For six weeks we will be discovering Srila Prabhupada’s translation and commentary to Srila Rupa Goswami’s Upadesamrita. Rupa Goswami was especially empowered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to assemble instructions on how to attain love of Godhead, Krishna -prema. His Upadesamrita (The Nectar of Instruction) is a compilation of eleven verses that outline the gradual progress and main instructions for a serious spiritual practitioner who wishes to attain this eternal love.

Registration

Bhakti Sastri program can be attended without special requirements. You are able to enroll in one module or all program. By clicking “Enrol Now” you will be redirected to Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus, where you will proceed with registration and payment only for this module. The Paypal fee is €99 fully inclusive. click here to register.

Dates: 22/08/2016 – 09/10/2016

Mode of Delivery: Online

Module structure

Week One

Preface and Verse 1

In the Preface Srila Prabhupada gives a brief history of the 6 Vrndavan Goswamis and points out the significance of their writings by quoting Srila Narottama Das Thakura: “When I am eager to understand the literature given by the Gosvamis, then I shall be able to understand the transcendental loving affairs of Radha and Krishna.” He also stresses the importance of becoming a Goswami, the topic described further in the first Verse.

Week Two

Verse 2

Verse 2 describes 6 habits or practices that prevent spiritual progress: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) Practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krishna consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements

Week Three

Verse 3

Verse 3 explains various practices that will help devotees making spiritual progress. It lists 6 qualities ‘assuring complete success of pure devotional service’: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles, (5) abandoning the association of non-devotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous acharyas.

Week Four

Verse 4

Verse 4 lists 6 loving exchanges between devotees and Krishna, and between devotees: (1) offering gifts in charity, (2) accepting charitable gifts, (3) revealing one’s mind in confidence, (4) inquiring confidentially, (5) accepting prasada and (6) offering prasada Verses 5 and 6 teach us how to interact with three types of devotees, and (how) to avoid offenses against a Vaishnava.

Week Five

Verses 7 and 8

Verses 7 and 8 glorify the potency of the holy names and advise devotees to always chant. In verse 8 Rupa Goswami gives the essence of all advice: to fix one mind on Krsna without deviation by constantly hearing and chanting about Him and remembering His pastimes.

Week Six

Verses 9, 10 and 11

Verse 9 describes the hierarchy of the material and spiritual worlds. Verse 10 the hierarchy of different types of human beings and text 11 the glories of Radha-kunda. The verses perfectly illustrate that the cultivation of spiritual life is a gradual process. In the same way as one is meant to read he first nine Cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam before aproaching the Tenth Canto, one must assimilate the first ten verses of Upadesamrta before approaching Radha-kunda. If one fails to do so one is sure to misunderstand the instruction given herein and ruin one’s spiritual life.