The Nectar of Instruction

by A.C. Bhaktivedanta

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, December 31, 1998

Essential spiritual teachings

Across five centuries and half the globe comes this compact guidebook of essential spiritual teachings. How to choose a guru, how to practice yoga, even where to live. You'll find it all in this invaluable work originally written in Sanskrit by Srila Rupa Goswami, the greatest spiritual genius of medieval India. Now translated and explained by Srila Prabhupada, "The Nectar of Instruction" is the key to enlightenment for all seekers on the path of spiritual perfection.

Genres: Religion, Hinduism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Devotional, Philosophy, Ebooks

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.

He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.

In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

Reviews

[Vance Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am doing a review of the first twenty pages of this text. I believe the speaker was speaking from a place of love. Every word seemed to have its own place. If I were the author, I would have avoided talking about Christians who go to church on sunday and then sin again on monday. This rhetoric employs disconnects between religions. As a Baha'i , I believe that all religions should be able to agree. I just want to see that vision in the future. The author used rhetoric that spoke directly to the reader and then there were blocks of text in a language I could not understand. I would like to take time and learn more about this religious text and others. Reading this book was a great way for me to learn about another one of God's beautiful religions or messengers. Great Read!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Guide to life! My absolute favourite of all Prabhupada's books. Just reread it today.

[Prospero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Srila Rupa Gosvami's Sri Updesamrta (or The Nectar of Instruction), originally written in the 16th century, and translated with commentaries by Srila Prabhupada in the 1970s, is a timeless little gem of Vaishnava Hindu philosophy, and practically a mini foundational text in its own right. I picked up a worn-looking copy from the 1970s I found lying at the back of a bookshelf at the ISKCON temple boutique, and I'm so glad I did.

While some of Prabhupada's viewpoints set forth here may be outdated, or fail to hold up to thoughtful scrutiny (e.g. his injunctions against accumulating wealth, which to me is a necessary cornerstone for a happy, prosperous and spiritually-inclined life liberated from the harassing cares of daily bread; or his aversion to secular philosophy and research, whose worth I believe is self-evident), and the theology in the final chapters may be a little unfamiliar to me, the work in its entirety is still thoughtful and illuminating, and relevant in its counsel to pursue a sustainable lifestyle centred around moderation, "plain living and high thinking."

In short, the voice of an old intelligence speaks to me across a gap of five centuries to answer my needs, confirming that Hindu thought is as relevant as ever. This is nectar indeed.

Highly recommended.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I could give it at least two stars as an I'm okay you're ok affirmation, but it really had no more substance than "chant God over and over and don't talk to people who won't and don't question my authority." That's too Western religion-y for me.

[Oma Eagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the 1975 edition

[Yash Rathor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My humble obeisance to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada - founder acharya of ISKCON. He is the divine soul whose uncountable efforts has brought the light in the darkness of an undeserved soul like me.

My modest obeisance to Srila Rupa Goswami whose direction through this book makes me help how to move in loving devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

So, Let’s talk about learning of Nectar of Instruction :
A serious person who can tolerate the urges of speak, mind’s demands, actions of anger, tongue, belly and genitals are called Goswami. “Go” means senses and swami means boss. Becoming goswami is the eligibility to take ‘sanyas’ which is the swami of self not of family, society or country. Sanyasi means now you can engage 100% in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
Before accepting someone as a Guru in our life we should check the person through these six parameters.
For students, who are genuinely serious about their career. They must control useless speaking, deviation of mind from studies, anger, too much eating (oily, junk or fast food), frequently eating food and urges of genitals towards the opposite gender. Definitely, that student who controls these six things will achieve success in any competition or academic examination.

Sloka 2:
These six things will ruin the life a person.
Excessive talking.
Over-endeavouring that is very difficult to obtain.
Excessive eating
Reject the rules and regulation of the scriptures and try to live independently.
Association of atheists.
Greed for material objects.

Sloka 3:
These six things will assure the success in your life.
Being enthusiastic
Endeavouring with confidence
Being patient
Acting according to the regulative principle.
Leave the association of aversive people.
Following the footsteps of great acharya or teacher.

सङ्गात्सञ्जायते कामः
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ

‘Our association decides what are our desires and importance in our life. Therefore, we should carefully choose who is our friend and from whom we take guidance.’

Next is, what is ‘Diksha’?
Acc. to jiva Goswami in Bhaktisandarbh (868): From the medium of ‘diksha’ a person develops detachment from material achievements and makes progress towards spiritual life to know the absolute truth.

Then, he has to do tapasya, brahmachariya to control the mind and body.

Subsequently, the importance of faith in Kṛṣṇa. Faith means firm trust. The faith in Kṛṣṇa means accept the words of Kṛṣṇa As it is without any criticism. Like Arjuna did in the midst of the battlefield of Kurushetra.

सर्वमेतदृतं मन्ये यन्मां वदसि केशव ।
न हि ते भगवन्व्यक्तिं विदुर्देवा न दानवा: ॥ १४ ॥
sarvam etad ṛtaṁ manye
yan māṁ vadasi keśava
na hi te bhagavan vyaktiṁ
vidur devā na dānavāḥ
“O Kṛṣṇa, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Neither the demigods nor the demons, O Lord, can understand Your personality.”

Then, it will be helpful to progress in spiritual life.

Lastly, In this material world, there are millions and millions of living beings. They wake up daily, eat food, mate with someone and then sleep - totally animal business.

So, what is the difference b/w others and human beings?

We humans would gain the knowledge of soul, body and supreme soul.
We worship God but a cat can’t or a dog can’t.
We would love God in this human form but an ass can’t or an ant can’t.

Therefore, we should utilise this human body for supreme realization and not waste our valuable time simply waking, eating, mating and sleeping.

Hare Krishna.

[Jason Southgate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah so this is a book originally written by the 15th century Vaisnava mystic saint Srila Rupa Goswami so it should be viewed within those parameters, although it encompasses some serious and profound lessons which may be viewed as stepping stones along the path of bhakti from shradda to prema with 1-3 covering shradda, 4-6 sadhu sanga, 7 bhajan kriya. It skips some steps then covers the deeper levels with 8 asaktih and 9-11 bhava.

This is one of the core first texts, although I would humbly guide you to take a look first at the book “Bhakti-yoga: The Easy Path of Devotional Yoga: from the Depths of Illusion to Making Contact With God" by Stephen Knapp.

Prabhupada's purports take some getting used to. He's a law unto himself and can come over abrasively, but it's written from a good place. Also bear in mind he is a devout man from a very young age and there may be culture differences. It's worth endeavouring to listen submissively.

Although you can take nothing away from Srila Prabhupada and Srila Rupa Goswami in principle, this is after all the age of Kali, and I don’t believe this is entirely suitable for complete beginners in the bhakti path. Start somewhere inspirational.

[Pramod Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is on practices to be followed as a disciple and a devotee. I think only first half of this book is relevant. In the last chapters author asks devotees to bath in Sri Radha kund, well ya as if that is end of everything to do, to never come out of that kund(eternal pond of melody). Comeon life is much more than that so is spirituality.

[David Sørensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Given one star based on goodreads standard for stars, i.e. meaning that I didn't like the book. A summery of the book would be: everything goes fine if you just follow and love Krishna in everything you do. Of course you want to do this. The more you chant the Krishna-mantra, the more convinced you'll be.

Few books manage to make me sleepy - this one did.

[Alek Modi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to understand the practical way of leading a clean and peaceful life. It also helps in understanding different stages in spirituality and the charateristics and qualities of each of those stages!

[Joycie Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nectar of Instruction

I found this level 1 book written for understanding of the scriptures most sacred of the Gaudiya Sampradaya, to be good for diving deeper into the themes behind ISKON basic principles.

[Mister Joseph Paul Price PHD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Om means God. Joe price.

[Shreya Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

These aren't instructions, they are the goal of life. These instructions are literally the nectar and essence of life. This is a guide to life you must not miss.

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. Gave me a better understanding of the Krsna movement. Great respect to all and thank you for this knowledge and wisdom.

[Dr.Krishnaprasad Chaudhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book !

[Vanshika Gaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all Gudiya Vaishnavas

[Kirstyn Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely learned a lot about what the Krishna consciousness is, however i find that in this, i’m told what to do, and not why i should do it.

[Anthony Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there's very little here, even for a devotee. But I may be mistaken. Prabhupada's perspective is well known to me at this point.

[Volvotkar Namrata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm done with one reading, I will be starting another reading of this very simple and straightforward book. This book is a product of the causeless mercy of srila Prabhupada to translate into multiple languages to give the world real spiritual knowledge.
One important note is to read bhagwadgita or krishna the supreme personality of godhead book first , and than start with NOI 💯🙌❤️

[Andromeda · Rating 1 out of 5]

My review is of Prabhupada'd commentary on Rupa Goswami's text. As it is always the case, Prabhupada has remained faithful to his long-held reputation of being an unmitigated sectarian bigot, who does not cringe or baulk at mistranslating and misrepresenting the truths of the Hindu scriptures.

He is chronically obsessed with "Mayavadis", whom he denigrates, traduces and caluminates at any every opportunity he gets. What remains a puzzle is, he makes all types of scathing remarks about Hindu sects and sampradayats, but he is very conciliatory towards the Muslims, Christians and Jews, who have always considered Hinduism and its scriptures as devil-inspired. Is this an example of hypocrisy, one wonders.

[Huayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would not be on my nerves so much, if it were easy to follow with love and not feel indoctrinated to obey as thought my comprehension levels were that of a professional soldier who has lived through peaceful times when treaties were published. My ethics don't permit me to be obedient. Though this is a divine reference book.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hinduism

[Thomas Beek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all-important instructions for those seeking to make advancement on the spiritual path. It is short and highly readable.

[Thomas Beek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book ever written for practicing video-Bhakti