Tattva-viveka
Siksastakam Verse 3
Radhesyama Das - April 1, 2014 1:28 am
I have spent much time in reflection on the first two verses and Guru Maharaja's words while hoping to realize the depths of these sacred instructions. I feel that the surface has barely been scratched, and that these first three verses will demand more attention and reflection before exploring their successors. After this week we'll take some time before moving onto the fourth verse to give opportunity for reflection and maybe some more discussion on the first three verses will develop. The third week brings us to this jewel, regarded widely as the most important instruction of Sri Caitanya:
trnad api su-nicena
taror ira sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
Vijaya Govinda Das - May 11, 2014 12:20 am
With regards to expecting no admiration, I was wondering how this would fit with developing into a psychologically balanced person. It seems that some time we actually need attention that is arising out of the present state of our psyche. But when addressing this issue it also seems that we aren't addressing the 'expecting no admiration' part.
Madan Gopal Das - July 8, 2014 11:11 am
I am attempting to revive Radhesyama's Siksatakam study threads. (If you're out there Radhesyama, come back!!) 
Trnad api cannot be left behind, so instead of moving onto verse 4, please review verse 3 and commentary and lets discuss. Humbly, tolerantly, offering all respect, I beg of you...
Madan Gopal Das - July 8, 2014 11:49 am
With regards to expecting no admiration, I was wondering how this would fit with developing into a psychologically balanced person. It seems that some time we actually need attention that is arising out of the present state of our psyche. But when addressing this issue it also seems that we aren't addressing the 'expecting no admiration' part.
I would suggest that we are talking about two different states of consciousness here. The qualities mentioned in this verse are representative of a nistha sadhaka. This person is not "developing" into a psychologically balanced person, but rather exudes a spiritually balanced psychology. That is the intriguing dichotomy of this 3rd verse. It speaks outright about the humility and tolerance of a devotee, and yet represents the very fixed (but not rigid) counter aspect of this stage. Rather than falling all over oneself in humility and shunning all respect, this nistha sadhaka has great confidence in the realm he/she is deeply involved with, and the "expecting no admiration" is not a bhoga or tyaga of respect but rather total detachment and disinterest. Guru Maharaj plays on the dichotomy several times in the commentary:
Although the qualities of humility and tolerance ornament the sadhaka and identify him or her as a sadhu, at the stage of nistha the sadhaka is free from egotism and thus is not attached to the respect that others offer. Such a serious sadhaka avoids the pride of being a sadhu.
So, I would say that although your question is relevant for a sadhaka becoming psychologically balanced, it doesn't correlate to this verse or the qualities mentioned here. While it may be important to develop ones self-respect/confidence, a sadhaka's feelings of humility and detachment from respect mentioned here are beyond that realm and likely fit more in the anartha-nivrtti stage.
Not directly related to Vijaya Govinda's question, but further playing out the fixed/flexible, nistha/trnad api contrast I find so interesting - more commentary:
"...because this exercise fosters intensified sadhana, it results in inner certainty, firm faith derived from knowing beyond thinking. Furthermore, this spiritual confidence is followed by ever-increasing humility, as the sadhaka is humbled by the depth of the subject being explored. He or she now knows that all are students forever in this field..."
pg 53-54 GM describes the difference between the humility of the second verse and the more comprehensive humility of this third verse: "Humility that appears in one who has something to be proud of is significant."
"Ironically, the first two symptoms of one who is fixed in the sadhana of nama-dharma, humility and tolerance, involve considerable flexibility."
Subal Das - July 11, 2014 12:18 am
I'm intrigued by this idea:
(Page 57) While initial eligibility for treading the path of Krsna bhakti involves only faith, because this verse is about firm faith- nistha- it speaks of further eligibility in the form of appropriate decorum and disposition. This further eligibility is in contrast to the word durdaivam in the previous verse, which indicates that one at the stage before nistha still has misbehavior based on false values. One's misfortune before nistha is that owing to this misbehavior one does not develop attachment to nama-sankirtana. Among all types of anarthas arising from this misbehavior, offenses to Krsna nama are the most damaging. Because the higher stages of bhakti cannot be attained without first coming to the stage of offenseless chanting, Mahaprahu's followers have highlighted this verse and the stage of nistha, pointing to it as an interim goal to aspire for in pursuit of prema. Without nistha - without humility, tolerance, pridelessness, and attentive chanting - there will be no prema.
So here is a bit of circle logic. Firm faith leads to nistha which leads to offenseless chanting while offensive chanting prevents nistaha so no firm faith. What to do? Kirtaniyah sada harih - one should glorify Hari constantly.
Fortunately, these sins of the soul can be remedied by the attentive chanting that occurs at the stage of nistha - kirtaniyah sada harih - which clears one's path to prema.
So what is required to chat without offence? Sambanda jana, tolerance, and humility for starters.