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THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-

GITALesson 3:

Pińgalā, the Prostitute

(SB Canto 11, Chapter 8)

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A brief synopsis of what the avadhüta brähmaëa learned

from his “gürus” in surrounding material nature

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“Güru” in the material nature

He had learned

1) The earth (mountains and trees as parts of the earth;

11.7.37-38)

to be tolerant, to serve others, and to dedicate one’s whole life for the benefit of others.

2) The air (the life air and wind; 11.7.40-41)

•to be satisfied with merely keeping the body & soul together •to remain uncontaminated by the body & sense objects.

3) The sky (11.7.42-43) the soul, which pervade all material substances, is both indivisible and imperceptible.

4) The water (11.7.44) to be naturally clear and purifying.5) The fire (11.7.45-47) to burn to ashes all the past and future sinful

reactions of his subordinates/worshipers. (Contd)

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A brief synopsis…(Contd)

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“Güru” in the material nature

He had learned

6) The moon (11.7.48) the material body undergoes growth and dwindling.

7) The sun (11.7.50-51) •to avoid entanglement even while coming into contact with sense objects•about the two different modes of perception based on seeing the real form of the soul and seeing false designative coverings

8) The pigeon (11.7.52-74) •excessive affection and attachments ends up in sufferings •this human body is the open door to liberation, but if one becomes attached to family life like the pigeon, one is compared to a person who has climbed up to a high place just to fall down again. (Contd)

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A brief synopsis…(Contd)“Güru” in the

material natureHe had learned

9) The python (11.8.1-4) to accept what comes of its own accord10) The ocean (11.8.5-6) •to remain steady in happiness and distress

•to be grave and undisturbed in abundance and scarcity•Saintly person always remain tranquil like the ocean

11) The moth (11.8.7-8) •attracted to fire & burnt to death•lesson of beautiful sight—opposite sexual attraction, but deadly

12) The honeybee (11.8.9-12)

•lesson of smell—gather nectar from different flowers•Saintly person begs from different householders door to door—madhukari•Similarly he takes the essence of the scriptures•He avoids atyähära, or ever-eating, and -accumulation

13) The elephant (11.8.13-14)

•Lesson of touch the bull elephant tricked by hunters into moving towards captive she-elephants fall into a ditch•Similarly a man sexually attached to an attractive woman falls into a deep well of material life (Contd)

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A brief synopsis…(Contd)“Güru” in the material

natureHe had learned

14) The honey thief (11.8.15-16)

•Hoarding ends up losing•better spend for Krsna

15) The deer (11.8.17-18) •Lesson of sound (lured by hearing hunter’s flute)•Prajalpa, or hearing mundane sound creates material desires

16) The fish (11.8.19-21) •Lesson of tongue—sense of taste caught onto a fisherman’s hook•Control the tongue by honoring krsna-prasädam

17) Pińgalā, the Prostitute (11.8.22-44)

•Detachment from sense gratification•Hopes of sense enjoyment sufferings•Frustrations/failures detachment Lord’s blessings in disguise•Thereafter engaged in thinking of the Supreme•Only one who gives up such hankering can fix oneself in meditation upon the Personality of Godhead and achieve transcendental peace (Contd)

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