Sri Siksastaka – description of book

Not only in Sri Gaudiya Vaisnava literature, but in the Sruti, Smrti, Puranas and the entirety of Indian literature, Sri Siksastaka, issued from the divine mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, shines as a supremely radiant, transcendental jewel. It is a source of boundless happiness to me that today, by the inspiration and causeless mercy of my most revered spiritual master, nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, this Sri Siksastaka is presented to the reading audience in the Hindi language.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the incarnation who delivers the fallen conditioned souls in the age of Kali, is directly the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna Himself. Vrajendra-nandana Sri Krsna, overwhelmed with an intense desire to relish a particular sentiment, assumed the heartfelt ecstatic mood and bodily complexion of Srimati Radhika, the embodiment of His own pleasure potency (hladini-sakti), and bestowed upon the entir world the gifts of His holy name and divine love for Him. By His deep scholarship, matchless renunciation, humility supremely radiant spotless character and pre-eminent transcendental devotional sentiment, He not only astounded renowned scholars, but also very easily attracted ordinary religionists and elevated devotees to the religion of unalloyed spiritual love.

Due to the distinctive and magnanimous characteristics, not only of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but of His followers as well, from Sri Svarupa Damodara, Raya Ramananda and the Six Gosvamis up to present day acaryas and devotees, the waves of devotion unto the Supreme Lord (bhagavad-bhakti) have spread to every town and village of the world. Everywhere, the sound of the congregational chanting of Krsna’s holy names (harinama-sankirtana) is resounding, accompanied by mrdanga and karatalas.

It is truly a source of great honour and happiness for us that today the extensive Gaudiya Vaisnava literatures are appearing in many other major languages and Gaudiya Vaisnavism is being propagated around the world. Nevertheless, it is a matter of great astonishment that, in spite of being unlimitedly qualified, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not personally write any books like spiritual teachers who propounded other opinions. Instead, He inspired His followers to write books. Only eight verses are famous as His own composition. Some other verses have been attributed to Him, but up till now this has not been substantiated.

This Siksastaka is the very essence of all the Vedas. Although its Sanskrit language is quite simple, its import is so profound that even if one studies it throughout his life, his study will not come to an end. Each time one reads and deliberates on this subject, newer and newer meanings come to light. Therefore it remains eternally fresh. This Sri Siksastaka is a veritable necklace for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the modern age and author of many sacred texts expounding the glories of bhakti, has again initiated the flow of the mighty Ganges-like river of bhakti, inundating the entire world in the flood of love of God (krsna-prema). He has written a soul-stirring commentary to these eight verses, filled with many important philosophical conclusions. This commentary is famous by the name of Sri Sanmodana-bhasya, the commentary that brings delight to the devotees.

To understand the hidden truths of the original verses without careful study of this commentary is not only difficult, but impossible. Concealed in these verses is the paramount ecstatic sentiment (bhava) of the full-blown, spiritually radiant mellow of amorous love (ujjvala-prema-rasa, or srngara-rasa) situated within the heart of the incarnation of divine love, Sri Sacinandana Gaurahari. Beholding this incomparable bhava with the help of this captivating commentary, one is sure to be astonished at every step. Furthermore, one’s heart becomes deeply overwhelmed with transcendental pleasure, and unprecedented faith and devotional sentiment develop towards Sri Krsna’s holy name.

This subject is most important and its greatness is unlimited. Moreover, the commentator has illuminated this subject in summary yet in a very significant manner. Therefore to write more is like holding a lamp to illuminate the sun.

The truths of sambandha (knowledge relevant to the development of one’s relationship with the Lord), abhidheya (the process of devotional life) and prayojana (the ultimate goal of one’s devotion) are very nicely included in Sri Siksastaka. Although instructions regarding abhidheya are inherent within all eight verses, Verses One through Five deal with devotion in the stage of practice (sadhana-bhakti), Verses Six and Seven deal with devotion on the level of ecstatic emotion (bhava-bhakti), and Verses Seven and Eight describe devotion performed on the platform of divine love (prema-bhakti).

In Verses Seven and Eight, in particular, is found a preeminent example of Srimati Radhika’s deep emotional anguish due to love in separation (vipralambha-prema-vaicittya), instigated by Her own adhirudha-mahabhava. [Prema-vaicittya refers to a state in which even in the beloved’s presence, the lover, out of intense love, fails to perceive the presence of the beloved and is thus aggrieved with feelings of separation.]

Jagad-guru nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, in the year 1929, edited and published Sri Siksastaka in the Bengali language within a book entitled Sadhana-patha. It included the Sanmodana-bhasya and songs composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and a short commentary of his own known simply as Vivrti (commentary). However, its non-availability in Hindi was acutely felt by me. It was the desire of my most revered spiritual master that these Bengali devotional literatures of unparalleled benefit be published in Hindi. He kindly inspired me to fulfil this purpose.

Lastly, I am especially obliged to the present day head and acarya of the Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, parivrajakacarya Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja. He is a very influential acarya, deeply immersed in spiritual knowledge. Moreover, he is an object of great affection of our spiritual master. At this time, he himself is engaged in preparing and editing Gaudiya devotional literature in the Bengali language. This edition is being published by his special enthusiasm and inspiration. May he kindly deliver this precious Siksastaka into the lotus hands of our revered çrî gurudeva and thus fulfil his innermost desire. This is our fervent prayer at his respected feet.

I have complete faith that this book will be respectfully received by faithful sadhakas possessed of yearning for bhakti and by learned circles as well. By studying this book, such persons may enter into the spotless religion of divine love (prema-dharma) propagated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is our desire.

Being aggrieved at the distress of others, may Sri Sacinandana Gaurahari and our most revered spiritual master, who is the direct embodiment of the Lord’s mercy, be pleased and bestow upon us eligibility to serve their inner heart’s desire – this is our sole heartfelt prayer at their lotus feet.

An aspirant for a particle of mercy of sri guru and the Vaisnavas, Tridandi-bhiksu Sri Bhaktivedanta Narayana

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