Bhakti-tattva-viveka Deliberation on the True Nature of Devotion Preface The unlimited glories of bhagavad-bhakti are visible in the Puranas, srutis, smstis, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, as well as in the literatures of famous Vaisnava Acdryas. By understanding the svartipa or constitutional nature of Suddha-bhakti or unalloyed devotion and genuinely engaging in its practice, one can easily cross the ocean of nescience and achieve life’s ultimate goal of krsna- prema ‘What to speak of the genuine practice of suddha-bhakti, even the attainment of a slight semblance of bhakti can award the fourfold boons of artha (economic development), dharma (reli- giosity), kama (sense gratification) and moksa (liberation). Therefore, people in general become attracted towards the cultivation of bhakti, But due to being ignorant of the true nature of suddha- bhakti, they usually come in contact with pretentious devotees who desire only wealth, women and fame, and under their influence either practice false devotion or adopt devotional sentiments which are against the principles of pure devotion, all the while imagining them to be pure bhakti Coming under the influence of those desiring impersonal liberation, they practice a shadow or reflection of real bhakti and deceive themselves. Thus they do not achieve the real fruit of bhakti Hence, the most merciful bhakti-rasacdrya Srila Rapa Gosvimi has explained in his, book $ri Bhakti-rasimrta-sindhu the true nature of Suddha-bhakti on the basis of scriptural evidences. Moreover, he has described the nature of chala-bhakti (pretentious devotion), abhisa-bhakti (a semblance of devotion), pratibimba- bhakti (a reflection of devotion), karma-miéra-bhakti (devo- tion mixed with fruitive action), #iina-miéré-bhakti (devotion mixed with impersonal knowledge), aropa-siddha-bhakti (endeavours which are indirectly attributed with the quality of devotion), saga-siddha-bhakti (endeavours associated with or favourable to the cultivation of devotion) and so on Jn the realm of devotion the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu is unanimously accepted as the most authoritative literature, but it was composed in the Sanskrit language. So for the benefit of people in general, in his Bhakti-tattva-viveka Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has presented the grave and deep conceptions of Bhakti-rasémrta-sindhu in the Bengali language in a straightforward and easily understandable manner. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is an intimate eternal associate of the saviour of themasses in the age of Kali, Sacinandana $ri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After the associates of Sti Gaurahari such as the Six Gosvamis, Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja, Sri Narottama Thakura and Srila Vievanatha Cakravarti Thakura left this world and entered the unmanifest pastimes, the one-hundred years that followed are con- sidered a dark period for the Gaudiya Vaisnava line. This is because during this period in the Gaudiya line no powerful acarya appeared who could carry forward the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu in their pure form as was done previously. Asa result, ina short span of time, on the pretext of following and preaching the prema-dharma taught by Sriman Mahaprabhu many false sects like Aul, Baul, Karta-bhafi, Neda-nedi, Sai, Saha jiya, Sakhi-bhekhi, Smarta and Jati-gosdi appeared and, while engaged in abundant misbehaviour, started preaching their own imaginary and materially motivated deceitful principles. They defamed Gaudiya Vaisnavism to such an extent that educated and respectable people started viewing it with abhorrence. Gradually the Gaudiya conception of devotion began disappearing, At this time, in the year 1838, Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura auspiciously appeared in a well-educated and cultured family in the village of Vira- nagara which is near Sri Navadvipa- dhama in West Bengal. By compiling approximately one-hundred authoritative books on the sci- ence of bhaktt in Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi, English and various other languages, he ushered ina new era in the Gaudiya Vaisnava line and re-established its Lost glory. For this great effort, the Gaudiya Vaisnavas will remain eternally indebted to him. In the modem. age, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura set in motion once again the bhakti-bhagirathi, or flowing river of pure devotion, and for this he is well-known as the Seventh Gosvami. This Bhakti-tattva-vivekais a collection of four essays he composed originally in Bengali on the deliberation of devotional principles. The first Hindi edition of this, material was serialised in issues from the fourth and fifth years (1958-59) of Sri Bhagavat Patrik, a spiritual magazine in Hindi pub- lished monthly from Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha in Mathura. On the request of our faithful readers and by the inspiration of the present day acarya of the Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Mahara, it was presented in book form in 1990. This present English edition is a direct translation of the Hindi edition, Sriman Prema-vilisa dasa Adhikari provided the English rendering as well as the layout and design. He also oversaw all aspects of the book’s publication, Sriman Navadvipa dasa Adhikari served as Sanskrit editor and offered many valuable suggestions which enhanced the clarity of the presentation, Finally, the book was proofread by Srimati Yasoda-gopi dasi. 1 pray that the mercy of Sri Sti Guru- Gauranga and Sri Sri Radha Vinoda-bihari be upon all these devotees for their sincere efforts By the causeless mercy of the founder of the Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti and its subordinateGauidiya Matha branches throughout India, the most worshipable Acdrya-kesari jgad-guru om visnupada astottara-éataSri Srimad Bhakti PraginaKesava Gosvami Maharaja, Gaudiya devotional literatures are being published by the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, On the most auspicious occasion of his appearance day, this edition is being presented as an offering placed into his lotus hands Being the great embodiment of affection and forgiveness, may he transmit the potency of his mercy into the core of our hearts so that we can render maximum service to his innermost desire. This is our humble prayer at his Lotus feet. Lastly, I humbly request the faithful readers to deliberate upon this literature with great concen- tration. By understanding the true nature of suddha-bhakti, one can relish the ultimate goal of all scriptures, the pure nectar of krsna-prema as exhibited and preached by $1i Caitanya Mahaprabhu. An aspirant for a particle of mercy of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, Tridandi-bhiksu Sri Bhaktivedanta Narayana Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha, Mathura February 24, 1997 Chapter One The Intrinsic Nature of Devotion ‘yugapad rajate yasmin bhedabheda vicitrata vande éarn krsna-caitan yarn parica-eaeevanviear svatah (1) pranamya gauracandrasya sevakan, suddha-vaisnavan ‘Dhaketi-tativa viveka’ khyarh saseram vaksyami yaenatah (2) visva-vaisnava dasas ya hsudrasyahiricanasya me etasminn udyame hy ekavit balari bhdgavaci ksama (3) “d offer pranama unto $ri Krsna Caitanya who is naturally manifest with the pafica- tattva and in whom the contrasting qualities of unity (abheda) and distinction ( bheda) simultaneously exist. After offering pranima unto the servants of Sri Gauracandra, who are all pure Vaisnavas, 1 undertake with utmost care the writing of this book known as Bhakti-tattwa-viveka. Being an insignificant and destitute servant of all the Vaisnavas in the world ( viSva-vaisnava dasa), in this endeavour of mine 1 appeal for their divine forgiveness, for that is my only strength.” Most respectable Vaisnavas! Our sole objective is to relish and propagate the nectar of Sud- dha-bhakti unto Lord Hari. Therefore, our foremost duty is to understand the true nature of suddha-bhakti. This understanding will benefit us in two ways, First, knowing the true nature of suddha-bhakti will dispel our ignorance concerning the topic of bhakti and thus make our human life successful by allowing us to relish the nectar derived from engaging in Suddha- bhakti in its pure form, Secondly, it will enable us to protect ourselves from the polluted and mixed conceptions which currently exist in the name of Suddha-bhakti.