSANTE KINKARA YAMYA ULUKAS TAPANAM YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/380 PADMA PURANA)

Even if the most sinful person pays obeisances to Lord


Hari, the messengers of Yamaraja are unable to look at him just
as an owl is unable to look at the sun.

SARANAGATA RAKSANODYATAM HARIM ISAM PRANAMANTI YENARAH


NA PATANTI BHAVAMBUDHAU SPHUTAM PATITANUDDHARATI SMA TANASAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA TANASAU 8/382 BRAHMAVAIVARTA PURANA)


Those people who pay obeisances to the Supreme Lord Hari,
Who protects those who come and take shelter at His lotus feet,
they do not fall into the material ocean again. Even if there is
some chance to fall, Lord Sri Hari liberates them again.

SRI-BALIR UVACA
AHO PRANAMAYA KRTAH SAMUDYAMAH
PRAPANNA-BHAKTARTHA-VIDHAU SAMAHITAH
YAT LOKA-PALAIS TVAD-ANUGRAHO 'MARAIR
ALABDHA-PURO 'PASADE 'SURE 'RPITAH

Bali Maharaja said:


What a wonderful effect there is in even attemping to
offer respectful obeisances to You! I merely endeavored to offer
you obeisances, but the attempt was as successful as those of
pure devotees. The causeless mercy You have shown me, a fallen
demon, was never achieved even by the demigods or the leaders of
the various planets.

SAKRD VA NA NAMED YAS TU VISNAVE SARMA KARINE


SAVO PARAM VIJANIYAT KADACIT API NA ALAPET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/387 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Any person who does not pay even one obeisances to the
all auspicious Lord Sri Visnu, they are just like dead bodies,
and therefore one should not even converse with such persons.

JANMA PRABHUTI YAT KINCIT PUMAN VAI DHARMAM ACARET


SARVAM TANNISPHALAM YATI EKA HASTA ABHIVADANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/389 VISNU SMRTI)

If a person pays obeisances to the Supreme Personality of


Godhead with one hand, then whatever merits they had acquired by
performing some religious rituals throughout their whole life,
they all become fruitless.

VASTRA PRAVRTA DEHAS TU YO NARAH PRANAMET MAM


SVITRI SA JAYATE MURKHAH SAPTA JANMANI BHAMINI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/390 VARAHA PURANA)

Oh dear wife, any person who pays Me long obeisances


(dandavats) with his body covered with clothes, those foolish
persons get white leprocy for the next seven births.

EKAM CANDYAM RAVAU SAPTATISRO DADYAT VINAYAKE


CATASRAH KESAVE DADYAT SIVE TU ARDHA-PRADAKSINAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/394 NRSINGHA PURANA)

One should circumambulate Durga once, the sun, seven


times, Ganesha three times, Lord Hari again and again and Lord
Siva only one half time.

PRADAKSINAM YE KURVANTI BHAKTI YUKTENA CETASA


NA TE YAMAPURAM YANTI YANTI PUNYA KRTAM GATIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/395 VARAHA PURANA)

Those people who circumambulate LOrd Hari with devotion,


they do not go to the abode of Yamaraja. They achieve the
destination which is achieved by devotees of the Supreme Lord.

EKA HASTRA PRANAMAS CA EKA CAIVA PRADAKSINA


AKALE DARSANAM VISNOR HANTI PUNYAM PURAKRTAM
KRSNASYA PURATO NAIVA SURYASYAIVA PRADAKSINAM
KURYAD BHRAMARIKA RUPAM VAIMUKHYA PADANIM PRABHO

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/406, 407) VISNU SMRITI)

Those people who pay obeisances to the Lord with one


hand, those people who only circumambulate once and those people
who see Krsna untimely (when He eats or sleeps), all of their
merits, accumulated from different lives are destroyed.
Furthermore, no one should circimambulate like a bumble bee in
front of the Deity of Krsna or in front of the sungod, the
Supreme LOrd shows His back to him.

PARALOKA PHALA PREPSUH KURYYAT KARMANY ATANDRITAH


HARER NIVEDAYET TANI TAT SARVAM TU AKSYAYAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/416 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Any person who carefully performs meritorious activities


desirous of going back to Godhead and offers them all as an
offering to Lord Hari, all of their actions become imperishable.

SATYA API BHEDAPAGAME NATHA TAVAHAM NA MAMAKINAS TVAM


SAMUDRO HI TARANGAH KVACANA SAMUDRO NA TARANGAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA, 8/419, SRI SANKARACARYA PADA)

Oh Lord, it is true that when somebody is situated in


knowledge and achieves self-realization, he understands that you
are the eternal Lord and I am your servant. Just as the waves in
the ocean are, although water, still one cannot call them the
ocean.

Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdarshani commentary on this


verse, stating that "Mayavadi acarya (Sri Sankaracarya) truely
states that between Brahman and the material world there is a
bewildering diffence. If somebody wants to understand both, he
needs to achieve the sun of knowledge, self realization, then he
will realize that I am the servant and I am not Him. I am the
part of Him. The watery wave in the ocean is a part of the
ocean. That wave cannot be addressed as the ocean because the
part can never be the source. In this way, in non dualistic
examples, dualism can be found or established. Although waves
are water of the ocean, still it cannot be called the ocean. It
can only be said to be part of the ocean. This example is
vividly explained in the Srimad Bhagavatamratatika.

PRAHLADA MAHARAJA UVACA

DHARMARTHA-KAMA ITI YO 'BHIHITAS TRI-VARGA


IKSA TRAYI NAYA-DAMAU VIVIDHA CA VARTA
MANYE TAD ETAD AKHILAM NIGAMASYA SATYAM
SVATMARPANAM SVA-SUHRDAH PARAMASYA PUMSAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/420, SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:6:26)

Religion, economic development and sense gratification-


these are described in the Vedas as tri-varga, or three ways to
salvation. Within these three catagories are education and self
realization; ritualistic ceremonies performed according to Vedic
injunctions; logic; the science of law and order; and the
various means of earning ones livelihood. These are the external
subject matters of the study in the Vedas, and therefore I
consider them material. However, I consider surrender to the
lotus feet of Lord Visnu to be transcendental.

MARTYO YADA TYAKYA SAMASTA KARMA


NIVEDITATMA VICIKIRSITO ME
TADA AMRTATVAM PRATIPADYA MANO
MAYATMA BHUYAYA CA KALPATE VAI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/421 SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:29:34)


MANTRA HINAM KRIYA HINAM BHAKTI HINAM JANARDANA
YAT PUJITAM MAYA DEVA PARI PURNAM TADASTU ME
YAD DATTAM BHAKTI MATRENA PATRAM PUSPAM PHALAM JALAM
AVEDITAM NIVEDYANTU TAD GRHANA ANUKAMPAYA
VIDHI HINAM MANTRA HINAM YAT KINCIT UPAPADITAM
KRIYA MANTRA VIHINAM VA TAT SARVAM KSANTUM ARHASI
AJNANAD ATHAVA JNANAD ASUBHAM YAN MAYA KRTAM
KSANTUM ARHASI TAT SARVAM DASYE NAIVA GRHANA MAM
STHITI SEVA GATIR YATRA SMRTIR CITA STUTIR VACAH
BHUYAT SARVATMANA VISNO MADIYAM TVAYI LESTITAM
KRSNA RAMA MUKUNDA VAMANA VASUDEVA JAGAD GURO
MATSYA KACCHAPA NARASINGHA VARAHA RAGHAVA PAHI MAM
DEVA-DANAVA-NARADADI VANDYA DAYANIDHE
DEVAKI SUTA DEHI ME TAVA PADA BHAKTIM ACALAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/427-432 from AGAMA)


(

NATHA YONI SAHASRESU YESU YESU VRAJAMY AHAM


TESU TESU ACYHUTO BHAKTIR ACYUTAS TU SADATVAYI
YA PRITIR AVIVEKANAM VISAYESU ANAPAYINI
TVAM ANUSMARATAH SA ME HRDAYA MAM SARPATUH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/434,5 VISNU PURANA)

Oh Lord, Oh infallible personality of Godhead, amongst


thousands of species, whatever body I receive in the future, in
that birth, I pray to You that I will remain fixed in undeviated
and uninterupted devotion to You Oh Lord. As a sense gratifying
person has an attachment to sense gratification, unlimitedly, you
please let me have the same rememberance from my heart and
attachment to Your service.

Sanatan Gosvami gives the Digdarshani commentary in this


regard, saying that as, an unintelligent person who is attached
to sense gratification, remains unlimitedly attached to it and
does not want to be removed, similarly, a devotee wants to
develop love for the Supreme Lord from his heart and prays for
its unremoval and eternity. REmembering Him, he continously
prays, Oh Lord, husband of the goddess of fortune, as a person
engaged in worldly affairs gradually develops seperation, but I
pray Oh Lord that such seperation does not come to Me. Just as a
grhasta gets attachment to worldly things within his heart such
as house, children, etc. but in due course, he becomes fed up,
but Oh Lord, I want continous, unbreakable love for You. Let me
focus on You. Sometimes foolish people developo distaste with
worldly things, but my distaste should never come at your lotus
feet. This is called, undeviated devotion.

KITESU PAKSISU MRGESU SARISRPESU


RAKSA PISACA-MANUJESU API YATRA TATRA
JATASYA ME BHAVATU KESAVA TE PRASADAT
TVAYYEVA BHAKTIR ATVLA'BYABHI CARINI CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/436 PANDAVA GITA)

Oh Lord Kesava, in whatever species of life I may take


birth in the future as moth, bird, animals, reptile, demon,
devil, or human being, Oh Lord, grace me in such a way that Your
undeviated, uninterupted and thick devotional service attitude
remain within me.

YUVATINAM YATHA YUNI YUNANCA YUVATAU YATHA


MANO'BHIRAMATE TAD VAN MANO ME RAMTAM TVAYI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/437 PADMA PURANA)

As a young man thinks of a woman and a young woman thinks


of a young man within their mind, and remain attached, similarly
let my mind remain attached to Your lotus feet and not be
deviated.
APARADHA SAHASRANI KRIYANTE AHARNISAM MAYA
DASO'HAM ITI MAM MATVA KSAMASVA MADHSUDANA
PRATIJNA TAVA GOVINDA NAME BHAKTAH PANASYATI
ITI SAMSRTYA SAMSRTYA PRANAN SAMDHARAYAMY AHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/439, 440 PADMA PURANA


(TAKE THIS FROM THE DEITY WORSHIP BOOK)

Oh killer of the Madhu demon, I am accumulating offenses


day and night at YOur lotus feet. Please forgive them, thinking
of me as YOur menial servant. O Govinda, it is Your promise,
that "MY devotee never perishes, and because of this, I am still
surviving.

DVADASYAM JAGARE VISNOR YAH PATHET TULASI STAVAM


DVATRINSAT APARADHANI KSAMATE TASYA KESAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/480 SKANDA PURANA)

Any person, after fasting on Ekadasi, who remains awake


over night and worships Salagram Sila with Tulasi leaves,chanting
His glories, Lord Sri Kesava removes thirty-two kinds of offenses
if he has even committed them.

KRSNOTTIRNAS TU NIRMALYAM YASYA ANGANM SPRSET MUNE


SARVA ROGAIH TATHA PAPAIR MUKTO BHAVATI NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/484 SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord


Brahma and Narada)
Oh Narada Muni, anything left over from Lord Sri Krsna,
which touches the body of a person, that person becomes free from
all kinds of disease and all sinful activities.

MUKHE SIRASI DEHE TU VISNU TIRNANTU YO VAHET


TULASIM MUNI SARDULA NA TASYA SPRSATE KALIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/486 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahama and Narada)

Oh best among the sages, any person who has offered


Tulasi leaves to Lord Visnu, and somebody places them in His
mouth, on His head or on any part of the body, Kaliyuga is unable
to touch such a person.

VISHOH SIRAH PARIBHRASTAM BHAKTYA YASTULASIM VAHET


SIDHYANTI SARVA KARYANI MANASA CINTITANI CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/491 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada)

Lord Brahma said, "Any person who has a Tulasi leaf which
has been offered to Lord Visnu which has been offered with pure
devotion and places it on his head, whatever desires he has in
his mind are all fulfilled.

BHOJANA ANANTARAM VISNOR ARPITAM TULASI DALAM,


TAT KSANAT PAPA NIRMOKAS CANDRAYANA SATADHIKAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/494 NARADA PANACARATRA)

When food is offered to Lord Hari with a Tulasi leaf in


it, if anybody eats that piece of Tulasi, he receives liberation
from sins and he receives more results than performing ten
chandrayana fasts.

SEVA ADI NIYAMO DEVALAYE DEVASYA CESTATE


PRAYAH SVA GEHE SVACHANDA SEVA SVA VRATA RAKSAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/503 SKANDA PURANA, Yamaraja instructs his


messengers)

When someone worships the Supreme Lord in the temple, he


must follow rules and regulations properly, but when he worships
the Lord in his house, he can do so as he likes, but he should
not break his vows.
SANKHA STHITANTU YAT TOYAM BHRAMITAM KESAVOPARI
VANDATE SIRASA NITYAM GANGA SNANE TASYA KIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/4 SKANDA PURANA)


conversation between Brahma and Narada Muni)

The water which is within the conchshell, which is


circles around the head of Lord Sri Kesava, if anyone puts such
water on his head, what is the need for him to go take bath in
the Ganges?

NA DAHO NA KLAMO NARTIR NARAKA AGNI BHAYAM NA HI


YASYA SANKHA UDAKAM MURDHNI KRSNA DRSTYA AVALOKITAM
NA GRAHA NA CA KUSMANDAH PISACA URAGA-RAKSASAH
DRSTVA SANKHODAKAM MURDHNI VIDRAVANI DISO DASA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/5,6 SKANDA PURANA about the glories of the
conchshell)

The water within the conchshell, if it is seen by the


Supreme Lord Krsna, if it is touched to ones head, he becomes
free the fear of punishment, distress, degradation and fire, bad
planets, black magic, snakes, devils, and they run away in ten
directions when they find that he has a drop of water on his head
from the conchshell which is offered to Lord Sri Krsna.

TIRTHADHIKAM YAJNA SATANCA PAVANAM


JALAM SADA KESAVA DRSTI SAMSTHITAM
CHINATTI PAPAM TULASI VIMISRITAM
VISESATAS CAKRA SILA VINIRMITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/12 BRHAD VISNU PURANA)

The water which is seen by the Supreme Lord Kesava and


the water which has washed the Salagram Sila are always more
purifying than any water from the places of pilgrimage. It is
more purifying than one hundred sacrifices and they remove all
kinds of sins from a person.

YE PIVANTI NARA NITYAM SALAGRAMA SILA JALAM


PANCA GAVYA SAHASRAIS TU SEVITAIH KIM PRAYOJANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/20, PADMA PURANA)

Any person who has drank the water which has bathed
Salagram Sila, what is the need for them to drink thousand and
thousands of times, pancagavya (Pancagavya is made from five
auspicious products of a cow offered to the Lord).

SALAGRAMA SILA TOYAM YAH PIVET VINDUNA SAMAM


MATUH STANYAM PUNAR NAIVA SAPIVET BHAKTI BHANG NARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/22 PADMA PURANA)

ANy person, if he has even taken one drop of water which


has washed Salagram Sila, he will not have to suck a mother's
breast again in the future.

TRIBHIH SARASVATAM TOYAM SAPTAHENA TU NARMADAM


SADYAH PUNATI GANGEYAM DASANAD EVA YAMUNAM
PUNANTI ETANI TOYANI SNANA DARSANA KIRTANAIH
PUNATI SMARANAD EVA KALAU PADODAKAM HAREH
ARCITAI KOTIBHIR LINGAIR NITYAM YAT KRIYATE PHALAM
TAT PHALAM SATA SAHASRAM PITE PADODAKE HAREH
ASUCI VA DURACARO MAHA PATAKA SAMYUTAH
SPRSTVA PADODAKAM VISNOH SADA SUDHYATI MANAVAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/27-30 PADMA PURANA conversation between
Pulatsyat and Bhagiratha)

Water from the Narmada purifies after one week, but


Ganges water immediately purifies. Just by taking darshan of the
Yamuna, one becomes purified. These rivers all purify one by
seeing them, bathing in them or by chanting their names, but in
Kaliyuga, one becomes purified just by remembering the water
which has washed the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari. Therefore, if
someone drinks the water which has washed the lotus feet of Lord
Hari, he gets more than 100,000 times more merit than by
worshipping ten million Siva lingas. If a person is impure, has
unlimited bad habits, or is implicated with previous sins, simply
by touching the water which comes from the lotus feet of Lord
Visnu, he becomes purified. If somebody, at the time of death,
touches to their head or other parts of the body, the water which
has washed the lotus feet of Lord Hari, even if he is implicated
with millions of sins, he does not go to the hellish planets, the
abode of Yamaraja.

HITVA PADODAKAM VISNOR 'NYATITHANI GACCHATI


ANARGHAM RATNAM UTSRJYA LOSTRAM VANCHATI DURMATH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/38 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Pulatsyat and Bhagiratha)

If a person gives up the water emminated from the lotus


feet of Lord Sri Visnu (charinamrita, from the bathing of the
Lord), and goes to other places of pilgrimage, he is like a
person who gives up unlimitedly valuable jewels, desirous of
obtaining a lump of mud.
NA ROGASYA BHAYANCAIVA NASTI VIGHNA KRTAM BHAYAM
NA DUSTA NAIVA GHORAKSAH SVAPADOTTHA BHAYAM NA HI
GRAHAH PIDAM NA KURVANTI CAURA NASYANTI DARUNAH
KIM TASYA TIRTHA GAMANE DEVARSINAM CA DARSANE
YASYA PADODAKAM MURDHNI SALAGRAMA SILODBHAVAM
PRITO BHAVATI MARTANDAH PRITO BHAVATI KESAVAH
BRAHMA BHAVATI SU PRITAH PRITO BHAVATI SANKARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/42-44, PADMA PURANA, conversation between


Pulastya and Bhagiratha)

One who drinks Carinamrita (water emminated from washing


the body of the Lord) he becomes free from all kinds of diseases,
and all kinds of obstacles and the fear of ferocious cobras and
ferocious beasts. He does not have the eyes of bad planets upon
him. He becomes free from the fear of theft. What is the need
for him to go to the places of pilgrimage, seeing the demigods
and great sages ( if he has taken the water which has washed the
body of the Supreme Lord.)? If he has the water which has washed
the Salagram Sila above his head, for him, the sun, Kesava, LOrd
Brahma, Sankara (Lord Siva), become greatly happy with him.

PRAYAS CITTAM YADI PRAPTAM KRCCHRAM VA TU AGHAMARSANAM


SO'PI PADODAKAM PITVA SUDDHIM PRAPNOTI TAT KSANAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/46, BRAHMANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If somebody has to go through unavoidable abominations,


or if it is necessary for him to chant strong hymns as japa
(silent chanting), even to that person, if he takes the water
which has washed the lotus feet of the Lord, he becomes
immediately purified.

APAVITRA YADANNAM SYAT PANIYAN CAPI PAPINAM


BHUKTVA PITVA VISUDDHAH SYAT PITVA PADODAKAM HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/50 BRAHMANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If someone has eaten impure foods from someone or has


drank water left from a great sinner, the sins which are derived
from such eating and drinking, can become nullified just by
drinking the water which has emminated from the lotus feet of
Lord Sri Hari.

sadyah phala pradam punyam sarva papa vinasanam


sarva mangala mangalyam sarva duhkha vinasanam
duhsvapna nasanam punyam visnu padodakam subham
sarvopadrava-hantaram sarva vyadhi-vinasanam

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/57, 58 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Water which has emminated from the lotus feet of Lord Sri
Visnu, immediately gives purification, removes all kinds of
sins, it is more auspicious than the most auspicious ingredients,
it removes all kinds of miseries, it removes one from having bad
dreams, it helps one become meritorious, it is all auspicious, it
removes all obstacles, and it removes all kinds of diseases from
a person.

PADODAKASYA MAHATMYAM DEVO JANATI SANKARA


VISNU PADA CYUTO GANGA SIRASA YENA DHARITA
SNANAM NAIVASTI PAPASYA DEHINAM DEHA MADHYATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/63 SKANDA PURANA)

LOrd Siva, who holds the Ganges on his head, emminated


from the lotus feet of Lord Sri Visnu, knows the glories and
importance of the water which has emminated from His feet. Among
all kinds of living entities with gross bodies in this world,
only Lord Siva's body does not have a place for sins.

VILAYAM YANTI PAPANI PITE PADODAKE HAREH


KIM PUNAR VISNU PADODAM SALAGRAMA SILACYUTAM
VISESENA HARET PAPAM BRAHMA HATYADIKAM PRIYE
PITE PADODAKE VISNOR YADI PRANAIR VIMUCYATE
HATVA YAMA BHATAN SARVAN VAISVAVAM LOKAM APNUYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/68, 69, SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Siva and Uma)

Whoever drinks the water emminated from the Deity of Lord


Sri Hari, all of his sins are removed. I say, Oh dear wife, what
more can I say about the water emminated from the bathing of
Salagram Sila which actually cuts the sin acquired by killing a
brahmana. Anybody who quits his body while drinking the water
which has emminated from the lotus feet of Lord Hari, the
messengers of Yamaraja run away from him and he attains the abode
of Lord Sri Visnu.

SA BRAHMACARI SA VRTI ASRAMI CA SADASUCI


VISNU PADODAKAM YASYA MUKHE SIRASI VIGRAHE
JANMA PRABHRTI PAPANAM PRAYASCITTAM YADICCHAI
SALAGRAMA SILAVARI PAPAHARI NESEVYATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/82, 83)

Anybody who has carinamrta on his head, in his mouth or


on his body, he is called the real brahmacari, the real fasting
person, and one especially situated in the spiritual order. If
someone wants to perform some kind of atonement to remove all of
his sins, he should certainly drink some water which has been
used to bath Salagram Sila.

SRI VISNOR VAISNAVANANCA PAVANAM CARANO DAKAM


SARVA TIRTHA MAYAM PITVA KURYAD ACAMANAM NA HI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/91 AGASTYA SAMHITA)

The water which has washed the feet of Lord Visnu and
Vaisnavas (real devotees) is equal to all the places of
pilgrimage together. After drinking such water, one does not
have to take any acamana or to wash his hands or mouth.

VISNOH PADODAKAM PITAVA PASCAD ASUCI SANKAYA


ACAMATI CA YO MOHAD BRAHMAHA SA NIGADYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/92 SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Siva)

Lord Siva says, " Any person, due to bewilderment, after


drinking water emminated from Lord Visnu, thinking that he has
become unclean, he washes his mouth, he becomes the killer of a
brahmana.

BHAGAVAN PAVITRAM BHAGAVAT PADAU PAVITRAM, BHAGAVAT


PADODAKAM PAVITRAM, NA TAT PANA ACAMANIYAM. YATHAHI SOMA ITI.

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/93 from SRUTI SASTRA)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all pure. His two


lotus feet are all pure and water emminated from them is all
pure, therefore, after drinking that water emminated from Him,
one should not take any acamana because it is a best as soma.

VISNU PADODAKAM PITVA BHAKTA PADODAKAM TATHA


YA ACAMATI SAMMOHAD BRAHMAHA SA NIGADYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/94 SAUPARNA SANHITA)

If due to bewilderment, somebody washes his hands after


drinking water which has emminated from the lotus feet of Lord
Visnu or of His devotee, he becomes the killer of a brahmana.

NIRMITA TVAM PURA DEVAIR ARCITA TVAM SURASURAIH


TULASI HARA ME PAPAM PUJAM GRHNA NAMOSTUTE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/101 SKANDA PURANA)


Oh Tulasi, you previously appeared in this world due to
the demigods. The demigods and demons together worship you.
Please remove all of my sins. I pay my obeisances unto you.
FOOTNOTE

YA DRSTA NIKHILA AGHA SANGHA SAMANI SPRSTA VAPUH PAVANI


ROGANAM ABHIVANDITA NIRASINI SIKTANTAKA TRASINI
PRATYA SATTI VIDHAYINI BHAGAVATAH KRSNASYA SAMROPITA
NYASTA TACCARANE VIMUKTI PHALADA TASYAI NAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/104 SKANDA PURANA, AVANTI KHANDA)

Just by looking at you,(Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just


by touching you, ones body becomes pure. By praying to her, all
diseases practically become removed. If one waters her or makes
her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed.
Just by planting or transplanting, one achieves nearness to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the
lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, she awards liberation and devotion
to Him, therefore I pay my humble obeisances to such a wonderful
Tulasidevi.

PRADAKSINAM BHRAMITVA YE NAMASKURVANTI NITYASAH


NA TESAM DURITAM KINCID AKSINAM AVASISYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/111 AGASTYA SAMHITA)

If someone daily goes around Tulasi and pays obeisances


to her, there is no more sin to be destroyed in him.

HITVA TIRTHA-SAHASRANI SARVAN API SILOCCAYAN


TULASI KANANE NITYAM KALAU TISTHATI KESAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/116 SKANDA PURANA

In kaliyuga, Lord Sri Kesava, after giving up thousands


of places of pilgrimage and holy days, He resides in the forest
of Tulasidevi.

DRSTVA SPRSTVA TATHA DHYATA KIRTITA NAMITA SRTA


ROPITA SEVITA NITYAM PUJITA TULASI SUBHA
NAVADHA TULASIM NITYAM YE BHAJANTI DINE DINE
YUGA KOTI SAHASRANI TE VASANTI HARER GRHE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/126, 127 SKANDA PURANA, conversation


between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)
Any person who daily sees Tulasi, touches Tulasi, chants
Tulasi's prayers, meditates on Tulasi, pays obeisances to her,
hears about her, transplants and worships her, he achieves all
auspiciousness. Any person who does these nine kinds of service
goes to the abode of the Supreme Lord Hari and remains there
eternally.

SNANE DANE TATHA DHYANE PRASANE KESAVA ARCANE


TULASI DAHATE PAPAM ROPANE KIRTANE KALAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/132 SKANDA PURANA, AVANTIKHANDA))

In kaliyuga, Tulasidevi burns up all of a person's sins


who bathes her, gives her in charity, meditates on her, eats her
leaves, worships Lord Sri Kesava with her, transplants her or
sings her glories.

TULASY AANKRTA YE YE TULASI NAMA JAPAKAH


TULASI VANA PALAYE TE TYAJYA DURATO BHATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/133 SKANDA PURANA, KASI KHANDA, Yamaraja


instructs his messengers)

Oh messengers , anybody who is decorated with Tulasi wood


or chants her name, always protects a Tulasi forest, you should
give up bringing such persons to my abode.

DARSANAM NARMADAYAS TU GANGA SNANAM VISAM VARA


TULASI DALA SAMSPARSAH SAMAM ETAT TRAYAM SMRTAM
ROPANAT PALANAT SEKAD DARSANAT SPARSANAT NRNAM
TULASI DAHATE PAPAM VANG MANAH KAYA SANCITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/139, 140 PADMA PURANA)

Oh best of the Vaisya, see Narmada, taking bath in the


Ganges, and touching Tulasi leaves are equally meritoreous. If
somebody plants, protects, waters, see, touches, then a person
sins, which he acquired by body, mind and words are burnt into
ashes.

YAD GRHE TULASI BHATI RAKSABHIR JALASECANAIH


TAD GRHAM YAMA DUTAS CA DURATO VARJAYANTI HI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/145 PADMA PURANA, KARTIKA MAHATMYA)

In any house where Tulasi Maharani is very carefully


protected and watered, the messengers of Yamaraja give up that
house from a distance.

VISNOS TRAILOKYA NATHASYA RAMASYA JANAKATMJA


PRIYA TATHAIVA TULASI SARVA LOKAIKA PAVANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/151 AGASTYA SAMHITA)

As the daughter of Janaka, Sri Sitadevi, is very


dear to Lord Rama, the master of the three worlds, Similarly,
Tulasidevi, who purifies all of the planets, is very dear to
Him.

TULASI VAPITA YENA PUNYARAME VANE GRHE


PAKSINDRA TENA SATYOKTAM LOKAH SAPTA PRATISTHITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/157 GARUDA PURANA)

Oh king of the birds (Garuda), anyone who has planted a


garden of Tulasi, either in the forest or in the house, I
truthfully say that he has won the seven planetary systems.

SANSARA-PAPA VICCHEDI GANGA NAMA PRAKIRTITAM


TATHA TULASYA BHAKTIS CA HARI KIRTI PRAVAKTARI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA9/161 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

As by chanting the name of Ganges, one becomes free from


all kinds of worldly sins, if someone chants the name of Tulasi
or chants the glories of Lord Hari with devotion, he gets the
same merit.

TRNANI TULASI MULAT YAVANTYAPAHINOTI VAI


TAVATTIR BRAHMA HATYA HI CHINATY EVA NASAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/165 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA conversation


between Yamaraja and Bhagiratha)

Anybody who removes the straw or dirt from the root of


Tulasidevi, as many as he has removed, that many sinful reactions
of killing brahmanas will be removed from him without a doubt.

DURLABHA TULASI SEVA DURLABHA SUNGATIH SATAM


DURLABHA HARI BHAKTIS CA SANSARARNAVA-PATINAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/170 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Those people who have fallen in the midst of this


material world, among them worship of Tulasi is very rare, the
association of real saintly persons is very rare, and real
devotion to Lord Hari is also very rare.

YASMIN GRHE DVIJA SRESTHA TULASIMULA MRTTIKA


SARVADA TISTHATE DEHE DEVATA NA SA MANUSA
TULASI MRTTIKA YATRA KASTHAM PATRAN CA VESMANI
TISTHATE MUNI SARDULA NISCALAM VAISNAVA PADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/183, 186, SKANDA PURANA, a conversation


between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his


body, if the mud from Tulasi is available, they are not just men,
but they are equal to the demigods. Oh best among the sages, in
anyones house, if there is the clay of Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and
Tulasi leaves available, that house is certainly a place of Lord
Visnu.

TULASI MULA SAMBHUTA HARI BHAKTA PADODBHAVA


GANGODBHAVA CA MRLLEKHA NAYATY ACYUTA RUPATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/189)

Any person who puts on tilaka from the mud or clay from
the root of Tulasi, mud from the lotus feet of Sri Vaisnava, and
mud from the Ganges is said to be equal to the form of Lord Sri
Visnu.

PATRAM PUSPAM PHALAM KASTHAM


TVAT SAKHA-PALLAVANKURAM
TULASI SAMBHAVAM MULAM
PAVANAM MVTTIKADY API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/191 PRAHLADA SAMHITA AND VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Leaves of Tulasi, flowers of Tulasi, fruits of Tulasi,


branches of Tulasi, bark of Tulasi, sprout of Tulasi, blossom or
bud of Tulasi, and clay of Tulasi are all completely purified.

YAH KURYAT TULASI KASTHAIR AKSA MALAM SURUPINIM


KANTHA MALAM CA YATNENA KRTAM TASYAKSAYAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/199 SKANDA PURANA,AGASTYA SAMHITA,


conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)
Any person who makes a beautiful japamala or neck beads
out of Tulasi wood and uses them,if he does any worship to Lord
Sri Visnu, all of his activities become unlimitedly resultful.

YASYA NABHI STHITAM PATRAM MUKHE SIRASI KARNAYOH


TULASI SAMBHAVAM NITYAM TIRTHAIS TASYA MAKHAIS CA KIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/200 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If anyone daily has Tulasi leaves on his navel, in his


mouth, on his head, or on both of his ears, what is the use of
him going to the places of pilgrimage in this world?

YAH KASCIT VAISNAVO LOKE MITHYACARO'PY ANASRAMI


PUNATI SAKALAN LLOKAN SIRASA TULASIM VAHAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/202 SKANDA PURANA)


If any Vaisnava in this world becomes a lyer or becomes
degraded from his own asrama, if he has a Tulasi leaf on his
head, he can alone purify the three worlds.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdarshanitika


commentary on this verse, stating that if Vaisnavas wear articles
which have been offered to the Supreme Lord, then one may
question how a Vaisnava can wear something which has not been
offered to the Supreme Lord. In answer to this, it can be stated
that only a lying or cheating"Vaisnava" can do such a thing
because they are all hypocrites and not real Vaisnavas.

BHAKSITAM LUBDHAKENAPI PATRAM TULASI SAMBHAVAM


PASCAD DISTANTAM APANNO BHASMI BHUTAM KALEVARAM
SITA SITAM YATHA NIRAM SARVA PAPA KSAYAVAHAM
TATHA CA TULASI PATRAM PRASITAM SARVA KAMADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/213, 214 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Vasistha and King Mandhata)

Even if a most sinful hunter eats a Tulasi leaf and dies


afterwards, whatever sins he has in his body turn into ashes. As
whitish and blackish water (Ganges and Yamuna water) remove all
kinds of sins, in the very same way, white (green) and black
Tulasis removes all kinds of sins, and if he eats these leaves
(after offering them to Lord Krsna), all of his desires are
perfectly achieved.

KRTVA PAPA SAHASRANI PURVE VAYASI MANAVAH


TULASI BHAKSANAN MUCYET SRUTAM ETAT PURA HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/218 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Vasista and King Mandhata)

Any person, in his young age commits thousands of sins


but later on eats a Tulasi leaf, he becomes free from all sins.
This narration was heard previously near Lord Sri Hari.

KIM CITRAM ASYAH PATITAM TULASYA


DALAM JALAM VA PATITAM PUNITE
LAGNADI BHALA STHALAM ALAVALA
MRTSNAPI KRTSNA AGHA VINASANAYA
SRIMAT TULASYAH PATRASYA MAHATMYAM YADYAPI DRSAM
TATHAPI VAISNAVES TAN NA GRAHYAM KRSNARPANAM VINA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/226, 227)


What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi.
Her fallen leaves, her rotten leaves and her water, even if
fallen (??mixed with her mud??) is purifying. If even a minute
quantity of the mud which has emminated from the Tulasi root has
been placed on ones head, all of ones sins are removed. Although
Tulasi is so glorious (and her leaves are so purifying), still
Vaisnavas never eat Tulasi leaves without first offering them to
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

MURDHNI GHANE MUKHE CAIVA DEHE CA MUNI SATTAMA


DHATTE DHATRI PHALAM YAS TU SA MAHATMA SUDURLABHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/231 SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord


Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh best of the sages, those people who wear Amalaki


fruit on the head, on the nose, on the hand, or in the mouth,
these great souls are very rare on this earthly planet.

KRTVA TU BHAGAVAT PUJAM NATIRTHE SNANAM ACARET


NA CA DEVALAYOPETA 'SPRSYA SANSPARSANA ADINA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/242 BRAHMA PURANA)

After worshipping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one


does not need to take bath even in the place of pilgrimage. And
in the temple, even if one touches low class people, he does not
need to take a bath.

In this regard, Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains, if one


does worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead according to the
worship process as written in the literature, then it has been
rejected to take bath in the place of pilgrimage again because it
is included in Him. Because the word adi is used in this verse,
it means that whatever place it may be, if the worship of the
Supreme Person is going on, if low class people show up in this
festival and they touch you, it is not necessary to bath again to
purify oneself.

NA SNAYAD UTSAVE TIRTHE MANGALYAM VINIVARYA CA


ANUVRAJYA SUHRD BANDHUN ARCAYITVA ISTA DEVATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/243 SMRTY ARTHASARA)

After observing a festival or visiting a place of


pilgrimage, completing an auspicious function, embrassing or
following dear friends or relatives, and worshipping the
worshipable Lord, one is rejected to take a bath.

VISNU ALAYA SAMIPASTHAN VISNU SEVARTHAM AGATAN


CANDALAN PATITAN VA PI SPRSTVA NA SNANAM ACARET
DEVA YATRA VIVAHESU YAJNA UPAKARANESU CA
UTSAVESU CA SARVESU SPRSTASPRSTIR NA VIDYATE
SRTI SMRTI UBHE NETRE VIPRANAM PARIKIRTITE
EKENA VIKALAH KANO DVABHYAM ANDHAH PRAKIRTITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/244, 245,247 VISNU SMRTI)

One should not take bath after touching those low class
people like dog eaters who have come near Visnu's temple to
worship Lord Sri Visnu. Going to a place of pilgrimage to see a
festival, or a marriage ceremony, if he touches a low class
person, he is not considered to be touched by an untouchable.
Therefore it is said, Sruti and Smrti are the two eyes of the
twice born. Among these two, if one is missing, he is said to be
one eyed. If both are missing from a twice born, he is called a
blind brahmana.
Going to a place of pilgrimage to see a festival, or a
marriage ceremony, if he touches a low class person, he is not
considered to be touched by an untouchable. Therefore it is
said, Sruti and Smrti are the two eyes of the twice born. Among
these two, if one is missing, he is said to be one eyed. If both
are missing from a twice born, he is called a blind brahmana.

RTAMRTABHYAM JIVETA
MRTENA PRAMRTENA VA
SATYANRTABHYAM API VA
NA SVA-VRTTYA KADACANA

RTAM UNCHASILAM PROKTAM


AMRTAM YAD AYACITAM
MRTAM TU NITYA-YACNA SYAT
PRAMRTAM KARSANAM SMRTAM

SATYANRTAM CA VANIJYAM
SVA-VRTTIR NICA-SEVANAM
VARJAYET TAM SADA VIPRO
RAJANYAS CA JUGUPSITAM
SARVA-VEDAMAYO VIPRAH
SARVA-DEVAMAYO NRPAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:11:18-20)

In time of emergency, one may accept any of the various


types of professions known as rta, amrta, mrta, pramrta, and
satyanrta, but one shoiuld not at any time accept the profession
of a dog. The profession of unchasila, collecting grains from
the field, is called mrta, tilling the ground is called pramrta,
and trade is called satyanrta. Engaging in the service of low
grade persons is called sva-vrtti, the profession of the dogs.
Specifically, brahmanas and ksatriyas should not engage in the
low and abominable service of sudras. Brahmanas should be well
acquainted with all the Vedic knowledge, and ksatriyas should be
well acquainted with the worship of the demigods.

ATMANO NICA LOKANAM SEVENAM VRTTI SIDDHAYE


NITARAM NINDYATE SADBHIR VAISNAVASYA VISESATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/256)

Just for earning his livlihood, if someone gives up his


good standard in order to serve low class men is condemned.
Specifically, for a Vaisnava, it is greatly condemned.

NADYAC CHUDRASYA VIPRO'NNAM MOHAD VA YADI KAMATAH


SA SUDRA YONIM VRAJATI YAS TU BHUNKTE HY ANAPADI
DUSKRTAM HI MANU SYASYA SARVAM ANNE PRATISTHITAM
YO YASYANNAM SAMASNATI SA TASYA ASNATI KILVISAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/264, 265 KURMA PURANA)

A twice born person should not eat from a sudras house,


or from his hands for any reason, either due to uncontrolled
senses, illusion or difficult times. If he does, he takes his
next birth as a sudra.

PAYASAM SNEHAPAKVAM YAD GORASAM CA IVA SAKTAVAH


ANYAKAN CAIVA TAILANCA SUDRAD GRAHYAM TATHAIVA CA

(HARI BHAKI VILASA 9/267 KURMA PURANA)


Learned people, after paying a small price can buy from a
sudra sweetrice, ghee, ingredients deep fried in oil, milk,
flour, oil cakes and oil.

VAISNAVANAM HI BHOKTAVYAM PRARTHYANNAM VAISNAVA SADA


AVAISNAVANAM ANNAMTU PARIVARJYAM AMEDHYAVAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA (9/279 KURMA PURANA)

A Vaisnava should beg food only from another Vaisnava. If


one is not a Vaisnava, even if he is a brahmana, his food should
be rejected as uneatable.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami states in his Digdarshanitika


commentary, that if a brahmana is not a Vaisnava, even if he is
given money for his food, his food is considered equal to a that
of a sudra and he can be criticized for this. A Vaisnava's
accumulation is always glorified, but a brahmanas food, because
he is an avaisnava, Vaisnavas reject eating with them. Therefore
he is considered a Vaisnava (because he gives up the association
of avaisnavas).

PRARTHAYED VAISNAVAD ANNAM PRAYATNENA VACAKSANAH


SARVA PAPA VISUDHYARTHAM TAD ABHAVE JALAM PIVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/280 PADMA PURANA)

An intelligent person, to remove all of his sins, should


go to a Vaisnava for food. He should make a great endeavor to
approach a Vaisnava to obtain food, but if this unavailable, he
can drink a cup of water at least.

SROTRIYA ANNAM VAINAVANNAM HUTASESAN CA YADDHAVIH


ANAKHAT SODHAYET PAPAM TUSAGNIH KANAKAM YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/282 VISNUSMRITI)

As a straw fire purifies gold, similarly, grains from a


Vedic person, from a Vaisnava, from a fire sacrifice, these all
purify a person from the toe nail to the Sikha.

SUDDHAM BHAGAVATASYANNAM SUDDHAM BHAGIRATHI JALAM


SUDDHAM VISNU PARAM CITTAM SUDDHAM EKADASI VRATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/283 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

Food from the devotee of the Supreme Personality of


Godhead, Ganges water, the mind engaged in the lotus feet of Lord
Visnu and the day of Lord Hari, named Ekadasi. These are all
pure.

KESAVA ARCCA GRHE YASYA NA TISTHATI MAHIPATE


TASYA ANNAM NAIVA BHOKTAVYAM ABHAKSENA SAMAM SMRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/285 SRI PRAHLADA VAKYA)

Oh king, if in any house, there is no Deity of Lord


Krsna, one should not eat any grains from that person because
that food is called uneatable.

DHANYAS TE MANAVA LOKE KALIKALE VISESATAH


YE KURVANTI HARER NITYAM PITRARTHAM PUJANAM MUNE
KIM DATTAR BAHUBHIH PINDAIR GAYA SRADDHADIBHIR MUNE
YAIR ARCITO HARIR BHAKTYA PITRARTHAN CA DINE DINE
SAMUDDISYA HAREH PUJA KRIYATE MUNI PUNGAVA
UDDHRTYA NARAKA AVASA ATTAM NAYET PARAMAM PADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/307-309 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh sage, within this world, specifically in Kaliyuga, any


person who worships Lord Hari to satisfy their forefathers, they
are all glorifiable. Oh sage, what is use of any person giveing
oblations in Gaya or taking any kind of vow to satisfy the
forefathers if he is worshipping Lord Sri Hari with devotion. If
somebody worships Lord Sri Hari, then whoever is suffering in the
hellish planet attains the Supreme abode of Lord Hari.

EKA EVA NARAYANA ASIT, NA BRAHMA, NEME DYAVAPRTHIVYAU,


SARVE DEVAH, SARVE PITARAH, SARVE MANUSYAH, VISNUNA
ASITAM ASNANTI, VISNYNA GHRATAM JIGHRANTI, VISNUNA
PITAM PIVANTI, TASMAD VIDVANSO VISNU PAHRTAM BHAKSAYEYUH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/311 SRTI SASTRA)

In the beginning, there was only Narayana present. There


was no Brahma; there was no heaven, earth, etc. There was nothing
at all. All the demigods, the forefathers, the human beings,
they were only eating the left overs from Lord Visnu. After His
smelling, they were smelling. After His drinking, they were
drinking, for learned personalities should always take the
remnants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Visnu.

SURA BHANDASTHA PIYUSAM YATHA NASYATI TAT KSANAT


CAKRANKA RAHITAM SRADDHAM TATHA SATATAPO'BRAVIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/319 SMRTI SASTRA)

As nectar situated within the wine pot becomes destroyed


and unusable, similarly, oblations offered to the forefathers
without the presence of a Vaisnava remains useless.

NIVESAYET NARO MOHAD ANYA PANKTAV HAREH PRIYAM


SA PATET NIRAYE GHORAM PANKTI BHEDI NARADHAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/320 VISNU RAHASYA)

Any person, due to illusion or madness, who makes a


Vaisnava sit in the line or put in the cue among avaisnavas,
these envious difference makers, the lowest among mankind, fall
into the ferocious hellish planets.

PATRAM PUSPAM PHALAM TOYAM ANNA PANADY AUSADHAM


ANIVEDYA NA BHUNJITA YAD AHARAYA KALPITAM
ANIVEDYA TU BHUNJANAH PRAYASCITTI BHAVENNARAH
TASMAT SARVAM NIVEDYAIVA VISNOR BHUNJITA SARVADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/338, 339 BRAHMANDA PURANA)


Leaves, flowers, fruits, water, grains, drinks, and
medicines altogether, whatever is to be used by a person, cannot
be used without offering it to the Supreme Lord. If somebody
uses something without first offering it to the Lord, that person
must perform atonements. Therefore, everything should be first
offered to the Lord before taking it himself.

AMBARISA GRHE PAKVAM YAD ABHISTAM SADATMANAH


ANIVEDYA HARER BHUNJAN SAPTA KALPANI NARAKI

w
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/34O PADMA PURANA, conversation between
Gautama and Ambarisa)

Oh Ambarish, if anything desirable is being prepared


within the house, if it eaten without first offering it to Lord
Janardana, that person has to suffer in hell for seven kalpas
(one kalpa is one thousand yugas).

AMBARISA NAVAM VASTRAM PHALAM ANNAM RASADIKAM


KRTVA VISNU UPABHUKTAN TU SADA SEVYAM HI VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/343 VISNU SMRTI conversation between


Gautama Rsi and Ambarish Maharaja)

A Vaisnava should always offer new clothes, fruits,


grains, and juices to the Supreme Lord Visnu before he accepts
them for himself.

BHAKTA KSANA KSANO DEVAH SMRTIH SEVA SVA VESMANI


SVA BHOJYASYARPANAM DANAM PHALAM INDRADI DURLABHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/349 SARAT PRADIPA)

A devotee always observes the festivals of Lord Sri


Visnu, he always remembers Lord Sri Visnu within his house. That
is his worship. The ingredients which he offers to the Lord is
his charity. All of these activities ultimately lead him to the
spiritual world which is rarely achieved even by great demigods
such as Indra.

AYUSYAM PRANMUKHO BHUNKTE YASASYAM DAKSINAMUKHAH


SRIYAM PRATYANMUKHO BHUNKTE RTAM BHUNKTE UDANMUKHH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/371 KURMA PURANA, VYASAGITA SECTION)

Anybody who eats facing east, increases in intelligence.


Anybody who eats facing south becomes famous. If someone eats
while facing west, he becomes wealthy and if he eats facing
north, he achieves the top most benefit.
DAKSINANTU PARITYAJYA VAME NIRAM NIGHAPAYET
ABHOJYAM TAD BHAVED ANNAM PANIYAN CA SURASAMAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/385 MARKANDEYA PURANA)

One who puts his drinking water on the left side of his
eating plate, that water becomes equal to wine and his food
becomes uneatable.

YO MAMA EVA ARCANAM KRTVA TATRA PRAPANAM UTTAMAM


SESAM ANNAM SAMASNATI TATAH SAUKHYA TARAM NU KIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/390 VARAHA PURANA)

After worshipping Me, one should offer Me sumptuous food,


and after offering it to Me, he should eat sumptuously. What
would be more pleasing than this?

BHAKTYA BHUNAKTI NAIVEDYAM SALAGRAMA SILARPITAM


KOTIM MAKHASYA LABHATE PHALAM SATA SAHASRASAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/395 SKANDA PURANA)

One who eats food after offering it to Salagram Sila, he


achieves the results of performing one hundred times one thousand
times, one million fire sacrifices.

HRDI RUPAM MUKHE NAMA NAIVEDYAM UDARE HAREH


PADODAKANCA NIRMALYAM MASTAKE YASYA SO'CYUTAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/399 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)
One who has the Supreme Lord Hari in his heart, and with
whose mouth, chants His holy names, and in his stomach he has
food which has been offered to Lord Hari, and on his head, he has
the water which has emminated from washing Lord Hari's feet and
his body has been decorated with garlands which were used by Lord
Hari, such persons have become equal to infallible personalities.

NAVAM ANNAM PHALAM PUSPAM NIVEDYA MADHUSUDANE


PASCAD BHUNKTE SVAYAM YASCA TASYA TUSYATI KESAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/406 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Any person who offers newly grown grains, fruits,


flowers, to Lord Sri Madhusudana and afterwards, he eats them
himself, Lord Kesava remains very satisfied.

NOPASATE MAHIPALA TE VAI BHAGAVATA NARAH


PRANATYAYE NA CASNANTI DINAM PRAPYA HARER NARAH
KURVANTI JAGARAM RATRAU SADA BHAGAVATAHI TE
UPOSYA DVADASIM SUDDHAM RATRAU JAGARANANVITAM
ALPANTU SADHAYED YAS TU SA VAI BHAGAVATONARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/6, 7, 8, SKANDA PURANA conversation


between Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

Oh king, any person who does not fast on Ekadasi which


is mixed or overlapped with Dasami, he is certainly a very
advanced devotee. And those people who do not eat on the day of
Lord Hari (Ekadasi), even if he has to die under the most
difficult conditions, and if he remains awake over night, you
should understand that he is always to be considered a very
advanced devotee. ANy person, after fasting, who remains awake
over night, according to the rules and regulations, breaks his
fast properly, that devotee is to be considered a bhagavata
devotee (very advanced devotee).

BHAKTIR NA VICYUTA YESAM NA CYUTANI VRTANI CA


SUPRIYAH SRIPATIR YESAM TE SYUR BHAGAVATA NARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/9 SKANDA PURANA)


(Markendeya Muni speaks to King Bhagiratha)

Oh king, any person who is not devoid of devotional


service, those people who fast on Ekadasi and who fast in the
month of Kartika and who do not break the rules and regulations,
and who love the Supreme Personality of Godhead, these devotees
are called Bhagavata devotees (very advanced devotees).

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his commentary in his


Digdharsanitika regarding fasting on Ekadasi and following the
rules and regulations for fasting in the month of Kartika. He
says that one who is dedicated to the devotional service to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead these are not his infallible
symptoms, such as fasting on Ekadasi and following the proper
rules and regulation for fasting during the month of Kartika. He
does not deviate from these functions at any time. Therefore,
the Supreme Lord remains their dear personality.

SADACARA RATAH SISTAH SARVA BHUTANU KAMPAKAH


SUCAYAS TYAKTA RAGA YE SADA BHAGAVATAHI TE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/12 SKANDA PURANA)


(Markendeya Muni speaks to King Bhagiratha)

ANy person whose etiquete is best and proper, who lives


according to the scriptures, who is very merciful to all living
entities, who is pure,and whose actions are offered tothe Supreme
Lord, are said to be Bhagavata devotees (very advanced devotees).

TITIKSAVAH KARUNIKAH
SUHRDAH SARVA-DEHINAM
AJATA-SATRAVAH SANTAH
SADHAVAH SADHU-BHUSANAH
(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:21)

The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful


and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is
peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his
characteristics are sublime.

MAHAT-SEVAM DVARAM AHUR VIMUKTES


TAMO-DVARAM YOSITAM SANGI-SANGAM
MAHANTAS TE SAMA-CITTAH PRASANTA
VIMANYAVAH SUHRDAH SADHAVO YE

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:5:2)

One can attain the path of liberation from material


bondage only by rendering service to highly advanced spiritual
personalities. The personalities are impersonalists and
devotees.Whether one wants to merge into the Lord's existence or
wants to associate with the Personality of Godhead, one should
render service to the mahatmas. For those who are not interested
in such activities, who associate with people who are fond of
women and sex, the path to hell is wide open. The mahatmas are
equiposed. They do not see any difference between one living
entity and another. They are very peaceful and fully engaged in
devotional service. They are devoid of anger and they work for
the benefit of everyone. They do not behave in any abominable
way. Such people are known as mahatmas.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:29:29-31)

YESAM BHAGAVATA SASTRAM JIVITAD ADHIKAM BHAVET


MAHA BHAGAVATAH SRESTHA VISNUNA KATHITA NARAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/33 SKANDA PURANA

Anyone who has made the Srimad bhagavatam better or more


valuable than his own life. Those ideal personalities are
considered to be mahabhagavat devotees.

RUKSA AKSARA GIRAH SRNVAN TATHA BHAGAVATA TRITAH


PRANAMA PURVAKAM KSANTVA YO VADED VAISNAVO HI SAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/35 LINGA PURANA)

Any devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, after


hearing the harsh and dry words from another devotee, tolerates
them and pays obeisances to such a devotee, they are certainly
said to be real Vaisnavas.

MAT KATHA SRAVANE YESAM VARTATE SATVIKI MATIH


TAD VAKTARI SUBHAKTIS CA TE VAI BHAGAVATOTTAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/40 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA conversation


between The Supreme Personality of Godhead and Markandeya Rsi)

Anybody, after hearing my transcendental glories become


jubilant and situates himself in goodness and becomes devoted to
that speaker of Krsna's glories and serves him. Such a person is
known as a bhagavatottama, or high class devotee.
MAD-ASRAYAH KATHA MRSTAH
SRNVNTI KATHAYANTI CA
TAPANTI VIVIDHAS TAPA
NAITAN MAD-GATA-CETASAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:23)

Engaged constantly in chanting about Me, the Supreme


Personality of Godhead, the sadhus do not suffer from material
miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My
pastimes and activities.

YE'BHINANDADTI NAMANI HAREH SRNVANTI HARSITAH


ROMANCIT SARIRAS CA TE VAI BHAGAVATOTTAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/44 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Anyone whose heart becomes jolly just by hearing the


transcendental holy names of Lord Hari with a pleased mind and
just by hearing these holy names, his hairs stand on end, he is
considered a bhagavata (best devotees).

NA CALATI YA UCCAIH SRI BHAGAVAT PADARVINDE


SITMANAS TAMA VEHI VISNU BHAKTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/46 VISNU PURANA Yamaraja instructs his


messengers)

ANy person who does not get disturbed by lusty desires


and who is always rigidly attached to the lotus feet of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is said to be a Visnu devotee.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdharsanitika


commentary on this verse, saying any body who is really attached
to the transcendental subjects of Krsna, he becomes very purified
and becomes free from all kinds of personal sense gratification,
etc. ANy person who wants to hear the transcendental message of
the Supreme Lord and who wants to chant them with a loud voice
and who feels this message is very rarely achieved. one who is
attached to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and one who wants his
mind to be tied at His lotus feet, all of these personalities are
to the known as Visnu bhaktas or devotees of the Supreme Lord.
The sign of a clean devotee is that the devotee's mind is not
disturbed. One who is engaged in pure devotional service does
not become disturbed in any condition. He sees friends and
enemies equally. He naturally develops a desire to not usurp
somebody else's property. Everything that he needs is provided
by the Supreme Lord, therefore it is said that one whose mind is
not disturbed, he is said to be a properly minded person. Thus,
he is said to be a Visnu devotee. He does everything. He does
his own occupational duty without depending on others. Whatever
is possible, he depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

BHAGAVATA URU VIKRAMANGHRI SAKHA


NAKHA MANI CANDRIKAYA NIRASTA TAPE
HRDI KATHAM UPASIDATAM PUNAH SA
BHAVATI CANDRA IVA UDITE 'RKA TAPAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/54 SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:2:54)

When the moon shines in the sky, at that time, there is


no heat available from the sun. Similarly, if somebody'a heart
is shined by the soothing rays of the diamond of the toenail of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Trivikrama, how can the
burning sensation of material desires arise against in him?

SARVA-DHARMAN PARITYAJYA
MAM EKAM SARANAM VRAJA
AHAM TVAM SARVA-PAPEBHYO
MOKSAYISYAMI MA SUCAH

(BHAGAVAD-GITA 18:66)
Abandon all kinds of religion and just surrender unto Me.
I shall deliver you from all kinds of sinful reactions.

TA ETE SADHAVAH SADHVI


SARVA-SANGA-VIVARJITAH
SANGAS TESV ATHA TE PRARTHYAH
SANGA-DOSA-HARA HI TE

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:24)

O My mother, O virtuous lady, these are the qualities of


great devotees who are free from all attachment. You must seek
attachment to such holy men, for this counteracts the pernicious
effects of material attachment.

YASYA KRCHRA GATASYAPI KESAVE RAMATE MANAH


NA VICYUTA CA BHAKTIR VAI SA VAI BHAGAVATO NA RAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/67 SKANDA PURANA)

ANy person who remains attached to Lord Hari within his


mind, even if many obstacles come on his path and he does not
deviate from his service, it can be certainly understood that he
is a devotee of the Supreme Lord.

YE VA MAYISE KRTA-SAUHRDARTHA
JANESU DEHAMBHARA-VARTIKESU
GRHESU JAYATMAJA-RATIMATSU
NA PRITI-YUKTA YAVAD-ARTHAS CA LOKE

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:5:3)

Those who are interested in reviving Krsna consciousness


and increasing their love of Godhead do not like to do anything
that is not related to Krsna. They are not interested in
mingling with people who are busy maintaining their bodies,
eating, sleeping, mating and defending. They are not attached to
their homes, although they may be householders.Nor are they
attached to wives, children, friends or wealth. At the same
time, they are not indifferent to the execution of their duties.
Such people are interested in collecting only enouph money to
keep the body and soul together.

MAYY ANANYENA BHAVENA


BHAKTIM KURVANTI YE DRDHAM
MAT-KRTE TYAKTA-KARMANAS
TYAKA-SVAJANA-BANDHAVAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:22

Such a sadhu engages in staunch devotional service to the


Lord without deviation. For the sake of the Lord he renounces
all other connections, such as family relationships and friendly
acquaintances within the world.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:2:46)


IDRK LAKSANA VANTAH SYUR DURLABHA VAHAVO JANAH
DIVYA HI MANAYO VYKTAM NA VARTERANN ITASTATHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/80)

All of the above mentioned symptons are available in very


few devotees because a priceless gem such as cintamini is not
available everywhere.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:2:46)


(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:2:47)

INDRO MAHESVARO BRAHMA PARAM BRAHMA TADAIVA HI


SVAPACOPI BHAVATY EVA YADA TUSTA'SI KESAVA
SVAPACAD API KASTATVAM BRAHMA ISAN ADAYAH SURAH
TADAIVA' CYUTA YANTYETE YADAIVA TVAM PARANMUKHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/88, 89 SKANDA PURANA, Lord Brahma speaks)

Oh Lord Kesavah, if You are pleased upon someone, even if


he is a low born, is equal to Indra, Siva and Brahma and anybody
who is agains You, even if he is Indra, Siva or Brahma, he is
said to be the lowest of mankind.

ISVARAM SARVA BUTANAM JAGATAH PRABHAVAPYAYAM


BHAKTA NARAYANAM DEVAM DURGANY ATI TARANTI TE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/108 MAHABHARATA RAJA DHARMA)

The devotees of the Supreme Lord, the source of all


living entities and the source of the creation, maintenence and
distruction of this universe, these devotees easily cross this
universe without any difficulty.

SUDRAM VA BHAGAVAD BHAKTAM NISADAM SVAPACAM TATHA


VIKSATAM JATI SAMANYAT SA YATI NARAKAM DHRUVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/119 ITIHASA SAMUCCAYA, LOMASO RSI speaks)

A Vaisnava, even if he is born in a sudra, dogeater or


even lower class family than that, if somebody sees such a
devotee in bad behavior (due to being born in that kind of
family), he is certainly said to be going to hell.
YE NRSANSA DURATMANAH PAPACARA RATAH SADA
TE'PI YANTI PARAM DHAMA NARAYANA PARASRAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/121 ITIHASA SAMUCCAYA, conversation


between Narada Muni and Pundarika)

Any person who has taken shelter at the lotus feet of a


devotee who has taken shelter at the feet of Lord Narayana, if
somebody takes shelter of him, even if he is of bad character and
a sinner, such a person does not become implicated with sin and
getting purified, they purify the whole world.

NA ME PRIYAS CATURVEDI MAD BHAKTAH SVAPACAH PRIYAH


TASMAI DEYAM TATO GRAHYAM SA CA PUJYO YATHA HY AHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/127 ITIHASA SAMUCCAYA, spoken by the


Supreme Personality of Godhead)

If someone is not by devotee, even if he is expert in th


four Vedas, he is not dear to Me. If someone is My devotee, even
if he is lowborn, he is dear to Me. Therefore, one should give
charity to such a low born person and accept charity from him.
Even a low born devotee is equally worshipable as Me.

HARI BHAKTI PARO YATRA TATRA BRAHMA HARIH SIVA


TATRA DEVAS CA SIDDHADYA NITYAM TISTHANTI SATTAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/143 Markendeya Purana Suta Gosvami said)

Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, all the demigods and the Siddhas
(perfect personalities) stay in a place where a devoted devotee
is situated.

YATINAM VISNU BHAKTANAM PARICARYA PARAYANAIH


IKSITA API GACCHANTI PAPINO'PI PARAM GATIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/147 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA, spoken by the


Visnudhutas)

One who serves a sannyasi and a devotee of the Supreme


Lord Hari, if such a devotee sees someone else, even if that
person(the one he sees) is sinful, he achieves the supreme abode,
Vaikuntha.

YE VISNU NIRATAH SANTA LOKANUGRAHA TAT PARAH


SARVA BHUTA DAYA YUKTA VISNU RUPAH PRAKIRTITAH]

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/152 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA, spoken by Sri


Suta Gosvami)
Any person who is very attached to Lord Sri Visnu, who is
very peaceful, who is merciful to other living entities, who is
kind to everyone, they are equal to Lord Sri Hari.

AHO BHAGYAM AHOBHAGYAM VISNU BHAKTI RATATMANAM


YASMAM MUKTIH KARASTHAIVA YOGINAM API DURLABHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/156 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA, spoken by Srila


Suta Gosvami)

Oh what great luck to the devotees of Lord Sri Hari


because by their compassion, anyone can achieve liberation which
is rarely achieved even by yogis.

DARSANA DHYANA SANSPARSAIR MATSYA KURMA VIHANGAMAH


PUSNANTI SVANYA PATYANI TATHA AHAM API PADMAJA
MUHUR TEN API SAN HARTUM SAKTAU YADYAPI DANAVAN
MAD BHAKTANAM VINODARTHAM KOROMI VIVIDHAH KRIYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/161, 162 PADMA PURANA, The Supreme


Personality of Godhead speaks to Lord Brahma)

Oh Brahma, just as the fish, turtle and birds take care


of their of their own offspring by seeing, meditating and
touching, respectively, I also take care of My devotees in that
very way. Even though I can kill all of the demons within
ninety-six minutes (muhurta), still, just to please My devotees,
I engage in many kinds of activities in many forms.

SADA SANTO' BHIGANTAVYA YADYAPY UPADISANTI NA


YA HI SVAIRA KATHA TESAM UPADESA BHAVANTI TE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/174 from Yoga Vasistha)

One should always associate with saintly persons. Even if


they do not narrate or preach, their talking itself is a great
instruction.
API CET SUDURACARO
BHAJATE MAM ANANYA-BHAK
SADHUR EVA SA MANTAVYAH
SAMYAG VYAVASITO HI SAH

BHAGAVAD-GITA 9:30

Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is


engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly
because he is properly situated.
KSIPRAM BHAVATI DHARMATMA
SASVAC-CHANTIM NIGACCHATI
KAUNTEYA PRATIJANIHI
NA ME BHAKTAH PRANASYATI

BHAGAVAD-GITA 9:31
He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace.
O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.

MAM HI PARTHA VYAPASRITYA


YE'PI SHYUH PAPA-YONAYAH
STRIYO VAISYAS TATHA SUDRAS
TE'PI YANTI PARAM GATIM

BHAGAVAD-GITA 9:32

O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they


be of lower birth-women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras
[workers]--can approach the supreme destination.

YOGINAM API SARVESAM


MAD-GATENANTARATMANA
SRADDHAVAN BHAJATE YO MAM
SA ME YUKTATAMO MATAH

BHAGAVAD-GITA 6-47

YESAM SAMSMARANAT PUMSAM


SADYAH SUDDHYANTI VAI GRHAH
KIM PUNAR DARSANA-SPARSA-
PADA-SAUCASANADIBHIH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:19:33

Simply by our remembering you, our houses become


instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching
you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?

YA NIRVRTIS TANU-BHRTAM TAVA PADA-PADMA-


DHYANAD BHAVAJ-JANA-KATHA-SRAVANENA VA SYAT
SA BRAHMANI SVA-MAJIMANY API NATHA MA BHUT
KIM TV ANTAKASI-LULITAT PATATAM VIMANAT
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:9:l0
My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived from meditating
upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories from pure
devotees is so unlimited that is far beyond the stage of
brahmananda, wherein one thinks himself merged in the impersonal
Brahman as one with the Supreme. Since Brahmananda is also
defeated by the transcendental bliss derived from devotional
service, then what to speak of the temporary blissfulness of
elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which is ended by the
seperating sword of time? Although one may be elevated to the
heavenly planets, he falls down in due course of time.

SVA-DHARMA-NISTHAH SATA-JANMABHIH PUMAN


VIRINCATAM ETI TATAH PARAM HI MAM
AVYAKRTAM BHAGAVATO 'THA VAISNAVAM
PADAM YATHAHAM VIBUDHAH KALATYAYE

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:24:29


A person who executes his occupational duty properly for
one hundred births becomes qualified to occupy the post of
Brahma, and if he becomes more qualified, he can approach Lord
Siva. A person who is directly surrendered to Lord Krsna, or
Visnu, in unalloyed devotional service is immediately promoted to
the spiritual planets. Lord Siva and other demigods attain these
planets after the destruction of the material world.

RAHUGANAITAT TAPASA NA YATI


NA CEJYAYA NIRVAPANAD GRHAD VA
NA CCHANDASA NAIVA JALAGNI-SURYAIR
VINA MAHAT-PADA-RAJO-'BHISEKAM

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:12:12

My dear king Rahugana, unless one has the opportunity to


smear his entire body with the dust of lotus feet of great
devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot
realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy
[brahmacarya], strictly following the rules and regulations of
householder life, leaving home as a vanaprastha, accepting
sannyasa, or undergoing severe penances in the winter by keeping
oneself submerged in water or surrounding oneself in summer by
fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other
processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute
Truth is only revealed to one who has attainded the mercy of a
great devotee.

RAJOBHIH SAMA-SANKHYATAH
PARTHIVAIR IHA JANTAVAH
TESAM YE KECANEHANTE
SREYO VAI MANUJADAYAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:14:3

In this material world, there are as many living entities


as atoms. Among these living entities, very few are human
beings, and among them, few are interested in following religious
principles.

PRAYO MUMUKSAVAS TESAM


KECANAIVA DVIJOTTAMA
MUMUKSUNAM SAHASRESU
KASCIN MUCYETA SIDHYATI

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:14:4

OH best of the brahmanas, Sukadeva Gosvami, out of many


persons who follow religious principles, only a few desire
liberation from the material world. Among many thousands who
desire liberation, one may actually achieve liberation, giving up
material attachment to society, friendship, love, country, home,
wife and children. And among many thousands of such liberated
persons, one who can understand the true meaning of liberation is
very rare.

MUKTANAM API SIDDHANAM


NARAYANA-PARAYANAH
SUDURLABHAH PRASANTATMA
KOTISV API MAHA-MUNE

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:14:5

O great sage, among many millions who are liberated and


in perfect knowledge of liberation, one may be a devotee of Lord
Narayana, or Krsna. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are
extremely rare.

NARAYANA-PARAH SARVE
NA KUTASCANA BIBHYATI
SVARGAPAVARGA-NARAKESV
API TULYARTHA-DARSINAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:17:28

Devotees soley engaged in the devotional service of the


Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, never fear any
condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and
the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are
interested only in the service of the Lord.

NAISAM MATIS TAVAD URUKRAMANGHRIM


SPRSATY ANARTHAPAGAMO YAD-ARTHAH
MAHIYASAM PADA-RAJO 'BHISEKAM
NISKINCANANAM NA VRNITA YAVAT

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:5:32

Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus
feet of a Vaisnava completely freed from material contamination,
persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be
attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His
uncommon activities. Only by becoming Krsna conscious and taking
shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord in this way can one be
freed from material contamination.

VIPRAD DVI-SAD-GUNA-YUTAD ARAVINDA-NABHA-


PADARVINDA-VIMUKHAT SVAPACAM VARISTHAM
MANYE TAD-ARPITA-MAN0-VACANEHITARTHA-
PRANAM PUNATI SA KULAM NA TU BHURIMANAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:9:10

If a brahmana has all twelve of the brahminical


qualifications [as they are stated in the book called Sanat-
sujata] but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of
the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater
but who has dedicated everything-mind, words, activities, wealth
and life-to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than
such a brahmana because the devotee can purify his whole family,
whereas the so-called brahmana in a position of false prestige
cannot purify even himself.

EKANTINO YASYA NA KANCANARTHAM


VANCHANTI YE VAI BHAGAVAT-PRAPANNAH
ATY-ADBHUTAM TAC-CARITAM SUMANGALAM
GAYANTA ANANDA-SAMUDRA-MAGNAH
TAM AKSARAM BRAHMA PARAM PARESAM
AVYAKTAM ADHYATMIKA-YOGA-GAMYAM
ATINDRIYAM SUKSMAM IVATIDURAM
ANANTAM ADYAM PARIPURNAM IDE

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 8:3:20,21

Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to


serve the Lord, worship Him in full surrender and always hear and
chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and
auspicious. Thus they always merge in an ocean of transcendental
bliss. Such devotees never ask the Lord for any benediction. I,
however, am in danger. Thus I pray to that Supreme Personality
of Godhead, Who is eternally existing, who is invisible, who is
the Lord of all great personalities, such as Brahma, and who is
available only by transcendental bhakti-yoga. Being extremely
subtle, he is beyond the reach of my senses and transcendental to
all external realization. He is unlimited, He is the original
cause, and He is completely full in everything. I offer my
obeisances unto Him.

SRI-BHAGAVAN UVACA
AHAM BHAKTA-PARADHINO
HY ASVATANTRA IVA DVIJA
SADHUBHIR GRASTA-HRDAYO
BHAKTAIR BHAKTA-JANA-PRIYAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 9:4:63

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brahmana:


I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am
not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely
devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their
hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees
of My devotee are very dear to Me.

MAYI NIRBADDHA-HRDAYAH
SADHAVAH SAMA-DARSANAH
VASE KURVANTI MAM BHAKTYA
SAT-STRIYAH SAT-PATIM YATHA

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 9:4:66

As chaste women bring their husbands under control by


service, the pure devotees, who are equal to everyone and
completley attached to Me in the core of the heart, bring Me
under their full control.

SADHAVO HRDAYAM MAHYAM


SADHUNAM HRDAYAM TV AHAM
MAD-ANYAT TE NA JANANTI
NAHAM TEBHYO MANAG API

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 9:4:68

The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart,


and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do
not know anything else but Me and I do not know anyone else but
them.

DUSKARAH KO NU SADHUNAM
DUSTYAJO VA MAHATMANAM
YAIH SANGRHITO BHAGAVAN
SATVATAM RSABHO HARIH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 9:5:15

For those who have achieved the Supreme Personality of


Godhead, the master of the pure devotees, what is impossible to
do, and what is impossible to give up?

Therefore, Yamaraja says to his messengers:

TE DEVA-SIDDHA-PARIGITA-PAVITRA-GATHA
YE SADHAVAH SAMADRSO BHAGAVAT-PRAPANNAH
TAN NOPASIDATA HARER GADAYABHIGUPTAN
NAISAM VAYAM NA CA VAYAH PRABHAVAMA DANDE

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:3:27)

My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees,


for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their
narrations are sung by the demigods and inhabitants of
Siddhaloka. Please do not even go near them. They are always
protected by ther club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and
therefore Lrod Brahma and I and even the time factor are not
competent to chastise them.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10:2:33 10:9:21

AHAM AMARA GANARCITENA DHATRA


YAMA ITI LOKA HITAHITE NIYUKYAH
HARI GURU VIMUKHAN PRASASMI MARTYAN
HARI CARANA PRANATAN NAMASKAROMI
NA HI SASI KALUSAC CHAVIH KADACIT-
TIMIRA PARABHAVTAM UPAITI CANDRAH
BHAGAVATI CA HARAVA ANANYA CETA
BHRUSA MALINO'PI VIRAJATE MANUSYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/223, 225 NRSINGHA PURANA AND VISNU PURANA,
Yamaraja speaks)

The Supreme Lord Visnu, Who is praised by everyone, has


created me for the benefit of the whole world to discriminate the
heavenly planets which are meant for meritoreous persons, and
hellish planets which are meant to torture the sinful people.
Therefore, I control and manage those people who are against the
lotus feet of Lord Hari. I pay my humble obeisances at the lotus
feet of Lord Hari. As the moon which has a deer mark on its
chest cannot be defeated by unlimited darkness, similarly, any
person who has developed pure devotion to Lord Sri Hari, even if
he is very dirty, he is still worshippable. In other words, if
an unalloyed devotee accidently engages himself in sinful
activities, he is not considered a sinful person.

VAISNAVO YAD GRHE BHUNKTE YESAM VAISNAVA SANGATIH


TE'PI VAH PARIHARYAH SYUS TAT SANGA HATA KILVISAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/228 PADMA PURANA)

In anyones house, the messengers of Yamaraja say that by


Yamaraja's instruction, we leave such a person alone who lives in
the house of a Vaisnava. Do to association with a Vaisnava, they
have become free of all implications.

SRIYAM ANUCARATIM TAD-ARTHINAS CA


DVIPADA-PATIM VIBUDHAMS CA YAT SVA-PURNAH
NA BHAJATI NIJA-BHRTYA-VARGA-TANTRAH
KATHAM AMUM UDVISRJET PUMAN KRTA-JNAH

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:31:22

Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-


sufficient, He becomes dependent on His devotees. He does care
for the goddess of fortune. nor for the kings and demigods who
are after the favor of the goddess of fortune. Where is that
person who is actually grateful and will not worship the
Personality of Godhead?

NAHAM BRAHMAPI BHUYASAM TVAD BHAKTI RAHITO HARE


TVAYI BHAKTAS TU KITO'PI BHUYASAM JANMA JANMASU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/246 NARAYANA VYUHA

Oh Lord Hari, if I am bereft of Your pure devotional


service, I do not even desire the post of Lord Brahma. If
devotional service is available birth after birth, I do not mind
taking birth even in the form of moths. This is desirable to me.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10/14/30 LORD BRAHMA PRAYS


YE TYAKTA LOKA DHARMARTHA VISNU BHAKTI VASAM GATAH
BHAJANTI PARAMATMANAM TEBHYO NITYAM NAMO NAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/248 NARAYANA VYUHA)

Any person who is not attached to sons, wife, varnasrama


system, wealth and even liberation, and worships Lord Sri Visnu
properly with devotion, to such a devotee, I pay my obiesances
again and again.

HARI BHAKTI PARANANTU SANGINAM SANGA MATRATAH


MUCYATE SARVA PAPEBHYO MAHA PATAKAVAN API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/252 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Any person who associates with a devotee of Lord Sri


Hari, or who engages himself in the service of Lord Sri Hari,
just by his association, one becomes liberated from unlimited
grievious sinful activities, completely.

VINASAYATI APAYASO BUDDHIM VISADAYATY API


PRATISTHA PAYATI PRAYO NRNAM VAISNAVA DARSANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/253 PADMA PURANA)

Just by looking at a Vaisnava (a devotee of Lord Visnu)


ones infamy goes away. By associating with a devotee, increases
and cleanses his intelligence and makes one eligible to attain
great respect.

GANGADI PUNYA TIRTHESU YO NARAH SNATUM ICCHATI


YAH KAROTI SATAM SANGAM TAYOH SATSANGAMO VARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/255 PADMA PURANA)

The association of the devotees of Lord Visnu immediately


and completely removes ones sins. It gives all auspiciousness and
spreads ones glories everywhere.

SANGO YAH SAMSRTER HETUR


ASATSU VIHITO 'DHIYA
SA EVA SADHUSU KRTO
NIHSANGATVAYA KALPATE

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:23:55, spoken by Devahuti)

Association for sense gratification is certainly the path


of bondage. But the same type of association, performed with a
saintly person, leads to the path of liberation, even if
performed without knowledge.
PRASANGAM AJARAM PASAM
ATMANAH KAVAYO VIDUH
SA EVA SADHUSU KRTO
MOKSA-DVARAM APAVRTAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:20, spoken by Kapiladeva)

Every learned man knows very well that attachment for the
material is the greatest entanglement of the spirit soul. But
that same atachment, when applied to the self-realized devotees,
opens the door of liberation.

TE NA SMARANTY ATITARAM PRIYAM ISA MARTYAM


YE CANV ADAH SUTA-SUHRD-GRHA-VITTA-DARAH
YE TV ABJA-NABHA BHAVADIYA-PADARAVINDA
SAUGANDHYA-LUBHA-HRDAYESU KRTA-PRASANGAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:9:12, spoken by Dhruvam Maharaja)

O Lord who have a lotus navel, if a person happens to


associate with a devotee whose heart always hankers after Your
lotus feet, seeking always their fragrance, he is never attached
to the material body or, in a bodily relationship, to offspring,
friends, home, wealth and wife, which are very, very dear to
materialistic persons. Indeed, he does not care for them.

TESAM VICARATAM PADBHYAM


TIRTHANAM PAVANECCHAYA
BHITASYA KIM NA ROCETA
TAVAKANAM SAMAGAMAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:30:37, spoken by the Pracetas)

Dear Lord, Your personal associates, devotees, wander all


over the world to purify even the holy places of pilgrimage. Is
not such activity pleasing to those who are actually afraid of
material existence?

ASARA BHUTE SANSARE SARAM ETAD AJATMAJA


BHAGAVAD BHAKTA SANGO HI HARI BHAKTIM SAMICCHATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/270 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA, conversation


between Narada Muni and Sanat Kumara)

Oh son of Lord Brahma, any person who is systematically


interested in devotional service of Lord Sri Hari, he should
understand that the only solace within this suffering world is to
associate with devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

ASAGAROTTHAM PIYUSAM ADRAVYAM VYASANA AUSADHAM


HARSAS CA ALOKA PARYANTAH SATAM KILA SAMAGAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/271 PADMA PURANA, King Maharata speaks)


The association of devotees is nectarean which has not
emminated from the ocean and is an easily available medicine and
it is the only remedy to give pleasure to every living entity.

YATRA BHAGAVATA RAJAN


SADHAVO VISADASAYAH
BHAGAVAD-GUNANUKATHANA-
SRAVANA-VYAGRA-CETASAH

TASMIN MAHAN-MUKHARITA MADHUBHIC-CARITRA-


PIYUSA-SESA-SARITAH PARITAH SRAVANTI
TA YE PIBANTY AVITRSO NRPA GADHA-KARNAIS
TAN NA SPRSANTY ASANA-TRD-BHAYA-SOKA-MOHAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:29:39,40)

My dear King, in the place where pure devotees live,


following the rules and regulations and thus purely conscious and
engaged with great eagerness in hearing and chanting the glories
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in that place if one gets
a chance to hear their constant flow of nectar, which is exactly
like the waves of a river, one will forget the necessities of
life-namely hunger and thirst-and become immune to all kinds of
fear, lamentaton and illusion.

YATROTTAMASLOKA-GUNANUVADAH
PRASTUYATE GRAMYA-KATHA-VIGHATAH
NISEVYAMANO 'NUDINAM MUMUKSOR
MATIM SATIM YACCHATI VASUDEVE

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:12:13)

Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? In an assembly


of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material
subjects like politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure
devotees, ther is discussion only of the qualities, forms and
pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is praised ad
worshiped with full attention. In the association of pure
devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a
person who wants to merge into the existence of the Abosolute
Truth abandons this idea ahd gradually becomes atached to the
service of Vasudeva.

BHAKTIS TU BHAGAVAD-BHAKTA-SANGENA PARIJAYATE


SATSANGAH PRAPYATE PUMBHIH SUKRTAIH PURVA SANCITAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/279 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

By the association of the devotees of the Supreme


Personality of Godhead, ones devotion to the Lord arises within
his heart, and the association of devotees is only available to
those who have acquired unlimited merits in different previous
lives.
(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:12:1,2 conversation between the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and Uddhava)

YAT-SEVAYA BHAGAVATAH
KUTA-STHASYA MADHU-DVISAH
RATI-RASO BHAVET TIVRAH
PADAYOR VYASANARDANAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:7:19, spoken by Vidura Maharaja)

By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is


enabled to develop transcendental ecstacy in the service of the
Personality of Godhead, who is the unchangeable enemy of the
Madhu demon and whose service vanquishes one's material
distresses.

TULAYAMA LAVENAPI
NA SVARGAM NAPUNAR-BHAVAM
BHAGAVAT-SANGI-SANGASYA
MARTYANAM KIM UTASISAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:18:13 spoken by Saunaka)

The value of a moment's association with the devotee of


the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly
planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldy
benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for
those who are meant for death.

TULAYAMA LAVENAPI
NA SVARGAM NAPUNAR-BHAVAM
BHAGAVAT-SANGI-SANGASYA
MARTYANAM KIM UTASISAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:30:34 spoken by the Pracetas)

Even a moments association with a pure devotee cannot be


compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging
into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberaton. For living
entities who are destined to give up the body and die,
association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.
KSANARDHENAPI TULAYE
NA SVARGAM NAPUNAR-BHAVAM
BHAGAVAT-SANGI-SANGASYA
MARTYANAM KIM UTASISAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:24:57, spoken by Lord Siva)


If one by chance associates with a devotee, even for a fraction
of a moment, he no longer is subject to attraction by the results
of karma or jnana. What interest then can he have in the
benedictions of the demigods, who are subject to the laws of
birth and death.?

Lord Caitanya spoke to Sanatana Gosvami


Caitanya Caritamrta Mad 20:61 (it was also quoted in Hari Bhakti
Suddhodaya , spoken by Mother Earth to Prahlada Maharaja)

DURAPA HY ALPA-TAPASAH
SEVA VAIKUNTHA-VARTMASU
YATROPAGIYATE NITYAM
DEVA-DEVO JANARDANAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:7:20, spoken by Vidura Maharaja)

Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the


service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back
to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikunthas. Pure devotees engage
one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the
Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.

TASMAD AMUS TANU-BHRTAM AHAM ASISO 'JNA


AYUH SRIYAM VIBHAVAM AINDRIYAM AVIRINCYAT
NECCHAMI TE VILULITAN URUVIKRAMENA
KALATMANOPANAYA MAM NIJA-BHRTYA-PARSVAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:9:24, spoken by Prahlada Maharaja)

My dear Lord, now I have complete experience concerning


the worldly opulence, mystic power, longevity and other material
pleasures enjoyed by all living entities, from Lord Brahma down
to the ant. As powerful time, You destroy them all. Therefore,
because of my experience, I do not wish to possess them. My dear
Lord, I request You to place me in touch with Your pure devotee
and let me serve him as a sincere servant.

DEFECTS OF ASSOCIATING WITH NON DEVOTEES

VARAM HUTAVAHA JVALA PANJARANTARA VYAVASTHITIH


NA SAURI CINTA VIMUKHA JANA SAMVASA VAISASAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/295 KATYAYANA-VAKYA

It is better to live in a burning hot iron cage, rather


than associating and living with people who are bereft of think
about Krsna.

AVAISNAVASTU YE VIPRAS CANDALAD ADHAMAH SMRTAH


TESAM SAMBHASANAM SPARSAM SOMA PANADI VARJJAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/296 PADMA PURANA, conversation between Uma


and Lord Siva)

One should not talk with, touch or drink anything with


someone who is not a Vaisnava because they are all lower than the
dog eaters.

SATYAM SAUCAM DAYA MAUNAM


BUDDHIH STIR HRIR YASAH SKAMA
SAM DAMO BHAGAS CETI
YAT-SANGAD YATI SANKSAYAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:31:33-35, conversation between Kapiladeva


and his mother Devahuti)

He becomes devoid of truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy,


gravity, spritual intelligence, shyness, austerity, fame,
forgiveness, control of the mind, control of the senses, fortune
and all such opportunities.
(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:26:3, conversation between the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and Uddhava)

KIM VEDAIH KIMU VA SASTRAIH KIMU TIRTHATI SEVANAIH


VISNU BHAKTI-VIHINANAM KIM TAPOBHIH KIMADHVARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/302 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Those people who are bereft of devotional


service, what is the result of their perfoming Vedic studies,
Vedic activities, study of scriptures, going to places of
pilgrimage, great austerities and acquiring knowledge?

AHNY APRTARTA-KARANA NISI NIHSAYANA


NANA-MANORATHA-DHIYA KSANA-BHAGNA-NIDRAH
DAIVAHATARTHA-RACANA RSAYO 'PI DEVA
YUSMAT-PRASANGA-VIMUKHA IHA SAMSARANTI

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:9:10, prayers by Lord Brahma)

Such nondevotees engage their senses in very troublesome


and extensive work, and they suffer insomnia at night because
their intelligence constantly breaks their sleep with various
mental speculations. They are frustrated in all their various
plans by supernatural power. Even great sages, if they are
against Your transcendental topics, must rotate in this material
world.

Therefore it is said:

PRAYASCITTANI CIRNANI
NARAYANA-PARANMUKHAM
NA NISPUNANTI RAJENDRA
SURA-KUMBHAM IVAPAGAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:1:18)

My dear King, as a pot containing liquor cannot be


purified even if washed in the waters of many rivers, nondevotees
cannot be purified by processes of atonement even if they perform
them very well.
HARI PUJA VIHINAS CA VEDA VIDVESINAS TATHA
DVIJA GO-DVESINA'S CAPI RAKSSA PARIKIRTITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/307 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Those people who are against the worship of Lord Sri


Hari, they are catagorized to be demons.

TAN ANAYADHVAM ASATO VIMUKHAN MUKUNDA-


PADARAVINDA-MAKARANDA-RASAD AJASRAM
NISKINCANAIH PARAMAHANSA-KULAIR ASANGAIR
JUSTAD GRHE NIRAYA-VARTMANI BADDHA-TRSNAN

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:3:28,29, spoken by Lord Yamaraja to his


messengers.

Paramahamsas are exalted persons who have no taste for


material enjoyment and who drink the honey of the Lord's lotus
feet. My dear servants, bring to me for punishment only persons
who are averse to the taste of the honey, who do not associate
with paramahamsas and who are attached to family life and worldy
enjoyment, which form the path to hell.

YO HI BHAGAVATAM LOKAM UPAHASAM NRPOTTAMA


KOROTI YASYA NASYANTI ARTHA DHARMA YASAH SUTAH
HANTI NINDATI VAI DVESTI VAISNAVAN NA ABHINANDATI
KRDHYATE YATI NO HARSAM DARSANE PATANANI SAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/310, 312 SKANDA PURANA, conversation


between Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

Oh King, anybody who makes fun out of the devotee of the


Supreme Personality to Godhead, his religiousity, wealth, fame
and family members all reach ruination or are destroyed. Any
person who kicks a Vaisnava, criticizes him, angers him, envies
him, who is not pleased to see him or disrespects him Mother
Nature, becomes very angry with him and is not happy with him.
They are sent to the hellish planets. These six things are meant
for his degradation.(Therefore one should avoid these six demonic
activities).

JANMA PRABHRTI YAT KINCIT SUKRTAM SAMUPARJITAM


NASAM AYATI TAT SARVAM PIDAYED YADI VAISNAVAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/313 SKANDA PURANA, spoken by Lord


Yamaraja)

Any body who tortures a Vaisnava (a devotee of Lord


Visnu) whatever merits he has acquired his whole life becomes at
once ruined.

PUJITO BHAGAVAN VISNUR JANMANTARA SATAIR API


PRASIDATI NA VISVATMA VAISNAVE CA APAMANITE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/315, Dvarika Mahatmya, conversation


between Prahlada Maharaja and Bali Maharaja)

Any person who has criticized a Vaisnava, such sinners,


even if they worship Lord Sri Visnu, the source of the whole
world for hundreds of births, with such insulters of Vaisnavas,
Lord Hari does not remain happy.

Therefore it is stated:

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:26:26 Elaupakhyana)

THE PROCESS OF ASSOCIATING WITH VAISNAVAS

VAISNAVO VAISNAVAM DRSTVA DANDAVAT PRANAMED BHUVIH


UBHAYOR ANTARA VISNUH SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/320 TEJODRAVINA PANCARATRA)

As soon as one sees a Vaisnava, he should fall on the


ground and pay obeisances unto him. This is the duty of a
Vaisnava because, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Hari
who is residing in the heart, holding conchshell, disk, club,and
lotus flower in his hands, situates himself between these two
devotees. THerefore they should offer obeisances to each other.

THE PROCESS OF ASSOCIATING WITH DEVOTEES

SABHAYAM YAJNASALAYAM DEVATA YATANESU API


PRATYEKANTU NAMASKARO HANTI PUNYAM PURAKRTAM
VAISNAVAN CA AGATAM VIKSA ABHIGAMYA ALINGYA VAISNAVAM
VAIDESIKAM PRINAYEYUR DARSAYANTAH SVA VAISNAVAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/321, 323 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

If any one individually pays obeisances to each and every


person in a conference, sacrificial arena, in the temple, then
whatever merits he had previous acquired are all destroyed at
once. (Therefore, ones obeisances to all together is sufficient).
If a devotee returns from a foreign country, one should embrase
him in a pleasing mood and introduce each and everyone of his own
companions to him.
ATHAVA'BHYAGATAM DURAT YO NA ARCAYATI VAISNAVAM
SVA SAKTYA NRPA SARDULA NA ANYAH PAPA RATAS TATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/328 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

Oh best of the kings, if someone sees an unknown Vaisnava


come toward him from a distance, if he does not, according to his
capacity worship or respect him, then there is no worst sinner
than him in this world.

PRAYER TO A VAISNAVA

DHANYO'HAM KRTA KRTYO'HAM YAD YUYAM GRHAM AGATHAH


DURLABHAM DARSANAM NUNAM VAISNAVANAM TATHA HAREH
MERU MANDARA-TULYA VAI PUNYA PUNJA MAYA KRTAH
SAMPRAPTAM DARSANAM YAD VAI VAISNAVANAM MAHATMANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/337,338 SKANDA PURANA)

(A host must fold his hands and pray to a Vaisnava who


has come to him) Oh Vaisnava, I am very grateful for you
aupicious arrival at my place because seeing a Vaisnava is
certainly as rare as seeing Lord Sri Visnu. I feel that I have
accumulated unlimited merits, equal to Mount Meru, therefore I
now have the opportunity to see such a great soul, a Vaisnava
like you here.

PRTHUR UVACA
AHO ACARITAM KIM ME
MANGALAM MANGALAYANAH
YASYA VO DARSANAM HY ASID
DURDARSANAM CA YOGIBHIH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:22:7, 10, King Prthu speaks to the four


Kumaras)

King Prthu spoke: My dear great sages, auspiciousness


personified, it is very difficult for even the mystic yogis to
see you. Indeed, you are very rarely seen. I do not know what
kind of pious activity I performed for you to grace me by
appearing before me without difficulty.

PRATYAKSAM VA PAROKSAM VA YE PRASAMSANTI VAISNAVAM


PRASADAD VASUDEVASYA TE TARANTE BHAVARNAVAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/346 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between
Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

ANy person, who glorifies a Vaisnava, either directly or


indirectly by the mercy and pleasure of Lord Sri Hari, they cross
this material ocean.

DEVA PUJAPARO YASYA GRHE VASATI SARVADA


TATRAIVA SARVADEVAS CA HARISCAIVA SRIYANVITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/357 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

If in anyones house, a Vaisnava who worships Lord Sri


Krsna always stays continuously all the demigods and Lord Sri
Hari with Laksmidevi live there.

NAIVEDYAM PURATO NYASTAM DRSTVAIVA SVIKRTAM MAYA


BHAKTASYA RASANAGRENA RASAM ASNAMI PADMAJA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/360 BRAHMA PURANA,spoken by the Supreme


Lord)

Oh Brahma, if someone makes an offer of food grains in


front of Salagram Sila (who is non different from Me), I just by
looking at it eat it, but I taste the food when My devotees touch
it with their tongues (eat it).

MAD BHAKTA PUJABHY ADHIKA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/365 from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:19:21)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, the worship of


My devotees is superior to My worship.

KARMANA MANASA VACA YE'RCAYANTI SADA HARIM


TESAM VAKYAM NARAIH KARYAM TEHI VISNU SAMA NARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/366 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

Anyone who always worships Lord Sri Hari with his mind,
body and words, it is the duty of everyone to follow the
statements of such devotees. They are equal to Lord Sri Hari.

VAISNAVANI CA SASTRANI YE'RCAYANTI GRHE NARAH


SARVA PAPA VINIRMUKTA BHAVANTI SARVA VANDITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/369 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada)
People who worship Vaisnava scriptures in their house,
they become free from all sins and cross over material existence
and become eligible to go back to Godhead.

TISTHATE VAISNAVAM SASTRAM LIKHITAM YASYA MANDIRE


TATRA NARAYANO DEVAH SVAYAM VASATI NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/371 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh Narada, written Vaisnava scriptures, if any one has


them in their house, then Lord Sri Narayana live there>

THE GLORIES OF SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

GACCHANTI VAISNAVE BHAKTYA SASTRAM BHAGAVATAM HI YE


KALPA KOTI SAHASRANI VISNU LOKE VASANTI TE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/380 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Krsna and Arjuna)

Any person who donates a Srimad Bhgavatam to a Vaisnava,


with devotion, he remains unlimitedly in the abode of Lord Visnu.

NA YASYA TISTHATE GEHE SASTRAM BHAGAVATAM KALAU


NA TASYA PUNARAVRTIR YAMYAT PASAT KADACANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/382 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Krsna and Arjuna)

In Kaliyuga, if there is no Srimad Bhagavatam scripture


in a person's house, he can never become free from the clutches
of Yamaraja.

YATRA YATRA BHAVED VIPRA SASTRAM BHAGAVATAM KALAU


TATRA TATRA HARIR YATI TRIDASAIH SAHA NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/384 SKANDA PURANA,conversation between


Lord Krsna and Arjuna)

In Kaliyuga, wherever the Srimad Bhagavatam is situated,


O great sage Narada, Lord Sri Hari reaches there with all the
demigods.

YO HI BHAGAVATE SASTRE VIGHNAM ACARATE PUMAN


NABHINANDATI DUSTATMA KULANAM PATAYET SATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/390 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Markandeya and King Bhagiratha)
Any person who creates a disturbance to the Srimad
Bhagavatam and does not pay his obeisances unto it, those rascals
decend to the lowest planets along with their previous hundred
ancestors.

SLOKAM BHAGAVATAM VA PI SLOKARDHAM PADAM EVA VA


LIKHITAM TISTHATE YASYA GRHE TASYA SADA HARIH
VASATE NA ATRA SANDEHO DEVA DEVO JANARDHANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/392 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Gautama Rsi and Ambarisa Maharaja)

(If anyone wants to be delivered from this ocean of


material existence, he should daily study or hear the Srimad
Bhagavatam by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami.) One verse of the Srimad
Bhagavatam, or even half of it, or even one line of a verse, if
available in anyones house, the Lord of all lords, Lord Sri Hari,
remains in that person's house continuously. Of this, there is
no doubt.

ARTHO'YAM BRAHAM SUTRANAM BHARATARTHA-VINIRNAYAH


GAYATRI BHASYA RUPO'SAU VEDARTHA PARI BRNHITAH
PURANANAM SAMA RUPAH SAKSAD BHAGAVATODITAH
DVADASA SKANDHA YUKTO'YAM SATA VICCHEDA SAMYUTAH
GRANTHO'STADASA SAHASRAH SRIMAD BHAGAVATABHIDAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/394,395 GARUDA PURANA)

The Srimad Bhagavatam literature, is the explaination of


the Vedanta Sutra. It is complete settlement of the Mahabharata.
It is the complete commentary on the Gayatri mantra. It
strengthens the explaination of the Vedas and is the topmost
Purana. And it is written by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. It has twelve cantos. It is has one hundred sections
and 18,000 slokas)

DHARMAH PROJJHITA-KAITAVO 'TRA PARAMO NIRMATSARANAM SATAM


VEDYAM VASTAVAM ATRA VASTU SIVADAM TAPA-TRAYONMULANAM,
SRIMAD-BHAGAVATE MAHA-MUNE-KRTE KIM VA PARAIR ISVARAH
SADYO HRDY AVARUDHYATE 'TRA KRTIBHIH SUSRUSUBHIS TAT-KSANAT

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:1:2)

Completely rejecting all religious activities which are


materially motivated, this Bhagavata Purana propounds the highest
truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully
pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from
illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the
threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhagavatam, compiled by the
great sage Vyasadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself
for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture?
As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of
Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is
established within his heart.

IDAM BHAGAVATAM NAMA


PURANAM BRAHMA-SAMMITAM
UTTAMA-SLOKA-CARITAM
CAKARA BHAGAVAN RSIH
NIHSREYASAYA LOKASYA
DHANYAM SVASTY-AYANAM MAHAT

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:3:40)

This Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of


God, and it is compiled by Srila Vyasadeva, the incarnation of
God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is
all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.
TAD IDAM GRAHAYAM ASA
SUTAM ATMAVATAM VARAM
SARVA-VEDETIHASANAM
SARAM SARAM SAMUDDHRTAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:3:41)

Sri Vyasadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected


among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic
literatures and histories of the universe.

KRSNE SVA-DHAMOPAGATE
DHARMA-JNANADIBHIH SAHA
KALAU NASTA-DRSAM ESA
PURANARKO 'DHUNODITAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:3:43)

This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it


has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own
abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have
lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the
age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.

ANARTHOPASAMAM SAKSAD
BHAKTI-YOGAM ADHOKSAJE
LOKASYAJANATO VIDVAMS
CAKRE SATVATA-SAMHITAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:7:6)

The material miseries of the living entity, which are


superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking
process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not
know this, and therefore the learned Vyasadeva compiled this
Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.

YASYAN VAI SRUYAMANAYAM


KRSNE PARAMA-PURUSE
BHAKTIR UTPADYATE PUMSAH
SOKA-MOHA-BHAYAPAHA

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:7:7)

Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic


literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to
extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 12:13:18)

NIGAMA-KALPA-TAROR GALITAM PHALAM


SUKA-MUKHAD AMRTA-DRAVA-SAMYUTAM
PIBATA BHAGAVATAM RASAM ALAYAM
MUHUR AHO RASIKA BHUVI BHAVUKAH

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:1:3)

O expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad-Bhagavatam,


the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It
emanated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Gosvami. Therefore this
fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice
was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPEAKER OF VAISNAVA SCRIPTURES

VAISNAVA JNANA VAKTARAM YO VIDYAD VISNUVAD GURUM


PUJAYED VANGA MANAH KALAIH SA SASTRAJNA SA VAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/411 NARADA PANCARATRA,Sandilya Muni speaks


to other sages)

ANy person who worships or respects a speaker of the


knowledge of Lord Sri Visnu, thinking him to be a spiritual
master, and worships him with body, words and mind, they are the
knower of scriptures and are able to be addressed as Vaisnavas.

SASTRAM PAPA HARAM PUNYAM PAVITRAM BHOGA MOKSADAM


SANTIDANCA MAHARTHAN CA VAKTI YAH SA JAGAD GUROH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/417 NARADA PANCARATRA, Sandilya Muni
speaks to the sages)

Vaisnava scriptures remove ones sins, make him


meritoreous and purifies him and gives him sufficient happiness
in this world and at least liberation, keeps him peaceful and
creates the ettiquete of a Vaisnava. One who speaks this
scripture is addressed as the spiritual master of the whole
world.

ARVASRAMA ABHIGAMANAM SARVA TIRTHA AVAGAHANAM


NATATHA PARANAM NRNAM NARAYANA KATHA YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/419 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Whatever purification one attains by hearing the


narration of the Supreme Lord Narayana, that much purification
cannot be achieved even by going to all the asramas, following
all religious principles or going to all the places of
pilgrimage.

SRNVATAM SVA-KATHAH KRSNAH


PUNYA-SRAVANA-KIRTANAH
HRDY ANTAH STHO HY ABHADRANI
VIDHUNOTI SUHRT SATAM

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:2:17)

Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the


Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyones's heart and the benefactor of
the truthful devotee who has developed the urge to hear His
messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard
and chanted.

DHARMA ARTHA KAMA MOKSANAM YADISTANCA NRNAMIHA


TAT SARVAM LABHATE VATSA KATHAM SRTVA HAREH SADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/435 SKANDA PURANA, spoken by the Lord


Brahma to Narada Muni)

Lord Brahma said, if a person who is in this material


world desires to achieve, religiousity, economic development,
sense gratification and liberation, then he should always worship
the Supreme Personality of Godhead and listen to His narration.

NITYAM KRSNA KATHA YASYA PRANAD API GARIYASI


NA TASYA DURLABHAM KINCID IHA LOKE PARATRA CA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/437 DVARAKA MAHATMYA)

Any person who has realized that hearing the narration of


the Supreme Personality of Godhead daily is more important than
his breathing, there is nothing rare for him in this world and in
the next.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:3:12)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:25:34)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:2:37)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:5:46)


YE SRNVANTI KATHAM VISNOR YE PATHANTI HAREH KATHAM
KALAYUTAM NA AVALOKYAM GATAS TE BRAHMA SASVATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/443 SKANDA PURANA, Lord Yamaraja instructs


his messengers)

Oh messengers, anyone who hears the transcendental


narrations of Lord Sri Visnu, or speaks or narrates, do not look
at them or their ancestors. They have already reached to the
spiritual world (Vaikuntha). You must understand this.

MAT KATHA VACAKAM NITYAM MAT KATHA SRAVANE RATAM


MAT KATHA PRITA MANASAM NAHAM TYAKSAMI TAM NARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/447 in VISNU DHARA, SKANDA PURANA,


conversation between Lord Krsna and Arjuna)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead says, anybody who chants alone


or congregationally My transcendental glories and feels attached
to hearing My transcendental glories, I never leave such a person
at any time.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10:14:3 write it from the verse book, 97

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:32:19)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:18:14)

VACYA MANANTU YE SASTRAM VAISNAVAM PURUSADHAMAH


NA SRNVANTI MUNI SRESTHA TESAM SWAMI SADA YAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/462 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Those who are the lowest among mankind, who do not listen
to the readable Vaisnava scriptures, O best among the sages, they
are always in the charge of Yamaraja. They always live in the
hellish planets.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes in his Digdarshanitika; who


does not go to the Vaikuntha planet? One who hears non Krsna
conscious message. Who are those? Those who enjoy sinful
activities and feel that the miseries of this world are
happiness. In other words, people who are sinful and whose
brains have been changed by the influence of kaliyuga and who
have no common sense. Who does not enjoy the transcendental
pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna? Who is simply acquiring wealth to
live comfortably? Whose intelligence is taken away from
performing austerities and following rules and regulations?
Those people who do not give shelter to the helpless and only
take care of them selves. Due to this, they reduce their merits
and fall into the ferocious hellish planets.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:3:20)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:5:14)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10:1:4)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:19:24)

AJNANAYA CA YO JNANAM DADYAD DHARMOPADESANAM


KRTSNAM VA PRTHVIM DADYAT TENA TULYAM HI TAT SMRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/479 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Brahama and Narada Muni)

ANy person who teaches the science of Krsna consciousness


to innocent people or instructs them about religious principles,
they achieve merit attained by donating the whole Earthly planet.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdharsanitika


that one who knowns specific instructions about how to serve the
Supeme Personality of Godhead, he must certainly speak to other
Vaisnavas equally. Speaking about the glories of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is not equal to speaking some ordinary
religious principles to others.

SAT SANGA DEVARCANA-SAT KATHASU


PAROPADESE 'BHIRATO MANUSYAH
SA YATI VISNOH PARAMAM PADAM TAT
DEHA AVASANE'CYUTA TULYA TEJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/482 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA

Those people who enjoy the association of Vaisnavas, who


worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who listen and speak
the transcendental glories of the Lord, who engage themselves in
listening and hearing to the transcendental glories of the Lord,
after giving up the present body, they achieve the same bright
transcendental body as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and
attain His eternal abode.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:7:30-32)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:11:34,35)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:7:33)

MAT KATHAH KURUTE YAS TU VAISNAVANAM SADA AGRATAH


IHA BHOGAN AVAPNOTI TATHA MOKSAM NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/529 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Krsna and Arjuna)

Those people who alwyas listen to My transcendental


glories from other Vaisnavas and chant them, they shall enjoy
this world properly and at last attain the Supreme liberation.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 7:9:18)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10:31:9)

KIRTANE'PYATRA TAJJNEYAM MAHATMYAM SRAVANE'SYAYAT


SIDHYATI SRAVANAM NUNAM KIRTANAT SVAMEVA HI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/535)

Whatever results one achieves by hearing the


transcendental glories of God, the same results are achieved by
one who speaks them because by speaking, hearing is included.

SRI KRSNA BHAKTYA SAKTYA TU SANDHYO PASYADIKAM YADI


PATET KARMA NA PATITYA DOSA SANKA KATHANCANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/7 SRI VISNU PURANA)

If ones mind in attached to too much service to Lord Sri


Krsna, due to such circumstances, if someone forgets to chant his
promised Gayatri mantra, although he is considered fallen, there
is no diminishing in his advancement in spiritual life or there
is no fear of disadvancement.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami states in his digdharsanitika that


certainly one has to chant his Gayatri mantra to worship the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now if somebody forgets this,
how can he worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead? No kinds
of spiritual functions can be done by such persons. Therefore it
is written here,"Krsna bhakti" which means being enthusiastically
attached to doing devotional service to Lord Sri Krsna and this
nullifies all sins. In other words, because the devotee of Lord
Sri Krsna, is very enthusiastic to serve Him, therefore no kind
of sin of falling down is attached to him.

MAT KARMA KURVATAM PUNSAM KRIYA LOPO BHAVED YADI


TESAM KARMANI KURVANTI TISRAH KOTYA MAHARSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/8 PADMA PURANA spoken by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead)

If some devotee, while doing so much service for Me,


forgets to chant the Gayatri mantra, then all of the spiritual
activities of such a devotee of Lord Krsna are done by 30 million
great sages.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 10:84:37)

NYAYARJITAIH SADHANAIS CA DANA HOMA ARCANA ADIKAM


KURYANNA CEDADHO YATI BHAKTYA KURVANN API DVIJA
YATNAT SIDDHAIR NIJAIH SUDDHAIR DRAVYAIR DHANYO'RCAYET PRABHUM
PUJA DRAVYANY ASAKTAS CED DADYAD IKSETA VARCANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/50,51 AGASTA SAMHITA)


Oh brahmana, one should perform meritoreous activities
such as giving charity, performing sacrifices, worshiping the
Supreme Lord, with properly earned money. If it is not done so,
if a person does such activities with money which was not earned
properly, he goes to the lower planetary system and into the
lower species. Therefore, such people are advised that they
should earn money by proper means and worship the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. If somebody is unable to do so, he
should just watch the worship of the Supreme Lord or else give
some ingredients, according to his means, for the worship of the
Supreme Lord.

When Srila Sanatana Gosvami, in his Digdharsanitka says,


"Oh brahmana" this signifies Oh Sutaksana, anyone who is faithful
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must earn wealth in proper
ways and arrange for the worship of the Supreme Lord. Such a
person is considered to be most fortunate. As it is mentioned
here, "YATNAT", if somebody is unable to earn money by proper
ways, he should, according to his ability, give worshipable
ingredients for the worship of the Supreme Lord. If he is unable
to do even that, he should just watch the worship done for the
Supreme Lord by a devotee of the Lord.

YATRA KUTRAPI PRATIMAM VEDA DHARMA SAMANVITAM


NA PASYANTI JANA GATVA TE DANDYA YAMA KINKARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/63 PADMA PURANA, conversation between Lord


Narayana and Narada Muni)

Anywhere there is a Deity established according to the


proper inaugeration process of Vedic instructions, if somebody
does not go to see it, then he is certainly punished by Yamaraja
and his messengers.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in this regard, "wherever


it may be, whether the temple is difficult to reach or easy to
reach, where the Supreme Lord's Deity is established, according
to the process stated in the religious Vedic scriptures and said
by the Vedas, that if a Deity is established, he must go and see
Him and worship Him.

VISNUM UDDISYA YAT KINCID VISNU BHAKTAYA DIYATE


DANAM TAD VIMALAM PROKTAM KEVALAM MOKSA SADHANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/64 SKANDA PURANA)

If anything is donated to a devotee of Lord Visnu in the


name of Lord Visnu, that charity is said to be pure and the only
solution for liberation.

PADBHYAM PRATICCHATE DEVAH SAKAMENA NIVEDITAM


MURDHNA PRATICCHATE DATTAM AKAMENA DVIJOTTAMAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/71 VISNU DHARMOTTARA, 3rd Canto)

Oh best of the brahmanas, if somebody offers something to


the Supreme Lord which is full of desires for personal gain, the
Supreme Lord accepts his offering on His feet, but if someone
offers something to the Supreme Lord without any material
desires, than the Supreme Lord accepts it on His head.

UPACARAS CA VIVIDHAH SRIMAD BHAGAVAD ARCANE


SAKTYA SAKTYADI BHEDENA TANTRIKAIR VAISNAVAIR MATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/119 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

There are different ways to worship the Supreme


Personality of Godhead according to the opinions of the learned
personalities and the Vaisnavas (devotees). There are different
means to worship the Lord according to an individual's means.

CATAGORIES OF WORSHIP

ASANA SVAGATE SARGHYE PADYAM ACAMANIYAKAM


MADHUPARKA ACAMANA-SNANA-VASANA ABHARANANI CA
SUGANDHA-SUMANO DHUPA-DIPA NAIVEDYA VANDANAM
PRAYOJAYED ARCANAJNAM UPACARANS TU SODASA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/120,121 AGAMA)

There are sixteen catagories of worship which are a seat,


welcome, arghya, padya, acamana, madhuparka, acamana, bathing,
clothing, ornaments, purfumes or sandlewood paste, flowers,
incense, ghee lamp, food, prayers.

ARGHYAN CA PADYA ACAMANA-MADHUPARKA ACAMANYA API


GANDHADAYO NIVEDYANTA UPACARA DASA KRAMAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/122 AGAMA)

Then there are ten catagories of worship which are


arghya, padya, acamana, madhuparka, acamana, perfume or
sandlewood paste, flowers, incense, ghee lamp, and food.

GANDHADIBHIR NIVEDYANTAIH PUJA PANCA UPACARIKI


SADARYAS TRIVIDHAH PROKTAS TASAM EKAM SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKI VILASA 11/123 AGAMA)

Insence, flower, frankinsesnce lamp and food, these are


the five ways to worship. The worshipper should choose from
sixteen, ten or five ways of worship.

ATO'TRA ALIKHITAM YAD YAD UPACARA ADIKAM PARAM


SARVA TAT TAT CA JANIYAL LOKARITY ANUSARATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/142 AGAMA)

Whatever further processes are not written here,


according to the tradition of Vaisnavism, one should follow the
system of worship of the Lord.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains in his Digdharanitika,


that there are further ways of worshipping the Lord which are not
written in this book. Those are taking care of the Lord's hair
before bathing HIm, putting on His clothes for bathing, offer Him
a seat for eating, and a fragrant drink after His eating, offer
him betal nuts. These are daily activities to be done.
Furthermore, giving Him a bath with water mixed with sesame seeds
on his birthday, offering newly harvested food grains to Him
first, etc. Furthermore, according to the tradition and social
customs, following the learned personalities worship can be done
to the Lord. To remove cold in the winter season, the supply of
warm clothes, heater, and in the summer season, offer cold drinks
mixed with ice and cooling ingredients. In the winter season,
offer heating ingredients (heater, warm clothes, warm drinks, and
hot spicy foods). After eating, make a wonderful bed for HIs
pleasure rest--in summer give an extended amount of rest and in
the winter give Him a less amount of rest.[because summer days
are longer]. All of the rules of the established acaryas should
be followed.

ETESU CA UPACARESU VITTSATHYA VIVARJITAM


YAD ASAMPANNAM ETESAM MANASA TU PRAKALPAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/147 from Tantra Sastra)

Giving up miserliness, one should worship the Lord with


the previously mentioned process of worship. If something is
missing, then he should think in his mind and mentally worship
with that ingredient.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:26:15)

RTU KALABHIGAMI YAH SVA DARA NIRATAS CA YAH


SA SADA BRAHMA CARIHA VIJNEYA SAN GRHASRAMI
RTUH SODASA YAMINYAS CATASRAS TASU GARHITAH
PUTRAS TASU API YUGMAS TU AYUGMAH KANYAKAH SMRTAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/156,157 SKANDA PURANA AND PADMA PURANA)

Any grhasta who copulates with his own wife only when it is time
for conception is called brahmacari or celibate. There are
sixteen nights for conception of the woman from the day of the
discharge of mensteration. Among them, the first four nights are
rejected and very much criticized (by scripture). Of whatever
days are left, on the even numbered days, one produces a son and
on the odd numbered days, one produces daughter.

NA KARMA SADRSAM DHYANAM NA KARMA SADRSAM PHALAM


NA KARMA SADRSAS TYAGO NA KARMA SADRSAN TAPAH
NA KARMA SADRSAM PUNYAM NA KARMA SADRSI GATIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/185 ADI PURANA

There is no better meditation than the worship of the


Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no better result than
worshipping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no
better renunciation than worshipping the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. There is no more meritorious function than worshipping
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no ultimate
desitination other than to worship the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.

PRATISTHITA ARCA NA TYAJYA YAVAD JIVAM SAMARCAYET


VARAM PRANASYA VA TYAGAH SIRASO VAPI KARTANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/266 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA, spoken by Lord


Hayagriva)

Even if one has to give up his life or cut his head off,
he should not give up the worship of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead in his Deity form for the rest of his life.

SRI PURVO NARASINGHO DVIR JAYAD UTTARAS TU SAHA


TRIH SAPTA KRTVO JAPATAS TU MAHA BHAYA NIVARANAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/273 KURMA PURANA)

If somebody chants the name of Sri Nrsngadeva twenty-one


times, by putting Sri before Nrsngadeva and chanting Jaya Jaya
before repeating Nrsngadeva,"Sri Nrsnga, Jaya Jaya Nrsnga", in
other words, if somebody chants this twenty-one times, he becomes
free from a great amount of danger and fear.

ANICCHAYAPI DAHATI SPRSTO HUTAVAHO YATHA


TATHA DAHATI GOVINDA NAMA VYAJAD APIRITAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/328 PADMA PURANA spoken by Narada Muni)

JUst as if a person unknowingly touches fire, it cetainly


burns, similarly if someone can be tricked into chanting the holy
name of Govinda, all of his sins will be burned into ashes.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:2:14)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:2:15)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:2:18)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:13:8)

VARTAMANANTU YAT PAPAM YAD BHUTAM YAD BHAVISYATI


TAT SARVAM NIRDAYATYASU GOVINDA ANALA-KIRTANAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA11/339 LAGHU BHAGAVAT)

Whatever sins one has acquired presently, in the past or


in the future, are all turned into ashes by chanting the firey
holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PARAK-CANDRAYANA TAPTA KRCCHRAIR NA DEHISUDDHIR BHAVATIHATADRK


KALAU SAKRN MADHAVA-KIRTANENA GOVINDA NAMANA BHAVATIHAYADRK

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/374 BRAHMANDA PURANA)

In kaliyuga, if somebody chants the holy name of Madhava,


says "Govinda, Govinda", whatever sins which are removed from
ones body, it is difficult to remove that many sins by fasting
(paraka.a short duration of fasting), candryana fasting,
performing great austerities, and observing many vows of
spirituality, that much purity is not attained form such
activities.
GOVINDETI MUDA YUKTAH KIRTAYED YASTU ANANYA DHIH
PAVANENA CA DHANYENA TENEYAM PRTHAVI DHRTA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/349 LAGHU BHAGAVAT)

If, with a pleasing attitude,any person chants the holy


name of Govinda, he is glorified, purified and he helps the whole
world to be liberated.

NA SAMBA VYADHIJAM DUHKHAM HEYAM NANYAUSADHAIR API


HARINAMA AUSADHAM PITVA VYADHIS TYAJYO NA SANSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/354 PARASARA SAMHITA, Sri Vyasa speaks to


Samba)

If somebody cannot remove the misery caused by disease by


taking prescribed medicine, then by chanting the name of Lord
Hari and continuing taking medicine, one can remove his disease.
Of this there is no doubt.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 12:12:48)

ARTA VISANNAH SITHILAN CA BHITA


GHORESU CA VYADHISU VARTAMANAH
SANKIRTYA NARAYANA SABDAM EKAM
VIMUKYA DUHKHAH SUKHINO BHAVANTI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/360 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

ANy person who is disturbed due to sadness, or who is


miserable due to intolerable poverty, he has a broken limb in his
body, or he is fearful from his enemies, or he is suffering from
a chronic disease, he should always chant the holy name of Lord
Narayana and he will become free from all miseries.

NAMA SANKIRTANAM KRTVA KSUTRT SKHALITA ADASU


VIYOGAM SIGHRAM APNOTI SARVA ANARTHAIR NA SANSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/363 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

At the time of hicups, or thirst, or at the time of


difficulty, if somebody chants the holy name of Lord Hari, he
immediately becomes free from all kinds of problems.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:2:46)

MAMA NAMANI LOKE'SMIN SRADDHAYA YASTU KIRTAYET


TASYA APARADHA KOTISTU KSAMAMY EVA NA SANSAYAHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/375 VISNU YAMALA, spoken by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead)

Any person in this world who chants My name, even without


faith, I forgive 10 million of their acquired offenses without a
doubt.

VISNOR EKAIKA NAMAPI SARVA VEDADHIKAM MATAM


TADRNG NAMA SAHASRENA RAMA NAMA SAMAM SMRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/380 PADMA PURANA)

One name of Lord Sri Visnu rewards more results than the
study of Vedic literatures. Furthermore, one name of LOrd Rama
is equal to one thousand names of Lord Visnu.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:33:7)

TE DHANYAS TE KRTARTHAS CA TAIR EVA SUKRTAM KRTAM


TAIRAPIAM JANMANAH PRAPYAM YE KALE KIRTAYANTI MAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/394 VARAHA PURANA)

Those people are glorified and liberated and have performed all
kinds of meritorious functions, and have achieved anything to be
achieved in a life time who chants My glories at fixed times.

Sanatana Gosvami says the fixed times are bathing times,


etc. or also
in unclean times.

TATHA CAIVOTTAMAM LOKE TAPAH SRI HARI KIRTANAM


KALAU YUGE VISESENA VISNU PRITYAIH SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/397 SKANDA PURANA)

Chanting the holy name of Lord Sri Hari is the topmost


austerity_ in this world. Therefore, in Kaliyuga, to please
Lord Visnu, one should chant the holy names of Lord Hari.

NA DESA KALA NIYAMO NA SAUCA ASAUCA NIRNAYAH


PARAM SANKIRTANAD EVA RAMA RAMA ITIM UCYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/411 VAISVANARA SAMHITA)

Anyone who chants the name of Lord Rama, saying "Rama


Rama", he gets liberated. There are no hard and fast rules
concerning time, place, cleanliness and uncleanliness and other
circumstances to chant this.

APY ANYA CITTO'SUDDHO VA YAH SADA KIRTAYED HARIM


SO'PI DOSA KSAYAN MUKTIM LABHEC CEDIPATIR YATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/418 BRAHMA PURANA)

ANy person unalloyedly, even in an unclean condition who


always chants the holy names of Lord Hari, he achieves liberation
which is achieved by the King of Ceddi (Sisupala), and all of his
faults are forgiven.

PRANA PRAYANA PATHEYAM SANSARA VYADHI BHESAJAM


DUHKA SOKA PARITRANAM HIRIR ITY AKSARA DVYAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/423 BHARATA VIBHAGA)

The two words, "ha ri" is the real path of life when the
life leaves the body, and the real medicine to become free from
the disease of material existence, and means to remove distress
and lamentation.

Sanatana Gosvami gives his digdarshani commentary saying,


at the time of giving up ones body, he must create a path for
going back to Godhead by chanting the holy name of Lord Hari.
This chanting medicine removes the disease of this material
existence and gives liberation from this world. One should
become free from the miseries of life. In other words, one
should look for the solution to become free from the miseries.
In other words, one should become free from the miseries of not
attaining love of Godhead. To become free from misery means to
attain the Vaikuntha planets. Furthermore, what else can be
said? This chanting removes the miseries of this world and the
next as stated in Visnu Dharma. Prahlada Maharaja says, "This
chanting is the real path of the soul."

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3:9:15)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:3:24)


(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:2:49)

YE KIRTA YANTI VARADAM VARA PADMA NABHAM


SANKHABJA CAKRA SARA CAPA GADASI HASTAM
PADMALAYA VADANA PANKAJA SAT PADAKSAM
NUNAM PRAYANTI SADANAM MADHU GHATINASTE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/437 VAMANA PURANA)

Any person who chants the holy name of Lord Hari, Who is
the benedicting personality, Who is addressed as lotus naveled,
Who holds the conchshell, club, disk and lotus flower, wearing a
nice garment, has a bow and arrows, and Who has reddish eyes like
lotus petals, they certainly attain the spiritual world.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 12:3:51)

RNAM ETAT PRAVRDDHAM ME HRDAYAN NAPASARPATI


YAD GOVINDA ITI CUKROSA KRSNA MAM DURAVASINAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/445 MAHABHARATA, spoken by the Supreme


Personality of Godhead)

Because Draupadi called Me saying "Oh Govinda", that is


why I became greatly indebted to her. This feeling does not go
away from My heart.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdharsanaitika that


when the living entity is away from the Lord, when somebody crys,
saying "Oh Govinda", then the Supreme Lord becomes controlled and
His heart becomes very attached to him. In other words, the Lord
thinks of His crying devotee.

JITAN TENA JITAN TENA JITAN TENA ITI NISCITAM


JINVAGRE VARTATE YASYA HARIR ITI AKSARA DVAYAM
(HARI BHAKI VILASA 11/449 VISNU DHARMA, spoken by Prahlada
Maharaja)

If anyone has the two syllables HA and RI on the tip of


his tongue, he has undoubtedly certainly controlled Lord Hari.

MADHURA MADHURAM ETAN MANGALAM MANGALANAM


SAKALA NIGAMA-VALLI SATPHALAM CIT SVARUPAM
SUKRDAPI PARIGITAM SRADDHAYA HELAYA VA
BHRUGUVARA NARA MATRAM TARAYET KRSNA NAMA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/451 PRABHASA KHANDA quoted from SKANDA


PURANA AND PADMA PURANA)

Oh decendents of Bhrigu, the chanting of the holy names


of Krsna is the sweetest of the sweetest, the most auspicious of
auspicious things and is the eternal fruit of the sacred vine
(essence of sacred Vedas) and is transcendental. If somebody
chants with faith or disrespect even once, it can deliver all
human kind.

DHYAYAN KRTE YAJAN YAJNAIS TRETAYAM DVAPARE 'RCAYAN


YAD APNOTI TAVAPNOTI KALAU SANKIRTYA
KESAVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/456 VISNU PURANA)

In Satya yuga, there was meditation. In Treta yuga,


there was fire sacrifices. What ever result was attained in
Dvapara yuga by worshiping Lord Hari, in Kali yuga, they achieved
the same result by chanting the holy name of Lord Sri Hari.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 12:3:52)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:5:32)


MAHA BHAGAVATA NITYAM KALAU KURVANTI KIRTANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/459 SKANDA PURANA)

Greatly advanced personalities certainly daily chant the


holy name of Lord Hari in Kali yuga.

NAMA YUKTAN JANAN DRSTVA SNIGDHO BHAVATI YO NARAH


SA YATI PARAMAM STHANAM VISNUNA SAHA MODATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/470 ADIPURANA, conversation between Lord


Krsna and Arjuna)

ANy person, by seeing a devotee who is engaged in


chanting becomes very pleased and he achieves the transcendental
abode, the spiritual world and enjoys with Lord Sri Visnu.

SAHASRA NAMNAM PUNYANAM TRIRAVRTYA TU YAT PHALAM


EKAVRTYA TU KRSNASYA NAMA EKAM TAT PRAYACCHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/488 BRAHMANDA PURANA)

Whatever resuts one attains by chanting one thousand pure names


of Lord Visnu, the same is attained by chanting one name of the
direct incarnations of Krsna.

KRSNA KRSNA ITI KRSNA ITI YO MAM SMARATI NITYASAH


JALAM BHITVA YATHA PADMAM NARAKAD UDDHARAYAMY AHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/496 NRSINGHA PURANA, spoken by the Supreme


Lord)

Any person who chants My name, saying


"Krsna,Krsna,Krsna!" I remove him from the hellish condition of
life as a lotus flower comes up through the water.
NAMNAM MUKHYATARAM NAMA KRSNAKHYAM NE PARAM TAPAH
PRAYAS CITTAM ASESANAM PAPANAM MOCAKAM PARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/498 PRABHASA PURANA)

(The Supreme Personality of Godhead spoke to Narada Muni)


OH austere sage, among all of My names, Krsna is the best. This
name cleans up all of ones sins and gives liberation in this
world to one.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:3:24)

OM ASYA JANANTO NAMA CID VIVIKTANA MAHASTE


VISNO SUMATIM BHAJAMAHE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/510 from SRUTI)

OH LOrd Visnu, we will seriously chant YOur holy names


which is full of knowledge, full of pleasure and gives good
intelligence.

ARTHAVADA HARER NAMNI SAMBHAVAYATI YO NARAH


SA PAPISTHO MANUSYANAM NIRAYE PATATI SPHUTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/514 KATHAYANA SAMHITA)

Any person who thinks to give his own interpretation


about the holy name of Lord Hari, among all kinds of men, this
man is the most sinful.

SRTI-SMRTI-PURANESU NAMA MAHATMYA VACISU


YE'RTHA VADA ITI BRUYUR NA TESAM NIRAYA KSAYA KSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/516 JAIMINI SAMHITA)

Any person who gives his own interpretaton on the glories


of the holy name of the Supreme Lord and on the Sruti and Smriti
scriptures and says that they are not facts, they never become
free from hellish suffering conditions.

HARER APY APARADHAN YAH KURYAT DVIPAD PANSANAH


NAMA ASRAYAH KADACIT SYAT TARATY EVA SA NAMATAH
NAMNO'PI SARVA SUHRDO HY APARADHAT PATATY ADHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/520 PADMA PURANA Sanat Kumara instructs


Narada Muni)

If the lowest of mankind commits offenses at the lotus


feet of Lord Hari but then takes shelter at the lotus feet of
Lord Hari and chants His holy name, all offenses are nullified.
Therefore, if someone commits offenses to the Lord's Holy name,
he goes to suffer in the hellish planets without a doubt.

Quote the sanskrit verses from C.C. about the 10 offenses.

JATE NAMAPARADHE 'PI PRAMADENA KATHANCANA


SADA SANKIRTAYANNAMA TADEKA SARANO BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/525 PADMA PURANA Sanat Kumara instructs


Narada Muni)

Due to unconsciousness or due to certain reasons, if


somebody accumulates offenses against the holy name, he should
engage himself in always chanting the holy names of Lord Hari to
become free from such offenses.

JANMANTARA SAHASRESU TAPO JNANA SAMADHIBHIH


NARANAM KSINA PAPANAM KRSNE BHAKTI PRAJAYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/532 YOGAVASISTHA)

ANy person who has removed all of his sins after


performing austerity and acquiring knowledge for thousands of
births, they attain the opportunity of doing devotional service
at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna.

(BHAGAVAD GITA 7:28)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 6:1:15)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:5:17)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:2:6)

KIM TASYA BAHUBHIR MANTRAIH SASTRAIH KIM BAHU VISTARAIH


VAJAPEYA SAHASRAIH KIM BHAKTIR YASYA JANARDANE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/560 PADMA PURANA)

If somebody has developed fixed and determined devotion


to Lord Sri Krsna, then what is the need of his chanting
different mantras and japa or studying different kinds of
scriptures or performing thousands of horse sacrifice vows?

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 5:18:12)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 4:22:39)

APATYAM DRAVINAM DARA HARA HARMYAM HAYA GAJAH


SUKHANI SVARGA MOKSAU CA NA DURE HARI BHAKTITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/571 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Yamaraja and a brahmana.

Nothing is rare to a person who performs devotional


service to Lord Hari such as sons, wealth, necklaces, wife,
house, horse, elephants, heaven and liberation.

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1:2:7)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 2:3:10)

PATRESU PUSPESU PHALESU TOYE SVAKRITA LABHYESU SADAIVA SATSU


BHAKTYA SULABHYE PURUSE PURANE MUKTAU KIMARTHAM KRIYATE PRAYATNAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/583 NRSINGHA PURANA)

Just as a person can pay money and easily buy leaves,


flowers, fruit and water, in the very way, by executing
devotional service, one is able to obtain the most ancient
personality, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore,
what is the need for him to look for liberation?
SARVA DEVA MAYO VISNUH SARANARTTI PRANASANAH
SVA-BHAKTA VATSALO DEVO BHAKTYA TUSYATI NA ANYATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 11/589 BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

The Personality of Godhead who removes the miseries of


persons who take shelter at His lotus feet, the Personality of
Godhead Who gives pleasure to His devotees, Who is the source of
all the demigods, LOrd Hari can only be pleased by doing
devotional service unto Him. There is no other process to please
Him.

(BHAGAVAD GITA 11:54)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11:14:20,21) (1/2 OF 21ST SLOKA)

(SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 9:4:67)

VARAM SVA-MATRA GAMANAM VARAM GOMANSA BHAKSANAM


VARAM HATYA SURAPANAM NA EKADASYANTU BHOJANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/8 NARADA PURANA)

It is worse than enjoying conception with ones own


mother, eating beef, murdering, or drinking liquor than eating on
Ekadasi day. Therefore one should not eat on the Ekadasi day.

DASAMYAM EKA BHAKTANTU KURVITA NIYATENDRIYAH


ACAMYA DANTA KASTHANTU KHADAYET TADANANTARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/18 SMRITI ANTARA)

On Dasami day, a person should eat only once with


controlled senses. After that, he should wash his hands and
mouth and then he should brush his teeth properly.

DINARDHA SAMAYE'TITE BHUJYATE NIYAMENA YAT


EKA BHAKTAM ITI PROKTAM KARTAVYAM TAT PRAYATNATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/21 BRAHMA VAIVARTA PURANA)

A person who is regulated will eat only once a day when half of
the day has passed (in the afternoon), and he should eat in a
religious mood for purification.
MATIR NA JAYATE YASYA DVADASYAM JAGARAM PRATI
NA HI TASYA ADHIKARO'STI PUJANE KESAVASYA HI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/86 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Siva and his wife Uma)

One who does not remain awake over night on a Dvadasi


fasting day is not qualified to worship Lord Sri Hari.

HRDAYE VARTATE YASYA SADA YOGESVARO HARIH


MATIR UTPADYATE TASYA DVADASI JAGAROPARI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/87 SKANDA PURNA Lord Brahma speaks to


Narada Muni)

The Supreme LOrd Hari, if He is in anybodies heart, He


will surely give him the intelligence to remain awake over night
on the Dvadasi fast day.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM BHAKTYA PATHATE VISNU SANNIDHAU


JAGARE TAT PADAM YATI KULA VRNDA SAMANVITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/131 SKANDA PURANA AND PRAHLADA SAMHITA


conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada)

If anybody studies Srimad Bhagavatam with full devotion


before the Deity of Lord Sri Hari, he will surely go to the
spiritual abode with all of his ancestors.

DASTA KALI BHUJANGENA SVAPANTI MADHUHA DINE


KURVANTI JAGARAM NAIVA MAYA PASA VIMOHITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/171 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Siva and his wife Uma.)

Any person, on the day of Lord Hari, who does not remain
awake over night and instead sleeps, one should understand that
he has been caught with a one hundred fold network of illusion
and has been bitten by the snake of Kaliyuga.

YAT KINCIT KRIYATE PAPAM KOTI JANMANI MANAVAIH


KRSNASYA JAGARE SARVAM RATRAU DAHATI PARVATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/182 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


LOrd Siva and Parvati)

Oh Parvati, on the day of Lord Sri Hari, if somebody


remains awake, all of the sins accumulated for the previous
millions of births are destroyed at once.
YAH PUNAH SUSTHA CITTO'PI SVA STHANE VASATE'PI SAN
NA HARER JAGARAM KURYAT TENA KARYA NA ME KVACIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/ 190 SKANDA PURANA conversation between


Lord Siva and Parvatidevi)

Oh Parvati, what more can I say. A healthy person, while


living in his own house, and still does not remain awake on the
day of Lord Hari, at night, even though he is a devotee of the
Lord, even I do not have any connection with him.

BRAHMANAH KSATRIYA VAISYAH STRIYAH SUDRAS CA JAGARE


PRAPTAS TE PARAMA STHANAM SRI VISNOR JAGARE KRTE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/198 SKANDA PURANA, conversation between


Lord Siva and Parvatidevi)

Whether one is a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, woman or


sudra, fallen person, unwanted progeny, demons, or evil spirit or
devil, any of them who had previously observed an Ekadasi fast
and remain awake over night for the pleasure of Lord Hari, on
Ekadasi, and then attained the spiritual abode of Lord Visnu.

TATRA BRAHMA CA RUDRAS CA SAKRADYA DEVATAGANA


NITYAM EVA SAMAYANTI JAGARE KRSNA VALLABHE
RSAYO NARADADYAS TU VYASADYA MUNAYAS TATHA
AHAS CA TATRA GACCHAMI KRSNA PUJA RATAH SADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/219, 220 PRAHLADA SANHITA)

Prahlada says, "Wherever there is a person remaining


awake over night, which is very dear to Lord Krsna, all the
demigods, including Brahma, Indra and Siva, are all available
there. And where there is such a wake going on, all of the great
sages, headed by Narada Muni, Vyasadeva are available and I
(Prahlada Maharaja)who am always engaged in worhsipping Lord Sri
Hari, am also available there.

GANGA SARASVATI REVA YAMUNA VAI SATADRUKA


CANDRABHAGA VITASTA CA NADYAH SARVASTU TATRA VAI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/223 PRAHLADA SANHITA)

Prahlada Maharaja says, "There only, the Ganges,


Sarasvati, Reva, Yamuna Satadruka, Candrabhaga, Vitasta and other
religious rivers are available there as well.

PRATAH SNATVA HARIM PUJYA UPAVASAM SAMARPAYET


PARANANTU TATAH KURYAD VRATA SIDDHAU HARI SMARAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/230 KATYAYANA)

After taking bath early in the morning and worshipping


the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Hari, one should
offer his fasting to Him and then to achieve merit from such
fasting, one should remember Lord Sri Hari while breaking the
fast.

NITYA KRTYAM SAMAPYA ATHA SAKTYA VIPRANSCA BHOJAYET


KURVITA DVADASI MADHYE TULASIM PRASYA PARANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/236 TRAILOKYA MOHANA PANCARATRA)

Thereafter, after performing daily service to the Supreme


Lord, according to ones capacity, one should give eating
ingredients to brahmanas in charity and then take a Tualsi leaf
in his mouth and break ones fast.

KRTVA CAIVA UPAVASAMTU YO'SNATI DVADASI DINE


NAIVEDYAM TULASI MISRAM PAPA KOTI VINASANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/237 SKANDA PURANA)

After fasting properly on Ekadasi, one should eat


Mahaprasada the next day (Dvadasi) and at that time millions of
his sins are burnt.

MAHA HANIKARI HY ESA DVADASI LANGHIT NRNAM


KAROTI DHARMA HARANAM ASNATEVA SARASVATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/238 PADMA PURANA)


As when one goes across the Sarasvati River without
taking bath, he looses his sin, similarly, when one continues
fasting on Dvadasi day, he suffers a great amount of meritoreous
loss. (One who does not break fast at the proper time looses a
great amount of merti.)

Srila Sanatana Gosvami states that, "Without taking bath


in the Sarasvati"(only) means that if you cross to the other side
of the Sarasvati to take bath, all of his religious merits will
be stolen from him.

EKADASYAM UPOSYAIVA DVADASYAM PARANAM SMRTAM


TRAYODASYAM NA TAT KURYAD DVADASA DVADASI-KSAYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/241 KURMA PURANA)

One should fast on the Ekadasi day and break his fast on
Dvadasi day. It is not recommended to break ones fast on
Trayodasi day. ONe who breaks his fast on Trayodasi day (one who
does not break his fast at the proper moment), he looses the
merit which had gained by fasting on twelve Dvadasis.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdharsani commentary,


saying that, "Passing over means, not breaking his fast at the
proper time.
DVADASYAH PRATHAMAH PADO HARIVASARA SANJNAKAH
TAM ATIKRAMYA KURVITTA DARANAM VISNU TATPARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/258 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

The first forth portion of the Dvadasi day is called "the


day of Lord Hari. A person who is a devotee of Lord Visnu should
pass over this portion to break his fast.

DVADASI EKADASI YOGE VIKSATO HARI VA SARAH


EKADASYANTYA PADASCA DVADASYAH PURVA EVA HI
HARIVASARA ITY AHUR BHOJANAM NA SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/259)

Because Ekadasi is connected to Dvadasi is why it is


called the day of Lord Hari. Learned souls say that when the
fourth part of the day of Ekadasi is combined with the first part
of the day of Dvadasi, it is named as the day of Lord Hari.
Therefore it is rejected to eat during this period.

YATHA RAJASVALA SANGAM ANYAYAM VARJITAM SADA


TATHA DASAMI SAMYUKTAM MAD DINAM VAISNAVAIR NARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/440 PADMA PURANA , the Supreme Lord


Madhava speaks)

It has always been forbidden to have conception with a


lady passing through mensteration. Similarly, on My own day
(Ekadasi) one should never observe it when it is mixed with the
Dasami day.

JAGARE PADMANA BHASYA PURANAM PATHATE TU YAH


JANMA KOTI SUKRTAM PAPAM DAHATE TULARASI VAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 13/530 SKANDA PURANA)

While remaining awake for the lotus naveled Lord Sri


Hari, one who studies Puranas (meritorious histories), then
whatever sins one has acquired for millions of births, burns up
just like a piece of cotton quickly burns to ashes in the fire.

SAMVATSARASYA YA MADHYE EKADASYO BHAVANTI HI


TASAM PHALAM AVAPNOTI PUTRA ME NA ATRA SANSAYAH
ITI MAM KESAVAH PRAHA SANKH CAKRA GADADHARAH

(HARI BHAKI VILASA 15/25 PADMA PURANA, Vyasadeva speaks to


Bhimasena)

Oh son, Lord Kesava, Who holds the club, disk,


conch and lotus flower in his hand personally told me that all of
the merit achieved by fasting on whatever Ekadasis fall in one
year can be attained by fasting on this one Ekadasi (nirjal
Ekadasi). Of this, there is no doubt.

ATMADROHAH KRTASTES TU YAIR ESA NA HY UPOSITA


PAPATMANO DURACARA DUSTAS TE NA ATRA SANSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/33 PADMA PURANA Srila Vyasadeva speaks to


Bhimasena)

Any person who does not fast on this particular Ekadasi


(nirjala Ekadasi), they should be understood to be sinful,
corrupted and suiciding person without a doubt.

ITY ASASYA PRABHOR AGRE GRAHANIYAN NIYAMAM VRATI


CATURMASESU KARTAVYAM KRSNA BHAKTI VIVRDDHAYE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/113 NAVA-PRASNA PANCARATRA)_

AFter properly praying to the Supreme Lord near Him, one


should properly take a vow to follow the proper rules and
regulations and process of caturmasya to increase ones devotion
to Lord Sri Krsna.

EKA DASYANTU GRAHANIYAT SANKRANTAU KARKATASYA TU


ASADHYAM VA NARO BHAKTYA CATUR-MASYO DITAM VRATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/114 Sanat Kumara)

In the month of Asadha either on the Ekadasi when the


Lord sleeps or in scorpio sankranti day or a full moon day, it is
the duty of a fasting person on Caturmasa to take a vow to fast
in Caturmasya, with devotion, in front of the Lord.

YO VINA NIYAMAM MARTYO VRATAM VA JAPYAM EVA VA


CATURMASYAM NAYEN MURKHO JIVANN API MRTO HI SAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/116 BHAVISYA PURANA)

Any person in this material world who performs caturmasya


without following any rules and regulations, or fasts, or without
chanting any japa, such a foolish person is considered to be
dead, even though alive.

SRAVANE VARJAYET SAKAM DADHI BHADRA PADE TATHA


DUGDHAM ASVAYUJE MASI KARTIKE CA AMISAM TYAJET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/117 SKANDA PURANA, NAGAR KHANDA)

(While following caturmasya) One should give up eating


leafy vegetables in the month of Sravana (July-August). In the
month of Bhadrapada (August-September), one should give up
Yogurt. In the month of Asvina (September-October) one should
give up milk and in the month of Kartika (October-November), one
should give up eating white dahl.

PAVITRA AROPANAM KURYAD DVADASYAM RSI TARPANAM


PAURNAMASYANTU KURVITA TATO TAD UKTA VIDHANATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/167 GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

On the full moon day of the month of Sravana (July


August), one should put a sacred brahmanas thread on the Supreme
LOrd and perform pouring water on the great sages.

TATRA KARPASIKAM SUTRAM BRAHMANI KARTITAM SUBHAM


ANIYA TRIGUNI KRTYA PUNAS TRIGUNAYET SUCHIH
PANCA GAVYENA TAT PROKSA PRAKSALYA SUCINA AMBUNA
MULENA ASTOTTARA SATAM MANTRENA ATHA ABHI MANTRAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/184, 185 VISNU RAHASYA)

One should take a pure thread which was spun by a clean


brahmana woman, and then made three-fold and then further folded
three times, and there after, it should be dipped inside the
panca gavya (five ingredients from the cow such as milk, yogurt,
ghee, urine and dung) and then wash it in clean water and then
chant 108 mula mantras on it.

TRINI SASTA SATENA ASYA TASYA ARDHENA ASYA CA ARDHATAH


JANU URU NABHIDA GHNANI PAVITRANY ACARET PRABHO
SAT TRINSAD GRANTHAYAS TESAM ADYE KARYAS TU MADHYAME
CATUR VINSATIR ANTE CA DVADASA GRANTHAYO BUDHAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/186, 187 VISNU RAHASYA)

From that purified thread, then three catagories of


threads should be made- 108 fold, or 54 fold, or 27 fold threads
should be taken to make a sacred thread. Respectfully, top
quality, medium quality, or low quality threads are determined by
measuring the Deity from the shoulder to the knee, from the
shoulder to the thigh or from the shoulder to the navel. Putting
knots in the middle of them-36, 24, and 12 knots are put.
Learned souls call them first class quality, second class quality
and third class quality brahman threads.

MASAM PAKSAM AHORATRAM TRIRATRAM DHARAYET TATHA


DEVESAM SUTRA SANDARBHAM DESA KALA ANUSARATAH
PRATY AHAM SNANA KARMA ADI SUTRANY UTTARYA KARAYET
ABHISICYA ATHA TOYENA PUNARDEVE NIVEDAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/235, 236 TANTRA SASTRA)

According to time and place, a brahmana thread should be


put on the Lord for one month, or one fortnight or for one day
and night or for three nights. And for bathing the Lord and
after washing it, one can put it on the Lord's body again.

MUKHYA KALASYA CAITASYA VIGHNATO'PAGAME SATI


BHADRADAU API KARTAVYAM PAVITRA ARO PANAM PRABHOH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/241 BAUDHAYANA)

Due to some obstacle, if the most auspicious moment of


the light fortnight of the month of Sravana (July-August) of
dvadasi day has passed, then one can put on this thread on the
Lord in Bhadrapada (August-September).

BHADRE BHAGAVATO JANMA DINE KARYO MAHOTSAVAH


VISESENA MAHA PUJAM VRATA PURNENA VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/246 KALIKA PURANA, Srila Vyasadeva speaks)

One should perform a festival on the birthday of Lord


Hari, which falls in Bhadrapada (August-September) month and on a
dvadasi day of Sravana (July-August). It is the duty of all
Vaisnavas to fast on these days and to do specific great worship
of the Supreme Lord.

PRAHLADA ADAIS CA BHUPALAIH KRTA JANMASTAMI SUBHA


SRADDHAYA PARAYA VISNOH PRITAYE KRSNA VALLABHA
PRAJAPATY ARKSA SAMYUKTA SRAVANASYA ASITA ASTAMI
VARSE VARSE TU KARTAVYA TVSTY ARTHAM CAKRA-PANINAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/267, 268 SKANDA PURANA)

Great kings such as Prahlada had fasted on the most dear


of day of LOrd Sri Krsna named Janmastami, the birthday of Lord
Krsna, to develop intense love for Krsna. One should certainly
fast on such an aupicious day of Lord Krsna's birth named
Krsnastami every year to please Lord Sri Krsna Who holds a disk
in His hand.

YE NA KURVANTI JANANTAH KRSNA JANMA ASTAMI VRATAM


TE BHAVANTI MAHA PRAJNA VYALA MAHATI KANANE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/275 SKANDA PURANA)

Oh greatly intelligent, any person, even with knowledge


of Krsna's birthday (Janmastami), who does not fast, he takes his
next birth as a snake in a thick forest.

SAMPARKEN API YAH KURYAT KASCIT JANMASTAMI VRATAM


VISNU LOKAM AVAPNOTI SO'PI PARTHA NA SANSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/295 SKANDA PURANA)

If someone fasts on Janmastami day, with devotion, he


attains the abode of Lord Sri Visnu.

TASYAM VISNU TITHAU KECID DHANYAH KALIYUGE JANAH


YE'BHYARCAYANTI DEVESAM JAGRATAH SAMUPOSITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/307 BRAHMA PURANA Srila Suta Gosvami


speaks)

This day (Janmastami day), removes all kinds of sins.


Specifically in kaliyuga, if someone fasts on this day and
remains awake over night and worships Lord Sri Hari properly,
those people are worshipable.

IDAM EVA PARAM SREYA IDAM EVA PARANTAPAH


IDAM EVA PARO DHARMO YAD VISNU VRATA DHARANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/312 BRAHMA PURANA)

Fasting on the day of LOrd Hari is the most auspicious


thing and the topmost austerity and the topmost meritorious
action.

SAMPURNA CA ARDHARATRE TU ROHINI YADI LABHYATE


KARTAVYA SA PRAYATNENA PURVA VIDDHAM VIVARJAYET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/370 YAJNA VALKYA SMRITI)

If, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, at midnight,


there is Rohini constellation, on that day one should fast, but
if it is combined with the seventh day, it should be given up in
all circumstances.

DVAU BHUTA SARGAU LOKE'SMIN DAIVA ASURA EVA CA


VISNU-BHAKTI PARO DAIVA ASURAS TAD VIPARYAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/396 AGNI PURANA AND VISNU DHARMA)

There are two kinds of living entities created. One is


divine and the other is demonic. The devotees of the Supreme
Lord Visnu are said to be divine personalities. Those who are
not His devotees are addessed as demonic.

YADI ICCHET SARVA PAPANI HANTUM NIRAVA SESATAH


UTSAVA ANTE SADA VIPRA JAGANNATHA ANNAM ASAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/407 VAYU PURANA)

Oh brahmana, Whatever sins are left, if he desires to


remove them, he should take the remnants of rice offered to Lord
Jagannatha at the end of each festival.

VRATA SADHARANA TVAC CA SAPTAMY ADI-DINA TRAYE


KARTAVYA NIYAMAH SARVE DASAMY ADI DINESU IVA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/408 VAYU PURANA)

Ordinarily, whatever rules and regulations are explained


to follow the three days (dasami, Ekadasi, and dvadasi), the same
rules are to be followed concerning saptami,astami and, navami.
In other words, the first day is to control the senses. The
second day is to fast and the third day is to break the fast. The
rules of the three days such be followed properly.

NATVA GURUM ANUJNAPYA PASCAT NIYAMAM ACARET


NA HI SIDDHYED GURO BHAKTIM NIYAMAN CA VINA PHALAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/629 GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

After paying obeisances to ones spiritual master and


following his instructions, one should follow the rules of
fasting, because without proper devotion to and instuctions from
him, one cannot expect the perfection of performing a vow.

ASVINASYA SITE PAKSE DASAMYAM VIJAYOTSAVAH


KARTAVYO VAISNAVAIH SARDHAM SARVATRA VIJAYA ARTHINA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/661 BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)

If any Vaisnava wants victory everywhere, then he should


observe the victory day of Lord Sri Hari, which falls on tenth
day of the light part of the month of Asvina (September-
October).

KARTIKE'SMIN VISESENA NITYAM KURVITA VAISNAVAH


DAMODARA ARCANAM PRATAH SNANA DANA VRATA ADIKAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/3 SKANDA PURANA)

Specifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily


worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give
charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas.

NIYAMENA VINA VIPRAH KARTIKAM YAH KSIPEN NARAH


KRSNA PARAN-MUKAHS TASYA YASMAD URJO'SYA VALLABHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/24 PADMA PURANA conversation between


Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi.)

Oh brahmanas, any person, without following rules and


regulations properly who tries to observe a Kartika month, Lord
Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Kartika) is
very pleasing to Him.

YAIR NA DATTAM HUTAM JAPTAM NA SNANAM NA HARER VRATAM


NA KRTAM KARTIKE PUTRA DVIJAS TE VAI NARADHAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/25 SKANDA PURANA)

Oh son Narada, those brahmanas who do give charity in the


month of Kartika, perform sacrifice, chant japa and fast for Lord
Hari are the lowest of mankind.

KARTIKA KHALU VAI MASAM SARVA MASESU CA UTTAMAM


PUNYANAM PARAMAM PUNYAM PAVANANAM CA PAVANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/36 SKANDA PURANA)

The month of Kartika is the topmost of all other months.


It is the most meritorious and purified of all other pure
months.

NA KARTIKA SAMO MASO NA KRTENA SAMAM YUGAM


NA VEDA SADRSAM SASTRAM NA TIRTHA GANGAYA SAMAM
KARTIKAH PRAVARO MASO VAISNAVANAM PRIYAH SADA
KARTIKAM SKALAM YASTU BHAKTYA SEVATE VAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/39, 40 SKANDA PURANA)


There is no other month equal to Kartika and there is no
other yuga equal to Satya yuga. There is no other scripture
equal to Vedas. There is no other place of pilgrimage equal to
Ganges, therefore, the month of Kartika is very dear to the
Vaisnavas (people dedicated to Visnu).

DVADASU API MASESU KARTIKAH KRSNA VALLABHAH


TASMIN SAMPUJITO VISNUR ALPAKAIR APY UPAYANAIH
DADATI VAISNAVAM LOKAM ITI EVAM NISCITAM MAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/41 PADMA PURANA)

Among all twelve months, the month of Kartika is dear to


Lord Sri Krsna. If somebody performs a little worship of Lord
Sri Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode.
This statement is true.

PRAVRTTANAM CA BHAKSANAM KARTIKE NIYAME KRTE


AVASYAM KRSNA RUPATVAM PRAPYATE MUKTIDAM SUBHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/49 SKANDA PURANA)

Whatever one usually eats, if he gives up some of the


ingredients of it in the month of Kartika, then he achieves the
same aupicious form as Lord Sri Krsna undoubtedly.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in the Digdharsanitika,


stating, "Those who are engaged in eating daily and following the
rules of Kartika, they should try to minimize and give up certain
ingredients in eating. Obtaining the same form as Krsna means
that it liberates one from the miseries of this material world
and gives all auspiciousness and happiness.

SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA KARTIKE KESAVA AGRATAH


SASTRA AVATARANAM PUNYAM SROTAVYAN CA MAHAMUNE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/76 SKANDA PURANA, Lord Brahma speaks to


Narada Muni)

Oh great sage, after giving up all varieties of religious


functions, one should follow Kartika fast and listen to the
narrations of Lord Sri Hari before His Deity form.

PALASA PATRA BHOJI CA KARTIKE PURUSO NARAH


NISPAPAH SYAT TU NAIVEDYAM HARER BHUKTVA VIMUCYATE
MADHYASTHAM ISVARAM PATRAM VARJAYED BRAHMANE TARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/87 PADMA PURANA)

Any person in the month of Kartika, who eats on the leaf


plate of Palasa, the remnants of the Lord, he becomes free from
all sins and achieves liberation. Besides brahmanas (twice born
persons), others are not advised to eat from this leaf because
this leaf is said to be the leaf of the Supreme Lord.

SNANAM JAGARANAM DIPAM TULASI VANA PALANAM


KARTIKE YE PRAKURVANTI TE NARA VISNU MURTAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/90 PADMA PURANA, Lord Krsna speaks to


Satyabhama)

Any person who performs bathing in the month of Kartika,


remaining awake, offering lamps, giving charity or planting and
transplanting Tulasi, he achieves the same for as Lord Sri Visnu.

KALPA KOTI SAHASRANI PATKANI BAHUNY API


NIMESA ARDHENA DIPASYA VILAYAM YANTI KARTIKE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/99 SKANDA PURANA)


If, even for a short time, somebody burns a lamp in the
temple of Lord Sri Hari, then whatever sins he has acquired for
millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas), these sins are
all destroyed.

YATHA CA MATHANAD VANHIH SARVA KASTHESU DRSYATE


TATHA CA DRSYATE DHARMO DIPADANE NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/120 PADMA PURANA)

Just as by rubbing of two sticks of wood and one can see


fire, so by offering a burning ghee wick to the Lord in the month
of Kartika, one can see his merits without a doubt.

In his Digharsanitika, Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains,


even though fire is present in all pieces of wood,still without
rubbing fire does not manifest. Similarly, in all kinds of
functions, although merit is available, by offering a lamp in
this month, certainly one can see the merit. Not otherwise. Of
this there is no doubt. Therefore, without offering lamps, all
merits are unprofitable. This is the essesnce here.

VAISNAVO NA SA MANTAVYAH SAMPRAPTE KARTIKE MUNE


YO NA YACCHATI MUDHATMA DIPAM KESAVA SADMANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/122 PADMA PURANA

Oh sage, a person who does not offer a ghee lamp in Lord


Kesavas temple in Kartika, that foolish person is not addressed
as a Vaisnava.

EKADASYAM PARER DATTAM DIPAM PRAJVALYA MUSIKA


MANUSYAM DURLABHAM PRAPYA PARAM GATIM AVAPA SA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/129 SKANDA PURANA)

One rat (female mouse) had once burnt a ghee lamp which
was offered by someone else on Ekadasi day. By doing so, she
achieved a rarely achievable human form and at last attained the
topmost destination.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes in his Digdharsanitika, "


In this verse it is found that it is possible to attain the
results of directly offering a lamp on Ekadasi. This history of
the mouse is very famous in the Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya.
(In a temple of Lord Visnu, there was a mouse living who was
eating the ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been
offered by others to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat
ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet
extinguished. While eating ghee from the lamp, the cotton wick
got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the
mouse started jumping in front of the Lord's Deity form and thus
died due to fire. But Lord Sri Visnu accepted the jumping of
that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His aratik. In
the end, He gave her liberation, the topmost destination.)

MATHURAYAM NARAIR URJE SNATVA DAMODARO'RCITAH


KRSNA RUPA HI TE JNEYA NA ATRA KARYA VICARANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/155 PADMA PURANA)

Any person who worships Lord Damodara in the month of


Kartika in the Mathura area, they certainly achieve the same form
as Lord Sri Krsna Himself.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments on this in his
Digdharsanitika, stating that, "Human beings achieving the same
form as Krsna means that they see Lord Sri Krsna. In other
words, they become as worshipable as Lord Sri Krsna. This this
the understanding here.

KARTIKE MATHURAYAM VAI PUJANAD DARSANAD DHRUVAH


SIGHRAM SAMPRAPTAVAN BALO DURLABHAM YOGA TATPARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/161 PADMA PURANA)

Although a child, Dhruva Maharaja, during the month of


Kartika, in the area of Mathura, worshipped Lord Sri Damodara and
immediately he became fixed in his devotion and became
worshipable by Saunaka and the other sages and saw the Supreme
Personality of Godhead face to face.

SULABHA MATHURA BHUMAU PRATY ABDAM KARTIKAS TATHA


TATHAPI SAMSARANTIHA NARA MUDHA BHAVA AMBUDHAU
YANI SARVANI TIRTHANI NADA NADYAH SARANSI CA
KARTIKE NIVASANTY ATRA NATHURE SARVA MANDALE
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/162, 164 PADMA PURANA)

Although Mathura (Vraja area) is easily available


on the earth and Kartika is easily attainible in the year, but
Oh, what a great misfortune in the side of human beings who are
still suffering in the ocean of material existence. In the month
of Kartika, all of the places of pilgrimage, oceans, rivers and
lakes come to Mathura area [but they do not take advantage of
it.]

ASVINASYA TU MASASYA YA SUKLA EKADASI BHAVET


KARTIKASYA VRATA ANIHA TASYAM KURYAD ATANDRITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/168 PADMA PURANA , conversation between


Lord Krsna and Satyabauma)

One should take a fasting vow for the month of Kartika


without any lazinessrom the Ekadasi which falls in the light part
of the month of Asvina (September-October).

NA GRAHE KARTIKE KURYAD VISESENA TU KARTIKAM


TIRTHE TU KARTIKIM KURYAT SARVA YATNENA BHAVINI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/186 SKANDA PURANA)

Oh beautiful lady, specifically, one should not take a


vow of fasting in the Kartika month in the home or house. Always
the endeavor should be made to go to a place of pilgrimage and
make this vow and and observe it there.

TATAH PRIYATAMA VISNO RADHIKA GOPIKASU CA


KARTIKE PUJANIYA CA SRI DAMODARA SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/195 PADMA PURANA)

Among all other gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear


to Lord Krsna. Therefore in the month of Kartika, one should
worship Lord Damodara with Srimati Radharani near Him.

DAMODARA ASTAKAM NAMA STOTRAM DAMODARA ARCANAM


NITYAM DAMODARA AKARSI PATHET SATYA VRATA UDITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/198)

In the month of Kartika, one should daily worship Lord


Damodara and sing the Damodarastaka (the eight prayers of Lord
Damodara) which pleases Lord Damodhara, written by the sage named
Satyavrata.

GOVARDHANA GIRAU RAMYE RADHAKUNDAM PRIYAM HAREH


KARTIKE BAHULA ASTAMYAM TATRA SNATVA HAREH PRIYAH
NARO BHAKTO BHAVED VIPRAS TADDHI TASYA PRATOSANAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/207 PADMA PURANA)

Oh brahmanas, in the beautiful Govardhana area, there is


a Radhakunda (a lake of Radharani) which is very dear to Lord Sri
Hari. One who takes bath in it on the eighth day of the dark
moon night of Kartika, he becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdharsanitika


that "Although by taking bath in Radha kunda one becomes very
dear to Lord SRi Hari, still, if he takes bath anywhere in the
name of pleasing Lord Hari, he pleases Him as well.

SRI KRSNA DASA VARYO'YAM SRI GOVARDHANA BHUDHARAH


SUKLA PRATIPADI PRATAH KARTIKE'RCYU 'TRA VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/232 SKANDA PURANA

On the first day of the light part of the month of


Kartika, a Vaisnava should certainly worship the topmost servant
of Lord Sri Krsna, Sri Govardhana Hill early in the morning, as
it is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto, 21 chapter,
verse 18.

MATHURAYAM TATHA SAKSAT KRATVA CAIVA PRADAKSINAM


VAISNAVAM DHAMA SAMPRAPYA MODATE HARI SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/249 PADMA PURANA)

One who stays in the Mathura area and worships


Govardhana, and goes around it, he goes to the abode of Lord Sri
Hari and stays there happily.

URJE SUKLA DVITIYAYAM MADHYANHE YAMA ARCAYET


SNANAM KRTVA BHANUJAYAM YAMA-LOKAM NA PASYATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/267 SKANDA PURANA, PADMA PURANA)

On the midpart of the second day of the light part of the


month of Kartika one should worship Yamaraja and take bath in the
Yamuna. If he does so, he will not have to go to the abode of
Yamaraja.

PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH


SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 SKANDA PURANA, spoken by Lord Brahma)


Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini (when the
Lord gets up) Ekadasi, the fasting person does not enter again
into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give
up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular
Ekadasi day.

DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO


YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA
TASMINN ANANYA MANSAM UPAVASA BHAJAM
KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 PADMA PURANA)

One who fasts on the day when the Supreme Lord goes to
take rest in the milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also
the day He gets up, with one pointed intelligence, the Supreme
Lord Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda
(snake), he gets all of his desires fulfilled.

BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI


YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI
SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA

(16/301 VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada


Muni)

This Prabhodini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion


to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the
personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an
unmanifested form of Lord Hari.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdharsanitika


that one who exactly observes the Ekadasi fast, by observing
this, he directly worships Lord Sri Hari. This is the meaning of
this verse. Therefore, Ekadasi is said to be equal to Lord Sri
Hari Himself.

CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH


KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 MAHABHARATA)

A person who observed caturmasya fast, it was stated four


different ways, he should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the
light fortnight of the month of Kartika.

EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT


AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)

Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows


his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit
and at last goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari, the son of
Vasudeva.

SIDDHA KSETRESU TIRTHESU DEVATANANCA SANNIDHAU


SAHASRAM SATA KOTINAM ANANTAM VISNU SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/25 SRI YAJNA VALKYA)

If one chants his japa in a transcendental place (such as


Vrndavan), or a place of pilgrimage (such as Risikesa, Dvaraka,
Badranatha, Jaganatha Puri, etc.) or near the place of demigods,
(According to Srila Sanatana Gosvamis Digdharsani tika, demigods
refers to great demigods like Lord Siva) he receives the results
1,000 X 1,000,000. And if one chants near the Deity of Lord Sri
Visnu (Krsna), he achieves unlimited results.

MRADUKA USNA SUPAKVAN CA KURYAD VAI LAGHU BHOJANAM


NA INDRIYANAM YATHA VRADDHIS TATHA BHUNJITA SADHAKAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/46 NARADA PANCARATRA)

If one claims himself to be devotee, he must eat a small


amount of the following: sweets, steaming hot deepfried
preperations, and should avoid any food which agitates his
senses.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami, in his Digdharsanitika, quotes a


verse from Saradatilaka, "Those who claim themselves to be
devotees should eat his meal in the afternoon, consisting of
vegetables and differnt kinds of fruits, roots and grains"

BRAHMA PATRE CA BHUNJITA MADHYA-PATRA VIVARJITE


DKSAM BRAHMOTTARAM VISNUR MADHYA PATRAM MAHESVARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/47 NARADA PANCARATRA)

After cutting the middle portion of this Palasa leaf, one


should eat on the other portion of it. On the right side of this
leaf is the place of Brahma. On the left side is the place of
Lord Visnu and in the center is the form of Lord Siva.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says that a Brahma leaf is the


leaf from the Palasa tree. It is necessary for a devotee to cut
of the middle portion of this leaf.

YASTU BHAGAVATO BHUTVA NA GRHANATI GANITRIKAM


ASURI TASYA DIKSA TU NA SA DHARMAYA VIDYATE
GANITRIKAM GRAHITVA YO MANTRAM CINTAYET BUDHAH
JANMANTARA SAHASRANI CINTITO'HANCA TENA VAI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/70,71 VARAHA PURANA)


After becoming a devotee or engaging in the devotional
service to the Supreme Lord, one who does not accept a japa mala,
his initiation is said to be demoniac. This kind of initiation
is not very beneficial for religious principles. One who chants
on the beads properly, I (the Supreme Personality of Godhead)
think of this intelligent person for thousands of years.

ASTOTTARA SATAIH PURVA PANCASADBHIS TU MADHYAMA


KANYASI PANCA VINSATYA PARIMANAM VIDHIYATE

(HARI BHAKI VILASA 17/73 VARAHA PURANA)

The beads which have 108 seeds are said to be of he


topmost quality. The beads which have 50 seeds are said to be of
medium quality. The beads which have 20 seeds are said to be of
the lowest quality.

TULASI KASTHA GHATITAIR MANIBHIR JAPA MALIKA


SARVA KARMANI SARVESAM IPSITARTHA PHALA PRADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/112 NARADA PANCATATRA)

One should understand that beads made out of Tulasi wood


seeds is said to be fulfilling all kinds of desires in every
activity or function.

TULASI SAMBHAVA YA TU SA MOKSAM TANUTE'CIRAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/113 GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

The mala which is made out of Tulasi wood seeds is said


to be certainly rewarding liberation.

ANAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAT TU MANASAM


MADHYAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAD UPANSUKAM
TARJANIM TU SAMAKRAMYA JAPAM NAIVA TU KARAYET
EKAIKA MANIM ANGUSTHENA AKARSAN PRAJAPEN MANUM
MERAU TU LANGHITE DEVI NA MANTRA PHALA BHAG BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/114,115 SIVAGAMA)

Keeping the beads on the mid of ones ring finger, one


should chant in murmering sound, one should not keep beads on the
pointing finger and chant japa. Chanting japa with the pointing
finger has been rejected. One by one, putting the beads inwards
and chanting japa is recommended. Oh dear wife, one should not
jump over the head of japa beads. Otherwise he will not the
results of his chanting.
TATRA ANGULI JAPAM KURVAN SANGUSTHA ANGULIBHIR JAPET
ANGUSTHENA VINA KARMA KRTAM TAD APHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/116 SIVA AGAMA)

If one chants japa on the fingers, he should chant also


using the thumb. Chanting japa without using the thumb does not
give any success.

KANISTHA ANAMIKA MADHYA CATURTHI TARJANI MATA


TISRO'NGULYAS TRIPARVAH SYUR MADHYAMA CA EKA PARVIKA
PARVA DVAYAM MADHYAMAYA JAPAKALE VIVARJAYET
EVAM MERUM VIJANIYAD BRAHMANA DUSITAM SVAYAM
ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MADHYAT PRADAKSINAM ANUKRAMAT
TARJANI MULA PARYANTAM KRAMAT DASASU PARVASU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/117,118,119)

Chanting on the fingers, namely the ring finger, the


middle finger or the forth finger are accepted for chanting japa.
On these three fingers, there are three parts to be used, and one
part of the midfinger, all together ten, to chant japa. This
means that one should reject using the first two parts of the mid
finger and chant japa. Brahma has stated that the first two
parts of the midfinger is said to be the meru or head of the
beads, and he has rejected, himself to use it. One should start
from the middle of the ring finger and carry on in a clockwise
until the pointing finger's root and thus altogether they become
ten. ONe should hold his fingers together and chant japa.

ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MULAT PARIVARTET VAI KRAMAT


TARJANI MADHYA PARYANTAM JAPED DASASU PARVASU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/122 GAUTAMIYA)

Beginning from the middle of the ring finger and


continuing clockwise to the root of the pointing finger and
chanting japa in this way numbering ten.

NA SPRASED VAMA HASTENA KARA BRASTAM NA KARAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/124 GAUTAMIYA)

One should not touch his beads with the left hand nor
make them fall from the hand.
APAVITRA KARO NAGNAH SIRASI PRAVRTO'PI VA
PRALAPAN VA JAPED YAVAT TAVAN NISPHALAM UCYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/132 VYASA SMRATI)

Chanting japa becomes fruitless if somebody chants in an


impure condition with dirty hands or with out a seat, or in nude
condition, or with a covered head, or while talking japa.
Therefore one should chant japa carefully.

VADANNA GACCHANNA SVAPANNA ANYAT KIMAPI SANSMARAN


NA KSUT JRAMBHANA HIKKADI VIKALIKRTA MANASAH
MANTRA SIDDHIM AVPNOTI TASMAD YATNA PARO BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/133 NARADA PANCARATRA)

While talking, walking, sleeping or thinking about some


object, hungry, while stretching the body, while having hicups,
while mentally disturbed, in such condition, if someone chants
japa, he does not receive the perfection of chanting. Therefore
one should endeavor to give up all of these functions to chant
properly.

ANGULI AGRESU YAJJAPTA YAJJAPTAM MERU LANGHANE


ASANKHYATAN CA YAJJAPTAM TAT SARVAM NISPHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/135 VYASA SMRITI)

One who chants japa holding the beads on the tip of the
fingers, or who jumps over the head bead or who chants japa
without counting how much he has chanted, then that japa is said
to be fruitless.

ADAVITRA KARO'SUDDHAH PRALAPAN NA JAPET KVACIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/137 MANTRARNAVA)

One should not hold japa beads or chant with dirty hands
and one should not in an unclean condition or while talking with
others.

ANASANAH SAYANO VA GACCHANN UTTHITA EVA VA


RATHYAYAMA SIVE STHANE NA JAPET TIMIRA ANTARE
UPANAD GUDHA PADO VA YANA SAYYAGATAS TATHA
PRASARYA NA JAPET PADAVA UTKATASANA EVA VA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/139, 140 MANTRARANA)

Sitting without a seat, while lying down sleeping, while


walking, while standing, while on a path or in impure places such
a crematoriums or in dark areas are the forbidden to chant japa.
Wearing shoes, climbing on a carrier in the sleeping condition,
spreading two legs, on an impure asana, one should not chant
japa.

NA PADA PADAM AKRAMYA NA CAIVA HI TATHA KARAU


NA CA ASAMA AHITA MANA NACA SANSAYANO JAPET
NA KAMPAYET SIRO GRIVAM DANTAN NAIVA PRAKASAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/142 YAJNA VALKYA SAMHITA)

While chanting japa, one should not let ones leg climb
another leg and arm climb upon another arm, in an unsteady mind,
in a doubtful condition, one should not chant japa. While
chanting, one should not shake his neck or head, one should not
show ones teeth to others while chanting.

YAKSA RAKSASA BHUTANI SIDDHA VIDYADHARA GANAH


HARANTI PRASABHAM YASMAT TASMAD GUPTAM SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/144 YAJNA VALKYA SAMHITA)

If one chants japa while keeping his japa beads outside


of his bead bag, then his japa is forcibly stolen by
semidemigods, demons, ghosts, perfected living entities from
Siddhaloka and Vidyadharas, the dancers in the heavenly planets.
Therefore one should not keep his beads outside of his bead bag.

YADI VA YAMA LOPAH SYAT JAPA ADISU KATHANCANA


VYAHARED VAISNAVAM MANTRAM SMARED VA VISNUM AVYAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/148 TRAILOKYA SAMMOHANA TANTRA)

If somehow, due to certain circumstances, somebody breaks


the stated rules to chanting, then he should chant a Visnu mantra
or remember the imperishable personality of Godhead Sri Visnu.

TRIVIDHO JAPA YAJNAH SYAT TASYA BHEDAN NIVODHATA


VACIKAS CA UPANSUS CA MANASAS CA TRIDHA MATAH
TRAYANAM JAPA YAJNANAM SREYAN SYAD UTTAROTTARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/155 NRSINGHA PURANA)

Japa yajna is of three kinds. Please listen. Chanting


with a sound vibration, chanting with a murmuring condition and
chanting within the mind. These three kinds of chanting are
respectively one better than the other [chanting in the mind is
best].
YADUCCHA NICA SVARITAIH SPASTA SAVDAVD AKSARAIH
MANTRAM UCCHARAYED VYAKTAM JAPA YAJNA SA VACIKAH
SANAIR UCCHARAYEN MANTRAM ISAD OSTHAU PRACALAYET
KINCIT SAVDAM SVAYAM VIDYAD UPANSUH SA JAPAH SMRATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/156, 157 NRSINGHA PURANA)

Chanting japa is of three kinds, higher class, lower


class and svarita class which is melodiously chanting clearly
where every word can be heard by others. That is called vacika.
Any japa mantra chanted in murmuring sound, where his two lips
move very minutely, and one can only hear a few words out of it,
that chanting is called upansu.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami, in his Digdharsanitika, writes


that one who is chanting japa melodiocly, with high and low
sounds, in a swinging condition, it is called svarita where
others can hear every sound vibration clearly. Therefore, it is
said that one should chant openly. But better is to chant japa
insuch a way that one can hear it by himself only.

UPANSU JAPA YUKTASYA TASMAT SATA GUNO BHAVET


SAHASRO MANASAH PROKTO YASMAD DHYANA SAMO HI SAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/159 YAJNA VALKYA)

One hundred times better than chanting japa in clear or


loud condition is to chant japa in mumuring condition where one
can hear by himself. One thousand times better, still, is
chanting within ones mind, because chanting within the mind is
equal to meditating on the Supreme Lord.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami, clarifies this situation in his


Digdharsanitika, stating that chanting within the mind is one
hundred times better than chanting in murmuring condition which
is one hundred times better than chanting with the sound
vibration.

NADOSO MANASE JAPE SARVA DESE'PI SARVADA


JAPA NISTHO DVIJA SRESTHAH SARVA YAJNA PHALAM LABHET
ASUCIR VA SUCIR VAPI GACCHAN TISTHAN SVAPANNAPI
MANTRAIVA SARANO VIDVAN MANASAIVA SADA ABHYASET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/161, 162 MANTRARANA)

Oh best of the brahmanas, in all conditions and


always,one should chant japa in ones mind because it has no
faults. Therefore, anyone who is engaged in chanting japa, gets
the results of performing all kinds of sacrifices. Whatever
conditon he may be, whether purified or unpurified condition,
walking condition or still (standing or sitting) condition,
sleeping condition, one should take shelter at the feet of
chanting japa alone and chant japa within ones mind.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks regarding chanting japa


within ones mind, that because chanting japa within ones mind has
no faults, therefore one should chant japa within his mind which
is the best of all. Here the best of brahmanas refers to those
who chant japa. In all conditions, one should take shelter in
chanting japa without considering the time, place and
circumstances. This is the understanding here.

JAPENA DEVATA NITYAM STUYAMANA PRASIDATI


PRASANNA VIPULAN BHOGAN DADYAM MUKTIS CA SASVATIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/166 PADMANABHIYA)

If japa is chanted regularly to please the Supreme Lord


then the Supreme Lord being please will increase his spiritual
advancement and give him the eternal liberation.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdharsanitika that


eternal liberation means achieving the eternal abode of the
Supreme Lord, Vaikunthadhama.

ATAH KURYAD JAPAM NITYAM SAKTYA NIYATA SANKHYAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/199 NARADA PANCARATRA)

BHAKTYAIVA BHAGAVAN MURTIR PRADURBHAVO;PI CED BHAVET


KARTAVYO'THAPI UPAYAO'TRA PURVAIH SADBHIH PRADARSITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 18/4)

Although the Supreme Lord appears to one by unalloyed


devotional service, even then, one should follow the process
which was decided by previous, greatly advanced devotees.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdharsanitika


commentary, that to increase ones devotion to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, or to make Him appear, one should follow
the greatly advanced devotees properly. Although the Lord is
only interested in devotional service, not with the mechanical
process, to make the Supreme Lord appear to one, one should
follow the authorized process, not the mental speculation
whimsical process of someone. That process which comes in the
disciplic succession of devotees, which matches the scriptures,
will give perfection.

PRATIMAM KARAYITVA TU DEVADEVASY CAKRINAH


NA DURGATIM AVAPNOTI VISNU LOKAM SA GACCHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 18/5 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)


Anybody who carves a Deity of the Lord of all lords, Lord
Sri Krsna, Whos holds a disk in His hand, he never falls in a
hellish condition of life to suffer. He achieves the abode of
Lord Visnu.

PRASAD VAT TATHA TASYAH PHALAM SAMYAG UDAHRTAM


UTTARA UTTARATO DRAVYAIR VINA PAKVA ISTAKAM DVIJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 18/7 VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Any person who builds a temple of the Supreme LOrd,


achieves the result achieved by one who carves the Deity. Oh
brahmanas, one who builds and temple with bricks, or better
ingredients(such as stone, iron,copper, silver, gold etc.)he
achieves better and better results.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdharsanitika that
whatever merit is attained by a person who carves a Deity, that
same merit is attained by someone who builds a temple, as an
offering to the Supreme Lord. It is further found that anyone
who build a temple with clay as an offering to the LOrd, ten
times more merti is achieved by a person who builds a temple with
rock or stone marble. Ten times better than that is to build a
temple with iron. One hundred times better than this is to build
a temple made of copper. One thousand times better than this is
to build a temple out of silver. One hundred times better than
this is to build a temple of gold as an offering to the Lord. An
unlimited amount of results is obtained by a person who builds a
temple out of various kinds of jewels.

NA ADHIKA ANGI NA HINA ANGI KARTAVYA DEVATA KVACIT


SVAMINAM GHATAYANTYUNA KARALA VADANA TATHA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 18/313 MATSYA PURANA)

One should not carve the Deity with extra limbs or less
limbs in the body and his face, also, such not be ferocious. If
it is so, then the establishers death is certain.

MAGHE VA SARVA DEVANAM PRATISTA SUBHADA BHAVET


PRAPYA PAKSAM SUBHAM SUKLAM ATITE CA UTTARAYANE
PANCAMI CA DVITIYA CA TRATIYA SAPTAMI TATHA
DASAMI PAURNAMASI CA TATHA SRESTHA TRAYADASI
ASU PRATISTHA VIDHIVAT KRATVA BAHU PHALA BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/40,41,42 MATSYA PURANA)

To establish the Deity and to inaugerate the temple,


these are the best months: Magha (January-February), Phalguna
(February-March), Caitra (March-April), Vaisakha (April-May),
Jyestha (May-June) and when the sun travels in the northern
hemisphere, and within these months, in the light part of the
fortnight, on the second, third, fifth, seventh, tenth,
thirteenth, and fullmoon days, the establishment of the Deity
will bring very nice results.

ASADHE DVE TATHA MULAM UTTARA TRAYAM EVA CA


JYESTHA SRAVANA ROHINYAH PURVA BHADRA PADA TATHA
HASTA ASVINI REVATI CA PUSYA MRAGUSIRAS TATHA
ANURADHA CA SVATI PRATISTHA ADISU SASYATE
BUDHO BRHASPATIH SUKRAS TRAYA ETE SUBHA VAHAH
EBHIR NIRIKSITAM LAGNAM NAKSATRAN CA PRASASYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/43, 44, 45 MATSYA PURANA)

The decided constellations for establishing the Deity and


inaugerating the temple, are Purvasadha, Uttarasadha, Mula,
Uttaraphalguni, Uttara-bhadrapada, Jyestha, Sravana, Rohini,
Purva-Bhadrapada, Hasta, Asvini, Revati, Pusya, Mrahusira,
Anuradha, and Svati, and the best days to establish the Deity are
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. One should carefully see the
most auspicious constellations and moments to establish the Deity
and inaugerate the temple, properly.

UTTARASA ASRITE BHANAU SUKLA PAKSE SURESVARA


KRSNA PAKSA ANTIMA-TRYANSAD RTE SURA GANA ARCITA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/50 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

The Deity of the Supreme Lord, Who is worshipped by all


of the demigods, should be established and inaugerated on the
days when the sun travels in the northern hemisphere and should
be done on the days except the dark fortnight's thirteenth day,
fourteenth day and new moon day and the light fortnight's first
day.

HARAU SUPTE NA KARTAVYAM DEVARCCA STHAPANAM BUDHAIH


KARTAVYAM TU VIBUDDHE TU HANSE CA API UTTARAM GATE
SARVA KAMA SAMRDHYARTHAM STHAPAYED UTTARAYANE
VARJAYET SARVA YATNENA MANTRA VID DAKSINA YANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/66,67

It is improper to establish and inaugerate the Deity when


Lord Hari is sleeping. When the Supreme LOrd is awakened and the
sun is traveling in the northern hemisphere, at that time the
Deity should be established. The Deities should be established
by those people who know the proper mantras so as to get the
perfection of the Deities. ONe should carefully avoid
establishing the Deity during the moments when the sun travels in
the Southern direction.

VARNA ASRAMA VIBHAGENA DEVAH STHAPYA HI NANYATHA


CATUR VARNAIS TATHA VISNUH PRATISTHAPYAH SUKHARTHIBHIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/84 DEVI PURANA)

According to the catagory of Varna and asrama, one should


establish the Deity of the Lord. One should not act differently
than this. Those people who are desirous of happiness should
establish the Deity of Lord SRi Visnu to be worshipped by all
four Varnas (brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras).

PANCARATRA ARTHA KUSALO MANTRA TANTRA AVADHARAKAH


STHAPANE SARVADA SASTO BRAHMACARI CA SANTI YUK
ANYATHA KALAHA UDVEGAM KURYAT NITYAM MAHABHAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/86, 87 DEVIPURANA)

To establish the Deity, a person who is expert in


Pancaratrika viddhi, and in truth, who knows mantras perfectly,
who is peaceful and a celibate personality is authorized to
establish the Deity. If opposite to this is done, it creates
fear, quarrel, and disturbance on the part of the host, the king
and the kingdom and the teacher who does not know the scripture
to establish this.

If the acarya or the person establishing the Deity does


know the proper way, according to the Vedic scriptures, to
establish the Deity, then there will be a problem for the host,
mainly, of fear and fighting.

SAMSUDDHA BRAHMA YONISTU PRALAYA UTPATTI SAMSTHITIM


YO VETTI KULAJO DHIMAN ACARYATVAM HI SO'RHATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/94 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

Those people who are born in a pure brahmana dynasty and


whose parents and dynasty are pure, those who are knowledgable of
creation, annhiliation and maintenance, they are the only
intelligent people who are able to become the main person in the
inaugeration function.

YASYA VISNAU PARA BHAKTIR YATHA VISNOU TATHA GURAU


SA EVA STHAPAKO JNEYAH SATYAM ETAD VADAMI TE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/103 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

A person who has unalloyed devotion to Lord Sri Visnu,


and one who has equal devotion to his spiritual master, I
truthfully say that he is a natural establsher of the Deity.

OM YAJJAGRATA ITYADYAIR MANTRAIH SADBHIH KRAMAT SPRSET


DEVASYA DAKSINAM PARSVAM VAMAM PRSTHAM SIRAH PADAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/606 BHAVISYA PURANA)


After situating the Deity, one should chant om
yajjagrata, etc . While chanting, he should touch the
transcendental limbs of the Supreme Lord beginning with the right
side of the belly, the left side of the belly, back, head, and
two feet. He should touch these six portions of the body of the
Deity. These are the mula mantras:

ATHA MULA MANTRANI

OM YAJJAGRATO DURAM UDAITI DAIVAM

OM YENA KARMANYAPASO MANISINE YAJNA

OM YAT PRAJNANA AMRTA CETO DHRTISCA

OM YENEDAMBHUTAM BHUVANAM BHAVISYAT

OM YASMINNRCAH SAMAYAJUMSI YASMIN

OM SUKHARATHIRASCA ATIVAYAM MANUSYAN

(BHAVSYA PURANA)

DEVA DHYANAIKA CETASTU MANTRAN ETAN UDIRAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/615 MATSYA PURANA)

Meditating on the Supreme Lord Particularly with one


pointed intelligence, one should chant all of the mula mantras.

OM YAJJAGRATO DURAMUDAITI ITI, ATO VIRADAJAYATA ITI,


SAHASRA SIRSA PURUSA ITI, ABHITVA SURA NO NUM ITI,
OM PURUSAYE VEDAM SARVAM ITI, OM ENEDAM BHUTAM
BHUVANAM ITI, OM NA TVA VA ANYA ITI.

No Translation for these Mula Mantras

SARVASU ETAN PRATISTHASU JAPTVA MANTRAN PUNAH PUNAH


CATUSKRATVAH SPRASED ADBHIR MULE MADHYE SIRASY API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/617 MATSYA PURANA)


One should chant these mantras again and again, and
should sprinkle water on the Deity four times and touch the Deity
from the lower portion, middle portion and top portion or head
portion (head).

ITY ANENA VIDHANENA PRATISTHAM VIDADHATI YAH


TASYA PUNYA PHALA AVAPTIH SUKHAM CA ATYANTIKAM KRAMAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/999 PRATISTHANETRA)

One who establishes the Deity by following this process,


due to his desire, goes to the abode of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, Vaikunthadham, where he resides happily after
enjoying all kinds of pleasures in the heavenly planets.

KADACIT CA KATHANCIT CET KNCID VAIGUNYAM APAYET


SANSKARA ADI PUNAH KURYAT SAT SASTROKTA ANUSARATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1000 PRATISTHANETRA)

If there is some fault that happens, due to some reason,


then, according to the scriptural instructions, one who again
follow the inaugeration process.

ATI JIRNA TATHA VYANGAM DARAVIM SAILAJAM TATHA


PARITYAJYA NYASED ANYAM PURVOKTA VIDHINA GURUH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1004 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

If the Deity, which is made of wood or stone, if it has


become too old or deformed, then a spiritual master should give
them up, and then according to the previous process of
establishment, he should replace the Deities again.

VRASABHAM YOJAYITVA TU MANTRENA UTPATYA DESIKAH


DARAVIM DAHAYED VANHAU SAILAJAM PRAKSIPET JALE
DHATUJAM RATNAJAM VAPI PRAKSIPEN MAKARA ALAYE
AGADHE CA ANYA TOYE VA KSIPEN NADYAM MAHAVANE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1006, 1007 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

Using a bull, one should bring the Deity outside.


Thereafter, the Deity made of wood can be burnt in the fire. The
Deity made of stone can be put in the deep water and the Deity
made out of jewels and metal can be put in the ocean or in any
deep water such as a river or in a thick forest.

YAD DRAVYA YAT PRAMANA VA YA MURTIS CA UDDHRATA HAREH


TAD DRAVYA TAT PRAMANA CA SA MURTIS TATRA KIRTYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1015 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

To remove a Deity of Lord Sri Hari, whatever ingredients


that Deity which is being removed was made of, the new Deity
being established there should be made of the same. Whatever
the size of the previous Deity was, the new Deity should also be
that size. This is an instruction.
YAT PRAMANAM YADAKARAM YANMAYAM VIMBAM UDDHARET
TAT PRAMANAM TADAKARAM TANMAYAM TATRA VINYASET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1016 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

Whatever is the weight, form and posture of the Deity


which is being removed, when the Deity is reestablished, it
should be the same size, form and posture.

VIHAYA PINDIKAM PURVAM TAD DINE CA APARAM NYASET


DVITIYE VA TRATIYE VA DIVASE STHAPAYED HARIM
ATA URDHVAM BHAVED DOSO VIDHINAPI NIVESITE
ANENA EVA VIDHANENA LEPYADINS CA VISARJAYET
ANYAM PRAKALPAYET TATRA TAT PRAMANAM TADAKRTIM

(HARI BKAKTI VILASA 19/1017, 1018)

After removing the previous pedistal of the Deity, one


should immediately establish the new pedistal on that very day.
After removing the old Deity, one should reestablish the new
Deity within two or three days. If one takes longer than that to
establish the Deity, then it becomes a faulty establishment of
the Deity.

KHANDITE SPHUTITE DAGDHE BHRASTE MANA VIVARJITE


YAGAHINE PASUSPRASTE PATITE DUSTA BHUMISU
ANYA MANTRA ARCITE CAIVA PATITA SPARSA DUSITE
DASASU ETESU NO CAKRUH SANNIDHANAM DIVAUKASAH
ITI SARVAGATO VISNUH PARIBHASANCAKARA HA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1025, 1026 BRAHMA PURANA)

If the Deity is broken, or cracked, or burnt or


fallen (disrespectful) or bereft of worshipping in different
ceremonies, untouchable, or if it has become impure due to being
touched by a low class animala, or has fallen in a dirty place,
or being worshiped with another Gods mantra (such as if Lord
Caitanya is worshiped with the mantra for Lord Nityananda or if
LOrd Nityananda is worshiped with the mantra for Lord Caitanya),
or has become impure because of being touch by the lowest class
of man. In these ten different ways, the personality of the
Deity does not live within the Deity. The Supreme LOrd Visnu has
stated this Himself.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami has given his commentary regarding
this. If the Deity is broken, if the Deity has been cracked, if
the Deity has been burnt by fire, if the Deity fell down when it
was being removed, whatever respect it was decided to be given
to the Deity was not given, or Deity remained for a long time
without being worshipped properly, or some untouchable animal has
touch the Deity and made Him contaminated, or somehow it has
fallen into an unclean place, or the Deity was worshipped with a
different Gods mantra chanted, in such ways, the personality of
the Deity does not live any more within the form of the Deity.

KHANDITA SPHUTITA BHAGNA YASMAD ARCA BHAYAVAHA


TASMAT SAMUDDHARETANCA PURVOKTA VIDHINA BUDHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1027 SAIVAGAMA)

If the Deity has become broken or crack or it appears


certain that it will break, in such a condition, the duty of an
intelligent person is to remove that Deity, and according to the
previous process of establishing the Deity, he establishes a new
Deity.

EKAHA PUJA VIHITAU KURYAD DVIGUNAM ARCANAM


TRI RATRE TU MAHA PUJAM SAMPROKSANAM ATAH PARAM
MASAD VDARDHVA ANEKAHAM PUJA YADI VIHANYATE
PRATISTHAIVESYATE KAISCIT SAMPROKSANA KRAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1038, 1039 SIVAGAMA)

If the Deity is left without being worshiped for one day,


then double worship should be done. If it is left for three days
without worship, then a great worship should be done. If it is
left for even more days than that, then a great bathing ceremony
should be performed. Some great thinkers have recommended that
if the Deity has been left without being worshipped for more than
one month, then reinstallation should be performed and some
recommend only a great bathing ceremony should be performed for
this.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami states in his commentary that if


the Deity was touched by a low class person,or if the Deity
remained without being worshipped for a long duration of time, or
if it was touch by a low class animal, or He was being worshipped
with another God's mantra, rather than replacing the Deity, one
should perform a great bathing ceremony.

DEVA ARCA NAIVA SANCALYA MRNAMY API BHAYAVAHA


HAIMADIR DOSADA VATSA PURVAM UDDHRATYA STHAPITA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1044 DEVI PURANA)

Oh son, the established immovable Deity should not be


removed under in circumstances. Even if it is made of paper
mache or clay, it should not be replaced, even with a golden
Deity. The Deity made of paper mache or clay creates a havoc of
festilence or famine and causes great fear for the establisher
and increases the enemies surrounding the person.
YO JIRNAM VIDHINA DEVAM SANSKURYAN MANAVO BHUVI
PHALAM DASA GUNAM TASYA MULAN NASTY ATRA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 19/1047 HAYASIRSA PANCARATRA)

Any person on this earthly planet who reestablishes a


Deity according to the previous system for establishing the
Deity, replacing the previous one, he gets ten times the merit
attained by the previous establisher of the Deity with out a
doubt.

YE DHYAYANTI SADA BUDHYA KARISYAMO HARER GRAHAM


TESAM VILIYATE PAPAM PURVA JANMA SATODBHAVAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/7 AGNI PURANA)

Any person who promises within his mind that "I shall
construct a beautiful temple for Lord Sri Hari", his acquired
sins for one hundred births are destroyed by doing so.

In his Digdharsanitika, Srila Sanatana Gosvami says that


one who, with his intellignce, says that I will build a temple
for the Lord, and meditates on this continuously, because he
thinks like this, whether he ever builds the temple or not, he
gets the result of removing sins for one hundred births.

LAKSENA ATHA SAHASRENA SATENA ARDHENA VA HAREH


TULYAM PHALAM SAMA AKSATAM IHA ISVARA DARIDRAYO

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/9 AGNI PURANA)

One who builds a temple after spending either Rs.


100,000,Rs. 1,000, or Rs. 100, builds a temple for Lord Sri Hari,
they all attain the same result because in the eyes of the Lord,
there is no difference between a rich man and a poor man.

In his Digdharsanitika, Srila Sanatana Gosvami says,


"Because the rich man is able to build a house for the Lord by
spending sufficient funds. If a poor man spends a small amount,
both of them of equal in front of the Lord. This is stated by
the learned personalities because both of them have the same
faith for the Supreme Lord and both of them go back to the
eternal abode of the Lord, Vaikunthadham, after leaving this
world.

KRATVA VASA GRAHAM TASYA DEVASYA PARAMESTHINAH


RAJASUYA ASVAMEDHANAM PHALENA SAHAYUJYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/10 VISNU DHARMOTTARA, 3RD CANTO)

One who gives a built temple for the pleasure of Lord


Hari, he gets the results of performing a rajasuya sacrifice and
a horse sacrifice.
PRASADE KRSNA DEVASYA CITRAKARMA KAROTI YAH
VASATE VISNU LOKE TU YAVAT TISTHANTI SAGARA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/17 SKANDA PURANA)

ANy person who paints some pictures in the temple, as


long as the oceans exist in this world, until then, a person goes
to the abode of LOrd Sri Hari.

YAH KURYAT SOBHANAM VESMA NARASINGHASYA BHAKTIMAN


SARVA PAPA VINIRMUKTO VISNU LOKAM AVAPNUYAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/18 NRSINGHA PURANA)

Any nice person who build a nice temple for Lord


Nrsngadeva, he becomes free from all kinds of problems, sins and
goes to the place of Lord Hari.

BALYE SAMKRIDA MANA YE PANSUBHIR BHAVANAM HAREH


VASUDEVASYA KURVANTI TE'PI TALLOKA GAMINAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/22 VISNU RAHASYA)

Those children who, in their childhood play, make a


temple out of sand for the pleasure of Lord Hari, they also
attain the abode of Lord Hari.

LEOPANA ACCHADANAM CAIVA YAH KAROTI PUNARNAVAM


DEVASYA AYATANAM KRATVA NA BHAVET KITAJAM BHAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 20/23 ADI PURANA)

Any person who whitewashes the temple or seals up the


holes of the temple, he becomes free from the fear of reptiles,
such as snake bites.

SADA SADACARA PARASTU YE NARA


BHAVANTI DAMODARA BHAKTYA-PEKSAYA
TADIYA PADAMBUJA DHULI-DHUSARAM
KADA BHAVEDASYA SIRO'DHAMASYA ME?

Those personalities, who have made their ultimate desires


to achieve the devotional service to Lord Sri Damodara and thus
they remain fixed with the rules and regulations of purity, I
pray for their mercy and ask when will my head be decorated with
the dust of their lotus feet?

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