Teachings to Rupa Goswami
[Madhya 19]
During the ten-day discourse, Shri Chaitanya taugh Rupa Goswami the most confidential truths about bhakti-yoga:
The rarity of devotional service – innumerable living entities are transmigrating between different species of life, and only a rare soul becomes a devotee of Krishna.
The seed of devotion – a greatly fortunate soul attains the seed of devotion (bhakti-lata-bija) through the divine mercy of guru and Krishna (guru-krishna prasada). Shri Chaitanya explains how this seed sprouts and fructifies over time, provided it is carefully cultivated and protected.
Pure devotional service – the definition, practice and characteristics of pure devotion for Krishna are extensively described. This divine love (prema) manifests in different stages, and Shri Chaitanya further describes the different components of it.
Relationship with Krishna – Shri Chaitanya discusses the five primary relationships with Krishna, offers examples, and outlines the unique nature of vraja-bhakti (the loving devotion of Vrindavana’s residents) which is free from awe and reverence.
Although he desired to stay longer, Rupa was instructed by Shri Chaitanya to leave for Vrindavana, so he could begin laying foundations for the sankirtan movement. Meanwhile, Shri Chaitanya travelled onwards to Varanasi to meet Sanatana Goswami.
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