Bhaktivinoda Thakura

APASAMPRADAYER SVARUPA

The Smarta Doctrine



			 

    Two kinds of smrti sastra:



    1) spiritual, or satvata smrtis;



    2) material, moral or fruitivework oriented smrtis.



      Satvata smrtis include: Sri Bharadvaja Samhita (included in

Narada  Pancaratra),  Brhat  Samhita,  Visnu Samuccaya, Vaikhanas

Samhita,  the  Agamapramanya  compiled  by  Sage  Albandaru,  the

Sadacar  Smrti  compiled  by  Sage  Purna  Prajna,  the Krsnamrta

Maharnava,  the  SmrtyarthaSagara  by  Cchadari Nrsimhacarya, the

Prameyamala   by   Vira   Raghava,   the  Prayoga  Candrika,  the

Vaisnavaкdharmasuradrumamanjari   by   SamkarsanaSaranadeva,  the

Smrtiкratnakara  by  Vitthalacarya,  the  Sri Haribhaktivilasa by

Srila  Gopala  Bhatta  Gosvami Prabhu, the Sri Satkriyasaradipika

and the Samskaracandrikapaddhati by Sri Dhyana Candra.



    "The  ordinary  nontheorist  community  and the sinful living

entities  cannot  understand the wide difference existing between

apparent similarities and sincere dedication ((between a "smarta"

and  a  Vaisnava)).  They are thus becoming smartas with external

vaisnava  designations;  thatis,  although externally maintaining

all  the  rituals  and  activities of a Vaisnava, they internally

cherish allegiance to the smarta ideal of materialistic work. The

lay  nontheorist  society  cannot diagnose this deceptive disease

infecting  the  remotest  corners  of  the  heart; it is the true

doctor, conversant in the scriptures and in the science of Krsna,

who  is  aware  of these complications and can persuade the frank

and  surrendered  soul  of  these diseases and endeavor for their

cure.  They  look  for  sincere  dedication  and not for external

details  of  Vaisnavism  or  for  drama.  Where dedication serves

materialism  the  sense  organs,  and  seeks  peace, prasadam and

contentment,  there  are  only  material or moral regulations the

smarta  doctrine  in the guise of a socalled vaisnava doctrine is

evident.  Only  the  mercy  ofa pure devotee can deliver one from

this dire calamity."



    	 Celebrating occasions like Ekadasi:



    	Vaisnavas  or  spiritualists  celebrate  such  occasions  as

enhancers of devotion or out of the pleasure of serving Krsna and

without  any  desire.  Smartas, on the other hand, celebrate them

for  physical or mental welfare or as activities fulfilling their

moral,  economic  or sexual desires. So, notwithstanding apparent

similarities,  the  motives of Vaisnavas vs. those of smartas are

poles apart. j МTaking bath in and worshiping the Ganges



    	Vaisnavas  view  the Ganges as nectar from Visnu's feet, are

reminded of Visnu by her contact and take bath in her in a spirit

of service, knowing her to be a transcendental object of service.

So  "even  Ganga  herself  desires  to  bathe  Haridasa". But the

smartas  want to utilize Ganges water for cleansing themselves of

sins,  filth  and  unholy  thoughts. The Ganges, whose water even

Lord  Siva  takes gladly on his head as it washes the feet of his

Lord,  the  smartas  want to use as maidservant or a sincleansing

machine.



    Installing and worshiping Deity forms of the Lord:



    	The Vaisnavas do not differentiate between Krsna Himself and

His  Deityform.  They  accept  sankirtana  as  the prime means of

worship  and  by  that  means  perform  the  abhisekha  and other

rituals,  according  to  Sriman  Mahaprabhu's  instructions.  The

smartas  consider  the  Deity  as  different  from  the  Lord, as

something transient and imaginary for temporary assistance of the

aspirant,  to  be  rejected or immersed later on. They imagine to

instil  life  and  consciousness  into  the idol and employ it in

gratifying  their  desires. Sometimes they even use Deity worship

for enhancing some trade.



    Establishing monasteries:



    	The  Vaisnavas  establish  monasteries  to  provide  saintly

association  and  propagate the sankirtana movement. They believe

that just as lighting a fire to cook food rids us of darkness and

cold as well without separate endeavor, similarly sankirtana will

relieve  us  of  all social problems. Smartas, on the other hand,

pompously  open  monasteries for the sake of selfadvertisement or

for  some  temporal  social or moral welfare. Thus freehospitals,

artifical  celibacyschools,  gymnasiums,  etc.  are often part of

their monasteries. Or they may open abbeys for hoarding property,

deceiving other people or such other material activities.



    Deity worship:



    	Vaisnavas  know that the nonVaisnava or onoprincipled man is

not  qualified  for  Deity  worship  even  if born in the best of

families.  Only  when he attains "bhutasuddhi" or the realization

that  the  constitutional  position  of  the  living  entity is a

servant of Krsna from a bona fide spiritual master can he perform

purified worship. To the smartas the only qualification necessary

for   Deity   worship  are  birth  in  a  high  family,  external

clenaliness  and  ability  to  chant sanskrit verses. The post of

Deity  worship  expands like a priest's profession. Mentally they

do  not  consider  the Deity as God and do not try to arrange for

the Deity's comfort.