Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.86

c10.s1.86

Gopāla Bhaṭṭa now proceeds to explain in detail the general characteristics of the Bhāgavata religion (Bhagavad-dharma), which leads to the love (Rati) of the deity. The subject is approached more from the point of view of religious practice than theology and philosophy. Besides general qualities like kindness, friendship, reverence, piety, penance, compassion, restraint of words and deeds, study, simplicity, continence, power of endurance, contentment and so forth, the list of special characteristics includes such overt acts of piety and observance of vows, rites and usages as are enjoined by the Vaiṣṇava Śāstras. These are, for instance, the observance of the eleventh day of a fortnight (Ekādaśī), on which day fasting is considered indispensable and efficacious, celebration of certain nights with vigil, daily worship, reciting of the thousand sacred names, keeping vows on the Mahā-dvādaśī days, constant use of Tulasi garland, Tulasi paste and Tulasi leaves in all religious acts, holding the Pādodaka on one's head and partaking of the sacred food-offering (Naivedya), annual visit to Mathurā, listening to the scriptures and singing the glories of the deity, dancing and music on the nights of vigil and a series of similar pious acts which foster devotion to the Bhagavat. The chapter concludes with a description of the merits of celebrating the glories of the deeds and sports (Līlā) of the Bhagavat.