Sri Tattva Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami by Satya Narayana Das

452 Pages·2012·58.64 MB·English

by  Satya Narayana Das

The First Book of the
SRI-SAFSANDARBHA
Tdtion& Commentary
Satya Niirliyana D&a
L -
Kundali DIsa
P- -- --
Srila Prabhupada has often glorified Srila Jiva Gosvami
for h is wonderful accomplishment-SH-sad-~andahha
(Thesix Essences) In the Caitanya-caritamrta he writes:
False devotees, lacking the conclusion of-tran-
scendental knowledge, think that artificially
shedding tears will deliver them. Similarly, other
false devotees think that studying books of the
previous Bcaryas is unadvisable, like studying
dry empiric philosophies. But srila Jiva
Gosvami, following the previous acaryas, has
inculcated the conclusions of the scriptures in
the six theses called the Sat-sandarbhas. False
devotees who have very little knowledge of
such conclusions fail to achieve pure devotion
for want of zeal in accepting the favorable di-
rections for devotional service given by self-
realized devotees. Such false devotees are like
-
impersonalists, who also consider devotional
service no better than ordinary fruitive actions.
Here h i l a Prabhupada asserts that the conclusions
of the scriptures are in the Sat-Sandarbhas. Devotees
eager to be fortified with these conclusions will there-
fore pay close attention to the presentation of the
Sandarbhas in English, complete with illuminating com-
mentary on the words of ~ r i l aJi va Gosvami. Such
scrutinizing study is especially cherished by devotees
who are dedicated to the preaching mission of Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu.T oday, sadly, even among those
in the direct line of Jiva Gosvami, study of the
Sandarbhas is neglected. ~ r i l Par abhupada, however,
before embarking on his mission to bring Krsna con-
. . .
sciousness to the Western world, prepared himself by
l
studying the Sat-Sandarbhas and has encouraged his
7
followers to do the same.
rima ad-~h~gavatam
among them is
Sri Tattva-Sandarbha is the first of
the supreme. It is the essence of the
the Six Sanda&has. For ease of com-
Vedas because it is based on the
prehension these six treatises may be
GayatrTmantra and is the natural com-
listed as follows:
mentary on the Vedanta-sutras.
~ r i l aJi va Gosvami explains
1. Tattva-Sandarbha
Srimad-~hagavatama s it is. To this
(Discourses on Truth)
end he uses a flawless technique, one
2. Bhagavata-Sandarbha
that leaves no room to doubt the va-
(Discourses on God)
lidity of his conclusions. First he has
3. Paramatma-Sandarbha
us consider the heart of the original
(Discourses on the Absolute)
writer, ~ r i lVay asadeva, and the heart
4. Krsna-Sandarbha
. m -
of the speakers, ~ukadevaa nd SOta
(Discourses on Krsna)
Gosvamis. In light of that he analyzes
5. Bhakti-Sandarbha
.
the Bhagavatam incontrovertibly es-
(Discourses on Devotional Service)
tablishing the purpose of this topmost
6. Priti-Sandarbha
pramana. During this analysis Sri ~ i v a
(Discourses on Love)
soundly refutes the impersonalism of
In these six discourses ~ r i l aJiv a
~arikaracaryaw ith logic and scriptural
Gosvami systematically presents the
references.
conclusions of the Gaudiya Vaisnava
. .
Other highlights of Sri Tattva-
philosophy known as acintyabheda-
Sandarbha are: The characteristics of
bheda tattva. In Tattva-Sandarbha he
the atma are explained; Buddhism is
lays the foundation for his presenta-
refuted; the soul is established as
tion of the other Sandarbhas by es-
conscious, bternal, unchanging, and
tablishing the Gaudiya Vaisnava epis-
. .
distinct from the body; an analysis of
temology, or means of knowledge. He
rima ad-~hagavatam
the ten topics of
proves that for the student interested
as enumerated by ~ukadevaan d SOta
in knowledge of the Absolute Truth,
Gosvamis to show the harmony be-
which is beyond sense perception and
tween these two foremost authorities
mental speculation, the valid means
on the Bhagavatam; and that the real
to get knowledge is by sabda-
purpose of the Bhagavatam is to ex-
brahman and that the Vedas are the
plain Lord Krsna.
. . .
supreme pramana (proof).
Altogether, ~ri~attva-~andarbha
He then explains the practical dif-
has sixty-three anucchedas, or sec-
ficulties in understanding the Vedas,
tions. Out of these the first eight
and establishes that study of the
verses are invocatory. Sections nine
Puranas is the solution, for they are
to twen ty-eight discuss Bhagavata
as good as the Vedas, indeed they are
the fifth Veda. Then by process of epistemology. Section twenty-nine to
elimination he shows that among the the end explain prameya, or what ,is
Puranas only sattvika Puranas give the knowable object of knowledge.
clear knowledge of the Absolute and
(continued) SWIANS TITUTE FOR VA.X,S ~ASVTUAD IF!
TATTVSAA- NDARBHA
The First Book of the
Sri Bhagavata-Sandarbha
also known as
Sri- rima ad
Agtottara-sata
~ r i l aJi va Gosvami Prabhupada
Translation and Commentary
Sri Satya Narayana dasa
Head of Sanskrit Dept.
Bhaktk&nta SW- International Gurdda,Vmd&ana
.
.Sri Kundali dasa
Sri Gopipariinadhana dLa
Sanskrit Editor
Sri Dravida d&a
Sri Karma-rfipa diisa
English Editors
L
Interested readers are invited to correspond
with the publishers at this address:
JWAIN STITUTE VAISNAVSAT UDIES
FOR
Sri-Sri
Krsna-Balarama Mandir
Ramana Reti, Vmdavana
Mathura Dist., U.P., 281 124 India
Telephone: [phone]
-
F=: 91 12 9-295547 -
E.Mail: Snd e jiva-ernet-in
(O Copyright 1995
.
C'
JIVAS
All rights reserved
Printed at Rekha Printers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 110 020
I
sandarbha yena nadhita
stasya bhagavate Sramah
sandarbha yena cadhita
nasti bhagavate bhramah
Without studying the Sat-Sandarbhas one
must struggle to understand the message
of the ~firnad-~hagavataamnd he still may
not succeed. One who has studied the
Sat-Sandarbha, however, will have no mis-
givings about the essence of the &/mad-
Bhagavatam.
I would first like to offer my sincere respects to my teacher His
Holiness ~astrMi aharaja, who explained the esoteric meaning
and importance of the Sandabhas to me without inhibition. With-
out his doing so, I would not have dared to make this effort.
Although he has many other important affairs, he saw to it that
' my classes went on without interruption. By his blessings, guid-
ance, and well-wishes I am able to venture on this project. I
always seek the guidance and blessings of this exceptional
Vaisnava scholar.
. .
rima an
My sincere thanks to Kundali Prabhu who not only
worked laboriously to help me shape the book through its many
successive drafts but also helped with many managerial and
practical aspects of the project. I pray that he will always give
me his association.
His grace KUrma ROpa Prabhu keyed in the handwritten manu-
script, did the layout, design, and index. I am grateful to him for
his kind help. Kundali Prabhu and Kurma ROpa Prabhu are like
two pillars supporting the Sandarbha edifice. Coincidentally,
Kundali is also a name of ~ e s aw, ho supports the universe on
. .
His many heads, and KOrma is the name of the tortoise incar-
nation who supported the Mandara mountain used for churning
the ocean to extract nectar.
My deep regards go to His Holiness Dhanurdhara Swami,
,
Principal of the Bhaktivedanta Swami International Gurukula,
Vmdavana for supporting me in my studies.
I thank Sri Purusottama Dasa for editing the Devanagari and
Pundarika Vidyanidhi Dasa for proofreading. Two of my students
Jalandhar and Nandu helped me in a variety of ways for which I
thank them. I pray that they will grow into scholarly devotees
and continue rendering service to the movement of Lord
Cait anya.
Finally, I would like to thank my many friends and well-wish-
ers whose names are not included, but to whom I am indebted
for their practical and moral support.
Satya Narayana Dasa
vraja-bhaktireva vedantah
Sri-gaura eva radhakantah
pracariti yena siddhantah
ratvidam mudari, tasya svantah
Devotional service to Lord Krsna in the mood of
the residents of Vraja is the ultimate conclusion
of all the Vedas and Vedic literature. Lord
Krsna, the sweetheart of ~rimatRi adharani, the
supreme heroine of Vraja, is Sri Gauranga
Mahaprabhu. To the one who vigorously
preached His philosophy, His Divine Grace ~ r i l a
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, may
he be so pleased with this work that he feels
ecstasy in his heart.
Contents
...............................................................................
Preface xi
..................................................................
Mangalacarana xv
.....................................................................
1nt roduct ion XVI.Im
...................................................................
Invocation One 1
...................................................................
Invocation Two 6
..................................................................
Invocaton Three 8
.....................................
The Source of Sri S. a.t -Sandarbha 9
...........................
Homage to Sri Gopala Bha.t t.a Gosvami 10
................................ .. ...........
Qualifications of the Reader 11
...................................................
Homage to the Teachers 13
..................................
The Essence of Sri Sat-Sandarbha 14
....................................................
Vaisnava Epistemology 17
..........
The Vedas Are the Original Source of Knowledge 27
...............................................
The Authority of the Vedas 35
....................................
Difficulties in Studying the Vedas 39
................................
The Rih asas and Puranas Are Vedic 46
..................
The Iti h asas and Puranas Are the Fifth Veda 52
.
Origin of the ltihasas, Puranas. and Vedas is the Same 57
.....
The Compiler of the ltihasas and Puranas is Unique 63
........................................
Three Divisions of the Puranas 68
rima ad-B ..............
hagavatam is the Best of All Purapas 73
..
Bhagavatam is Natural Commentary on Vedanta-sutra 79
....................
rima ad-B
The Characteristics of hagavatam 84
..
Bhagavatam Establishes the Meaning of Mahabharata 93
.........
Bhagavatam is the Essence of all Vedic Literature 98
rima ad-B ............
hagavatam is Luminous Like the Sun 117
....
rima ad-~hagavatam is the Topmost Vedic Scripture 127
~ukadevaG osvami is the Best Scholar of Bhagavataml31
..................... .. ....
rima ad-~hagavat am is Self-Suff icient 135
...............................
Methodology of the Sat-Sandarbha 140
.............................. ... ...........
The Source of References 144
..............
Sri
An Analysis of ~ukadevaG osvami's Faith 148
...................
Analysis of ~ r i lVay asadeva's Trance Part I 153
..................
Analysis of ~ r i l Vay asadeva's Trance Part II 163
I
viii
..................
The Living Entity is Distinct From the Lord 169
........................................
Maya is a Devotee of the Lord 176
........
The Jiva is Conscious and Distinct from the Lord 184
..........................
The Jiva is Not the Supreme Brahman 186
The Jiva is not Merely an Upadhi ................................... 191
...........
Flaws in Pratib imba-vada and Pariccheda-vada 193
Refutations of Prat ib imba-vada and Pariccheda-vada 1 200
....
Refutations of Pratibimba- and Pariccheda-vadas II 206
.............................................
Inconsistencies in Monism 209
...
Vyasadeva's Experience Does Not Support Monism 21 5
............................
The Meaning of Monistic Statements 218
................... ...
Monisti c Statement Need Interpreta t ion 222
S
.............................
Devotional Service is the Abhidheya 226
......................................
Love of God is the Goal of Life 228
..........................................
The Definition of Abhidheya 232
.
Devotional Service Frees One From Material Miseries 237
.........
Love of God is Superior to the Bliss of Brahman 243
............
rima ad-~h~gavatam Attracts Even At maramas 247
.................................
The Subject of the Sat-Sandarbha 257
................
Absolute Reality is Nondual Consciousness 259
............................
The Meaning of Monisti c Statements 263
.............................................
Characteristics of the Soul 274
...............................
The Soul is Distinct From the Body 280
.................... ..
Sri
Summary of Pip palayana's Teachings 287
.....
Ten Topics of Bhagavatam Describe Supreme Lord 289
...
Defining the rima ad-~hagavatam's First Nine Topics 295
...........
Definition of ~rimad-~hagavatamT'esn t h Topic 301
....................................
The Lord is the Ultimate Shelter 303
...............................
The Jiva is Not the Ultimate Shelter 307
......
Suta Gosvami Lists the Ten Topics of Bhagavatam 311
........
Suta Gosvami Defines theTopics of Bhagavatam 319
......................................................................
Conclusion 328
.................................................................
Appendix One 341
................
Dispute Over the Length of the Bhagavatam 344
....................................................................
Bibliography 394
................................................................................
Index 397