Sri Radha-Krsna Ganoddesa Dipika

Back of the book

Whatever I have heard is from the local residents of Mathura-mandala, from various literatures, from the Puranas, from other Vedic literatures, and from saintly persons. I am writing this in brief, for the satisfaction of my well-wishers. This book will mainly deal with the subject of executing devotional service on the path of attachment.

Introduction

In order to attain the transcendental loving service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, one must favorably cultivate Krsna consciousness during his life as a practitioner. Cultivation of Krsna consciousness must be executed with the desire to attain the transcendental state of pure devotional service. Other motives that are maintained while practicing sadhana cause one's devotional service to be mixed with karma, or with jnana. Besides this, there can be unfavorable desires hidden within the heart of the practitioner. If this be the case, then even though one's endeavors may appear like devotional service, they are actually nourishing the weeds that choke the devotional creeper.

To cultivate attachment to Krsna's transcendental names, forms, qualities and pastimes, while following in the footsteps of the inhabit-ants of Braja, who are completely absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, is pure devotional service. By cultivating Krsna consciousness with a motive to please Krsna, a practitioner graduates from the conditional stage to the liberated stage, and finally becomes eligible to engage in the eternal service of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in the spiritual abode of Braja. In order to cultivate Krsna consciousness, one must be familiar with Krsna's eternal associates, as well as their modes of service, otherwise the attainment of pure devotional service will not be possible.

Therefore, to introduce us to the associates of Sri Krsna, Sri Rupa Gosvami Prabhu, who is an eternal associate of Sri Gaurasundara, and who is Sri Rupa Manjari in Braja, has written this book, called Sri Radha-Krsna Ganoddesa Dipika. Many people are not aware of this invaluable book. It is divided in two sections – Brhat and Laghu.

At the end of the Vaisnava tosani commentary on the tenth cato of Srimad Bhagavatam, the following verse is found: