A Drop of the Nectarian Ocean, Bhakti rasa. Composed by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the crown prince of illustrious teachers among the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas is the author of what is considered to be one of the greatest treasures of Vaisnavas. In this great book is a description of the nature of uttama bhakti, its divisions, saddhana bhakti, the stages in the development of prema, love, the angas of bhajana, offences committed in the performance of devotional service, sevaparadha, offences against the holy name, namaparadha, vaidhi and raganuga saddhana bhakti, prema bhakti, and bhakti rasa. Translated and commented upon by Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, He says, I have complete faith that those who are possessed of yearning for bhakti and especially the sadhakas of raganuga bhakti who are captivated by vraja rasa will receive this book with great reverence. Faithful persons who study this book will obtain qualification to enter into the wealth of prema of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Clearing up the confusion, some persons claim there are differences in the conclusions taught by Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja and A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, of Iskcon. These authoritative responses from many of the objections will help the reader understand these. The following article will examine, one by one, the points made in the paper, in the light of scriptural evidence and the statements of Srila Prabhupada himself.
Arcana Dipika teaches us how this service is performed and how to please the Lord through this process of worship. By the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Six Gosvamis and other contemporary followers of Sriman Mahaprabhu, and more recently Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja the process of Deity worship, which is the authentic method of approaching the Supreme Lord, has been successfully introduced to the entire world.
Issuing from the divine mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the eight verses comprising this Sri Siksastaka shine as the supremely radiant transcendental jewel of the entirety of Indian literature. They are the very essence of all the Vedas, transcendental sciptures. Although its Sanskrit language is quite simple, its import is profound and even if one studies it throughout his life, his study will not come to an end.