Hare Krishna dear devotees, PAMHO
I came across this excerpt of Srila Prabhupada's writing from Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi Lila. Please help me understand what exactly is the inference of this instruction of Srila Prabhupada. Who is actually a neophyte ?? And should he not chant Hare Krishna Maha Mantra in the beginning ?
“A neophyte student who is not sufficiently educated or enlightened should not indulge in the worship of Shri Radha and Krishna or the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Even if he does so, he cannot get the desired result. One should therefore chant the names of Nitai-Gaura and worship Them without false prestige. In the beginning one should *** very regularly *** chant Shri Gaurasundara’s holy name and then chant the holy name of Lord Nityananda. Thus one's heart will be cleansed of impure desires for material enjoyment. Then one can approach Vrndavana-dhama to worship Lord Krishna.” (Shrila Prabhupada in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 8.31 purport)
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Hare KRsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
A neophyte is one who is struggling to chant 16 rounds everyday, actually chants less or no rounds, who has some faith in Krsna, but not aware much philosophy. Chaitanya Charitamrta is not for neophytes. It is said that Bhagavad Gita is graduation, Srimad Bhagawatam is Post Graduation and Chaitanya Charitamrta is PHD. So if you are a neophyte, you picked up the wrong book to read.
Regarding what Srila Prabhupada has mentioned - it is true that Krsna's form as Lord Chaitanya is more merciful form. Like there are 10 offences which one should safegaurd against while chantng the mahamantra, there are no offences to chanting the pancha tattva mantra. Therefore, it is recommended for everyone who is struggling with chanting to chant the pancha tattva mantra 108 times on the beads. This will give them the mercy of Gaur Nitai and they will be able to chant the maha mantra.
Regarding deity worship or serving the lordships in Vrindavan dham, Srila Prabhupada states that these being on a higher level, and more aparadhs are attached to not doing the service properly, it is better that one reaches a certain stage before one does these services. Even in our temples, deity service in the altar is done only by 2nd initiated devotees - they have to reach a certain level to maintain the standard of worship in the temple. Same with serving in Vrindavan - the holy land which has pastimes of the lord in every step. One has to be careful.
I hope I have been able to explain.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi