Category:Writings of a Devotee of God
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the writings of a pure Vaiṣṇava are completely transcendental and fundamentally different from mundane literature, which is produced by minds haunted by material nature. When an authorized devotee writes, they do so not for personal prestige or to vainly attempt to outdo previous ācāryas, but strictly for self-purification and under the direct order of the disciplic succession. Exalted personalities like Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī, and Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura composed their literature while directly empowered by the Supreme Lord, who dictates the perfect words from within their hearts. Their priceless manuscripts act as a treasure house that enlightens human society and firmly establishes the pure path of devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda deeply encourages his own disciples to continue this legacy by studying the previous ācāryas and writing their own essays based on realized Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- The Divine Source of Authorized Writings: Unlike mundane authors who speak nonsense under the influence of material nature, a pure Vaiṣṇava writes under the direct dictation of the Supreme Lord. Their words are spiritually potent and intended solely for self-purification.
- Following the Previous Ācāryas: True transcendental literature strictly follows the paramparā system. Devotees study the commentaries of previous ācāryas and never attempt to write simply to outdo their predecessors for personal sense gratification.
- Self-Realization and Purity in Writing: To write authoritative literature or songs about Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one must be a self-realized soul. Exalted authors present themselves with immense humility, acknowledging that their ability to write is entirely dependent on the mercy of the Vaiṣṇavas.
- Preserving the Vaiṣṇava Legacy: The manuscripts and verses compiled by the great devotees of the Lord are considered invaluable jewels. By preserving and studying works by authors like Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and the Six Gosvāmīs, the pure legacy of devotional service is protected for all humanity.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Authorized Vaiṣṇava Literature and the Writings of a Devotee of God.
Subcategories
This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.
Pages in category "Writings of a Devotee of God"
The following 51 pages are in this category, out of 51 total.
A
- A great Vaisnava poet has written - When a man is haunted by ghosts, he can only speak nonsense. Similarly, anyone who is under the influence of material nature should be considered haunted, and whatever he speaks should be considered nonsense
- All his (Sri Purusottama Yati's) writings and words are very potent. He gave people devotional service to Lord Visnu so they could be elevated to liberation in the spiritual world
- All of our previous acaryas on our line have written substantially on the science of God-consciousness, so I would also like all my students to do this
B
- Before reaching the Lord, Mukunda Datta, who had also undertaken the delivery of the verses, had copied the verses (written by Bhattacarya) in his book
- Bhattacarya dispatched two verses written on palm tree leaves and requested Jagadananda to render him a favor by delivering them. Thus Lord Caitanya was offered the prasada and the verses on the palm leaves
C
- Caitanya dasa, the eldest son of Sivananda Sena, wrote a commentary on Krsna-karnamrta that was later translated by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his paper Sajjana-tosani
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu quoted his (Sridhara Svami's) writings and explained that in the Tenth Canto of Bhagavatam the life and activities of Krsna are described because Krsna is the shelter of all manifestations
- Commentaries of the previous acaryas
H
- He (Kavi-karnapura) was born in the year 1448 Sakabda (A.D. 1526). He continually wrote books for ten years, from 1488 until 1498
- He (Kesava Kasmiri) surrendered unto Him (Lord Caitanya) and later became a pure Vaisnava in the sampradaya of Nimbarka. He wrote Kaustubha-prabha, a commentary on the Vedanta commentary of the Nimbarka-sampradaya, which is known as the Parijata-bhasya
- He (Silhana Misra) wrote a book named Santi-sataka, and later, by the mercy of Lord Krsna and the Vaisnavas, he became a great devotee. Thus he became famous as Bilvamangala Thakura Gosvami
I
- I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have described my own story without reservations. The attributes of Lord Nityananda, making me like a madman, force me to write these things
- I am foolish, lowborn and insignificant, and I always desire material enjoyment; yet by the order of the Vaisnavas I am greatly enthusiastic to write this transcendental literature
- I am glad that you and the others are each writing one hour daily essays. That is parampara. All of our previous acaryas on our line have written substantially on the science of God-consciousness, so I would also like all my students to do this
- I have thus given a synopsis of the Vaisnava regulative principles. I have given this in brief just to give you a little direction. When you write on this subject, Krsna will help you by spiritually awakening you
- If a previous acarya has already written about something, there is no need to repeat it for personal sense gratification or to outdo the previous acarya. Unless there is some definite improvement, one should not repeat
- If any Vaisnava is writing song about Krishna, he should have realized himself what is Krishna, just like our great saints and acaryas like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya, Rupa Goswami, six Gosvamis, Bilvamangala, Bhaktivinode Thakura, like that
- If any Vaisnava is writing song about Krishna, that should be from one who himself has realized Krishna, just like our great saints and acharyas like Madhyacarya, Ramanujacarya, Rupa Gosvami, six Gosvamis
- In Stotra-ratna (46), Yamunacarya writes: Only when I engage in such unalloyed devotional service will I enjoy actual spiritual life
- In the beginning of the Caitanya-caritamrta, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami writes, "I offer my respects to my spiritual masters." He uses the plural here to indicate the disciplic succession - CC Intro
- It is by the mercy of all these Vaisnavas and gurus that I attempt to write about the pastimes and qualities of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Whether I know it or know not, it is for self-purification that I write this book
- It is understood that when a devotee writes or speaks about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his words are dictated by the Lord from within
O
- On that elevated platform (Vaisnava) he (Bilvamangala Thakura Gosvami) wrote a book named Krsna-karnamrta, which is very famous amongst Vaisnavas. Since he exhibited so many ecstatic symptoms, people used to call him Lilasuka
- One commentary (on Bilvamangala’s book Krsna-karnamrta) was written by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and the other by Caitanya dasa Gosvami
S
- Sanatana Gosvami was a pure devotee of the Lord, and through the blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he was able to write the book perfectly
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya wrote a book of 100 verses named Caitanya-sataka or Susloka-sataka. Two other verses he wrote, beginning with the words vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga & kalan nastam bhakti-yogam nijam yah, are very famous among Gaudiya Vaisnavas
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains those inscriptions (written by Sri Narahari Tirtha) as follows: (1) Sri Purusottama Yati appeared as the instructor of many learned men. He was a very favorite devotee of Lord Visnu
- Srila Rupa Gosvami warns devotees to not commit such incompatibilities in their writings or in their dealings
- Srila Sivananda Sena had three sons, named Caitanya dasa, Ramadasa and Paramananda. This last son later became Kavi-karnapura and wrote the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika
- Svarupa Damodara wrote short notes, whereas Raghunatha dasa Gosvami wrote elaborate descriptions. I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) shall now describe Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's activities more elaborately, as if fluffing out compressed cotton
T
- The Deity (of Lord Kurma) was worshiped by the Vaisnavas of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya. In the temple there are some inscriptions said to be written by Sri Narahari Tirtha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvacarya
- The great acaryas of the four Vaisnava communities (sampradayas) - namely, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami and Nimbarka - have also written commentaries on the Vedanta-sutra by following the principles of Srimad-Bhagavatam
- The great devotee Uddhava once wrote a letter to Krsna, "My dear Krsna, I have just finished the study of all kinds of philosophical books and Vedic verses about the goal of life, and so now I have a little reputation for my studies"
- The Lord, however, encouraged Rupa Gosvami, saying, "Why are you embarrassed? You should recite it so the devotees can hear the good fruit of your writing"
- The personal behavior of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the verses written by Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura have completely repudiated the lusty desires of the gauranga-nagaris
- The verses (written by Bhattacarya) are considered to be most important jewels by the devotees of the Lord in disciplic succession, and by virtue of these famous verses Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya has become known as the highest of devotees
- There are many commentaries on Vedanta & Upanisads made by the Vaisnava acaryas, & these are preferred to those of Sankaracarya. However, the Mayavadi philosophers influenced by Sankaracarya do not attribute any importance to the Vaisnava understandings
- There is a class of sahajiyas who think that these activities (writing books on devotional service & accepting disciples) are opposed to the principles of devotional service. Indeed, they consider such activities simply another phase of materialism
- These items (the manuscripts of Bhaktivinoda Thakura) are very, very priceless and are a great treasure house of Vaisnava lore, so be very careful in the matter and take all precautions to guard them
- This Madhava Puri (mentioned in CC Madhya 1.96) is Madhavendra Puri. Another Madhava Puri is Madhavacarya, who was the spiritual master of a devotee in the line of Gadadhara Pandita and who wrote a book known as Sri Mangala-bhasya
- This verse (CC Adi 1.57) is from the Krsna-karnamrta, which was written by a great Vaisnava sannyasi named Bilvamangala Thakura, who is also known as Lilasuka
- Transcendental writing one must be an authorized Vaisnava and should write to purify oneself, not for credit
W
- When Lord Caitanya read the verses on the palm leaf (written by Bhattacarya), he tore them to pieces, for He never liked to be praised by anyone. The verses only survive because they had been copied by Mukunda Datta
- Who (the six Gosvamis) are the personal associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who enlightened society by writing books on devotional service