Principles of Devotional Service - Sanatana Gosvami

Oct. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- In Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Sanatana Gosvami has enumerated the basic principles of devotional service to be followed by the Vaishnavas. There are a total of sixty-four regulative principles. The first ten items, which are the primary regulative principles, are preliminary necessities for beginning the discharge of devotional service in regulative principle. If a neophyte devotee observes these principles from the beginning, he will quickly advance in Krishna consciousness.

Next are the ten secondary regulative principles, by which one can elevate himself to the platform of sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice. These twenty are followed by an additional forty-four activities. Out of these sixty-four items for discharging the regulative practice of devotional service, five are considered the most important: worshiping the Deity, hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam, associating among the devotees, sankirtana, and living in Mathura.

Ten Primary Regulative Principles

1. Accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master
2. Becoming initiated by the spiritual master and learning how to discharge devotional service from him
3. Obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion
4. Following in the footsteps of great acharyas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master
5. Inquiring from the spiritual master how to advance in Krishna consciousness
6. Being prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna (this means that when we are engaged in the devotional service of Krishna, we must be prepared to give up something which we may not like to give up, and also we have to accept something which we may not like to accept)
7. Residing in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvaraka or Vrindavana
8. Accepting only what is necessary, or dealing with the material world only as far as necessary
9. Observing the fasting day on Ekadashi
10. Worshiping sacred trees like the banyan tree

Ten Secondary Regulative Principles

1. One should rigidly give up the company of nondevotees.
2. One should not instruct a person who is not desirous of accepting devotional service.
3. One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries.
4. One should not try to read too many books, nor should one develop the idea of earning his livelihood by lecturing on or professionally reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita.
5. One should not be neglectful in ordinary dealings.
6. One should not be under the spell of lamentation in loss or jubilation in gain.
7. One should not disrespect the demigods.
8. One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity.
9. One should carefully avoid the various offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord or in worshiping the Deity in the temple.
10. One should be very intolerant toward the blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, or His devotees.

Forty-four Other Activities

1. One should decorate the body with tilaka, which is the sign of the Vaishnavas. (The idea is that as soon as a person sees these marks on the body of the Vaishnava, he will immediately remember Krishna.)
2. In marking such tilaka, sometimes one may write Hare Krishna on the body.
3. One should accept flowers and garlands that have been offered to the Deity and the spiritual master and put them on one's body.
4. One should learn to dance before the Deity.
5. One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing the Deity or the spiritual master.
6. As soon as one visits a temple of Lord Krishna, one must stand up.
7. When the Deity is being borne for a stroll in the street, a devotee should immediately follow the procession.
8. A devotee must visit a Vishnu temple at least once or twice every day, morning and evening.
9. One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times.
10. One must worship the Deity in the temple according to the regulative principles. (Offering arati and prasada, decorating the Deity, etc.)
11. One must render personal service to the Deities.
12. One must sing.
13. One must perform sankirtana.
14. One must chant.
15. One must offer prayers.
16. One must recite notable prayers.
17. One must taste maha-prasada (food from the very plate offered before the Deities).
18. One must drink caranamrta (water from the bathing of the Deities, which is offered to guests).
19. One must smell the incense and flowers offered to the Deity.
20. One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.
21. One must see the Deity with great devotion.
22. One must offer arati (aratrika) at different times.
23. One must hear about the Lord and His pastimes from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and similar books.
24. One must pray to the Deity for His mercy.
25. One should remember the Deity.
26. One should meditate upon the Deity.
27. One should render some voluntary service.
28. One should think of the Lord as one's friend.
29. One should offer everything to the Lord.
30. One should offer a favorite article (such as food or a garment).
31. One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Krishna's benefit.
32. In every condition, one should be a surrendered soul.
33. One should pour water on the tulasi tree.
34. One should regularly hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and similar literature.
35. One should live in a sacred place like Mathura, Vrindavana or Dvaraka.
36. One should offer service to Vaishnavas (devotees).
37. One should arrange one's devotional service according to one's means.
38. In the month of Karttika (October and November), one should make arrangements for special services.
39. During Janmashtami (the time of Krishna's appearance in this world) one should observe a special service.
40. One should do whatever is done with great care and devotion for the Deity.
41. One should relish the pleasure of Bhagavatam reading among devotees and not among outsiders.
42. One should associate with devotees who are considered more advanced.
43. One should chant the holy name of the Lord.
44. One should live in the jurisdiction of Mathura.

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