Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara

by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati | 83,221 words

Shri Gaudiya Kantahara (English translation) was published by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to train devotees in the philosophy of Krishna-consciousness and to be able to quote the authoritative parts of the Vedas. A collection of over a thousand verses, sorted by tattva, includes general index, alphabetical index of verses. Verses in in Roman tr...

Chapter 16 - Śraddha-tattva

The Proper Funeral Ceremony

The Proper Funeral Ceremony

16.1

prāpte rāddha-dine'pi prāgannaṃ bhagavate 'rpayet

taccheñeṛaiva kurvvīta śrāddhaṃ bhagavato naraū

Even on the day of śrāddha, a devotee should first offer the food to the Lord and then perform the śrāddha ceremony with the Lord's remnants. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.294)

16.2

viñṛorniveditṃnnena yañṭavyaṃ devatṃntaram

piṭrbhyaścṃpi taddeyaṃ tadānantyāya kalpate

The demigods should be worshiped with the food offered to Lord Visnu. Even the forefathers should be offered the remanants of the Lord. This gives unlimited benefit. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.297)

16.3

bhakṣyaṃ bhojyaṣca yatkiṣcida nivedyāgrabhoktari

na deyaṃ pitṇdevebhyaū prāyaścittī yato bhavet

Without offering food first to Lord Viṣṇu, who is called agrabhoktṃ, or the prime enjoyer, one should not offer anything to the forefathers, otherwise he has to perform atonement. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.314)

Vaiṣṇavas are Forbidden to Hold or Wear Kuśa Grass

16.4

saṛkalpaṃ ca tathā dānaṃ pitṇdevārccanādikam

Viṣṇumantropadiñṭaścema kuryāt kuśa chāraṛam

If a person is initiated into the Viṣṇu mantra then he should not make a resolve for any fruitive activity, nor give charity (for material gain), nor engage in the worship of forefathers and so on; and he should not hold kuña grass. (Skanda Purāṇa)

Vaiṣṇavas Need not Perform Funeral Rites

or Offer Oblations to Forefathers

16.5

kiā dattair bahubhiū pīṇḍairgayāśrāddādibhir mune

yairarccito harirbhaktyā pitṇarthaṣca dine dine

O sage, for those who everyday worship Lord Hari with devotion for the satisfaction of their forefathers, what need is there for them to give away many oblations in charity, and make pinda-dāna at Gayā by performing the śrāddha ceremony? (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.308)

Lord Caitanya's Internal Reasons for Performing the Funeral Ceremony

16.6

prabhu bole 'gayā yātrā āmāra

jata kṣane dekhilṃh caraṛa tomāra

tirthe piṇḍe dile se nistare pitṇgaṛa

sei jāre piṇḍa diye tare sei jana

tomā dekhilei mātra koṭi pitṇgaṛa

sei kṣane sarva bandhu pṃya vimocana

ataeva tīrtha nahe tomāra samāna

tīrtharo parama tumi maṅgala pradhāra

saāsṃra samudra haite uddhāro āmāre

ei āmi deha asamarpilṃṅ tomāre

kṛṣṇa pṃda padmera amṇtarasa pṃna

ṃmāre kārāo "tumi ei cṃhi dṃra"

Lord Caitanya said, "As soon as I saw your lotus feet my visit to Gaya was successful. If one offers oblations to forefathers at the holy places then they are liberated, but only the person to whom the oblations are offered. But just by seeing you millions of forefathers immediately get liberation from all bondage. Therefore the holy places are not equal to you, rather you are auspicious even to the holy places. Please deliver Me from the ocean of saāsṃra. Now I have surrendered Myself to you. Please make me drink the nectar of the lotus feet of Krsna. I want this benediction. (Cb. Ādi 12.49-54)

Vaiṣṇavas Must Deceive the Smārtas for Their Own Good

16.7

svabhavasthaiū karmajaḍṃn vaṣcayan draviṛadibhiū

harer naivedyasambhārān vaiṣṇavebhyaū samarpayet

One should trick the non-devotees by giving them unoffered items or wealth, but one should offer the Lord's prasṃda to the Vaiṣṇavas. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.327)

Funeral Ceremony of the Karmis is Demonic

16.8

yastu vidyā vinirmuktaṃ mḥrkhaṃ matva tu vaiṣṇavam

vedavidbhyo 'dadṃdvipraū śrāddhaṃ tadrākṣasam bhavet

If a vipra, thinking an uneducated vaiṣṇava a fool, offers śrāddha to the brāhmaṇas who know the Vedas, then such śrāddha is called demonic, or rākṣañaśrāddha. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 9.316)

The Behavior of Advaita Ācārya

16.9

ācārya kahena, "tumi nā kariha bhaya

sei ācariba, yei śāstra-mata haya

tumi khāile haya koṭi-brāhmaṇa-bhojana"

eta bali, śraddhā-pātra karāilṃ bhojana

Advaita Acarya replied, "My dear Haridasa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures. Feeding you is equal to feeding ten million brāhmaṇas. Therefore, accept this sraddha-patra." Thus Advaita Acarya made him eat. (Cc. Antya 3.221-22)

The Characteristics of a Staunch Devotee

16.10

evamekāntināṃ prāyaū kīrttanaṃ smaraṛaṃ prabho

kurvatṃm parama prītyā kṇtyamanyanna rocate

The unalloyed devotees who generally engage in performing kīrtana and remembering the Lord with great love take no interest in other prescribed activities. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 20.382)

Thus ends the Sixteenth Jewel of the Gauḍīya-Kaṇṭhahāra, entitled Śrāddha-tattva.

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