INTRODUCTION

 

Prakrita  Rasa Aranya-Chedini (Cutting the Jungle of Misconception) is a compilation of twenty-one articles that were written over a period of three years. Each of the articles disputes a particular  misconception prevalent in the Gaudiya Vaisnava world.The first chapter of the book begins by establishing the position of a Vaisnava according to the opinion of sdstra and the Supreme Lord Sri  Caitanyadeva. Subsequent chapters of the book establish the Gaudiya siddhdnta (conclusive philosophical truths) according to guru (acaryas), sddhu, and Sdstra (the spiritual master, saintly  persons, and revealed scripture).Prdkrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini establishes the proper understanding of various controversial issues concerning; the origin of thejiva, the fall of thejiva into material  bondage, the pure consciousness of the jiva, the position of the guru, the Golden Age, the position of the Founder Acdrya, the leader of the Gaudiya sampraddya, the different types of disciples,  the highest vision of guru-tattva, the omniscience of the guru, the highest aspiration of the liberated jlva, the process by which the jiva achieves the highest perfection, the titles of Prabhupada and  Deva, the position of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the chanting of the Holy Name, the proper qualification (adh.ika.ra) for discussing higher lilas, the stage of purification (anartha-nivrttt), hearing from  rasika-gurus, who is actually a bona-fide deary a, the divine sentiments of love of God, the highest standards of worship, and the instructions of liberated souls.By no means has Prdkrta-rasa  Aranya-Chedini been written for the general public who have no background in krishna consciousness.

 

Prdkrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini is for the devotees of Sri Caitanyadeva who seek clarification or conclusive answers to some of the controversial issues in our contemporary Vaisnava  society.siddhdnta baliya cite no. kara alaSa iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for  such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri krishna." (Cc. Adi. 2.117)The conclusive truths put forth in Prdkrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini are according to acaryas  in the disciplic succession of Srlla Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI Thakura. The statements and quotes found in this book are not the opinions of the conditioned souls of this world for such would  have no value in the assembly of pure Vaisnavas.The inspiration for the title of this book came from Srlla Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI Thakura, who at the beginning of  the 20* century compiled a  book entitled Prdkrta-rasa Sata Dusini (one hundred misconceptions of the sahajiyd mellows). Many of the verses composed in Prdkrta-rasa Sata-Dusini by Srlla Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI  Thakura are quoted in Prdkrta-rasa Aranya-Chedini the focus of which aims at exposing the defects of those who imitate the practices of the highest order of Vaisnavas.Prior to the appearance  of Srlla Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI Thakura the sahajiyd movements and pseudo gurus had all but ruined the good name of the Vaisnavas. Due to the improper behavior of rascals and imitators  the word Vaisnava that was once held in great regard by societies' elite had completely fallen under foot and the Vaisnavas were thought to be bands of beggars and woman-hunters.To save the  dignity of the highest order of Vaisnavas (paramahamsas) SarasvatI Thakura preached strongly against the pseudo practices of all those who misrepresented the pure teachings of Sri  Caitanyadeva.

 

The strength and intensity of his preaching shook the very ground upon which his opponents stood. No one could continue to contend with him and soon the sahajiyds and pseudo gurus withered  away in fear.SarasvatI Thakura preached exclusively the pure mellows of madhurya-rasa, but to do so he had to cut the jungle of misconception. He reopened the storehouse of divine love and  showed the way for all sincere souls to follow. It has been said by SarasvatI Thakura's most intimate disciples that, "He spared gallons of blood to establish what is not the madhurya-rasa.  SarasvatI Thakura used 90% of his energy to point out what is not the madhurya-rasa.Pujala raga-patha gaurava bhange the whole tenor of the life of SarasvatI Thakura is captured in  this verse:The raga-patha is on our head. We are servants of the path of spontaneous love. We are in vidhi-mdrga under the rule of sastra, and we must always keep the raga-patha upon our  head.Now close to a century after the preaching campaign of SarasvatI Thakura came to a close, the sahajiyds and pseudo gurus arc again stirring about, and various misconceptions have  somehow crept into the minds of many aspiring devotees. By the blessings of Srlla Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI Thakura this Prdkrta-rasa Aranya-Chedird will help guide sincere souls  through the jungle of misconception to reach the path of pure devotion and thus attain the eternal loving service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda.

 

SvamI B.G. Narasiiigha

Snana-yatra Mahotsava

518 Gaurabda

June 14th 2003