THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GITA Lesson 4: Detachment from All that Is Material (SB Canto 11, Chapter 9) Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

“Güru” in the material nature A brief synopsis of what the avadhüta brähmaëa learned from his “gürus” in surrounding material nature “Güru” in the material nature He had learned 1) The earth (mountains and trees as parts of the earth; 11.7.37-38) to be tolerant, to serve others, and to dedicate one’s whole life for the benefit of others. 2) The air (the life air and wind; 11.7.40-41) to be satisfied with merely keeping the body & soul together to remain uncontaminated by the body & sense objects. 3) The sky (11.7.42-43) the soul, which pervade all material substances, is both indivisible and imperceptible. 4) The water (11.7.44) to be naturally clear and purifying. 5) The fire (11.7.45-47) to burn to ashes all the past and future sinful reactions of his subordinates/worshipers. (Contd) Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

A brief synopsis…(Contd) “Güru” in the material nature He had learned 6) The moon (11.7.48) the material body undergoes growth and dwindling. 7) The sun (11.7.50-51) to avoid entanglement even while coming into contact with sense objects about the two different modes of perception based on seeing the real form of the soul and seeing false designative coverings 8) The pigeon (11.7.52-74) excessive affection and attachments ends up in sufferings this human body is the open door to liberation, but if one becomes attached to family life like the pigeon, one is compared to a person who has climbed up to a high place just to fall down again. (Contd) Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

A brief synopsis…(Contd) “Güru” in the material nature He had learned 9) The python (11.8.1-4) to accept what comes of its own accord 10) The ocean (11.8.5-6) to remain steady in happiness and distress to be grave and undisturbed in abundance and scarcity Saintly person always remain tranquil like the ocean 11) The moth (11.8.7-8) attracted to fire & burnt to death lesson of beautiful sight—opposite sexual attraction, but deadly 12) The honeybee (11.8.9-12) lesson of smell—gather nectar from different flowers Saintly person begs from different householders door to door—madhukari Similarly he takes the essence of the scriptures He avoids atyähära, or ever-eating, and -accumulation 13) The elephant (11.8.13-14) Lesson of touch  the bull elephant tricked by hunters into moving towards captive she-elephants  fall into a ditch Similarly a man sexually attached to an attractive woman falls into a deep well of material life (Contd) Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

A brief synopsis…(Contd) “Güru” in the material nature He had learned 14) The honey thief (11.8.15-16) Hoarding ends up losing better spend for Krsna 15) The deer (11.8.17-18) Lesson of sound (lured by hearing hunter’s flute) Prajalpa, or hearing mundane sound  creates material desires 16) The fish (11.8.19-21) Lesson of tongue—sense of taste  caught onto a fisherman’s hook Control the tongue by honoring krsna-prasädam 17) Pińgalā, the Prostitute (11.8.22-44) Detachment from sense gratification Hopes of sense enjoyment  sufferings Frustrations/failures  detachment  Lord’s blessings in disguise Thereafter engaged in thinking of the Supreme Only one who gives up such hankering can fix oneself in meditation upon the Personality of Godhead and achieve transcendental peace (Contd) Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

17) Pińgalā, the Prostitute--Recap (11.8.22-44) Lived in the city of Videha, or Mithila Despite waiting till past midnight, her expected rich customer did not show up  Disappointment and frustration  Detachment  meditated on the Lord  sense of happiness & transcendental peace in her mind Desire for material enjoyment  the cause of her distress Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

maivaḿ syur manda-bhāgyāyāḥ kleśā nirveda-hetavaḥ yenānubandhaḿ nirhṛtya puruṣaḥ śamam ṛcchati SB 11.8.38 “A person who has developed detachment can give up the bondage of material society, friendship and love, and a person who undergoes great suffering gradually becomes, out of hopelessness, detached and indifferent to the material world. Thus, due to my great suffering, such detachment awoke in my heart; yet how could I have undergone such merciful suffering if I were actually unfortunate? Therefore, I am in fact fortunate and have received the mercy of the Lord. He must somehow or other be pleased with me.” Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

With devotion I accept the great benefit that the Lord has bestowed upon me. Having given up my sinful desires for ordinary sense gratification, I now take shelter of Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead (11.8.39). I am now completely satisfied, and I have full faith in the Lord's mercy. Therefore I will maintain myself with whatever comes of its own accord. I shall enjoy life with only the Lord, because He is the real source of love and happiness (11.8.40). Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

A brief synopsis…(Contd) “Güru” in the material nature He had learned … 18) The kurara—predatory—bird (11.9.1-2) Material attachment is the root cause of all sufferings & distress 19) The child (11.9.3-4) Simplicity/detachment  no worries or anxieties 20) The young girl (11.9.5-10) Even two people residing in the same place, let alone many  quarrel & useless gossiping Avoid bad association 21) The arrow maker (11.9.13) Fix the mind on Krsna by being engaged in His mission 22) The serpent (11.9.15) Should wonder alone, not live in one, prearranged place & not reveal his movements Should speak little, and be grave Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

A brief synopsis…(Contd) “Güru” in the material nature He had learned … 23) The spider (11.9.21) Spins web from his own saliva and then withdraws it within himself The Lord creates the universe from out of Himself, maintains, and then winds it up into Himself 24) The wasp (11.9.22-23) The weaker insect assumed the same form as the devouring wasp The living entity, due to overly affection, hatred and fear, attains in his next life the identity of the object upon which he fixes his mind & intelligence An additional guru, one’s own body (11.9.24-29) Utilize the rare human body in pursuit of spiritual knowledge & practice of Krsna consciousness  attain the ultimate goal of human form of life Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011

Thematic essence of what the avadhüta brähmaëa learned from his 25 “gürus” One initiating, but many instructing (çiksa) gürus—good and bad examples to take lessons from Examples of good behavior  strengthen in devotional service. Negative examples  forewarned and avoid dangers on the path of devotional service Detachment from 8 gürus—the pigeon, fish, deer, young girl, elephant, snake, moth, and kurara bird Renunciation of the temporary & acceptance of the eternal from 3 gürus—honey bee, honey thief, and Pińgalā Cultivate faith and conviction in devotional service unto the Supreme Lord from others beginning with the earth Carucandra Dasa 9/24/2011