Sages’ Teachings

Chapter 2, 3, 4, 5

Sukadeva Goswami explained how Narada Muni remained in Dwaraka, happily observing Krishna’s astonishing activities in each palace. One day, Vasudeva hosted Narada Muni at his home and enquired about the process of bhakti. In answer, Narada related a conversation between the Nava-yogendras and Maharaja Nimi, in which each of the sages explained different aspects of theology and practice.

Devotional Service (Kavi): By adopting the path of bhagavata-dharma and dovetailing one’s natural propensities, one can be freed from all fear and illusion, become established in love of Godhead, experience ecstatic symptoms, and directly perceive the presence of Krishna everywhere.

Devotees (Havi): There are three broad levels of devotee – beginners (kanistha), intermediates (madhyama) and advanced (uttama). Each one has their own characteristics, but the purity of the topmost devotee, who sees everything in connection with Krishna and His service, captures the Lord’s attention.

Material Nature (Antariksa): Through the external energy, the Lord arranges intricate facilities for conditioned souls to enjoy separately from Him. Material universes and temporary bodies are perpetually being created to allow them to play out their desires.

Relationships (Prabuddha): Being frustrated by the self-destructive habits of sense gratification, one should approach a guru to find the way out. By satisfying the guru, serving the Lord under his direction, and making genuine friendship with the devotees, one makes rapid spiritual progress.

Supersoul (Pippalayana): Though completely independent and aloof, the Supreme Lord compassionately enters the body of every living entity as the Supersoul. When our impure desires are dislodged, one gains a direct perception of the soul and Supersoul residing within the heart.

Karma-yoga (Avirhotra): Vedic literatures ingeniously help one become detached from materialistic endeavours by prescribing fruitive religious activities. This should lead one to worshipping the Supreme Lord directly, particularly in the form of the deity.

Avataras (Drumila): The Lord manifests the various guna-avataras (Brahma, Vishnu, Siva) to oversee creation, maintenance and annihilation. The Lord also appeared as Nara-Narayana Rishis, as well as various other partial and pastime incarnations, to save devotees and annihilate demons.

Non-devotees (Chamasa): Living entities who neglect to worship the Lord or intentionally disrespect Him will enter hellish existence. There are others whose worship of the Lord is mixed with fruitive intention – they accrue karmic reactions for their activities and remain entangled in material existence.

Yuga-avataras (Karabhajana): In every age, the Lord appears with various characteristics and offers the means of elevation (yuga-dharma). In Kali-yuga the Lord advents as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and propagates the chanting of the holy name. Although the most degraded age, Kali-yuga is simultaneously worshipped for the unique spiritual opportunity it offers.