Introduction to Śrī Bhajan-Rahasya ‘Śrī Bhajan-Rahasya’—Book is compiled by Revered Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. He has shown a few hints about his own mode of worship in the form of a book as an instance to his own devoted followers. The introduction of this book is written by Srila Bhaktisiddhant Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad.
Rahasyer Prāgbandha
[Prior obligatory regulation for being eligible to realize ontological mystery of Bhajan]
‘Śrī Bhajan-Rahasya’— Book is compiled by Revered Śrila Bhaktivinode Thākur. He has shown a few hints about his own mode of worship in the form of a book as an instance to his own devoted followers. I, being an insignificant person, observed him a few years before, overwhelmed with Transcendental Divine Love while relishing several scriptural verses incessantly in this way.
[There are stages of advancement of pure devotion— First stage— ‘Kaniṣṭha’, second higher stage—‘Madhyam’ (middle) and third highest stage— ‘Uttam’. Accurate understanding of the words ‘Kaniṣṭha’, ‘Madhyam’ and ‘Uttam’ is necessary for proper realization of the ontological mystery of Bhajan as expounded or interpreted by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswāmi Thākur.]
Provision for ‘Arcan’— Worship of Deities is recommended in the domain of pure devotion in consideration of the eligibility of the devoutness of ‘Kaniṣṭha devotee’— first advanced stage of devotion. Many votaries being unable to reflect upon the distinction between ‘Arcan’ and ‘Bhajan’ indicate the words to be same, as ‘Arcan’ is ‘Bhajan’. When bhajan is possible on the basis of nine forms of devotion, as ‘Arcan’ is included within it, ‘Arcan’ should be accepted as ‘Bhajan’, that is their idea. Total bhajan and practice of one form of bhajan, at least of the aforesaid first advanced stage of devotion, should not be considered to indicate the same significance.
There are two kinds of worship— (1) Worship of Deities with the help of articles and with reverence is ‘Arcan’. (2) Service of the object of worship with the feeling of eternal sweet delightful relation, viz. delightful relation between devotee and devoted as bosom friends, sweet parental affection without the obstruction of fear and reverence etc. are referred to as ‘Prema’. There is a gulf of difference between these two ways of service of the Object of worship. Arcan is connected with the worship of Deity with reverence. Without sweet delightful eternal relation, there cannot be total service of the Highest Objective Supreme Lord.
Worship of Deity—Supreme Lord in consideration of His appearance in this world, with articles and reverence is termed ‘Arcan’. Although in spite of the cognition of the dimness of the scorching rays of reverential majestic worship in this world, excellence of the sweetness of the service of the Deity with delightful charming love-relation like pleasant moonlight, cannot be denied. A brief method of worship (Arcan) is annexed to the appendix of the book. The underlying implication of bhajan is stated in the body of the book. Relation with gross and subtle bodies is more or less involved in ‘Arcan’, while in the domain of bhajan, the devotee is directly in contact with the object of devotion Supreme Lord Bhagavān, Who is beyond gross and subtle bodies and is the Indwelling Monitor residing in the hearts of all embodied souls. A true devoted soul is well-established in his real self and is completely liberated from all non-eternal material denominations, his cognitions of the sense-organs are spiritual, beyond the thought of material range. As they are always directly in contact with Absolute Knowledge, Who is Transcendental, they are always engaged in transcendental service of the Divinity. Speciality of the instructive object of Guru is considered Rahasya (Mystery) which can only be comprehended by persons who have got firm faith and confidence.
Truly following the path of bona fide sādhus, association of whom can be achieved only by the fruits of serving the third advanced stage of highest devotees, who have received instructions of Krishna-bhakti after practising the list of Sādhan-bhakti, mentioned in ‘Śrī Bhakti-Rasāmṛta-Sindhu’, is actual Bhajan-Rahasya (mystery of bhajan). Desireless modest devout devotee, being fully liberated from worldly entanglement, is completely released from the association of uncongenial persons disinclined to serve Krishna and entrapped with ulterior desires. Just then only, total service or service of eight periods of the pastimes of Śrī Krishna can be manifested in him. Pure devotee who is inclined to serve Śrī Krishna always dislikes the association of enjoyers of earthly pleasures (Bhogis) and renouncers (Tyagis), as he knows the association of such non-devotees is an obstacle to the achievement of his objective. Such ‘Karmīs’, ‘Jṣānīs’ or persons of ulterior desires have got no liking for Bhajan-Rahasya. As they have got no eligibility to enter into the eight periods of pastimes of Śrī Krishna in the Transcendental Realm, this book (Bhajan-Rahasya) cannot become always very appreciative to them.
Day and night (24 hours) is divided into eight periods. One period is stated as ‘Yam’. Night consists of three yams (three periods), day consists of three yams (three periods), along with these six periods, if ‘dawn’ and ‘dusk’ are added, sum total— 8 periods.
It is possible only for a Vaiṣṇava to worship Śrī Krishna all the time in all respects with profound devoutness. With wrong conception of self, other than the real self eternally related to Śrī Krishna, it is not possible to worship Krishna all the time. A conditioned soul cannot release him from his encagement if he attributes materiality to all things or articles related to the service of Śrī Krishna. Vaiṣṇavas having the firmness of the realization of their real self are always in worshipful mood. They cannot do any action except service of Śrī Krishna. Eight verses of Śikṣāṣṭaka of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu are in conformity with the pastimes of Śrī Krishna of the eight periods (Aṣṭayāma). Eleven verses of Sri Rūpa Goswāmi and hymns written by his personal associates to increase eagerness of Bhajan, conforming to eight pastimes will be congenial for incessant Bhajan. Sincere servitors of Guru will always discuss these verses, being completely relieved from the influence of material time, space, and so called deserving or undeserving persons of the world.
Kanpur
Harijanakinkar,
13th Nov, 1927
(servant of the associates of Śrī Hari)
Das Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati