krsna

Where Is the Love? BY: JAGABANDHU DASA In his beautiful Bhagavat speech, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur speaks very strongly against fundamental non-reflective philosophical thoughtlessness and a basically unawakened superstitious conception of religion generally demonstrated by the spiritually unconscious masses. He then proceeds to call upon the need for "Luthers (reformers), instead of (shallow) critics" for the proper individual re-interpretation of original teachings about Divine Love, in order to correct the apparently numerously repeated collective evils of religious hypocrisy manifest in a social setting, time and again. "The thoughtless must be satisfied with superstition till he wakes and opens his eyes to the God of Love. The reformers, out of their universal love and anxiety for good endeavor by some means or other to make the thoughtless drink the cup of salvation, but the latter drink it with wine and fall into the ground under the influence of intoxication for the imagination has also the power of making a thing what it never was. Thus it is that the evils of nunneries and the corruptions of the akhras proceeded. No, we are not to scandalize the Savior of Jerusalem or the Savior of Nadia for these subsequent evils. Luthers, instead of critics, are what we want for the correction of those evils by the true interpretation of the original precepts." Srila Saraswati Thakur also severely expresses himself about the inevitable hypocritical and exploitative tendencies generally exhibited by conditioned souls who vainly seek to co-opt organized religion for their own distorted, selfish personal agendas in order to personally profit. Yet we find him clarifying that: "The world stands in no need of any reformer. The world has a very competent person for guiding its minutest happenings. The person who determines that there is scope for reform of the world, himself stands in need of reform. The world goes on in its own perfect way. No person can deflect it even the breadth of a hair from the course chalked out for it by Providence. When we perceive any change being actually effected in the course of events of this world by the agency of any particular individual, we must know very well that the agent possesses no real power at any stage. The agent finds himself driven forward by a force belonging to a different category from himself. The course of the world does not require to be changed by the agency of any person. What is necessary is to change our outlook on this world. This was done for the contemporary generation by the mercy of Sri Chaitanya. It can only be known to recipients of His mercy. The scriptures declare that it is only necessary to listen with an open mind to the name of Krishna from the lips of a bona fide devotee. As soon as Krishna enters the listening ear, He clears up the vision of the listener so that he no longer has any ambition of ever acting the part of a reformer of any other person, because he finds that nobody is left without the very highest guidance. It is therefore his own reform, by the grace of God, Whose Supreme Necessity and Nature he is increasingly able to realize, by the Eternally Continuing Mercy of the Supreme Lord." (From Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur in the Harmonist , May 1932, issue number 11. Article originally titled, “Sree Chaitanya in South India”. Pages 325-326.) On December 23rd, 1936, in the final days before his departure, we also find Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur boldly declaring (as so mercifully translated into English by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) that, "...we are not desirous to become heroes of work or reformers of religion." No doubt multifarious abuses and considerable deceits reputedly perpetrated in the Name of God and Gurudev (which are supposedly substantiated by subjectively incorrect misinterpretation of genuine religious teachings) must not be tolerated as proper Divine Representation, and therefore must be considered of little real help to anyone. If there's stool on the path, I may wish to avoid it and also warn other pilgrims. If possible, such excrement might be removed from soiling, obstructing or preventing any real attempts at genuine progress by individual pilgrims hopefully maturely working cooperatively in concerted action for everyone's real benefit. But should such waste management concerns become the primary focus and emphasis of the Sangam, above and beyond individual awakenment of genuine inner realization and true personal understanding of Divine Love and Unconditional Mercy (Prasada)? If so, where is the Love, what to speak of It's greatly hoped for and urgently needed immediate massive proliferation to one and all, in every town and village? Is "religious" hypocrisy the real problem we actually face, or is insincerity itself the actual true root of deceptive "evils", whether self-deception or otherwise? You are all eternal souls yourselves, completely possessed of unique individual consciousness and consequential intrinsic conscience regardless of current apparent ecclesiastical fraternizing. What do you think? What do the Acaryas Themselves think about the ongoing relentlessly attemptive intrusion of the basic foibles of ordinary human nature continually attempting to manifest themselves in an allegedly devotional social environment? And are we really listening to Them in our ostensible attempt to rectify true devotional ideology, representation and succession for everyone's real benefit?

:namaskar:

Maha Visnu is so cool!

Would'nt that be the greatest type of fear for the devotee: to lose the ruci(taste) for chanting due to offenses... I remember in the beginning I had so much more taste, more fervour, more of a genuine call for mercy...what the hell happened to me after all these years?

Deep, subtle and confidential. Who is actually worthy of entering into the purport of these words? Only those who have paid the highest price of total, complete and whole-sale dedication of body, mind and words to the instructions given to them by Sri Guru!

[email="http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/lecture3.html"]http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/lecture3.html

Vaisnava Ecumenism in Germany by Tribhanga das Posted May 24, 2008 Meeting Vaishnavas from different communities, from May 9 to May 11 a breakthrough took place in Goloka Dhama, Germany: over 100 devotees of different gurus and maths from all over Germany and Switzerland came together for the first time in history. Dina Sharana dd, the GBC representative for Germany, also attended. Right from the beginning the atmosphere was very cordial and nice. The open and honest gatherings with all the devotees were so exciting that even after hours no one wanted to leave, although breakfast prasadam was already waiting. One devotee after another in the big circle was invited to say something, whatever they felt in their hearts, about their experiences and realisations. Many spoke about their problems to follow all the regulative principles and about their former fears to be punished by God. Many expressed their heartfelt desire to practice Bhakti with joy and without fear. Together with many ISKCON devotees, there were disciples of Narayana Maharaja, Sadhu Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada, Bhakti Pramod Puri Maharaja, Tripurari Maharaja, Ananta das Babaji and other Gurus. Many of them have practised Krishna consciousness for over 30 years. We experienced how simply and harmoniously we can work together without the unnecessesary boundaries of institutions. Already in 1930 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had written in his famous "Putana" article: "The churches have always proven to be representatives of the most gross forms of worldliness. The former intention of these established churches (religious iinstitutions) may not have been always doubtful, but we see that no religious institution was successful in spiritually uplifting the masses. Indeed, the idea of an organised church marks the end of a living spiritual movement." Therefore, I find it important that there are free Vaisnava meetings, independent from any religious institutions. We are happy that we could also revive and contribute substantially to the project Goloka Dhama. We had a seminar called "Free Bhakti" from Ram das (author of several interesting books on this subject matter, backed up by many astonishing quotes from the scriptures) on how we can practice bhakti free from neurotic fears. facilitated a seminar called "Liberation from painful beliefs and thought patterns", whilst Krishna Candra spoke about "Fundamentalism and the interpretation of the scriptures in Krishna consciousness". Evening bhajanas went on for hours. The cooking, the prasadam distribution and the cleaning up scarcely needed to be organized, since all shared the spirit of serving together. No one felt overburdened, and everyone donated generously. The final "talking circle" on Monday morning was especially moving, and devotees expressed their feelings that the Vaisnava community has grown out of the institutional boundaries into a new era of cooperation. It is unnecessary to defend the truth, since it is self-effulgent. All reported they felt the strong urge to have exchanges with other devotees irrespective of which line they came from. Our common ground is overwhelming, and those who had been worried about how this could take place in peace and harmony soon felt that no one had any bad intentions. This "Meeting of Companions on the Journey" was certainly an important step towards reducing fears through having deep exchanges with others and towards a positive Krishna conscious future. Spiritual sanga flourishes when those who come together have enough integrity ant maturity not to be threatened by the developed individuality of the others. For some on the spiritual path, the individual learning-and-growing process of other souls is perceived as a threat, and human beings can get aggressive when they feel attacked, especially when they are fundamentalist and fear that their religious dogmas are being questioned. Having association based on these principles, the ongoing judging of others does not take place, because individuality is really experienced, so that of others is not felt as a threat. This enables one to really openly search for the truth, for Radha and Krishna. In religious institutions the other group members are often experienced as restrictive and judgmental; thus one's own thinking and feeling becomes restricted. For fulfilling exchanges and personal developement one has to overcome the feeling of being dependant on a group or institution, but rather develop one's indivudual relationship with God. It requires a strong basis of one's own experiences and respect for the inner track of life, internal conscience (The Latin word for being deaf to the inner guidance is ab-surdus). The conscience of the heart is likely to go beyond the norms and forms of religious institutions. Many senior devotees expressed that they had practically lost hope but that this gathering was a breakthrough that had greatly encouraged them. Unanimously, the desire was expressed to have more such free Vaisnava meetings. The next one is already planned for Radhastami, from Sept. 5 to Sept. 7, 2008.

At present we do not have the purified eyes, senses or consciousness in order to perceive the actual spiritual form of the spiritual master. All we see is flesh and bones and not the true spirit-form of guru who is in truth ( in function as one who manifests the mercy of KRSNA in this world of matter) non-different than KRSNA!

Keep out of Maya's clutches Srila Prabhupada letter to Madhusudana, Thursday, July 25, 1968 My Dear Madhusudana, Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter of July 17, and of July 25, 1968, and have noted the contents carefully. Yes, by keeping engaged in Krishna Consciousness activities we can keep out of Maya's clutches, and there are so many nice engagements, as you have stated. By your sincerity and service attitude you are making good progress; by your letter it is shown. Regarding your question about the picture of Lord Caitanya with six arms: This form was shown to Ramananda Roy, and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. This is called Sadbhuja Murti. This Sadbhuja Murti is worshipped also by the devotees of Lord Caitanya, and especially the Murti is situated in the temple of Jagannatha Puri. Sometimes when you may go to India and visit the temple of Jagannatha, you will find this Murti. Affection for God-brothers is nice, it is a good sign. Affection for God-brothers as well as for all other living entities, even they are not God-brothers, these signs are seen in the advanced devotees. There are three kinds of devotees: The lower grade devotees, they have high regard for the Deity in the temple, but not very much regard for devotees or people in general. The second grade devotee takes compassion with innocent non-devotees. In that stage, he has got 4 kinds of vision. One is that he always keeps Krishna as the most Lovable Object, second is that he makes intimate friendship with his devotee God-brothers or any other devotees, third is that he takes compassion with innocent non-devotees, and tries to convince them about the importance of Krishna Consciousness, and fourth is that he does not take any serious interest for the atheist class of men. The first grade devotee, of course, sees everyone in relationship with Krishna and as such, he makes no distinction between a devotee or non-devotee. His vision is high grade, because he sees that everyone is engaged in Krishna's service directly or indirectly. This position of high-grade devotee should never be imitated. It was possible only in Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda, or Haridasa Thakura. Thakura Haridasa was so powerful that he could convert even a harlot. But we should not try to imitate Haridasa Thakura or Lord Caitanya. Our position is in the second grade platform. We should not be satisfied remaining in the third grade platform. But we should try to elevate ourselves in the second grade platform. So far the first grade platform is concerned, it is not attained by our endeavor, but it is possible when we have full Grace of Krishna. It completely depends on the causeless Mercy of Krishna. Subhadra is yogamaya. The spiritual energy is called yogamaya. And she has 16 different expansions. Out of these 16 expansions, Subhadra is one. The mahamaya of the material energy is also expansion of the energy of yogamaya; and both yogamaya and mahamaya are equally important to Krishna as much as any government department is equally important for functioning of the government. The police department may be horrible for the criminals, but to the government it is a department as good as university department. Similarly, mahamaya is horrible to the conditioned soul, but to the liberated soul, there is no fear of mahamaya, because he is protected by yogamaya. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita when Krishna said the following: "I am not visible to everyone on account of being curtained by yogamaya." So when a conditioned soul surrenders unto Krishna, the yogamaya winds up the curtain and Krishna is visible to the devotee. Hoping you are all well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

"Yes, you must accept." That is preaching. Morning Walk "Scientific Church" Los Angeles, December 11, 1973 Hrdayananda: The difficulty is that nowadays every common man has his own God..., theory of God consciousness. Prabhupada: No, no, every common man he says "I got my mathematics." Will he be accepted? Hrdayananda: No. Prabhupada: So why these things should be allowed? That is our proposition. Every man will say, "No, I've got my own mathematics." Will he be allowed? So we have to fight, otherwise what is the meaning of preaching? Hrdayananda: Fight. Prabhupada: If you think that everything will be accepted very easily, then what is the necessity of preaching? Hrdayananda: Jaya! Prabhupada: And propaganda. Hrdayananda: You have to fight. Prabhupada: You must know that they are all rascals. That I said, rascals, unbelievers. You have to convert them to be sane man. That is preaching. Hrdayananda: Jaya. Prabhupada: That is preaching. What do you expect that every man will immediately go and he'll agree with you? Why do you expect like that? That is foolishness. Hrdayananda: Jaya! Prabhupada: You must know that everybody will disagree with you, and it is your preaching work that you will make him agree with you. That is your preaching work. Hrdayananda: Jaya, Prabhupada! As your example. Prabhupada: Yes. We do not expect that everyone will agree. Everybody will disagree. Just like our book. Say, four, five years ago, nobody knew these books. So there was no market. But we have created our market. That is preaching. We have created our market. Nobody was dying for want of these books. So that is preaching. Preaching does not mean everyone is ready to accept your theories. You must expect that everyone will not accept it. Now it is your power to convince him, "Yes, you must accept." That is preaching. Hrdayananda: Jaya, Prabhupada.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=550 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> by Sripad Swami B. G. Narasingha The meaning of the words, "Guru is one" are derived from the sanskrit words , 'akhanda-guru-tattva'. This means the undivided (akhanda) principle of the guru-tattva. This akhanda (undivided) guru-tattva manifests in three aspects, namely: caitya- guru , diksa - guru , and siksa - guru respectively. Caitya- guru is the Supersoul within the heart of the living entity. Diksa - guru and siksa - guru are the two kinds of gurus appearing externally as pure devotees of the Supreme Lord. The diksa and siksa - gurus are considered equal manifestations of Krishna because they manifest to take the disciple back to Godhead. The individuality of the diksa and siksa - gurus exists as Vaishnavas but in purpose they are one – they are equal manifestations of Krishna and therefore they are said to be 'one'. The position of the bona fide guru in Krishna consciousness is realized by a bona fide disciple in stages according to the disciples subjective achievement. First the disciple may realize the guru to be the representative of Krishna. The next higher stage is that the disciple realizes that the guru is a manifestation of Baladeva Prabhu or Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Baladeva-tattva is the energy of the Supreme Lord that manifest the pastimes or lilas of the Lord. Baladeva Prabhu manifests directly as Sri Nityananda Prabhu to canvases the conditioned living entities to become engaged in the Lords transcendental service. Canvassing on behalf of the Supreme Lord is the work of Sri Gurudeva and therefore he is recognized as the manifestation of Baladeva Prabhu or Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Baladeva Prabhu or Sri Nityananda Prabhu are the ultimate guru principle ( guru-tattva ) for all devotees in dasya, sakya, and vatsalya-rasa in either Krishna-lila and Gaura-lila respectively. According to the disciples advancement in rasa-tattva the disciple will realize that Sri Gurudeva is a leader of a particular group of eternal servitors of the Supreme Lord. The next higher realization of the disciple is that the guru is the leader among the madhurya-rasa section as one of the maid servants (either sakhi or manjari) of Srimati Radharani. Srimati Radharani is the highest figure in the madhurya-rasa section for it is She only who knows how to satisfy the transcendental senses of Sri Krishna. When this understanding develops in the heart of a bone fide disciple he soon realizes that Srimati Radharani Herself has directly taken the position of Sri Gurudeva. The highest concept of guru-tattva revealed by Srila Rupa Goswami and similar eternal servants of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was that Srimati Radharani is the ultimate guru . Radharani is the master of loving exchanges – even Sri Krishna is Her beloved student in such matters. Therefore in the last stage of realization in Krishna consciousness the disciple realizes Sri Gurudeva to be a direct manifestation of Srimati Radharani. That Sri Gurudeva is the manifestation of Srimati Radharani is the purport of Viswanatha Cakravarti Thakura's verse: saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair "The spiritual master is the dearmost servant of Sri Hari being the nondifferent form of the Supreme Lord." (Sri Sri Gurvastakam # 7) The dearmost servant of Krishna (Sri Hari) is indeed Srimati Radharani and the nondifferent form of the Supreme Lord is also Srimati Radharani. Radha and Krishna are the One Absolute Truth manifest in two for the purpose of enjoying transcendental pastimes. radha-krsna pranaya-vikrtir hladini saktir asmad ekatmanau api bhuvipura deha-bhedam gatau tau caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam caikyam aptam radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krsna-svarupam "The loving affairs of Radha Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord's internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They have separated Themselves eternally. Now these two transcendental identities have again united in the form of Sri Krishna Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani although He is Krishna Himself." (C.c. Adi 1.1.5) Following the above thought Sri Gurudeva may also be realized as gaura-tattva or nondifferent from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this case the disciple ultimately realizes that Sri Gurudeva is a direct manifestation of Sri Gadadhara Pandit who is the bhava or the manifest emotions of Srimati Radharani. dvijendra-vrnda-vandya-pada-yugma-bhakti-vardhakam nijesu radhikatmata-vapuh-prakacanagraham asesa-bhakti-sastra-siksayojjvalamrta-prabam bhajamy aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum "I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, who expands the mellows of devotional service and whose lotus feet are worshipped by the kings of the Brahmans. Among his confidential associates, he reveals his actual form as Srimati Radharani. He distributes the nectar of the ecstatic mellow of the gopis conjugal love, strictly following the instructions of all the devotional scriptures." ( Sri Sri Gadadhara Astakam #6) The above mentioned points of guru-tattva are all relative realizations of the position of the guru according to the disciples advancement in Krishna consciousness. This is the Gaudiya-siddhanta of the guru-tattva as revealed by previous acharyas in our parampara. The position of the guru is relative according to the disciples realization but in all cases the guru means 'Krishna'. The position of guru in terms of the internal service position of the disciple becomes more and more specific as the disciple makes advancement in Krishna consciousness but the same akhanda-guru-tattva (undivided principle) remains throughout. Guru is one. Everything in the Absolute World is also Absolute. Every particle of the Infinite is also Infinite but to taste the spiritual variegatedness in the Absolute World it is necessary to develop transcendental discrimination. Srila Prabhupada used to say, "Guru means to repeat the words of Krishna without adding one's own interpretation and therefore guru cannot be two." Krishna says: acaryam mam vijaniyan "One should know the acarya (guru) as Myself." ( Bhag. 11.17.27) This verse although generally taken literally to mean that the guru is nondifferent from Krishna also indicates that the guru is nondifferent than Srimati Radharani. Indeed the very 'Self' of Sri Krishna is Srimati Radharani. Although the guru is in most cases a jiva (jiva-tattva) he is not to be considered as such. His position is two-fold. As a Vaishnava he is considered a jiva but the disciple is not so much concerned with that position. The disciple is mainly concerned with the delegation of Krishna manifest in Gurudeva and that is the guru-tattva. So the guru's position is two fold – he is jiva-tattva and he is guru-tattva. We do not say that Gurudeva is 'jiva-tattva', rather we say that Gurudeva is 'guru-tattva' or 'acarya-tattva'. In this way the disciple always keeps the conception of Sri Gurudeva above that of the ordinary human being. Frequently devotees do not make these discriminations but this is due to their not diving deep within the ocean of Krishna consciousness. Madhyama-adhikari means the plane of careful and accurate discrimination. Such discrimination is necessary in order to reach the stage of uttama-adhikari (first class devotee). On Ekadasi we may offer prasadam with grains to a photo of Gurudeva on the altar while engaged in worshipping the Deity of Radha and Krishna, but in his room on that same day we only offer Gurudeva standard Ekadasi prasadam. While performing worship the disciple sees no difference between guru and Krishna but while rendering personal service to Sri Gurudeva the disciple makes a discrimination in order to please Gurudeva understanding that he considers himself a Vaishnava (servant of the Lord) and not the Lord directly. In the event that a guru declares himself to be Krishna it becomes clear that he has no actual knowledge of the science of Krishna consciousness. A bona fide guru never claims to be Krishna. It is standard in Gaudiya-sampradaya that tulasi leaves are only offered to the lotus feet of Krishna (visnu-tattva) but the disciple understanding that the guru's heart is one with Krishna, places a tulasi leaf of the chest of Sri Gurudeva while performing worship. The oneness of guru is to be meditated on as prescribed in the guru-mantra (aim gurave namah) and the guru-gayatri – "I respectfully dedicate my heart and soul to the holy service of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna through service to Sri Gurudeva, who is a nondifferent manifestation of Their mercy." In the guru-gayatri the word krsnanandaya indicates the internal identity of the guru in Krishna-lila. Sometimes the word gaurapriyatva is also used in the guru-gayatri and this indicates the identity of the guru in Gaura-lila. Krishna-lila and Gaura-lila are also considered to be one or nondifferent. The meaning of krsnanandaya is threefold: (1) Krsnananda means to meditate on that guru whose entire happiness in life is Krishna, or that guru whose heart is full of the beauty of ecstatic love for Krishna. (2) Krsnananda means to meditate on that guru who gives pleasure to his dearmost Lord Krishna through his pure devotional service. (3) In the word krsnananda, krsna is Sri Krishna and ananda is hladini Srimati Radharani, so krsnanandaya means meditation on Sri Gurudeva who is the representative of both Radha and Krsna combined. These three aspects of the term krsnanandaya may be applied to gurus. The term gaurapriyatva is another significant definition of Sri Gurudeva. The word gaurapriya has two connotations: (1) One who is beloved to Gaura. (2) One in whose life Sri Gaura is the dearmost object of devotion. According to the realization of pure devotees gaurapriya and krsnapriya are parallel – a guru of Krishna-lila and a guru of Gaura-lila are nondifferent. The more we continue to examine the guru-tattva principle the more we can see that there is oneness and difference between Sri Gurudeva and Krishna (between Krishna and His potency) – that is achintya-beda-abeda-tattva or simultaneous oneness and difference as taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

ok

That devotee who can give you KRSNA 100%!!!

<TT> </TT>70-01-23 Letter: Hamsaduta The next question: the body of a pure devotee is all spiritual and He is not different from His body. That is also a fact. The bodies of all living entities, even though they are not pure devotees, are not actually the bodies of the spirit soul. It is always separate from the spiritual body. The Vedic mantra confirm it by the sound vibration that this spirit soul is always nonattached with the material body. Therefore, we do not see the actual spiritual body of a pure devotee; but what we see, that is matter. Just like the example is given of the shining moon covered by the cloud. When the cloud moves along with the peeping moonshine, it appears that the moon is moving. Anyone who has seen such movement of cloud in the sky must have this experience. So, the moving of the cloud may appear to the layman's eyes as moving of the moon, but that is not a fact. Similarly, the moving of the body of a pure devotee is not the moving of the pure devotee. After all these are facts for the process of realization, but we can try to understand them as far as possible from the statement of authorized Scriptures through the version of the Spiritual Master or saintly person.

You cannot approach Krishna directly It is impossible to dedicate our life to Krishna unless we serve the devotee of Krishna. Tat-purusa-nisevaya. You cannot approach Krishna directly. That is not possible. You have to go through His devotee. Therefore Krishna sends His devotee, "Go and deliver them." Just like Dhruva Maharaja. He did not know how to achieve the favor of Supreme Personality of Godhead, but on account of his eagerness... He wanted to see God. Because he was ksatriya... His mother said that "God can only help you, my dear son. If you want to become king on the throne of your father, better position, then only God can help you. I cannot help you. It is not..." So he was determined, "I must see God." So he went to the forest but he did not know how to approach God. A boy of five years old only, he has got the determination. So Krishna saw that, "This boy is very determined." Therefore He sent His representative, Narada: "Go and train him. He is very eager." Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. You can enter into the devotional service by double mercy. One mercy is Krishna; another mercy is the spiritual master. Therefore ... one cannot dedicate his life to Krishna, unless he has gotten the mercy of spiritual master. This is the way. You cannot get directly. That is not possible. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura said in many of his songs, chadiya vaisnava-seva, nistara payeche keba: "Without serving Vaisnava, who has got liberation?" Nobody has. tandera carana-sevi bhakta-sane vas janame janame mora ei abhilas Narottama dasa Thakura says that "I have to serve the gurus, Sanatana Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, and live in the association of devotees." Tandera carana-sevi bhakta-sane vas. Narottama dasa Thakura said, janame janame mora, ei abhilas. Chance of serving the Vaisnava Our... We are... Ambition should be how to serve Krishna through the disciplic succession, Krishna, and live in the association of devotees. This is the process. So we are opening so many centers all over the world. This is the policy, that people may take chance of associating with devotees and the chance of serving the Vaisnava. Then it will be successful. Therefore here it is said, bhakti-yoga means not only dedicating life to Krishna but also to serve the Vaisnava, tat-purusa. Tat-purusa means to serve a person who has dedicated his life to Krishna. Two things: dedication to Krishna and dedication to the devotee of Krishna. So in this way if we advance, then it is very easy to become free from this material contamination. That is stated. Na tatha hy aghavan rajan puyeta tapa-adibhih [sB 6.1.16]. Tapa-adibhih, it is general process, but it is very, very difficult, especially in this age. So if we simply take this course, that dedicate (our) life to Krishna and dedicate (our) life to Vaisnava, then our life will be successful. Thank you very much. (Srila Prabhupada lecture, Honolulu, May 16, 1976,) . *Click here to listen to Srila Prabhupada's lectures and bhajans.

Yes, nice realization. Only in such a state of being (sincere, honest, selfless, genuine, helpless and fully dependant on the mercy of God) will one attract the mercy of KRSNA whereupon He will send you His very own rep, the bona-fide spiritual master to deliver you, me and anyone else who is crying for KRSNA's mercy.

"Radha and Krishna are one and the same, but they have assumed two bodies." By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada Sri Radha is Sri Krishna’s eternal consort and the crest jewel among his lovers. There is no one as dear to Krishna as Sri Radha. Sri Radha is not inferior to Krishna in any way. Lord Krishna himself accepts two forms, one as the enjoyer and the other as the enjoyed. In this way He relishes eternal pastimes. Śrī Caitanya-caritāmta (ādi 4.56) states: rādhā-ka eka ātmā, dui deha dhari’anyonye vilase rasa āsvādana kari’ "Radha and Krishna are one and the same, but they have assumed two bodies. Thus they enjoy each other, tasting the mellows of love." If Sri Radhika’s beauty were not greater than the beauty of Krishna, who is overwhelmed by his own beauty, then she would not have been able to attract that most enchanting Krishna. Thus she is known as Madan-mohan-mohini. Krishna is compared to the full moon, and Radha is like his effulgence. She is also the origin of all of Krishna’s energies. Servants do not have sufficient words to properly describe their worshipable Lord, but the worshipable Lord can describe the truth about those servants. That is why Lord Krishna alone is capable of revealing Sri Radhika’s glories to us. Another personality who can reveal the science of Sri Radha is the spiritual master, who directly serves Krishna and the daughter of Vrishabhanu and who is an intimate devotee of Sri Gaurasundar. Lord Krishna is the reservoir of all transcendental pleasure and the origin of all beauty and transcendental qualities. He is the shelter of all opulence, heroism, and knowledge. Only he is capable of understanding Sri Radha’s greatness. What can puny human knowledge understand about her glories, or even the knowledge of liberated souls? It is impossible to describe her greatness — she whose only shelter is Krishna and who is able to enchant the most enchanting Krishna. Because of her opulence and sweetness, the whole world is bewildered. From Amrta Vani, collected teachings of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Compiled in Bengali by Sri Bhakti Bhagavat Mayukha Maharaja. Adapted and translated into English by Bhumipati Das and Isvara Das. Touchstone Media. Mumbai. 2004. Pages 125-126.

Mutual Co-operative Devotional Service "This is your jurisdiction, so you cannot leave this place. As you have no resort than myself, so I have no other disciple than yourself who can take care of our center." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

Guru's Duty Is To Find Fault "Kindly accept my criticism in that spirit. Not that the spiritual master should always be praising his students; actually it is his duty to find fault with them so that they may make progress." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Are You Serious About Entering Devotional Service? Srimad Bhagavatam says, in Srila Prabhupada's translation, that "Srila Narada Muni approached Dhruva Maharaja, and touching the boy's head with his all virtuous hand, he spoke as follows." Guru Is Supersoul's Own Rep Srila Prabhupada explains: ". . . as soon as He (KRSNA)understands that a living entity is serious about entering devotional service, He (KRSNA) sends His representative (GURU). In this way Narada was sent to Dhruva Maharaja. . . . Krishna, the Supersoul, immedately sent His representative, Narada Muni, to initiate him.":pray:

I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent. Physical presence is immaterial. Presence of the transcendental sound from Guru <HR style="COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> Physical presence is immaterial. Presence of the transcendental sound received from the Spiritual Master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If you feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places and this will be source of inspiration for you. (Letter to Brahmananda and other students, 19/1/67) But always remember that I am always with you. As you are always thinking of me, I am always thinking of you also. Although physically we are not together, we are not separated spiritually. So we should be concerned only with this spiritual connection. (Letter to Gaurasundara, 13/11/69) So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. (Lectures SB, 68/08/18) There are two conceptions, the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary. The vibrational conception is eternal.[...] When we feel separation from Krsna or the Spirirual Master, we should just try to remember their words or instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the Spiritual Master should be association by vibration not physical presence. That is real association. (Elevation to Krsna Consciousness,(BBT 1973), Page 57) Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsavati Thakura Prabhupada passed away from this material world on the last day of December 1936, I still consider his Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vani, his words. There are two ways of association - by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but Vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore, one must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (CC, Antya 5 Conclusion) Therefore we should take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (Letter to Suci Devi Dasi, 4/11/75) I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically present, as I am getting guidance from my Guru Maharaja. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 14/7/77) It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life. (SB 3:31:48) I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent. (Letter to Jayananda, 16/9/67) Paramananda: We're always feeling your presence very strongly, Srila Prabhupada, simply by your teachings and your instructions. We're always meditating on your instructions. Srila Prabhupada: Thank you. That is the real presence. Physical presence is not important. (Room Conversation, Vrndavana, 6/10/77) You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you, and you are always thinking of me . That is real association. Just like I am always thinking of my Guru Maharaja at every moment, although he is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve him to my best capacity, I am sure he is helping me by his spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association. (Letter to Govinda Dasi, 18/8/69) As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krsna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krsna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on. (Letter to Bala Krsna, 30/6/74) 'Anyone who has developed unflinching faith in the Lord and the Spiritual Master can understand the revealed scripture unfolding before him'. So continue your present aptitude and you will be successful in your spiritual progress. I am sure that even if I am not physically present before you, still you will be able to execute all spiritual duties in the matter of Krsna Consciousness, if you follow the above principles. (Letter to Subala, 29/9/67) So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living. (General lectures, 69/01/13) Devotee: ...so sometimes the Spiritual Master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg Temple. He thinks 'How will the Spiritual Master be pleased?' Srila Prabhupada: Just follow his order, Spiritual Master is along with you by his words. Just like my Spiritual Master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words. (SB Lectures, 71/08/18) Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there. To serve master's word is more important than to serve physically. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 2/5/77) So that is called prakata, physically present. And there is another phrase, which is called aprakata, not physically present. But that does not mean, Krsna is dead or God is dead. That does not mean, prakata or aprakata, physically present or not present, it does not matter. (Lectures SB 73/12/11) So, spiritually, there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place. (Letter to Syama Dasi, 30/08/68) I went to your country for spreading this information of Krsna Consciousness and you are helping me in my mission, although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you. (Letter to Nandarani, Krsna Devi and Subala, 3/10/67) We are not separated actually. There are two - Vani or Vapuh - so Vapu is physical presence and Vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. (Letter to Hamsadutta, 22/6/70) So in the absence of physical presentation of the spiritual master, the Vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Sarsavati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve his instruction, I never feel separated from him. (Letter to Karandhara, 22/8/70) I also do not feel separation from my Guru Maharaja. When I am engaged in his service, his pictures give me sufficient strength. To serve master's word is more important than to serve him physically. (Letter to Syamasundara, 19/7/70)

Srila Prabhupada was once asked by a senior disciple, "Srila Prabhupada, Why are you travelling the world so much to see your disciples if you are personally present in your books?" “For the intelligent I am in my books” he replied, “for the less intelligent I make a personal appearance.”