The Nectar of Devotion: The Complete Science of Bhakti-Yoga
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
Nov 30, 1999
Publisher:
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Place of Publication:
Los Angeles
Pages:
523
Sources ID:
111626
Collection:
Origins of Yoga Practice and Philosophy
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
The Nectar of Devotion is a summary study of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, whichwas written in Sanskrit by Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada. He was the chief of
the six Gosvamis, who were the direct disciples of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
When he first met Lord Caitanya, Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada was engaged as a
minister in the Muhammadan government of Bengal. He and his brother Sanatana
were then named Dabira Khasa and Sakara Mallika respectively, and they held
responsible posts as ministers of Nawab Hussain Shah. At that time, five hundred
years ago, the Hindu society was very rigid, and if a member of the brahmana
caste accepted the service of a Muhammadan ruler he was at once rejected from
brahmana society. That was the position of the two brothers, Dabira Khasa and
Sakara Mallika. They belonged to the highly situated sarasvata-brahmana
community, but they were ostracized due to their acceptance of ministerial posts
in the government of Hussain Shah. It is the grace of Lord Caitanya that He
accepted these two exalted personalities as His disciples and raised them to the
position of gosvamis, the highest position of brahminical culture. Similarly,
Lord Caitanya accepted Haridasa Thakura as His disciple, although Haridasa
happened to be born of a Muhammadan family, and Lord Caitanya later on made him
the acarya of the chanting of the holy name of the Lord: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.