Respecting Teachers – Vallabha Bhatta

[Antya 7]

[7.1-7.79]

Once, Vallabha Bhatta began glorifying Sri Caitanya for His magnanimity and compassion in delivering so many conditioned souls. In response, Sri Caitanya began to glorify His associates, explaining the different things He had learnt from each one of them. He expertly did this to curb Vallabha’s pride, sensing that the scholarly teacher was proud of his knowledge. Vallabha met all those devotees, served them prasadam, and witnessed their ecstatic devotion at the Rathayatra festival.

[7.80-7.173]

Later, he requested Sri Caitanya to hear his commentary on Shrimad Bhagavatam, but the disinterested Lord declined him. Vallabha then began to debate with devotees like Advaita Acharya and Svarupa Damodara, and even began to question their incessant chanting of Krishna’s names. As always, however, Vallabha was soundly defeated in philosophical debate. When he returned the next day, claiming to have refuted the explanations of the legendary scriptural commentator Shridhar Swami, Sri Caitanya called him a prostitute for his unfaithfulness toward the parampara. Vallabha realised his grave mistake and humbly surrendered to Sri Caitanya, eventually taking initiation from Gadadhara Pandita.

Once, seeing ants at the home of Shri Chaitanya, Ramachandra accused the young sannyasi of eating too many sweets. His critical nature eventually led to his spiritual downfall.

Daily practices like chanting, study of wisdom, practical devotional service and ritual worship are known as sadhana, which literally means “eternal wealth”. When we associate with Vaishnavas and participate within a Krishna-centred community, we’re regularly drawn into spiritually significant acts. We earn considerable spiritual credit without even being aware of it. Unfortunately, however, devotees unknowingly waste that wealth through their negligence and insensitivity in other areas. Transgressions of etiquette, improper conduct, philosophical deviation and insensitive interactions, cause one to squander that wealth and stunt their spiritual growth. By following the basic spiritual practices, whilst consciously avoiding impulsive and imprudent acts, we become enriched with love of Godhead very quickly.

Sri Caitanya compares the gradual development of this unalloyed love to the different states of sugar. First is the seed of the sugarcane, then the sugarcane plant. Next comes the sweet juice of the sugarcane. When the juice is boiled, it becomes liquid molasses and, later, solid molasses. This then becomes sugar and, finally, rock candy. Similarly, love of God evolves through various stages of development, each more concentrated than the last. To taste this sweet love is possible, provided one remains vigilant and attentive in the cultivation of their devotional creeper.

Having instructed His devotees in various ways for 6 years, Sri Caitanya was ready to fully immerse Himself in this sweet, concentrated love of God.