View source for The Transcendental Descriptions by Devotees of God

Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth cannot be understood by mundane intellect; it must be heard from the pure devotees of the Lord. By studying the descriptions given by exalted Vaiṣṇavas like Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī, we receive the perfect, unadulterated knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes and the path of pure devotional service.

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=== Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura's Elaborate Descriptions ===

Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is the original Vyāsadeva of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's pastimes. Śrīla Prabhupāda glorifies his ''Caitanya-bhāgavata'' for its vivid, nectarine, and extensive descriptions of the Lord's early life and the activities of Lord Nityānanda.

* [[Vaniquotes:All these episodes have been elaborately described by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura. Then one day Srivasa Thakura extended an invitation to the Lord|All these episodes have been elaborately described by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura. Then one day Srivasa Thakura extended an invitation to the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By nature all the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura, they become like a shower of nectar|By nature all the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura, they become like a shower of nectar.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Vrndavana dasa Thakura) ecstatically described the pastimes of Lord Nityananda (in the Caitanya-bhagavata), but the later pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained untold|He (Vrndavana dasa Thakura) ecstatically described the pastimes of Lord Nityananda (in the Caitanya-bhagavata), but the later pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained untold.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Vrndavana dasa Thakura) first summarized all the pastimes of the Lord and later described them (in the Caitanya-mangala) vividly in detail|He (Vrndavana dasa Thakura) first summarized all the pastimes of the Lord and later described them (in the Caitanya-mangala) vividly in detail.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In his book Caitanya-mangala (which later became Caitanya-bhagavata), Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has very elaborately described the Lord's pastimes of study|In his book Caitanya-mangala (which later became Caitanya-bhagavata), Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has very elaborately described the Lord's pastimes of study.]]

=== Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī's Humble Attempts ===

The author of the ''Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta'', Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, possessed profound spiritual realization. Yet, out of natural Vaiṣṇava humility, he constantly felt that his intelligence was insufficient to properly describe the deep, meaningful pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone was astounded to see the greatness of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed, I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) cannot properly describe the pastimes of the Lord at Prayaga|Everyone was astounded to see the greatness of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed, I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) cannot properly describe the pastimes of the Lord at Prayaga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami) cannot understand the very deep, meaningful pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My intelligence cannot penetrate them, and therefore I could not properly describe them|I (Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami) cannot understand the very deep, meaningful pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My intelligence cannot penetrate them, and therefore I could not properly describe them.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) am writing this narration of the pastimes and attributes of the Lord by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. I do not know how to write properly, but I am purifying myself by writing this description|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) am writing this narration of the pastimes and attributes of the Lord by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. I do not know how to write properly, but I am purifying myself by writing this description.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) purposely avoid extensive description for fear of increasing the bulk of this book. I shall describe the essence as concisely as possible|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) purposely avoid extensive description for fear of increasing the bulk of this book. I shall describe the essence as concisely as possible.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have given but a single hint of these pastimes, for Vrndavana dasa Thakura, in his book Caitanya-mangala (now Caitanya-bhagavata), has described them all vividly|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have given but a single hint of these pastimes, for Vrndavana dasa Thakura, in his book Caitanya-mangala (now Caitanya-bhagavata), has described them all vividly.]]

=== Describing the Unfathomable Pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa ===

The supreme pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa are the ultimate object of meditation for pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how great souls like Uddhava and Kṛṣṇa's cowherd friends would ecstatically describe these wonderful events, completely absorbing everyone in transcendental bliss.

* [[Vaniquotes:After offering respects by bowing down before Lord Krsna and Balarama, he (Uddhava) described the wonderful devotional life of the inhabitants of Vrndavana|After offering respects by bowing down before Lord Krsna and Balarama, he (Uddhava) described the wonderful devotional life of the inhabitants of Vrndavana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:From the outside, the gopis could visualize all the pastimes of Krsna by hearing the descriptions of Uddhava, and from within they could remember those pastimes|From the outside, the gopis could visualize all the pastimes of Krsna by hearing the descriptions of Uddhava, and from within they could remember those pastimes.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:After gradually rising to the meridian of Dvaraka, the Lord (Krsna) set like the sun, placing everything in darkness, as described by Uddhava|After gradually rising to the meridian of Dvaraka, the Lord (Krsna) set like the sun, placing everything in darkness, as described by Uddhava.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Before leaving the land of cows, Vrndavana, the Lord (Krsna) pleased His young girl friends, the transcendental gopis, in His rasa-lila pastimes. Here Uddhava stopped his description of the Lord's activities|Before leaving the land of cows, Vrndavana, the Lord (Krsna) pleased His young girl friends, the transcendental gopis, in His rasa-lila pastimes. Here Uddhava stopped his description of the Lord's activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Considering all the circumstances (the fallen yamala-arjuna trees on the ground), had this been done by Krsna? He was standing on the spot, and His playmates described that this had been done by Him|Considering all the circumstances (the fallen yamala-arjuna trees on the ground), had this been done by Krsna? He was standing on the spot, and His playmates described that this had been done by Him.]]

=== The Glories of Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs ===

Empowered directly by Lord Caitanya, the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana scientifically presented the absolute truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda marvels at how Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs explicitly described the most confidential dealings of divine love, extracting the true essence of all Vedic literature.

* [[Vaniquotes:After staying in Varanasi for about ten days, Rupa Gosvami returned to Bengal. In this way I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have described the activities of Rupa and Sanatana|After staying in Varanasi for about ten days, Rupa Gosvami returned to Bengal. In this way I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have described the activities of Rupa and Sanatana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although the subject of such affections and dealings of love are very confidential, Sanatana Gosvami has described them very explicitly|Although the subject of such affections and dealings of love are very confidential, Sanatana Gosvami has described them very explicitly.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone admitted that although they had heard many statements glorifying the holy name of the Lord, they had never heard such sweet descriptions as those of Rupa Gosvami|Everyone admitted that although they had heard many statements glorifying the holy name of the Lord, they had never heard such sweet descriptions as those of Rupa Gosvami.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Haridasa Thakura told him, "There is no limit to your good fortune. No one can understand the glories of what you (Rupa Gosvami) have described"|Haridasa Thakura told him, "There is no limit to your good fortune. No one can understand the glories of what you (Rupa Gosvami) have described."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) shall therefore enumerate the chief books compiled by Srila Rupa Gosvami. He has described the pastimes of Vrndavana in 100,000 verses|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) shall therefore enumerate the chief books compiled by Srila Rupa Gosvami. He has described the pastimes of Vrndavana in 100,000 verses.]]

=== Describing the Devotees of the Lord ===

The associates of the Supreme Lord are as unlimited and glorious as the Lord Himself. While documenting the history of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī admits that fully describing every pure Vaiṣṇava is impossible, choosing instead to summarize the most prominent branches.

* [[Vaniquotes:After describing the branches and subbranches of Advaita Acarya, I shall now attempt to describe some of the descendants of Sri Gadadhara Pandita, the most important among the branches|After describing the branches and subbranches of Advaita Acarya, I shall now attempt to describe some of the descendants of Sri Gadadhara Pandita, the most important among the branches.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:After offering my obeisances unto all the devotees of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who are like bumblebees collecting honey from His lotus feet, I shall try to describe those who are the most prominent|After offering my obeisances unto all the devotees of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who are like bumblebees collecting honey from His lotus feet, I shall try to describe those who are the most prominent.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have briefly described the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in different places. Even Lord Sesa, who has thousands of mouths, could not list them all|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have briefly described the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in different places. Even Lord Sesa, who has thousands of mouths, could not list them all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) list in this way only a portion of the innumerable devotees of Lord Caitanya. To describe them all fully is not possible|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) list in this way only a portion of the innumerable devotees of Lord Caitanya. To describe them all fully is not possible.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have described but a fraction of the transcendental attributes of Ramananda Raya, as revealed when he instructed Pradyumna Misra|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have described but a fraction of the transcendental attributes of Ramananda Raya, as revealed when he instructed Pradyumna Misra.]]

=== Instructions on Duties and Material Existence ===

Great authorities like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Bhiṣmadeva provided invaluable roadmaps for human society by systematically describing both the occupational duties of ''varṇāśrama-dharma'' and the intricate layouts of the material and spiritual universes.

* [[Vaniquotes:A saintly person has power, because of his spiritual advancement, to give immediate liberation to the conditioned soul. Here (SB 3.22.5) Manu admits that all his doubts are now over because Kardama has described the different duties of individual souls|A saintly person has power, because of his spiritual advancement, to give immediate liberation to the conditioned soul. Here (SB 3.22.5) Manu admits that all his doubts are now over because Kardama has described the different duties of individual souls.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Bhismadeva) described the occupational duties of different orders and statuses of life, citing instances from history, for he was himself well acquainted with the truth|He (Bhismadeva) described the occupational duties of different orders and statuses of life, citing instances from history, for he was himself well acquainted with the truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Bhismadeva) then explained, by divisions, acts of charity, the pragmatic activities of a king and activities for salvation. Then he described the duties of women and devotees, both briefly and extensively|He (Bhismadeva) then explained, by divisions, acts of charity, the pragmatic activities of a king and activities for salvation. Then he described the duties of women and devotees, both briefly and extensively.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:After describing the hellish planets, Sukadeva Gosvami describes how pious persons are elevated to the highest planetary system, where the demigods live, and how they then come back again to this earth|After describing the hellish planets, Sukadeva Gosvami describes how pious persons are elevated to the highest planetary system, where the demigods live, and how they then come back again to this earth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As described by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, dhana-durmadāndha: Too much wealth makes one blind. This happens even to Indra in his heavenly kingdom, and what to speak of others in this material world?|As described by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, dhana-durmadāndha: Too much wealth makes one blind. This happens even to Indra in his heavenly kingdom, and what to speak of others in this material world?]]

=== Describing the Pure Ecstasy of Lord Caitanya ===

In His final years at Jagannātha Purī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu tasted the deepest, most confidential ecstasies of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that only the Lord's most intimate associates, like Svarūpa Dāmodara, could properly observe and describe these unparalleled emotional manifestations.

* [[Vaniquotes:Also in the Fourteenth Chapter is an account of how the emotional ecstasy of the gopis was described by Svarupa Damodara and tasted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu|Also in the Fourteenth Chapter is an account of how the emotional ecstasy of the gopis was described by Svarupa Damodara and tasted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Hearing this reply, the Lord said in ecstasy, "Go on talking! Go on talking!" Thus Srivasa described the transcendental mellows of the pastimes of Sri Vrndavana|Hearing this reply, the Lord said in ecstasy, "Go on talking! Go on talking!" Thus Srivasa described the transcendental mellows of the pastimes of Sri Vrndavana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the beginning Srivasa Thakura described the transcendental sweetness of Vrndavana's pastimes. Hearing this, the Lord felt great and increasing jubilation in His heart|In the beginning Srivasa Thakura described the transcendental sweetness of Vrndavana's pastimes. Hearing this, the Lord felt great and increasing jubilation in His heart.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Just as the women of Mathura ecstatically described the fortune of the gopis of Vrndavana and the transcendental qualities of Krsna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described the different mellows of Krsna and became overwhelmed with ecstatic love|Just as the women of Mathura ecstatically described the fortune of the gopis of Vrndavana and the transcendental qualities of Krsna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described the different mellows of Krsna and became overwhelmed with ecstatic love.]]

=== The Proper Method of Describing the Truth ===

To describe transcendental subject matters requires strict adherence to the disciplic succession. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that an author must not write to satisfy the mundane masses or inject personal bias; rather, they must present the absolute truth exactly as heard from previous authorities.

* [[Vaniquotes:A dedicated devotee should prosecute his work according to the rules and regulations described in devotional service. The results of his activities are completely dependent on the supreme will of the Lord|A dedicated devotee should prosecute his work according to the rules and regulations described in devotional service. The results of his activities are completely dependent on the supreme will of the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have written this book to describe the simple substance as I have heard it from superiors. If I become involved in someone's likes and dislikes, I cannot possibly write the simple truth|I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have written this book to describe the simple substance as I have heard it from superiors. If I become involved in someone's likes and dislikes, I cannot possibly write the simple truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (the neophyte) may be compared to a patient who is treated by various restrictions under medical jurisdiction. Generally, liberated souls also take pleasure in describing the transcendental activities|He (the neophyte) may be compared to a patient who is treated by various restrictions under medical jurisdiction. Generally, liberated souls also take pleasure in describing the transcendental activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one says that Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is full of Sanskrit verses and therefore not understandable by a common man, I reply that what I have described are the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and that for me to satisfy everyone is not possible|If one says that Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is full of Sanskrit verses and therefore not understandable by a common man, I reply that what I have described are the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and that for me to satisfy everyone is not possible.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As we have discussed several times, it is to be understood that by the supremely powerful potency of the Lord, as described by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, everything is possible|As we have discussed several times, it is to be understood that by the supremely powerful potency of the Lord, as described by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, everything is possible.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the descriptions provided by pure devotees of God are not mere literature, but transcendental portals to the spiritual world. Great souls like Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī acted as perfect conduits, flawlessly transmitting the absolute truth without personal concoction. Through their writings, we receive the most intimate knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa's Vṛndāvana pastimes, the intense devotional ecstasies of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the profound teachings of the Six Gosvāmīs, and the essential mechanics of material existence. These pure Vaiṣṇavas approached their work with profound humility, recognizing that fully describing the Supreme Lord and His innumerable associates is an impossible task. Yet, by their mercy, they have left behind a vast ocean of nectar.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Described_by_Devotees_of_God|Described by Devotees of God]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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