Preface and Overview of the Nectar of Instructions Video # 023 (mnaraindas@gmail.
com)
Notes
The Spiritual life we need to know from 4 books (Isho, BG, NoI and NoD).
Sadhya the goal or destination is –Krishna..
Sadhana, the vehicle (plane or train or ship) OR the process is – Bhakti
1. Sadhya is established through BG and Ishopanishad (to know Krishna is the highest). BG
analysis various process of Bhakti and to establish Krishna as Supreme P of God Head.
2. Sadhana is explained through NOD and NOI. (Further knowledge about who is Krishna and
how to reach him), It focus only on Bhakti and how it is to be practiced. Here the seeker has
already understood that Bhakti marg is the only sure and fast way to reach Krishna.
NoD analysis various processes and glorify Bhakti.
Process of Bhakti are also given in BG but the systematic way of delineation and details of how
it is to be practiced, the way is given in NoI and NoD, the same it is not explained in BG.
It elaborates the process of bhakti and enables us how to apply those processes to our day to
day life. To practice KC and understand the mood of Srila Prabhupada.
Also see points from BVT book Bhaktya loka and BSS book on NoI Anuvriti commentary
Key themes in the NoI
Mind and sense control
Attitude
Iskcons purpose
Guru and Disciple
Sadhu Sanga
Devotees (Kinds behavior and Qualification)
Bhakti (Stages and development).
NoI Overview
Journey of Bhakti from Shraddha (inquiries) to action to Prema
1-3 : Shraddha
4-6 :Sadhu Sangha
7- Bhajan Kriya (Spiritual treatment), Anartha Nivrttih (Treatment), Nishtha (to know that the
treatment works so fully agrees with treatment, like making our foundation strong as banyan
tree so that even elephant cannot uproot it), Rucih (Taste for spiritual things)
8-Aasaktih (attachment to Bhakti)
9-11: Bhava, Premah (which is the end result ie reaping fruits of bhakti)
So Humble was Srila Prabhupada that he gives all credit to acharyas so he starts NoI book
writing with offering respect to previous acharyas. Prabhupada wanted this book to be not
only for devotees but also for new or nondevotees or potential devotees so that the whole
world to be devotees and benefit from it.
Who is Rupa Goswami?
Caitanya MP established conclusions of Vedic literature that is pure devotional service to
Krishna and that became the central to our understanding to subsequent understanding of
vedic literature in Gaudiya Paramara.
Chaitanya MP got 6 Goswamis as direct associates to excavate past times of Krishna in
Vrindavan. 6 Goswamis were given 4 missions by Chaitanya MP:
1. Build temples to glorify past times of Radha Krishna.
2. Rediscover the lost places of pastimes of Radha and Krishna
3. Write literature to establish supremacy of Devotional Service as the ultimate teaching of
vedic literature.
4. How to practice Devotional Service.
Srila Prabhupada mentions that these are the prominent signs of success in the movement of
KC. Constructing temples and writing books is significant sign of success. Every time Prabhu
Pada published a book, mentions that he felt as if an empire is one. Book is the empire of
thoughts, when it is read by peoples it attracts and conquers people’s heart. This is the ONLY
way to make new devotees, by temples and books.
6 Goswamis laid foundation for next generation to systemize teachings of Chaitanya MP
where all other books mentions about past times of Chaitanya MP they don’t establish
Sidhant of Chaitanya MP wanted. They wrote philosophical teachings
At the order of Nityananda pr, Krishnadas kaviraj Goswami went to Vrindavan to join and get
trained from 6 Goswamis and then he wrote chaitanya charitmrita.
Literary heritage of Gaudiya Vaishnavism integrated in one book, both pastime heritage and
philosophy heritage are integrated in Chaitanya Charitamrita.
Narottama Das Thakura was prominent Shiksha disciple of Jiva Goswami
Goswamis are actually associates of Radha Rani and were manifested as associates of
Chaitanya M. For example lalita sakhi and vishakha sakhi both appeared as swaroop damodar
and Ramanda Rai. Manjaris are assistance of main Gopis. Roop Goswami is Roop manjari in
the spiritual World . Goswamis examplifies extraordinary renounced devotion.
Pastimes of Radha Krishna can be understood only thru teachings of Goswamis otherwise
those are just misunderstanding.
NOI Intro Overview
P1-2 Importance of NoI:
Lord is conquered only by love of those who have conquered their senses because they are
pure and undistracted. NoI tells us how we can conquer our senses and become a pure
vaishnava.
P3 The necessity of self-mastery.
To master in spiritual affairs ones duty is to control senses and mind and thereby get freedom
from mode of passion and ignorance and promote oneself to mode of goodness. Sattva Guna.
Therefore objective here is to regain ones spiritual consciousness by giving up material
consciousness by following the instructions of Rupa Goswami in NoI.
P4 The right attitude for advancement: I can become a Goswami.
One who wants to become pure devotee of Lord Krishna must become a Goswami or control
of the senses and mind.
One must follow these instructions very strictly with a regulated program to make ones life
successful.
When the road is proper the jouney will become safe and we can reach to our destination.
When it was asked from Srila prabhupada about why illicit sex is prohibited in KC? SP nicely
replied and convinces that to ones senses should be diverted to Krishna rather than on
feminine attraction.
