The Unlimited Compassion of Vasudeva Datta
Srila Prabhupada describes the most exalted devotee, Vasudeva Datta as follows in the Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila, Chapter 10, Verse 41 purport as follows:
Vāsudeva Datta, the brother of Mukunda Datta, was also a resident of Caṭṭagrāma. In the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is said, yāṅra sthāne kṛṣṇa haya āpane vikraya: Vāsudeva Datta was such a powerful devotee that Kṛṣṇa was purchased by him. Vāsudeva Datta stayed at Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house, and in the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is described that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was so pleased with Vāsudeva Datta and so affectionate toward him that He used to say, “I am only Vāsudeva Datta’s man. My body is only meant to please Vāsudeva Datta, and he can sell Me anywhere.” Thrice He vowed that this was a fact and that no one should disbelieve these statements. “All My dear devotees,” He said, “I tell you the truth. My body is especially meant for Vāsudeva Datta.” Vāsudeva Datta initiated Śrī Yadunandana Ācārya, the spiritual master of Raghunātha dāsa, who later became Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī. This will be found in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Sixth Chapter, verse 161. Vāsudeva Datta spent money very liberally; therefore Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Śivānanda Sena to become his sarakhela, or secretary, in order to control his extravagant expenses. Vāsudeva Datta was so kind to the living entities that he wanted to take all their sinful reactions so that they might be delivered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (end of quote)
We cannot even begin to imagine how exalted a devotee is Vasudeva Datta. But we can pray for his mercy that we can develop unalloyed compassion upon the suffering, fallen souls in this material world.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you.
In NOD, chapter 14 Srila Prabhupada mentions, "... devotional service depends on nothing more than the sentiments or desire for such service. It requires nothing more than sincerity." Would it be correct to conclude from this statement that if one simply wants pure devotional service, one will get it?
Also in chapter 15 Srila Prabhupada mentions about how Kamsa was attracted to Lord out of fear and Sisupala out of envy and from the versions of Srila Rupa Goswami Srila Prabhupada mentions how they could only achieve Brahmajyoti. My question is how could one who might have come to Lord out of fear of envy can become situated in love for Him ? I was thinking that after all the Lord is worthy of being served out of love, that is why so many scriptures and great saintly persons all sing of him. So this fear and envy must be due to some misconceptions or misinformation only. It cannot be the natural state. So how can this be corrected and replacement with love for Krishna may occur?
Please forgive me for my offences and kindly keep me as an object of your causeless mercy.
My humble prostrated obeisances unto you and Gurumataji.
Your insignificant servant,
Visvanatha das
My Dear Visvanatha,
Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Yes, if one desires devotional service so strongly that it burns away all of his other desires, he will most certainly attain the perfectional stage of pure devotional service.
Yes, fear and envy are due to ignorance. One should remember that only the mood pure love of God can satisfy the self. This is compared to a fish who cannot be happy unless he is in the water. In any condition of life, if one will serve Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master, he will regain in due course of time his natural constitutional nature of pure love of God.
I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.
Your ever well-wisher,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Vāsudeva Datta, the brother of Mukunda Datta, was also a resident of Caṭṭagrāma. In the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is said, yāṅra sthāne kṛṣṇa haya āpane vikraya: Vāsudeva Datta was such a powerful devotee that Kṛṣṇa was purchased by him. Vāsudeva Datta stayed at Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house, and in the Caitanya-bhāgavata it is described that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was so pleased with Vāsudeva Datta and so affectionate toward him that He used to say, “I am only Vāsudeva Datta’s man. My body is only meant to please Vāsudeva Datta, and he can sell Me anywhere.” Thrice He vowed that this was a fact and that no one should disbelieve these statements. “All My dear devotees,” He said, “I tell you the truth. My body is especially meant for Vāsudeva Datta.” Vāsudeva Datta initiated Śrī Yadunandana Ācārya, the spiritual master of Raghunātha dāsa, who later became Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī. This will be found in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Sixth Chapter, verse 161. Vāsudeva Datta spent money very liberally; therefore Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Śivānanda Sena to become his sarakhela, or secretary, in order to control his extravagant expenses. Vāsudeva Datta was so kind to the living entities that he wanted to take all their sinful reactions so that they might be delivered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (end of quote)
We cannot even begin to imagine how exalted a devotee is Vasudeva Datta. But we can pray for his mercy that we can develop unalloyed compassion upon the suffering, fallen souls in this material world.
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Answers According to Vedic Wisdom
Question: How to Attain Pure Love of God?
Dear Srila Gurudeva,Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you.
In NOD, chapter 14 Srila Prabhupada mentions, "... devotional service depends on nothing more than the sentiments or desire for such service. It requires nothing more than sincerity." Would it be correct to conclude from this statement that if one simply wants pure devotional service, one will get it?
Also in chapter 15 Srila Prabhupada mentions about how Kamsa was attracted to Lord out of fear and Sisupala out of envy and from the versions of Srila Rupa Goswami Srila Prabhupada mentions how they could only achieve Brahmajyoti. My question is how could one who might have come to Lord out of fear of envy can become situated in love for Him ? I was thinking that after all the Lord is worthy of being served out of love, that is why so many scriptures and great saintly persons all sing of him. So this fear and envy must be due to some misconceptions or misinformation only. It cannot be the natural state. So how can this be corrected and replacement with love for Krishna may occur?
Please forgive me for my offences and kindly keep me as an object of your causeless mercy.
My humble prostrated obeisances unto you and Gurumataji.
Your insignificant servant,
Visvanatha das
Answer: Serve Krishna Under the Guidance of the Bona Fide Spiritual Master
From: Sri Vrindavan DhamaMy Dear Visvanatha,
Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Yes, if one desires devotional service so strongly that it burns away all of his other desires, he will most certainly attain the perfectional stage of pure devotional service.
Yes, fear and envy are due to ignorance. One should remember that only the mood pure love of God can satisfy the self. This is compared to a fish who cannot be happy unless he is in the water. In any condition of life, if one will serve Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master, he will regain in due course of time his natural constitutional nature of pure love of God.
I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.
Your ever well-wisher,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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