Scripture & Shastra
Devotional Practice
Holy Places
Vaiṣṇava's
Vaiṣṇava Etiquette
100
Name this verse:
To keep the promise of His father intact, Lord Rāmacandra immediately gave up the position of king and, accompanied by His wife, mother Sītā, wandered from one forest to another on His lotus feet, which were so delicate that they were unable to bear even the touch of Sītā’s palms. The Lord was also accompanied by Hanumān [or by another monkey, Sugrīva], king of the monkeys, and by His own younger brother Lord Lakṣmaṇa, both of whom gave Him relief from the fatigue of wandering in the forest. Having cut off the nose and ears of Śūrpaṇakhā, thus disfiguring her, the Lord was separated from mother Sītā. He therefore became angry, moving His eyebrows and thus frightening the ocean, who then allowed the Lord to construct a bridge to cross the ocean. Subsequently, the Lord entered the kingdom of Rāvaṇa to kill him, like a fire devouring a forest. May that Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra, give us all protection.
ŚB 9.10.4:
gurv-arthe tyakta-rājyo vyacarad anuvanaṁ padma-padbhyāṁ priyāyāḥ
pāṇi-sparśākṣamābhyāṁ mṛjita-patha-rujo yo harīndrānujābhyām
vairūpyāc chūrpaṇakhyāḥ priya-viraha-ruṣāropita-bhrū-vijṛmbha-
trastābdhir baddha-setuḥ khala-dava-dahanaḥ kosalendro ’vatān naḥ
100
According to Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, if one chants the Holy Name while committing sinful activities on the strength of the Name, it is this specific kind of offense.
nāmnād balād pāpa-buddhiḥ – the offense of sinning on the strength of the Holy Name
100
hint: A demon lived here
Vyomasura Gupha (cave)
100
She is considered an embodiment of Divine Mercy and Compassion.
Śrī Jahnāvā Ṭhākurāṇī
100
According to etiquette, prasādam should never be touched or served with this part of the body.
left hand
200
Name the verse:
“ ‘My dear friend, where is Kṛṣṇa, who is like the moon rising from the ocean of Mahārāja Nanda’s dynasty? Where is Kṛṣṇa, His head decorated with a peacock feather? Where is He? Where is Kṛṣṇa, whose flute produces such a deep sound? Oh, where is Kṛṣṇa, whose bodily luster is like the luster of the blue indranīla jewel? Where is Kṛṣṇa, who is so expert in rāsa dancing? Oh, where is He, who can save My life? Kindly tell Me where to find Kṛṣṇa, the treasure of My life and best of My friends. Feeling separation from Him, I hereby condemn Providence, the shaper of My destiny.’
CC Antya 19.35:
kva nanda-kula-candramāḥ kva śikhi-candrakālaṅkṛtiḥ
kva mandra-muralī-ravaḥ kva nu surendra-nīla-dyutiḥ
kva rāsa-rasa-tāṇḍavī kva sakhi jīva-rakṣauṣadhir
nidhir mama suhṛt-tamaḥ kva bata hanta hā dhig vidhim
200
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī lists six unfavorable items for bhakti in Upadeśāmṛta.
(1) Overeating/over-accumulating
(2) Performing too many material endeavors
(3) Talking unnecessarily about mundane topics
(4) Being greedy
(5) Associating with non-devotees
(6) Being fickle-minded or not following śāstra.
200
Hint: shows Gopi's superior bhakti
Uddhava Kunda
200
His name itself reveals his state of surrender and deep renunciation.
Śrīla Akinchana Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī
200
This specific offense—committed by not following proper etiquette—can severely impede spiritual progress. It is described as the “mad elephant offense.”
criticizing or offending a devotee (vaiṣṇava-aparādha)
300
Name this verse:
"One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well."
Bg. 6.5
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ
nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur
ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ
300
In Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Lord Caitanya says that the main qualification for performing devotional service is not birth or knowledge, but this.
faith (śraddhā)
300
hint: it holds a spiritual secret
Bhandirvan
300
He was one of the first devotees sent to Vṛndāvana to uncover the lost holy places and engage in bhajan.
Śrī Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī
300
According to Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, bathing before deity worship is recommended. But when there is not enough water, these two alternative methods are permitted to maintain ritual purity.
mantra-snana (purificatory chanting) and ācaman (sipping water with mantra recitation)
400
Name this verse:
The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one’s full time – twenty-four hours a day – in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord’s divine name, transcendental form, qualities and eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one’s tongue and mind. In this way one should reside in Vraja [Goloka Vṛndāvana-dhāma] and serve Kṛṣṇa under the guidance of devotees. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service.
NOI 8
tan-nāma-rūpa-caritādi-sukīrtanānu-
smṛtyoḥ krameṇa rasanā-manasī niyojya
tiṣṭhan vraje tad-anurāgi-janānugāmī
kālaṁ nayed akhilam ity upadeśa-sāram
400
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī defines five most potent forms of devotional service (pañca-aṅga bhakti).
1. Chanting the Holy Name
2. Hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
3. Associating with devotees
4. Worshiping the Deity
5. Living in or visiting the holy places
400
hint: golden manifestation
Yogapīṭha
400
Flower Alvar
Āṇḍāḷ
400
Hari-bhakti-vilāsa states that if a Vaiṣṇava chants japa while sitting on this surface, the spiritual potency of the mantra is diminished.
bare earth (without an āsana like kuśa grass or cloth)
500
Name this verse:
"Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong."
Iso 1:
īśāvāsyam idaḿ sarvaṁ
yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat
tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā
mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam
500
The Navayogendras describe six characteristics of devotional service.
1. Kleśaghnī – destroys suffering
2. Śubhadā – brings all auspiciousness
3. Mokṣa-laghutākṛt – makes liberation seem insignificant
4. Sudurlabhā – very rare
5. Sāndrānanda-viśeṣātmā – filled with concentrated bliss
6. Śrī-kṛṣṇākarṣiṇī – attracts Kṛṣṇa Himself
500
hint: achooooo
Alarnath Temple
500
Wanted to be born as a bird or servant near the Lord’s temple.
Kulasekhara Āḻvār
500
This rule from Hari-bhakti-vilāsa forbids the donation of prasāda to this category of beings or people.
those who are intoxicated, antagonistic, or offensive to Lord Krishna