Bhajana-Rahasya

by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words

The Bhajana-rahasya Text 3, English translation, including commentary (vritti). The Bhajana-rahasya is a compilation of verses describing the mercy of the eight pairs of names (Yugala-nama) of the Maha-mantra. This is text 3 belonging to the chapter “Caturtha-yama-sadhana (Madhyahna-kaliya-bhajana–ruci-bhajana)” representing from the second prahara until three-and-a-half praharas: approximately 11.00 a.m.–3.30 p.m.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord of all lords, and by worshipping Him, all others are worshipped. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.31.14) states:

यथा तरोर् मूल-निषेचनेन तृप्यन्ति तत्-स्कन्ध-भुजोपशाखाः
प्राणोपहाराच् च यथेन्द्रियाणां तथैव सर्वार्हणम् अच्युतेज्या

yathā taror mūla-niṣecanena tṛpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥ
prāṇopahārāc ca yathendriyāṇāṃ tathaiva sarvārhaṇam acyutejyā

By watering the root of a tree, all its parts, such as the trunk, branches and subbranches, are nourished, and by satisfying the life airs through eating, all of the senses are nourished. Similarly, only by worshipping Śrī Kṛṣṇa are the demigods, forefathers and so forth worshipped.

तरु-मूले दिले जल, भुज-शाखा-स्कन्ध
तृप्त हय अनायासे, सहज निर्बन्ध

taru-mūle dile jala, bhuja-śākhā-skandha
tṛpta haya anāyāse, sahaja nirbandha

प्राणेर तर्पणे यथा इन्द्रिय सबल
कृष्णार्चने तथा सर्व-देवता शीतल

prāṇera tarpaṇe yathā indriya sabala
kṛṣṇārcane tathā sarva-devatā śītala

Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:

By watering the root of a tree, all of its parts, such as the trunk, branches, leaves and fruits, obtain nourishment. By putting food in the stomach, all the different bodily limbs are satisfied and nourished. Similarly, by performing exclusive worship of Acyuta, all the demigods and goddesses are also worshipped. This is because Acyuta is the root cause of all consciousness, and all conscious and unconscious matter is dependent on Him. Svayam Bhagavān is the only one who is infallible (acyuta), and He can never become fallible (cyuta ). Here someone may ask, “What harm is there in worshipping both Śrī Bhagavān and the demigods and goddesses at the same time?” The answer is that such worship signifies a lack of firm faith in the Supreme Lord. The demigods and goddesses are ruled by material qualities, while the process of serving Bhagavān is transcendental. It is improper to disrespect the demigods and goddesses, but it is also incorrect to elevate them to the same level as Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The scriptures state that one who gives up kṛṣṇa-bhajana to worship the demigods and goddesses is like one who gives up his mother to worship an outcaste woman, or like one who gives up nectar to drink poison.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: