Contagious or not?

[avadhutadas]

Feb 23, 2022 2:06:02 GMT -6 Jagannāth Miśra Dās said:

Jan 11, 2021 5:59:10 GMT -6 Nityānanda dāsa said:

Radhe Radhe!

Thanks for bringing this thread back from the dead. There are a lot of threads that need rebirth. Here's my crack at this one...

I loved the jest of this initial post. Something serious, yet humorous. However, the way it is registering with me is this. I have seen people "copying" or imitating this madness. And it is done for nefarious reasons - name, fame, profit, adoration, distinction, etc. I don't think it is meant to be copied. Rather, if we follow the texts and teachings behind this madness, that is the key to getting the 'disease'. Not copying or imitating. The fact is that a true bhakta won't be displaying such symptoms of madness publicly. This will happen in private and/or if the person truly can't help it. But if it's done in front of a big audience (or even a very little audience), but appears to be planned, forced, acted out, etc., one can know that such a person is a pretender and should be rejected. Their sanga is contaminating and should be avoided.
I apologize for taking this topic down 'that' road, but this is truly where it hits me. And I believe I'm still on topic in saying this. By all means if someone else would like to take this topic in a more positive direction, please do so.

The fact is that a true bhakta won't be displaying such symptoms of madness publicly.....not true my friend. Mahāprabhu and all his followers displayed the entire host of divine madness in public, and never made any effert to disguise it. Even the guruāstakam says " romanca kampa asru taranga bhajo" and in the siksastakam Gaurāṅga prays for that day when his eyes will be decorated with tears, voice chocked up etc.

bhinna loka dekhile karena sambaraṇa ūṣaḥ-kāle gaṅgā-snāne karaye gamana
As soon as the Lord saw a materialistic person, He would conceal His internal mood. Every morning He would go take bath in the Ganges CB 2 1 144