126 Teachings of Lord Chaitanya

said: “For the non-devotee it is very difficult to understand the taste of devo-
tional service. Only one who has completely taken shelter of the Lotus Feet
of Krishna, and whose life is merged in the ocean of devotional service, can
understand this transcendental relish.”

Lord Chaitanya thus explained briefly about the transcendental situation
or spiritual relish of life, and He said that this is the fifth stage of perfection.
The first stage of perfection is to become a religious man in the ordinary sense
in the material world. The second stage of perfection is to become materially
tich. The third, stage of material perfection is complete sense enjoyment;
and the fourth stage of material existence is knowledge of liberation. But
above liberation are those who are already liberated: they can stand on the
fifth stage of perfection, which is called Krishna Consciousness, or devotional
service to the Lord. The highest perfection of such devotional service in Krishna
Consciousness is described as the taste of the ecstasy of spiritual relish.

The Lord then related to Sanatan Goswami that, before teaching him,
He had already taught his younger brother, Rupa Goswami, at Prayag Alla-
habad. He assured Sanatan Goswami that Rupa Goswami had been empowered
by Him to spread the knowledge which He had given him. Similarly, He
ordered Sanatan Goswami to write books on the ‘transcendental loving service
of the Lord, and authorized him to re-excavate the different sites of Krishna’s
Pastimes in the district of Mathura. He was also advised to construct temples
at Vrindaban, and to write books on the principles of Vaishnavism, as auth-
orized by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Sanatan Goswami executed all His
desires; he constructed the temple of Madanmohan at Vrindaban, and he
wrote books on the principles of devotional service such as Hari Bhakti
Vilasa.

Lord Chaitanya taught Sanatan Goswami how to live in the material
world in complete relationship with Krishna, and He taught him also that
there is no necessity of dry renunciation. The purport is that, in the present
day, there are many persons who accept the renounced order of life without
any spiritual advancement. Lord Chaitanya did not approve of such accept-
ance of Sannyasa without perfect knowledge in Krishna Consciousness. Actually
we find that there are many so called Sannyasis who are acting like less than
ordinary men, yet are passing themselves off as the renounced order of life.
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not accept such hypocrisy, and He taught
Sanatan Goswami to write elaborately on the subject matter in his different

books.
This perfectional stage of spiritual life, even while being in the material
