In this class given in Vermont, US, on June 6th 2001, from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Adi-līlā 7.7, Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja discusses the hierarchy of great personalities and then explains how Kṛṣṇa has four specific qualities that are not found in others. He briefly speaks about these qualities and also tells the devotees that they have to regularly read about these things, otherwise they will ‘lag and suffer’ and not derive a higher taste.
Mahārāja says that the love felt by the devotees of Goloka is superior to that of even Lakṣmī in Vaikuṇṭha, and explains this through the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa’s ‘headache’ as well as Lakṣmī leaving Vaikuṇṭḥa to perform austerities to see Kṛṣṇa.
Narasiṅgha Mahārāja states that the flute-sound of Kṛṣṇa is the inspiration to serve Him in different rasas. Love and rasa are the measurements of greatness - not power, money, or land, and Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy is measured by that.
Mahārāja speaks about public rasa-līlā dramas and explains that pure devotees have no interest in such ‘entertainment.’ We are not qualified for rasa-līlā, but we still wish to enjoy it! Even wearing T-shirts or using bead-bags with fancy embroidered pictures of Jagannātha etc. is another type of enjoyment - using the Lord to adorn our bodies. Mahārāja says that the rasa-līlā dramas may evokes some sentiment, but when we chant the Holy Name, such sentiments don’t arises - so there is a defect. Our ācāryas never attended such programs, and we follow their example.
He also explains that although we use the word ‘Vedic’, technically, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas are not ‘Vedic’ but Pañcarātrika.
Narasiṅgha Mahārāja speaks about the love of this world, be it family, friends etc, and compares it to the pure love of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. There is no tinge of mundane lust or selfishness in them.
Showing caitanya-līlā, rather than kṛṣṇa-līla is better, but the sahajiyās have managed to corrupt even that. If kṛṣṇa-līlā is to be shown, it should be the ‘lower’ side of pure devotion which are necessary for the masses. Dramas which only show Kṛṣṇa’s enjoyment are misunderstood by people.
Mahārāja speaks about ‘dovetailing’ - in particular about music which has a thin veneer of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He likens it to mixing real pearls with plastic ones. Such dovetailing leads to pollution.
Even placing pictures of Kṛṣṇa everywhere. Mahārāja points out that many times we neglect those pictures - so how much are they “windows to the spiritual world”?
He states that blissfulness is not achieved through selfishness, but through selflessness. When we get a taste for service free from selfishness, that is rāgānuga-bhakti. “Rāgānuga is not just hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s ‘love-bite’ pastimes!” Rāgānuga doesn’t mean we will only be called upon for the ‘higher things’ - we are also called upon for the ‘lower things’ also, and we will do that with love and enthusiasm.
Mahārāja also relates Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja’s answer to a devotee, who asked, “Why do we have to give so much to Kṛṣṇa? Can’t he be satisifed with just a little?” Narasiṅgha Mahārāja makes the point that if we are not willing to enshrine the Lord in a temple in this world because we’re too attached to our money, how will we enshrine Him in our hearts?
