Click the arrow below to listen to a related podcast excerpted from the class about what are the challenges to understanding Krishna’s personal nature.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112801
Yogesvara Prabhu is describing the life and writings of Jiva Goswami, a 16th-century Indian philosopher and devotee of Krishna. He highlights Jiva’s struggles in establishing the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, particularly the theft of his manuscripts containing valuable teachings. The speaker discusses the book Nectar of Devotion, which summarizes Jiva’s teachings and the importance of the text for understanding devotion to Krishna. He then explores the difficulties many people have accepting the idea of a personal, individual God, drawing upon his own experiences and those of others. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous chanting and devotional practices in developing an understanding of Krishna and his teachings.
Click below to watch the class:
Understanding Krishna’s Personal Nature: A Challenge Rooted in Our Understanding of Love
The class highlights several interconnected challenges to understanding Krishna’s personal nature, with the concept of love forming a recurring theme:●
Our limited human experience of personhood: We tend to project our limited understanding of human relationships onto the divine, making it difficult to grasp Krishna as a perfect, unlimited person. We are conditioned to associate personhood with flaws and limitations, making it challenging to reconcile with the concept of a perfect Supreme Being.●
Fear of commitment and surrender: The idea of a personal God implies responsibility and surrender, which can be intimidating. Recognizing Krishna as a person means acknowledging a relationship that demands commitment and might challenge our comfort zones.●
The demanding nature of relationships: Our often-difficult experiences with human relationships can make us hesitant to engage in a personal relationship with Krishna. We may project the pain and complexities of human relationships onto the divine, fearing similar challenges.●
Misconceptions about love: We may struggle to grasp the nature of divine love, particularly the ecstatic, self-transcending love described in the class. The gopis’ unwavering devotion to Krishna, despite his seemingly insensitive actions, exemplifies a transcendental form of love that defies conventional understanding.●
The Inconceivability of God: The concept of God as “adhokshaja,” beyond our perception and knowledge, also presents a challenge. While acknowledging the limitations of our intellect, the class emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge and cultivating a personal relationship with Krishna through chanting, studying scriptures, and guidance from a spiritual master.
The class ultimately suggests that understanding Krishna’s personal nature is not simply an intellectual exercise but a journey of the heart, facilitated by:●
Accepting scriptural descriptions: The detailed descriptions of Krishna’s personality, relationships, and the ecstatic experiences of his devotees, while sometimes unconventional, offer glimpses into his personal nature.●
Recognizing the limitations of logic: While logic and reason have their place, understanding Krishna’s personhood requires accepting insights beyond our limited human experience.●
Cultivating personal experience: Through sincere chanting, studying scriptures like those recommended by Prabhupada (Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita), and following the guidance of a spiritual master, we can gradually awaken to Krishna’s personal nature within our hearts.
The class emphasize that comprehending and experiencing Krishna’s love is a gradual process, but one that ultimately reveals the true depth and potential of our own capacity for love.
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