Narottama Siksa (Bathing in The Pristine Waters of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura’s Teachings)

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It is pertinent to consider that the spiritual wisdom revealed in the Vedic literature is profound, confidential, and, hence, exceptionally subtle. Therefore, when the message is poeticized and sung by an enlightened master like Narottama Dasa Thakura, its potency is unstoppably multiplied. As such, it penetrates the hearts of those who give their attention to it.

Vadunandana Swami is a sannyasi monk in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) with more than 40 years of experience in the study, practice, and teaching of Bhakti-Yoga in the disciplic succession coming from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

He holds a MA in t he Study of Religion from the t University of Wales. Trinity St. David. U.K. and has lectured in many universities and international conferences in more than thirty countries around the world. Ills specialization is Krishna conscious education anti personal development. He also has many year of experience in leading educational projects and spiritual communities, inter-religious dialogue, and yoga conferences.

He is an initiated disciple of His Holiness Satsvarupa Hasa Goswami and a sannyasa disciple of His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami, who are both initiated disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupado the founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

Yadunandana Swami's treatise Narottama Sika, Bathing in the Pristine Waters of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura's Teachings' is a clear and profound exploration of all the themes in the poet's two books Prarthana and Prema Bhakti-candrika. Narottama Dasa Thakura's songs are very influential in the disciplic succession from Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing some five hundred years ago in India. The author of the book you are about to read has done a great service to devotees of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna and to all sincere spiritual seekers by presenting Narottama Dasa Thakura in accessible yet penetrating modern English. Narottama wrote in simple Bengali language; his teach-ings are considered, 'as good as Vedic evidence'. In a similar way, by discussing and explaining Narottama in twenty-first century English, Yadunandana Swami gives us an open view into the heart of the esoteric poet-devotee.

The author systematically presents the favourite, predominant devices used by Narottama in his songs. Expressions of unworthiness, aspirations to serve Radha-Krsna, anticipation of reaching the ultimate goal, these and many other of Narottama Dasa Thakura's themes are elucidated beautifully in the book.

In a special section, the author fully discusses the advanced topic of spontaneous love of God (raganuga-bhakti) and gives precautions about prematurely practicing spontaneous love.

Narottama Dasa Thakura's songs are very advanced and confidential in Krsna consciousness, and the author reveals their inner meanings with the hope that the reader will be inspired to patiently follow his or her spiritual master, in a way they can authentically enter these topics.

Yadunandana Swami is an active preacher in the renounced order (sannyasa) and the leader of a rural community in Spain. He is also proving himself a prolific author of Krsna conscious books. I hope I have said enough to whet your appetite. Please turn the page and honor the actual feast.

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Author of srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, Prabhupada Meditations, and many other books

This is the second study, prayer, contemplation, and writing retreat I intend to conduct at the ISKCON Bhaktivedanta-asrama located under the shelter of the most sacred Govardhana Hill. By the divine blessings of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari and Their dear devotees, during the first retreat I wrote a journal in which I recollected the external and inner realizations I experienced throughout my few weeks of introspection at Govardhana. In this second retreat, I intend to read, reflect, contemplate, pray and write on the writings of Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura, one of the most influential, powerful, and sweet Vaisnava Acaryas, i.e. masters of divine love, in the disciplic line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I pray to the holy feet of my initiating and instructing spiritual masters, my beloved Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, begging for their compassion and empowerment upon this poor sadhaka (spiritual practitioner). I pray that despite my many shortcomings, I may be instrumental in carrying and distributing the pristine waters of Narottama Dasa Thakura's teachings. May all the readers of this book imbibe Narottama Dasa Thakura's message and practically apply it in their lives. By doing so they will experience eternity, wisdom, and the highest bliss.

**Contents and Sample Pages**