The Temple of Love and Affection Verse 2
The 186 verses which adorn the Temple of Love and Affection are organised into numerous categories and arranged on the Temple to emphasise particular themes which are prominent in the preaching our beloved Gurudev, Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj.
There are seven decorative framed boxes around the the inner walls of the temple within which we have presented seven sets of verses on the following themes:
Hari-Kathā
Śaraṇāgati
Śrī Nāma-Prabhu
Viraha
Bhagavān Śrī Chaitanyadev
Akhila-Rasāmṛta-Mūrti Śrī Kṛṣṇa
Muralī-Dhara Śrī Kṛṣṇa
As we gradually present the Temple’s verses, we have decided to first present the verses compiled on the theme of Hari-Kathā so as to underscore the significance and relishable nature of this endeavour as a whole.
We began by presenting Śrīla Govinda Mahārāj’s most favourite verse which itself illustrates this theme in full. Now we will successively present the additional verses on this theme which he had particular affinity for.
Verse 2
tad eva ramyaṁ ruchiraṁ navaṁ navaṁ
tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam
tad eva śokārṇava-śoṣaṇaṁ nṛṇāṁ
yad uttamaḥśloka-yaśo ’nugīyate
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 12.12.5o)
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as Uttamaḥśloka. This Name describes the Lord as He who possesses the topmost character and as He whose glories are sung by the sādhus—the topmost of all jīva-souls. Words and expressions by which the glories of Uttamaḥśloka are sung are supremely pleasing and attractive (ramya), bestow ever-fresh, newer, and newer nectarean taste (incite ever-increasing divine hankering—ruchira), are a grand, perpetual festival for the heart and dry up the ocean of (all forms of) lamentation. (Such words and expressions are the only source of truth and auspiciousness.)”
The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming release Revealed Truth:
If we realise what we have received from our Gurudev, pure consciousness about Śrī Kṛṣṇa, then in everything—every song, every advice, every thought, every śloka—we will feel, “My own existence is present there.”
All Kṛṣṇa conscious expressions have their own very nice and very sweet character.
tad eva ramyaṁ ruchiraṁ navaṁ navaṁ
tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam
tad eva śokārṇava-śoṣaṇaṁ nṛṇāṁ
yad uttamaḥśloka-yaśo ’nugīyate
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: 12.12.50)
Tad eva ramyam, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very tasteful, beautiful, and ecstatic. Ruchiraṁ navaṁ navam, it can reveal new light and new inspiration at every moment. As someone hears about Kṛṣṇa consciousness he will not be satisfied by hearing only a little talk or discussion, he will want to hear more and more. Tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam, Kṛṣṇa consciousness always gives everyone’s heart the transcendental feelings of a great festival, just as we always happily expect there will be many varieties of very nice, palatable mahā-prasādam on a festival day.
Parīkṣit Mahārāj said,
yach-chhṛṇvatāṁ rasa-jñānāṁ
svādu svādu pade pade
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: 1.1.19)
“If you try to discuss Kṛṣṇa consciousness as much as possible at every moment, very palatable and tasteful ecstasy and nectar will come to you again and again, and take on newer and newer forms.”
Vedavyās also said,
nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ
śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam
pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayaṁ
muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: 1.1.3)
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is like a very sweet ripened fruit that has neither skin nor seed. As you taste it, at every moment it gives more and more ecstatic feelings and strength.