The Meaning of Self-Realization
In his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.1 Srila Prabhupada very nicely explains the meaning of self-realization:
"Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the previous acharya. He must have full confidence in the previous acharya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization."
So, how does one become realized? This question is answered in the Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23:
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā-deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāsante mahātmanaḥ
“Only unto those great souls who have unflinching, implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.”
Therefore if one faithfully hears from and serves a bona fide spiritual master, he will become realized in the highest truth and fully competent to train others in this science.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
J.K.
The rest of the spiritual world is composed of the Vaikuntha planets (Vaikuntha loka) in which Krishna appears as the four-handed Vishnu and is simply worshipped with great awe and reverence as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Krishna consciousness is the ultimate or highest level of the self-realization process. This is why we call our course the Ultimate Self Realization course.
The self-realization process is eternal. It does not depend on a certain institution. In ISKCON our founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has taught us this eternal self-realization process which begins by chanting Hare Krishna and carefully studying the Bhagavad-gita and culminates with the full awakening of pure of Godhead within the heart.
The first step is that you should chant every day at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa mala beads while strictly avoiding illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. You should regularly attend lectures and kirtans at your nearest ISKCON center and render volunteer service there as much as possible. Once your sadhana is strong and steady you should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master and dedicate your life to strictly following his instructions. In this way you will gradually attain the ultimate self realization of pure Krishna bhakti.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
"Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the previous acharya. He must have full confidence in the previous acharya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization."
So, how does one become realized? This question is answered in the Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23:
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā-deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāsante mahātmanaḥ
“Only unto those great souls who have unflinching, implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.”
Therefore if one faithfully hears from and serves a bona fide spiritual master, he will become realized in the highest truth and fully competent to train others in this science.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Srila Prabhupada Reveals the Highest Truth
Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:
Question: Steps for Becoming Self-Realized
What is the difference between Goloka Vrindavan and Vaikuntha Loka. Also another question is: When a person becomes Krishna consciousness does it mean that they are self realized? I am having a bit of trouble on how the process works. If you don't mind explaining it, kindly explain what are the steps for me to become self-realized in ISKCON.J.K.
Answer: Read, Chant, Associate and Serve
In Goloka Vrindavan, the topmost planet in the spiritual world, everyone relates with Lord Krishna in an intimate way in different village relationships such as friend, parent, or lover without any awareness that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is all by the arrangement of Krishna who desires to have His topmost devotees associate with Him in many varieties of intimate ways.The rest of the spiritual world is composed of the Vaikuntha planets (Vaikuntha loka) in which Krishna appears as the four-handed Vishnu and is simply worshipped with great awe and reverence as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Krishna consciousness is the ultimate or highest level of the self-realization process. This is why we call our course the Ultimate Self Realization course.
The self-realization process is eternal. It does not depend on a certain institution. In ISKCON our founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has taught us this eternal self-realization process which begins by chanting Hare Krishna and carefully studying the Bhagavad-gita and culminates with the full awakening of pure of Godhead within the heart.
The first step is that you should chant every day at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa mala beads while strictly avoiding illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. You should regularly attend lectures and kirtans at your nearest ISKCON center and render volunteer service there as much as possible. Once your sadhana is strong and steady you should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master and dedicate your life to strictly following his instructions. In this way you will gradually attain the ultimate self realization of pure Krishna bhakti.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Comments
Post a Comment