Prakrta-rasa
Aranya-Chedini (Cutting
the Jungle of Misconception) is a compilation of twenty-one
articles that were written over a period of three
years. Each of the articles disputes a particular
misconception prevalent in the Gaudiya Vaisnava world.
The first chapter of the book begins by establishing the position of a Vaisnava according to the opinion of sastra and the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanydeva. Subsequent chapters of the book establish the Gaudiya siddhanta (conclusive philosophical truths) according to guru (acaryas), sadhu, and sastra (the spiritual master, saintly persons, and revealed scripture).
Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini establishes the proper understanding of various controversial issues concerning; the origin of the jiva, the fall of the jiva into material bondage, the pure consciousness of the jiva, the position of the guru, the Golden Age, the position of the Founder-acarya, the leader of the Gaudiya sampradaya, the different types of disciples, the highest vision of guru-tattva, the omniscience of the guru, the highest aspiration of the liberated jiva, the process by which the jiva achieves the highest perfection, the titles of Prabhupada and Deva Gosvami, the position of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the chanting of the Holy Name, the proper qualification (adhikara) for discussing higher lilas, the stage of purification (anartha-nivrtti), hearing from so-called rasika-gurus, who is actually a bona-fide acarya, the divine sentiments of love of God, the highest standards of worship, and the instructions of liberated souls.
By no means has Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini been written for the general public who have no background in Krsna consciousness. Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini is for the devotees of Sri Caitanyadeva who seek clarification or conclusive answers to some of the controversial issues in our contemporary Vaisnava society.
siddhanta
baliya cite na kara alasa
iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa
“A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna.” (Cc. Adi. 2.117)
The conclusive truths put forth in Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini are according to acaryas in the disciplic succession of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. The statements and quotes found in this book are not the opinions of the conditioned souls of this world for such would have no value in the assembly of pure Vaisnavas.
The inspiration for the title of this book came from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura who at the beginning of the 20th century compiled a book entitled Prakrta-rasa Sata Dusini (one hundred misconceptions of the sahajiya mellows). Many of the verses composed in Prakrta-rasa Sata-Dusini by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura are quoted in Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini —the focus of which aims at exposing the defects of those who imitate the practices of the highest order of Vaisnavas.
Prior to the appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura the sahajiya movements, pseudo-gurus, and so-called rasika-gurus had all but ruined the good name of the Vaisnavas. Due to the improper behavior of rascals and imitators the word Vaisnava that was once held in great regard by societies’ elite had completely fallen under foot and the Vaisnavas were thought to be bands of beggars and woman-hunters.
To save the dignity of the highest order of Vaisnavas (paramahamsas) Sarasvati Thakura preached strongly against the pseudo practices of all those who misrepresented the pure teachings of Sri Caitanyadeva. The strength and intensity of his preaching shook the very ground upon which his opponents stood. No one could continue to contend with him and soon the sahajiyas, pseudo-gurus, and so-called rasika-gurus withered away in fear.
Sarasvati Thakura preached exclusively the pure mellows of madhurya-rasa, but to do so he had to cut the jungle of misconception. He reopened the storehouse of divine love and showed the way for all sincere souls to follow. It has been said by Sarasvati Thakura’s most intimate disciples that,
“He spared gallons of blood to establish what is not the madhurya-rasa. Sarasvati Thakura used perhaps 90% of his energy to point out what is not the madhurya-rasa.”
Pujala raga-patha gaurava bhange — the whole tenor of the life of Sarasvati Thakura is captured in this verse:
“The raga-patha is on our head. We are servants of the path of spontaneous love. We are in vidhi-marga under the rule of sastra, and we must always keep the raga-patha upon our head.”
Now close to a century after the preaching campaign of Sarasvati Thakura came to a close the sahajiyas, pseudo-gurus, and the so-called rasika-gurus are again stirring about, and various misconceptions have somehow crept into the minds of many aspiring devotees. By the blessings of Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura this Prakrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini will help guide sincere souls through the jungle of misconception to reach the path of pure devotion and thus attain the eternal loving service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda.
Svami
B.G. Narasingha
Snana-yatra Mahotsava
516 Gaurabda
June 24th 2002
Preface: Prakrta Rasa
Aranya Chedini