160 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

SYNONYMS

siddhanta—conclusion; baliya—considering; citte—in the mind; nd kara—do not
be; alasa—lazy ; iha—this; ha-ite—from;. krsme—in Lord Krsna; fage—becomes fixed;
su-dpdha—very firm; ma@nasa—the mind.

TRANSLATION

A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, con-
sidering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s
mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna.

PURPORT

There are many students who, in spite of reading Bhagavad-gita, misunderstand
Krsna because of imperfect knowledge and conclude Him to be an ordinary historical
personality. This one must not do. One should be particularly careful to under-
stand the truth about Krsna. If because of laziness one does not come to know
Krsna conclusively, one will be misguided about the cult of devotion, like those
who declare themselves advanced devotees and imitate the transcendental symptoms
sometimes observed in liberated souls. Although the use of thoughts and arguments
is a most suitable process for inducing an uninitiated person to become a devotee,
neophytes in devotional service must always alertly understand Krsna through the
vision of the revealed scriptures, the bona fide devotees and the spiritual master.
Unless one hears about Sri Krsna from such authorities, one cannot make advance-
ment in devotion to Sri Krsna. The revealed scriptures mention nine means of
attaining devotional service, of which the first and foremost is hearing from au-
thority. The seed of devotion cannot sprout unless watered by the process of
hearing and chanting. One should submissively receive the transcendental messages
from spiritually advanced sources and chant the very same messages for one’s own
benefit as well as the benefit of one’s audience.

When Brahma described the situation of pure devotees freed from the culture of
empiric philosophy and fruitive actions, he recommended the process of hearing
from persons who are on the path of devotion. Following in the footsteps of such
liberated souls, who are able to vibrate real transcendental sound, can lead one to
the highest stage of devotion, and thus one can become a mahd-bhagavata. From
the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Gosvami we learn:

Sastra-yuktye sunipuna, drdha-sraddha yahra
‘uttama-adhikari’ sei taraye sarnsdra
(Cc. Madhya 22.65)

“A person who is expert in understanding the conclusion of the revealed scriptures
and who fully surrenders to the cause of the Lord is actually able to deliver others
from the clutches of material existence.” Srila Rapa Gosvami, in his Upadesamrta,
advises that to make rapid advancement in the cult of devotional service one should
be very much active and should persevere in executing the duties specified in the
