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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