Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 34

Here someone may protest: The dindima drum of the Vedic conclusion proclaims: "Knowledge brings liberation!" As for you, why do you emphasize the words 'spiritual knowledge?' Why must this knowledge be spiritual in its character?

To refute this objection, the author speaks the following words:
Sutra 37
One kind of knowledge brings liberation, and another kind of knowledge brings bondage.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The first kind of knowledge here is spiritual knowledge, or knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word 'muktih' here means 'liberation from material bondage'. The second kind of knowledge here is material knowledge, or also the dry theories of the impersonalists. The word 'bandhah' here means 'bondage in the cycle of repeated births and deaths'. In the following words the Supreme Personality of Godhead affirms that material knowledge binds one to the material world. He says (Bhagavad-gita 14.6):
"Those situated in that mode (goodness) develop knowledge, but they become conditioned by the concept of happiness."

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WHO ARE YOU? DISCOVERING YOUR REAL IDENTITY
What is your essence? Is it matter—a mere collection of material atoms and molecules? Or is it something else?



Siddhaswarupananda – Chris Butler Speaks


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The conclusion of the atheists and blasphemers is given in these words of the Vidvan-moda-tarangini:
"'What is action? Who is the seer of things? When and by whom are karmic reactions obtained? How does one attain another birth in this world?' If someone asks these questions, then I reply: These questions have no answers. There is no way anyone can find answers to these questions. The truth is that life is like a flowing river that brings sometimes pleasures and sometimes pains. The material body is temporary. It will die. The truth is that the entire world is unreal. It does not really exist. It is all an illusion."

In the Sri Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka (7.77), Srila Ramananda Raya explains:
"They who cannot taste sweetness will drink the bitter nimb juice of impersonal liberation. We, however, who know what is sweet, drink the dark, sweet nectar the amorous gopis drank through the corners of their eyes."

In response to Lord Caitanya's questions, Sri Ramananda Raya explained (Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka 7.61):
"They who love Krsna's lotus feet and do not love anything else, who delight in bhakti-yoga, the yoga of devotional service, and are not attracted to astanga-yoga or any other kind of yoga, and who place their love in the transcendental form of Lord Krsna, and not in their own external material body, are actually liberated and free from the material world. Non devotees who claim to be liberated are not so."

In Bhagavad-gita (18.64-66) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.
"Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer Your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 33

In Bhagavad-gita (6.20-21) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also says:
"The stage of perfection is called trance, or samadhi, when one's mind is completely restrained from material mental activities by practice of yoga. This is characterised by one's ability to see the self by the pure mind and to relish and rejoice in the self. In that joyous state one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness and enjoys himself through transcendental senses. Established thus, one never departs from the truth."

In Bhagavad-gita (6.28) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also says:
"Steady in the Self, being freed from all material contamination, the yogi achieves the highest perfectional stage of happiness in touch with the supreme consciousness."

In Bhagavad-gita (6.47) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also says:
"And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshipping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."

In Bhagavad-gita (7.28) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also says:
"Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated, and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination."

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History has shown us that our tendency to colonize and exploit other regions has always backfired. This planet can be made a happier, more peaceful place to live in, but the change will have to come from within the hearts of all of us living here.



Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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In Bhagavad-gita (8.28) the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives His final opinion:
"A person who accepts the path of devotional service is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing austere sacrifices, giving charity, or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. At the end he reaches the supreme abode."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (12.5.11-12) Srila Sukadeva Gosvami gives his final instruction to Maharaja Pariksit:
"You should consider, 'I am non different from the Absolute Truth, the supreme abode, and that Absolute Truth, the supreme destination, is non different from Me'. Thus resigning yourself to the Supreme Soul, who is free from all material misidentifications, you will not even notice the snake-bird Taksaka when he approaches with his poison-filled fangs and bites your foot. Nor will you see your dying body or the material world around you, because you will have realise yourself to be separate from them."

In Bhagavad-gita (18.54) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realises the Supreme Brahma. He never laments nor desires to have anything, He is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me."

In Bhagavad-gita (12.10-11) the Supreme Personality of Godhead tells Arjuna:
"If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
"If however, you are unable to work in this consciousness, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 32

In the next verse the author describes the previously mentioned renunciation aspect of upaya-bhakti.

Sutra 36
From the path of the sense objects one should, employing spiritual knowledge and proper renunciation, gradually turn away the chariot of the body, the charioteer of the mind, and the horses of the senses. To do so is proper renunciation of the world.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The body is here called the chariot because it is controlled by the mind. The mind is called the charioteer, because it controls the senses. The senses are called the horses because they pull the chariot of the body here and there. It is also said:
"The spirit soul is the passenger in the chariot."

In the Upanisads it is said:
"Please know that the spirit soul is the passenger in the chariot."
When a person, using spiritual knowledge and proper detachment, drives the chariot described in these words away from the path of the sense objects that action is called proper renunciation.

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In his book Small Is Beautiful, noted British economist E. F. Schumacher wrote:
Insights of wisdom … enable us to see the hollowness and fundamental unsatisfactoriness of a life devoted primarily to the pursuit of material ends, to the neglect of the spiritual. Such a life necessarily sets man against man and nation against nation, because man’s needs are infinite and infinitude can be achieved only in the spiritual realm, never in the material.*
It is a fact that no matter how much sense gratification a person gets, he will never be satisfied. Material food, material things, material sense gratification cannot satisfy the atma (spirit soul). Just as the body needs material food, so the spirit soul needs spiritual food. To try to satisfy one’s spiritual craving with material things leads to endless consumption, greed, envy, violence, and war. Western people have as much sense gratification as one could ever want, yet they are not satisfied. Why? Because they are spiritually empty.



Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks
* E. F. Schumacher, Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered (New York: Harper and Row, 1973), p. 38.


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In Bhagavad-gita (6.26) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"Gradually, step by step, with full conviction, one should become situated in trance by means of intelligence, and thus the mind should be fixed on the Self alone and should think of nothing else."

In the Katha Upanisad (1.3.3,4,6 and 9) it is said:
"The individual is the passenger in the car of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers."
"A wise person appropriately uses his mind to control his senses. Thus his intelligence is a good charioteer and his senses are good horses."
"In this way, with his intelligence as the charioteer and his mind as the reins, a wise person drives his chariot to the supreme abode of Lord Visnu."

In Bhagavad-gita (5.5, 4.18, 5.2 and 5.6) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"One who knows that the position reached by means of renunciation can also be attained by works in devotional service and who therefore sees that the path of works and the path of renunciation are one, sees things as they are."
"One who sees inaction, in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities."
"The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But of the two, work in devotional service is better than renunciation of works."
"Unless one is engaged in devotional service of the Lord, mere renunciation of activities cannot make one happy. The sages, purified by works of devotion, achieve the Supreme without delay."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 31

In Bhagavad-gita (6.29 and 31) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"A true yogi observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realised man sees Me everywhere.
"He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison with his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, both in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna."

In Bhagavad-gita (9.29) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again explains:
"I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him."

In the final passages of Bhagavad-gita (18.62-63) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart. O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy."
"O scion of Bharata, surrender to Him utterly. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."

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There is enough in the world to fulfill everyone’s needs, but not enough to fulfill everyone’s greed. In some parts of the world, people are dying from severe undernourishment, while in other parts of the world people are dying from obesity.


Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks


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In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29-21-27), Lord Kapiladeva explains:
"I am present in every living entity as the Supersoul. If someone neglects or disregards that Supersoul everywhere and engages himself in the worship of the Deity in the temple, that is simple imitation.
"One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramatma is situated in every living entity's heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into the ashes.
"One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behaviour towards other living entities.
"My dear mother, even if he worships with proper rituals and paraphernalia, a person who is ignorant of My presence in all living entities never pleases Me by the worship of My Deities in the temple.
"Performing his prescribed duties, one should worship the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead until one realises My presence in his own heart and in the hearts of all other living entities as well.
"As the blazing fire of death, I cause great fear to whoever makes the least discrimination between himself and other living entities because of a differential outlook.
"Therefore, through charitable gifts and attention, as well as through friendly behaviour and by viewing all to be alike, one should propitiate Me, who abide in all creatures as their very self."*

In Sri Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka it is said:
"Devotional service to Lord Krsna pleases the heart, satisfies the senses, makes impersonal liberation seem very insignificant, fulfills all desires, and plunges all living entities into an ocean of bliss."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 30

In Bhagavad-gita (9.13-14) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.
"Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion."

In Bhagavad-gita (10.8-11), the Supreme Personality of Godhead again explains:
"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."
"The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me."
"To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give them the understanding by which they can come to Me."
"Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."

In the Mahabharata, Santi-parva, Moksa-dharma, it is said:
"O Sauta, neither following all the rules of varnasrama-dharma nor bathing in all holy rivers bring the same result one obtains by hearing and chanting the glories of Lord Narayana.

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An impersonalist yogi can be very dangerous because he may try to take the position of the Supreme Lord, believing himself to be the Supreme dominator and enjoyer of all that he surveys. This is the darkest region of ignorance. He may try to act on the illusion that he is God and that the world is his playground. He may become, in other words, a “super-hedonist.” One such “I am God”ist, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), formerly a professor at Harvard University, declares that no one exists except oneself, and that after merging with the impersonal Brahman, one returns to the world and is the world and is everyone.
If you come back into form from having merged with God ... you fill the forms [bodies] though there is no one home, it is just more lila, the dance of God.1
The late Swami Muktananda, a well-known “I am God”ist who had thousands of followers, wrote:
Assuming physical bodies, He appears as separate entities.2
According to the “I am God”ist, the apparent existence of others is just a hallucination. And since you are God, you are the creator of the laws of the universe (or as Ram Dass puts it, “You are the laws of the universe!”).3 And since you are the laws of the universe—since you are God—then there is no higher person or law to which you must subject yourself. Your will, your desire, is God's desire—God's will—so there is no need whatsoever to check or control your desires or actions. As another “I am God”ist, Werner Erhard puts it:
What you're doing is what God wants you to do. Be happy.4
So according to the “I am God”ist, since you and I—each of us—is God, whatever you and I and others are doing is what God wants us to do. You can be engaging in the most illicit or the most heinous activities, but since you are God, you are doing the will of God. Your will is God's will. In other words, he believes his will is God's will because he wrongly believes he is God.



Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda
1Ram Dass, Grist for the Mill (Santa Cruz, CA: Unity Press, 1976), p. 166.
2Swami Muktananda, Siddha Meditation, p. 59.
3Ram Dass, Remember, Be Here Now (Albuquerque, NM: Lama Foundation, 1971), p. 86.
4Quoted in Adelaide Bry, est (Erhard Seminars Training): 60 Hours That Transform Your Life (New York: Harper and Row, 1976), p. 66.


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In the Visnu Purana it is said:
"O sage, a person who day and night remembers Lord Visnu will not go to hell, for he is already purified of all his sins."

In the Visnu Purana it is also said:
"The best atonement for sins is remembering Lord Hari."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (7.5.23) it is said:
"Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words serving Him with the body, mind and words), these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (11.29.30) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"You should not share this instruction with anyone who is hypocritical, atheistic, or dishonest, or with anyone who will not listen faithfully, who is not a devotee, or who is simply not humble."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.21.31) the Supreme Personality of Godhead tells Kardama Muni:
"Showing compassion to all living entities, you will attain self-realisation. Giving assurance of safety to all, you will perceive your own self as well as all the universes in Me, and Myself in you."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 29

In the next sutra the author reveals the truth of the various other limbs of this secondary kind of devotional service (upaya-bhakti).

Sutra 35
The secondary limbs of upaya-bhakti begin with hearing and chanting, for these activities help to increase intent devotion to the Lord.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The secondary limbs of upaya-bhakti begin with hearing and chanting, for these activities help to increase intent devotion to the Lord. Hearing and chanting about the Lord are different ways to worship the Lord. In Bhagavad-gita (9.14) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion."

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.1 and 1.3.4) it is said:
"By the process of executing regulated devotional service, one is actually elevated onto the transcendental stage, beyond the material modes of nature. At that time one's heart becomes illuminated like the sun.
"After the outward appearance of these ecstatic symptoms, they stay within the mind and continuation of the ecstasy is called samadhi."

In the commentary on Sandilya's Bhakti-sutras it is said:
"Do fish not live in the Ganges? Do birds not perch on the roofs of temples? Still, they do not become overwhelmed with ecstatic love for the Lord. They do not obtain the spiritual benefits from the holy waters and the Lord's temple."

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There's a saying: “Misery likes company.” So-called religious fanatics are so miserable that they want to create as much havoc in society as possible. They want others to join them in their misery.


Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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Srila Rupa Gosvami (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.6) explains:
"When there is no attachment or spontaneous loving service to the Lord, and one is engaged in the service of the Lord simply out of obedience to the order of the spiritual master or in pursuance of the scriptures, such obligatory service is called vaidhi bhakti."


In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.293) Srila Rupa Gosvami says:
"Therefore, in the beginning, everyone should strictly follow the regulative principles of devotional service according to the injunctions and the spiritual master. Only after the stage of liberation from material contamination can one actually aspire to follow in the footsteps of the devotees in Vrndavana.”

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.72) Srila Rupa Gosvami says:
"Hari-bhakti-vilasa was complied for the guidance of the Vaisnava and therein are mentioned many rules and regulations to be followed by Vaisnavas."

Srila Rupa Gosvami (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.264) again explains:
"There are nine different kinds of devotional service, which are listed as hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshipping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders, serving Krsna as friend, and sacrificing everything for Him. Each and every one of these processes is so powerful that if anyone follows even one single one of them, he can achieve the desired perfection without fail."

In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.245) Srila Rupa Gosvami says:
"Some scholars argue that simply by following the principles of varna and asrama one can gradually rise to the perfections reached by practicing devotional service, but this argument is not accepted by the great authorities. The advancement of varna and asrama is merely external. There is a higher principle. The higher principle is ecstatic love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the most important attainment."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 28

After thus describing the most exalted kind of devotional service, the author of the sutras now begins his description of upaya-bhakti. He says:

Sutra 34
Upaya-bhakti has as its parts: 1. intent devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and 2. renunciation of the material world.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
In Bhagavad-gita (18.65) the Supreme Personality of Godhead teaches:
"Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will become to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (2.10.6) it is said:
"Liberation is the permanent situation of the form of the living entity after he gives up the changeable gross and subtle material bodies.”

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There is nothing more dangerous to real religion than fanatics who seek to lord over others by force in the name of God.Narada is a perfect example of a bona fide disciple. Even though his guru, Lord Brahma, was immensely powerful, still Narada did not blindly accept him as the Supreme Lord Himself.


Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks


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In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.49) it is said:
"At that time, simply by the association of such pure devotees, the moonlike rays from their hearts reflect on him, and by the influence of the pure devotees he may show some likeness of attachment caused by inquisitiveness, but this is very flickering. And if by the manifestation of such shadow attachment one feels the disappearance of all material pangs, then it is called para attachment."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.12) it is said:
"The seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realises that Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from Vedanta-sruti."

Srila Rupa Gosvami (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.251 and 1.2.254) explains:
"By engaging in devotional service one naturally attains knowledge, renunciation, and other advantages as a by product of his service."
"Actually, a person who is developing Krsna consciousness and still has some attachment to material enjoyment will soon be freed from such a tendency by regularly discharging devotional service under the instruction of a bona fide spiritual master."

Srila Rupa Gosvami (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.3.25) also explains:
"When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Krsna fructifies, the following nine symptoms manifest in one's behaviour; forgiveness, concern that time should not be wasted, detachment, absence of false prestige, hope, eagerness, a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord, attachment to descriptions of the transcendental qualities of the Lord and affection for those places where the Lord resides, that is, a temple or a holy place like Vrndavana. These are called anubhava, subordinate signs of ecstatic emotion. They are visible in a person whose heart the seed of love of God has begun to fructify."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 27

In the next sutra the author describes the truth that pure devotional service is directed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead alone.

Sutra 33
There are no separate subdivisions of phala-bhakti devotional service, for it is one, undivided, and naturally perfect.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Phala-bhakti has no separate subdivisions, because it has a single undivided nature, and because, consisting of activities of passionate love for the Lord, it is naturally perfect. In these ways it is not like sadhana-bhakti. The conclusion of devotional service is given in these words:
"At that time eternally perfect love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is manifested in the heart."

In the Taittiriya Upanisad (2.4.1) it is said:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is naturally full of bliss."

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.246 and 1.2.248-249), Srila Rupa Gosvami explains:
"Some scholars argue that simply by following the principles of varna and asrama one can gradually rise to the perfections reached by practicing devotional service, but this argument is not accepted by the great authorities."

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Narada is a perfect example of a bona fide disciple. Even though his guru, Lord Brahma, was immensely powerful, still Narada did not blindly accept him as the Supreme Lord Himself.


Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks


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"Some scholars recommend that knowledge and renunciation are important factors for elevating oneself to devotional service, but actually that is not a fact. Actually the cultivation of knowledge or renunciation, which are favourable for achieving a footing in Krsna consciousness, may be accepted in the beginning, but ultimately they may also come to be rejected, for devotional service is dependent on no other other then the sentiment or desire for such service. It requires nothing more than sincerity.

"It is the opinion of expert devotees that mental speculation and the artificial austerities of yoga practice may be favourable for becoming liberated from material contamination, but they will also make one's heart harder and harder. They will not help at all in the progress of devotional service. These processes are therefore not favourable for entering into the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Actually Krsna consciousness, devotional service itself, is the only way of advancing in devotional life. Devotional service is absolute. It is both the cause and the effect."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.12) it is said:
"The seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realises that Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from the Vedanta-sruti."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.15), Srila Suta Gosvami explains:
"With sword in hand, intelligent men cut through the binding knots of reactionary work (karma) by remembering the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, who will not pay attention to His message?"

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.16) it is also said:
"O twice born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vasudeva."

In the Gopi-gita of Srimad Bhagavatam (10.31.14), the gopis explain:
"O hero, kindly distribute to us the nectar of Your lips, which enhances conjugal pleasure and vanquishes grief. That nectar is thoroughly relished by Your vibrating flute and makes people forget any other attachment."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 26

This exalted kind of devotional service is not practiced by every devotee. Rather, there are different kinds of devotional service, as described in the following sutra:

Sutra 32
Devotional service has both a means and a result.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The individual spirit souls are of two kinds: 1. the conditioned souls, and 2. the liberated souls, and the devotional service they perform is also of two kinds: 1. phala-bhakti (devotional service as a goal) and 2. upaya-bhakti devotional service as a means to attain a goal). The liberated souls engage in phala-bhakti which is the same as prema-bhakti, the perfect stage of love for Lord Krsna. The conditioned souls engage in upaya-bhakti, which is the same as sadhana-bhakti, and which is the means by which one attains the goal of phala-bhakti. It is said:
"Ghee equals long life".
This means that by eating foods cooked in ghee one attains a long life. As ghee and long life are equated, in the same way sadhana-bhakti is called devotional service because it leads to the final goal: the attainment of prema-bhakti.

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BRAHMA AND NARADA – BONAFIDE GURU, BONAFIDE DISCIPLE A fake guru wants his followers to believe that he is God Himself—that's why he tries to impress them with his mystic powers. If the disciple of a phony guru were to express doubts about his guru's lordship, the guru would surely be angered. So how did Brahma react when Narada asked the questions, “Under whose protection are you standing? And under whom are you working? What is your real position?” And how did he react when Narada asked, “Yet we are moved to wonder about the existence of someone more powerful than you when we think of your great austerities in perfect discipline”? In response, Brahmaji was not angry. In fact, he was extremely pleased.



Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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In Bhagavad-gita (9.14) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, and bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion."
In this way chanting japa, offering obeisances, and other activities of sadhana bhakti are described.

In Bhagavad-gita (18.52-55) the Supreme Personality o Godhead again explains:
"One who lives in a secluded place, who eats little, and who controls the body and the tongue, and is always in trance, and is detached, who is without false ego, false strength, false pride, lust, anger, and who does not accept material things, such a person is certainly elevated to the position of self-realisation.
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realises the Supreme Brahman. He never laments nor desires to have anything. He is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me."
"One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God."

In the Narada-pancaratra, in the midst of a description of unwavering devotional service, Lord Sadasiva explains:
"These auspicious, blissful, and unselfish actions bring direct service to Lord Hari.

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 25

Chapter Four

Sambandha-prakarana
The Relationship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Individual Spirit Souls

Introduction by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
In order to show the way the individual spirit souls, who were described in the cit-prakarana chapter, may attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is perfect, complete, eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, in the beginning of this, the fourth chapter, the author describes devotional service and the natural and eternal relationship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the individual souls.

Sutra 31
Devotional service means unwavering love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Here the word 'pare' means 'for the Supreme Personality of Godhead', and 'purna-anuraktih' means 'unwavering love'. The nature of devotional service is described in these words of Taittiriya Upanisad (2.7.1):
"When one understands the Personality of God, the reservoir of pleasure, Krsna, he actually becomes transcendentally blissful."

Bowing at the lotus feet of my master, I, trembling with bliss and love, carefully sprinkle these drops from the blissful ocean of devotional service.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nityananda, to Lord Advaita, who is the husband of Sita, to Haridasa Thakura, who is the best of Vaisnavas, to Gadadhara Pandita...
...To Sri Rupa Gosvami, to his brother Sri Sanatana Gosvami, and to all the exalted devotees of the Lord. Their mercy is the water that has nourished the vine of Lord Krsna's mercy upon me.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Narottama dasa Thakura and all the other preachers of loving devotional service to Lord Krsna. I offer my respectful obeisances to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Svarupa Damodara, Sri Govinda, and all the other dear associates of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Valmiki Muni, Vasistha Muni, and Narada Muni, who all personally saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Vyasa, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, Suta Gosvami, Lord Siva, Prahlada Maharaja, Uddhava...
...the sages led by Sanaka-kumara, the sages led by Saunaka Rsi, noble hearted King Pariksit, Bhisma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Kapila, Maharaja Dhruva, Maharaja Pracinabarhi...
...the great soul Maharaja Ambarisa, the nine yogendras and all the great devotees of ancient times, devotees expert in devotional service to the Lord.
I pray that by the dust from the feet of these great devotees, who are worshipped by all the worlds, my slow mind will become expert in describing the truth of devotional service.

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Mystic yogis, by the practice of mystic or psychic powers, can do things that ordinary people consider very wonderful and miraculous. Such yogis then exploit the people, claiming that they are God Himself. And millions of foolish people believe such charlatans and blindly follow them. This is very unfortunate.

Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks



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In the Kena Upanisad (4.6) it is said:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the highest object of worship. All living beings yearn to attain Him."

In the Narada-pancaratra it is said:
"Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and, simply by being employed in the service of the Lord, one's senses are purified."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29.12) it is said:
"Just as the water of the Ganges flows naturally down towards the ocean, such devotional ecstasy, uninterrupted by a material condition, flows towards the Supreme Lord."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.25.32) it is also said:
"The senses are symbolic representations of the demigods, and their natural inclination is to work under the direction of the Vedic injunctions. As the senses are representatives of the demigods, so the mind is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mind's natural duty is to serve. When that service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than salvation."

In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.11) Srila Rupa Gosvami explains:
"When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favourably, as Krsna desires."

In Sandilya's Bhakti-sutra (1.1.2) it is said:
"Devotional service means intense love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 25

Sutra 30
The senses and mind, what they perceive, and the results produced by their acts of perception, are all material, for these are all created within the material world and they are all the result of the soul's misidentifying itself as a material body.

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Rajneesh, infamous for his advocation of “free sex” among his thousands of Western disciples, writes:
The word “brahmacharya” means that you have come to attain, you have come to know that you are the Brahman, the ultimate, the divine, that you are God Himself.1
Satya Sai Baba, India's most famous contemporary mystic and “holy” man, says:
You have not heard Me fully; I say I am God; I say also that you are God. The difference is that I know it and you do not know it.²
The idea of the “I am God”ists is that each of us is actually the Supreme Spirit, but that somehow we forgot our true identity as God and came under the spell of ignorance. So you are supposedly God, the Supreme Being, but you are now caught under the laws of material nature. You are supposedly the Supreme Lord,


Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks
1Rajneesh, Yoga: The Alpha and the Omega, vol. 3, p. 36.
2Andrew Shaw, Words of Truth: A Second Compilation of Sayings by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Ltd., 1998), p. 7.


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Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The word 'indriyani' here refers to both the knowledge-acquiring senses and the working senses. What the knowledge acquiring senses perceive is form, taste, smell, sound and touch. What the working senses do is the five actions, which begin with walking. The results produced by their acts of perception are the mind's activity of accepting some things and rejecting others. All these are material, for they are all created within the material world and they are all the result of the soul's misidentifying itself as a material body. In the Upanisads it is said:
"From the Supreme all the life-airs and all the senses were created. Then He created the mind."

In the Katha Upanisad (2.3.7-8) it is said:
"Higher than the senses are the sense-objects. Higher then the sense-objects is the mind. Higher than the mind is the intelligence. Higher than the intelligence is the soul. Higher than the soul is the mahat-tattva.
"Higher than the mahat-tattva is the unmanifested. Higher than the unmanifested is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nothing is higher than the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the highest. He is the supreme destination."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 24

"In that personal abode of the Lord, the material modes of ignorance and passion do not prevail, nor is there any of their influence in goodness. There is no predominance of the influence of time, so what to speak of the illusory, external energy. It cannot enter that region. Without discrimination, both the demigods and demons worship the Lord as devotees.
"The inhabitants of the Vaikuntha planets are described as having a glowing sky-bluish complexion. Their eyes resemble lotus flowers, their dress is of yellowish colour, and their bodily features are very attractive. They are just the age of growing youths, they all have four hands, they are all nicely decorated with pearl necklaces with ornamental medallions, and they all appear to be effulgent."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (10.14.2) the demigod Brahma, now freed from illusion, speaks the following prayer:
"My dear Lord, neither I nor anyone else can estimate the potency of this transcendental body of Yours, which has shown such mercy to me and which appears just to fulfil the desires of Your pure devotees. Although my mind is completely withdrawn from material affairs, I cannot understand Your personal form. How, then, could I understand the happiness You experience within Yourself."

In the Mundaka Upanisad (2.2.9) it is said:
"The self-realised souls know that the spiritual world is effulgent, pure, glorious, and never touched by matter."

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The chief historical proponent of such “I am God”ism philosophy was Sripad Shankaracharya. Shankaracharya lived and preached throughout India in the eighth century. The preaching of Shankaracharya and his followers was so strong that, practically speaking, it drove Buddhism out of India. Today, throughout India and the world, Shankaracharya's teachings (or slight variations of them) are still having a tremendous influence on people.
In Calcutta, India, for example, we can see the ridiculous sight of a starving, sore-infested man meditating on the side of the road: “I am God. I am God.” In America and Europe, you'll find many so-called yogis and gurus who are directly or indirectly in Shankaracharya's line of “I am God” ism teachers.



Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu quoted these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11):
"Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call the non dual substance Brahman, Paramatma, or Bhagavan."

In the Narada-pancaratra it is said:
"In the midst of the spiritual world's splendour resides the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His peerless form dark and handsome."

In the Brahma-samhita (5.1) it is said:
"Krsna who is known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all, for He is the prime cause of all causes."

In the Isa Upanisad (mantra 8) it is said:
"Such a person must factually know the greatest of all, who is unembodied, omniscient, beyond reproach, without veins, pure, and uncontaminated, the self-sufficient philosopher, who has been fulfilling everyone's desires since time immemorial."

In the Brahmanda Purana, the demigods offer these prayers glorifying Lord Krsna, who stays in Sri Radha's heart:
"You are the Supreme Brahman, whom the Madhyandina recension of the Vedas glorifies with the words 'sad eva saumyedam agra asit'. We offer our obeisances to You again and again.
"The Vedas glorify You with the words, 'dve vidye veditavye'. You are the Supreme Brahman described in the Vedas. We offer our obeisances to You again and again.
"The Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad describes You with the words, 'ekam evadvitiyam'. You are the Supreme Brahman described in the Vedas. We offer our obeisances to You again and again.
"The Vedas glorify You with the words, 'eko vai purusah'. You are the imperishable Supreme Person described in the Vedas. We offer our obeisances to You again and again."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 23

Sutra 29
The material senses can perceive the material world, but they cannot perceive the spiritual world in the same way, for that world is beyond their ability to know.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Here someone may protest: Do not the scriptures say, 'vaikuntham tad-adhisthanam drastum te munayo gatah' (Many sages have gone to see the spiritual world)? Many devarsis, brahmarsis and other great souls have gone to the spiritual world, seen the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and returned to this world to describe what they have seen. Why have you spoken these mistaken words that will bewilder all who hear them?

To refute this protest the author of the sutras begins this passage beginning with sutra 29.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead and His spiritual world cannot be perceived by the material senses in the same way the material world is perceived by them. This is so because the spiritual world is beyond the knowledge of the material senses (adhoksaja). That is the meaning. The idea that the spiritual world can be seen by material senses is an idea created by the illusory energy of the Lord. In truth the spiritual world is beyond the perception of the material senses. In the scriptures it is said:
"The spiritual world of Vaikuntha is worshipped by all the worlds."
No one returns from the spiritual world. This is described in Bhagavad-gita (15.6) where the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
"One who reaches My abode never returns to this material world."

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AM I GOD?
The impersonalist “I am God”ist Swami Muktananda advised his students:
Meditate on your Self. Honor and worship your own Self. Kneel to your Self, because the supreme reality, the highest truth lives within you as you.*
Obviously, such an “I am God”ist or impersonalist can be very dangerous to others and society. Many of these “I am God”ists end up as the most extreme of all hedonists—having illicit sex with their disciples, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking, eating meat, and engaging in all kinds of debauchery. They declare that they can do so without being contaminated karmically because they are so “spiritually advanced.” At the moment, the Western world (as well as India) is crawling with such charlatans.


Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks
*Swami Muktananda, Getting Rid of What You Haven’t Got (Oakland: S.Y.D.A. Foundation, 1978), p. 43.

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In Bhagavad-gita (8.16) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again says:
"One who attains My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again."

In the Taittiriya Upanisad (2.4.1) it is said:
"The descriptive power of speech fails in the realm of the Absolute Truth."

It is also said:
"The spiritual world is made of pure goodness. There every desire is at once fulfilled."

It is also said:
"The Spiritual world of Vaikuntha is worshipped by all the worlds."

In the Narada-pancaratra, Lord Sadasiva explains:
"The eternal spiritual world of Goloka is situated in the spiritual sky."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (2.9.9-11) the following description of Brahma's vision of Vaikuntha is given:
"The Personality of Godhead, being thus very much satisfied with the penance of Lord Brahma, was pleased to manifest His personal abode, Vaikuntha, the supreme planet above all others. This transcendental abode of the Lord is adored by all self-realised persons freed from all kinds of miseries and fear of illusory existence.

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 22

Now the author of the sutras will reveal the way the soul can become free from these illusions. The author says:

Sutra 28
Using the intelligence's power of discrimination, one can become free from these illusions.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Here the word 'tatah' means 'from the two previously described illusions', 'muktih' means 'the individual souls attain freedom', and 'vivekena' means 'by understanding the truth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the individual spirit soul.'
In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.4.12) it is said:
"If a person knows the true nature of the soul, and if he thinks, 'I am spirit', then what will he desire in this material world? How will he become attached to his material body?"

In the Mundaka Upanisad (2.2.9) it is said:
"Thus the knot in the heart is pierced and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master."

The wise transcendentalists are described in these words of Bhagavad-gita (4.33 and 39):
"O chastiser of the enemy, the sacrifice of knowledge is greater than the sacrifice of material possessions. O son of Prtha, after all, the sacrifice of work culminates in transcendental knowledge."
"A faithful man who is absorbed in transcendental knowledge, and who subdues his senses, quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace."

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Many people practice tai chi, chi gong, and so on with the aim of keeping their bodies fit for a long time. There is certainly nothing wrong with keeping one’s body fit—indeed, it is one of the aims of yoga—but unfortunately, many such people are trying to run away from the inevitable death of the body. Some mystic yogis strive to keep their bodies alive forever—but that is not possible. Even if one was the greatest yogi and could keep his body alive for thousands of years, that still is not forever.

Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks

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In the Bhagavad-gita (16.16 and 16.21) the Lord also declares:
"Thus perplexed by various anxieties and bound by a network of illusions, one becomes too strongly attached to sense enjoyment and falls down into hell."
"There are three gates leading to this hell: lust, anger, and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul."*

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.16) the Lord also declares:
"O best among the Bharatas (Arjuna), four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me: the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.8.25), Queen Kunti tells Lord Krsna:
"I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths."

In the Narada-pancaratra, Second Night, Second Chapter, it is said:
"By associating with the devotees of Sri Krsna, one attains unwavering, unmotivated, blissful devotional service, service that eventually allows one to serve Lord Krsna directly.
"As a tender new sprout on vines or trees grows with the rains and withers with the scorching sunshine, so a new sprout on the tree of devotional service grows by conversing with devotees and withers by conversing with non devotees."

In Bhagavad-gita (4.34) the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self realised soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."

In Bhagavad-gita (7.3), the Supreme Personality of Godhead again says:
"Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and out of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth."

In Bhagavad-gita (7.19) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again says:
"After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 21

In the next sutra the author reveals the many delusions that bewilder the conditioned souls.

Sutra 27
Because of attachment to inert matter, the conditioned soul is bewildered about happiness and about the spiritual world.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The conditioned soul is bewildered about happiness. Because he is attached to the material world, he thinks he will find happiness in the material world: in Svargaloka, in an excellent material body, or in some other way. Because he is attached to the objects in this material world he is also bewildered about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and about the transcendental abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.10.26) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"In the human race the mode of passion is very prominent. Humans are always busy in the midst of miserable life, but they think themselves happy in all respects."

In the Katha Upanisad (1.1.12) Naciketa tells Yamaraja, the lord of death:
"In the spiritual world there is not fear of old age, or of you, O death. There one crosses beyond both of them. In the spiritual world there is no anxiety to attain food and drink. The residents of the spiritual world enjoy transcendental bliss."

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Sometimes a person is still addicted to cigarette smoking or meat-eating. If he follows the process of bhakti yoga, then gradually he will be able to give up such habits. It is a question of tasting a higher taste. If a person engages in the process of bhakti yoga, he will gradually begin to taste the higher spiritual happiness, and he will be able to give up all vices naturally. After he gives up such bad habits, then his progress will be very rapid.

Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda

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In the Katha Upanisad (1.1.26) Naciketa says:
"Every human being soon meets his death. Quickly his senses become old and weak. Everyone's life is brief. Your chariots, singing and dancing will last for only a moment."

In the Mundaka Upanisad (1.2.12) it is said:
"Seeing the true nature of the heavenly planets attained by pious deeds, a brahmana no longer desires to go there. He becomes renounced and desires to learn the science of transcending the material world.
"To learn the transcendental subject matter, one must approach a spiritual master. In doing so he should carry fuel to burn in sacrifice. The symptom of such a spiritual master is that he is expert in understanding the Vedic conclusion and therefore he constantly engages in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

In the Mundaka Upanisad (1.2.10) it is said:
"Thinking material pious deeds the best of all actions, and affirming that no other action is better than them, fools go to Svargaloka, enjoy, and then again return to this world or the worlds beneath it."

In Bhagavad-gita (2.62-63) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
"From anger, delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool."

In his commentary on these words Sri Sankaracarya explains:
"Here it is said that contemplation of sense objects is the root of all that is undesirable."

In Bhagavad-gita (4.9) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also declares:
"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna."

In Bhagavad-gita (15.3-4) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also declares:
"The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is. But with determination one must cut down this tree with the weapon of detachment. So doing one must seek that place from which, having once gone, one never returns."

In Bhagavad-gita (15.6) the Supreme Personality of Godhead also declares:
"That abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by electricity. One who reaches it never returns to this material world."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 20

Sutra 26
Matter provides a dwelling place for the conditioned souls. This place is called, "the three dimensions of material space".

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Matter provides a dwelling place for the conditioned souls. This place is called, 'the three dimensions of material space'. An example of material space is given in these words of the Svetasvatara Upanisad (4.6-7):
"Although the two birds are on the same tree, the eating bird is fully engrossed with anxiety and moroseness as the enjoyer of the fruits of the tree."

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If a person engages in the process of bhakti yoga and yet continues to engage in activities that are detrimental to spiritual progress, his spiritual progress will be very slow. This does not mean that a person must be completely free of all bad habits before he can even begin the process of bhakti yoga. For example, in the Philippines, one teacher saved many young people who were addicted to heroin and other drugs by teaching them the process of bhakti yoga. It took some time before they could completely give up all drugs; but eventually they did.

Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks

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The 'tree' here is the material dwelling place (the body) of the conditioned soul.
Many philosophers assert that the element earth is the resting place of the other material elements. This is described in the following words of the Mundaka Upanisad (2.1.3):
"From the Supreme Personality of Godhead are born life, mind, all the senses, ether, air, fire and water. All these rest on the element earth."

In a previous mantra (Mundaka Upanisad 2.1.2) it is said:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is effulgent and transcendental. He is unborn. He is present everywhere in the material world. He is within and without everything. His form is not material. His life-force is not material. His mind is not material. He is supremely glorious. He is greater than the immortal spirit souls."

In the Markandeya Purana it is said:
"O material potency of the Lord, you are the resting place of the entire universe."

Aphorisms of the Truth - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 19

Sutra 24
Because it is the potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the material nature has neither beginning nor end.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Because it is the potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the material nature has neither beginning nor end. In the Smrti-sastra it is said:
"Please know that the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His material energy are both beginningless."

In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.1.1) it is said:
"O my Lord, Sri Krsna, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Sri Krsna because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmaji, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditation upon Him, Lord Sri Krsna, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth."

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A person who tries to be a goswami is careful not to engage in those activities that are harmful to his spiritual development. For example, he refrains from taking intoxicants (including all sorts of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and so on); from having illicit sex; from gambling; and from eating meat, fish, and eggs.

Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks

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Although it has neither beginning nor end, matter is situated within the confines of time and space. The author describes this in the following two sutras.

Sutra 25
Time is not another major category of existence. It is the intermediary that establishes the relationship between the conditioned souls and the material nature.

Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Some claim that time is a major category of existence, and they quote the following words of the Markandeya Purana to support their idea:
"In the form of seconds, minutes and other parts of its nature, time changes everything in the material world."
The idea that time is a major category of existence is rejected by this sutra. Time is not a major category. It is merely an intermediary who establishes a relationship.

In Sandilya's Bhakti-sutra it is said:
"The major categories are: 1. spirit, and 2. matter. There is no third."

In Srimad Bhagavata