Hare Krsna,
This was a nice coincidence. As I was reading through the gradation of the living entities, I was thinking how Srila Prabhupada is beyond each of the stages. When the forum topic suggested that we meditate on the unique position of His Divine Grace, I couldn’t help smiling at this sweet coincidence.
As Mother Chatamayi mentioned, the last seven stages beyond varsnasrama are quite unique in themselves. Even though Brahmana stage is a desired platform, it is not the end of the story. Even study of the Vedas and knowing its purport is not enough. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya knew studied all the Vedas but still he didn’t know that by all the Vedas Lord Krsna is to be known – vedas sa sarvair aham eva vedya (BG 15.15). Higher than realizing the essence of the Vedas is to deliver the suffering living entities from nescience and situating them in the highest platform of pure devotional service.
I am reminded of a very nice conversation between Sanatana Goswami and Haridasa Thakura. Sanatana Goswami was praising Haridasa Thakura. He said, “O Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who is equal to you? You are one of the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Therefore you are the most fortunate. The mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for which He has descended as an incarnation, is to spread the importance of chanting the holy name of the Lord. Now instead of personally doing so, He is spreading it through you. My dear sir, you are chanting the holy name 300,000 times daily and informing everyone of the importance of such chanting. Some behave very well but do not preach the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, whereas others preach but do not behave properly. You simultaneously perform both duties in relation to the holy name by your personal behavior and by your preaching. Therefore you are the spiritual master of the entire world, for you are the most advanced devotee in the world.” (CC Antya 4.99-103)
These statements perfectly applied to our Srila Prabhupada as well. There are many pure devotees in Sri Vrndavana dhama. They practice pure bhakti but do not preach; they do not step out of the dhama. But our Srila Prabhupada is so merciful and compassionate. He not only practiced pure devotional service but also preached the cult of Krsna consciousness all over the world. He gave us the highest ‘matchless gift’ of pure Krsna bhakti. He was not only satisfied by being a pure devotee himself but also desired that the whole world become pure devotees. Like Haridasa Thakura, he simultaneously performed his duties in relation to the holy name by his personal behavior and by his preaching. Therefore he is ‘jagad guru’ – the spiritual master of the entire world.
How fortunate are we to come under his loving shelter! How fortunate are we to study his books in each other’s association! How fortunate are we to be able to follow his instructions and footsteps. While meditating on Srila Prabhupada’s extreme compassion and mercy on all of us, I am filled with immense gratitude. I feel very disqualified to perform pure bhakti. But I have faith that if I sincerely and faithfully follow the process and instructions given by him, he will hold my hands and take us to our desired destination of attaining pure love and devotion for Krsna.
Srila Prabhupada has given us all the love of Krsna, a rare gift that cannot be obtained even by practicing austerities or offering sacrifices or following Vedic rituals or performing any other practices for millions and millions of years. But Srila Prabhupada has given us a few very simple practices that are so easy and practical to perform and the result of performing them is that anyone can get the love of God in just one lifetime.
Many years ago, I read a strong rebuttal by HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja to people who falsely claimed that Srila Prabhupada did not give us everything. Maharaja said that Srila Prabhupada gave everything. He not only gave us pure bhakti but also created the good fortune for the living entities for the age of Kali to have access or entrance to Våndavana. Srila Prabhupada gave the way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu arranged, the way Kåñëa arranged. This is the divine arrangement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and that is what Srila Prabhupada gave. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada’s presentation is perfect and complete.
“If anybody says that Prabhupada did not give everything I will very clearly say that he is in Maya and he is not following Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is hurting Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement.” (HH Bhakti Charu Swami – Class on CC Adi 3.5-6, Gitanagri, 2017)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 