Siksastaka

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The Siksastaka (Siksa means 'instruction', and astaka means 'eight') is an eight-verse poem composed by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is believed to be the only directly written teachings left by Chaitanya, with the majority of his philosophy being codyfied by his primary disciples, known as the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan.^[1] The Siksastaka is quoted within the Chaitanya Charitamrita^[2], Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami's biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, written in Bengali script. The teachings contained within the eight verses are believed to contain the essence of all teachings on Bhakti yoga within the Gaudiya tradition.

1 Importance of Japa
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Importance of Japa

Within his Siksastaka, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stresses on the importance of singing (bhajan) and chanting (japa) the Names of God. This is the primary feature of Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual practice (sadhana).

2) O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

3) One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Gaudiya.com "Sri Chaitanya is not known to have written anything but a series of verses known as the Siksastaka, the eight verses of instruction. He requested a select few among his followers, who later came to be known as the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, to systematically present in their writings the theology of bhakti he had taught."
^ CC-Al 6.239 ""One who thinks himself lower than grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord."