Vaishnava Etiquette & Nectar of Devotion Part II Etiquette within temple Characteristics of pure devotional service

Mangalacharan verse 2 çré-caitanya-mano-'bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam SYNONYMS çré-caitanya—(of) Lord Caitanya; manaù—(within) the mind; abhéñöam—what is desired; sthäpitam— established; yena—by whom; bhü-tale—on the surface of the globe; svayam—himself; rüpaù-Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé; kadä—when; mahyam—unto me; dadäti—will give; sva—his own; pada—lotus feet; antikam—proximity to. TRANSLATION When will Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé Prabhupäda, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?

Etiquette within temple Meditating upon deities : take “Darshan” with devotion and beg for Their mercy. Process of taking darshan – gradually from feet to head – S.B , “The process of meditation should begin from Lotus Feet of the Lord and progress to His smiling face….” result – intelligence purified & detachment from sense gratification.

Etiquette within temple Big deities – Ishtadeva (worshippable deity for congregation) – natural to take Their darshan first. Big deities – Ishtadeva (worshippable deity for congregation) – natural to take Their darshan first. Darshan in ascending order or descending order – both correct – HG Jananivas Prabhu. Darshan in ascending order or descending order – both correct – HG Jananivas Prabhu. If other devotees are sitting and we are standing, stand on side – not to obstruct darshan for those who are sitting. If other devotees are sitting and we are standing, stand on side – not to obstruct darshan for those who are sitting. Darshan from left to right - progressively. Darshan from left to right - progressively.

Etiquette within temple Sitting regulations : 1.While sitting in temple, do not show/point feet to deities, Tulsi plant, Srila Prabhpada or Spiritual master. 2. No back to deities or Vyasasana (sp. during class). 3. Do not fall asleep in front of deities.

Nectar of Devotion – Ch.1 Further characteristics of devotional service are described by Rüpa Gosvämé with evidences from different scriptures. (1) Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. (2) Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness. (3) Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure. (4) Pure devotional service is rarely achieved. (5) Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation. (6) Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kåñëa.

Relief from material distress Lord’s assurance – protection from sinful reactions to surrendered souls. Lord’s assurance – protection from sinful reactions to surrendered souls. Distress – Sins in this life and sins in past lives. Distress – Sins in this life and sins in past lives. Sinful activities – due to ignorance – 2 kinds, mature and not mature. Sinful activities – due to ignorance – 2 kinds, mature and not mature. Mature – suffering in present and not mature – suffering in future e.g. criminal not yet arrested. Mature – suffering in present and not mature – suffering in future e.g. criminal not yet arrested.

Mature sinful activities In this way - chain of sinful activities and their concomitant distresses. In this way - chain of sinful activities and their concomitant distresses. Conditioned soul is suffering in the present life the results of sinful activities from his past life, and he is meanwhile creating further sufferings for his future life. Conditioned soul is suffering in the present life the results of sinful activities from his past life, and he is meanwhile creating further sufferings for his future life. Mature sinful activities are exhibited if one is suffering from some chronic disease, if one is suffering from some legal implication, if one is born in a low and degraded family or if one is uneducated or very ugly. Mature sinful activities are exhibited if one is suffering from some chronic disease, if one is suffering from some legal implication, if one is born in a low and degraded family or if one is uneducated or very ugly.

Glory of Devotional Service But all of these reactions to sinful deeds can immediately be stopped if we take to Kåñëa consciousness. But all of these reactions to sinful deeds can immediately be stopped if we take to Kåñëa consciousness. "My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it." "My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it." The purport is that as the blazing fire can burn any amount of fuel to ashes, so devotional service to the Lord in Kåñëa consciousness can burn up all the fuel of sinful activities. E.g. Arjun fighting in Kurukshetra war. The purport is that as the blazing fire can burn any amount of fuel to ashes, so devotional service to the Lord in Kåñëa consciousness can burn up all the fuel of sinful activities. E.g. Arjun fighting in Kurukshetra war.