leyh

The following is a chapter from The Art of Spiritual Life by Jadurani dasi,one of the first American female disciples of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977),the Founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Conciousness.The book can be found online at www.gaudiya.net/art/ Cryptic Sign On May 5th I was assigned the duty of bringing the mrdanga, karatalas and sankirtana painting to Prabhupada's important engagement at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that evening. Unfortunately, I became so engrossed in the painting of Mohana Madhuri that I lost track of the time. When I eventually looked at my watch, it was so late that I only had half an hour to get to MIT. I ran the two blocks to catch the trolley to Cambridge, but as soon as I was aboard, I realized I had forgotten the instruments and painting. When I arrived at the college, I was out of breath and empty-handed. Prabhupada was sitting on a raised platform. He looked at me and I could see the disappointment in his face when he realized I had not brought the instruments. He made do, however, and performed the kirtana without karatalas by having several devotees accompany him with clapping hands, and by playing his Hare Krsna album in the background. I was painfully aware of the large U-shaped metal stand that stood empty on the stage throughout the program, as it was supposed to have supported the painting. I had, however, remembered to bring my tape recorder. When the kirtana ended, I turned it on and taped Prabhupada's lecture as he began, "Today I am very glad to meet you. You are all students of technology." MIT was the world's foremost technological and engineering school. Its contribution to Boston's economy was enormous, because its classrooms and laboratories issued a stream of highly trained scientists and engineers who staffed the numerous technological firms in the city. The facilities and brainpower of MIT had attracted large federal and private research contracts, and the school's presence in Cambridge was a major contributing factor to Boston being chosen as the site for the NASA center for electronics research. But Prabhupada also knew something the school, the city, and NASA did not know-how useless their successes were, and how much they needed Krsna consciousness. He told them, "This Krsna consciousness movement is also another technology. In the modern state of civilization there are different departments of knowledge. There is a department of teaching medical science, and a department for teaching engineering. There is department of education in many things. Unfortunately there is no department for distributing knowledge in the science of the soul. But that is the most important, because the soul is the mainstay, the background of all our movements. "The idea is that in the present consciousness I am thinking that I am this body. Actually, I am not this body. This is ignorance. Body means senses; bodily activities mean sensual activities. But if you go deep into the matter, the senses can only act when the mind is sound. If the mind is not sound, a crazy man cannot use his senses properly. So, first of all there is technology of the senses, and then the higher technology is of the mind, which is known as psychology-thinking, feeling, and willing. And, above this mind, above the mental science, there is the science of the intelligence. Above the science of the intelligence, the background is the soul. Unfortunately, we have got technology for the bodily senses and for psychology, but we have neither any technology for intelligence nor for the science of the soul. This technology is wanting in the modern civilization." Although Prabhupada clearly analyzed the urgent need for the students to adopt Krsna consciousness, during the question period, instead of asking a philosophical question, a student merely pointed at the large metal U-shaped stand and asked, "What is the meaning of the sign at your back?" I cringed. Prabhupada looked at the stand, and then back at the student. With mild annoyance he said, "Oh, this? I do not know. That is not my sign. That is a technological symbol. It is your sign." Everybody laughed. At the end of the program, while we were all putting on our coats in preparation to leave, I heard several people shouting. Worried that there might be some difficulty for Prabhupada, I turned to find him. Prabhupada was fine, but he was being heavily challenged by a small group of students and teachers. He looked delicate, but after all he had God on his side. One student was insistently shouting, "All is one!" Others supported this assertion with a variety of angry expressions. Prabhupada attempted to convince the student logically that although everything is one, within that one there is variety, but the student obstinately continued arguing. So Prabhupada angrily grabbed his shirt collar and loudly said, "You say everything is one. But is this cotton shirt the same as a cotton ball? Why don't you wear a cotton ball instead of this shirt?" Prabhupada appeared to be angry, the students were angry, and we were angry because we felt that the students were insulting our spiritual master. A few of us sought a taxi so we could extricate Prabhupada from the insulting confrontation, and while someone paged a cab, the others separated Prabhupada from the students. Satsvarupa rode back in the taxi with Prabhupada, who thought the evening a success. Of course it was, for his anger had been displayed simply for the purification of us all.

Devotee: (1): ''The Lord therefore says to Arjuna, tac chrnu, or 'Hear from Me."' Prabhupada: Yes. 'Hear from Me. " And hearing from whom? From a loafer? No. From Krsna or Krsna's representative. That will effect. Hearing, there must be hearing process also from the authorized person. Just like if you take electricity. You should take electricity where the electric point is there. Electric is everywhere; that's nice. Everyone accepts there is electricity. But you have to take electricity from the plug where the electricity current is going on. Then you get electricity. Therefore sravanam, hearing, from whom? From Krsna or His representative. Then it is perfect. Not from Dr. Radhakrishnan and any other nonsense, because they are not devotee. They are not representative of Krsna. What you will derive? You cannot derive any benefit because there is no electricity. It is simply plug, looking like plug. If you take some white lime water, lime, just like whitewash, it looks like milk. Is that milk because it is white? ''All is not gold that glitters." Therefore you have to seek person, from where you have to hear. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet. Therefore you have to select person, from where to hear. That is the .. Either you search or by Krsna's grace you get a person who is authorized. Then your life is successful.” (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad Gita Lecture 7.1, Los Angeles, 12th March, 1970)

Devotee: (1): ''The Lord therefore says to Arjuna, tac chrnu, or 'Hear from Me."' Prabhupada: Yes. 'Hear from Me. " And hearing from whom? From a loafer? No. From Krsna or Krsna's representative. That will effect. Hearing, there must be hearing process also from the authorized person. Just like if you take electricity. You should take electricity where the electric point is there. Electric is everywhere; that's nice. Everyone accepts there is electricity. But you have to take electricity from the plug where the electricity current is going on. Then you get electricity. Therefore sravanam, hearing, from whom? From Krsna or His representative. Then it is perfect. Not from Dr. Radhakrishnan and any other nonsense, because they are not devotee. They are not representative of Krsna. What you will derive? You cannot derive any benefit because there is no electricity. It is simply plug, looking like plug. If you take some white lime water, lime, just like whitewash, it looks like milk. Is that milk because it is white? ''All is not gold that glitters." Therefore you have to seek person, from where you have to hear. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet. Therefore you have to select person, from where to hear. That is the .. Either you search or by Krsna's grace you get a person who is authorized. Then your life is successful.” (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad Gita Lecture 7.1, Los Angeles, 12th March, 1970)

"But Srimad-Bhagavatam should be relished, understood through person Bhagavatam. It is recommendation. Svarupa Damodara Caitanya Mahaprabhu's secretary, personal secretary, he chastised one brahmana. He wrote something wrong, and after all, he gave him advice that if you want to study Bhagavata, then bhagavata paro giya bhagavata sthane, try to understand Srimad Bhagavatam from a devotee, not from a professional man who is earning his livelihood by reading Bhagavata. He must be practical Bhagavata. Then you will gain. Sanatana Gosvanu has also said that avaisnava chad girna puta-hari-kathamrtam. Hari-katha, amrta, nectar, but still, although it is amrta, it is not to be recieved from the mouth of a non-devotee. One must he practical devotee, pure devotee. When he speaks, you should receive Bhagavata, the message of Bhagavata, Bhagavad-gita from him.” (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavtam Lecture, 1.2.18 Vrndavana 29th October, 1972)

"But Srimad-Bhagavatam should be relished, understood through person Bhagavatam. It is recommendation. Svarupa Damodara Caitanya Mahaprabhu's secretary, personal secretary, he chastised one brahmana. He wrote something wrong, and after all, he gave him advice that if you want to study Bhagavata, then bhagavata paro giya bhagavata sthane, try to understand Srimad Bhagavatam from a devotee, not from a professional man who is earning his livelihood by reading Bhagavata. He must be practical Bhagavata. Then you will gain. Sanatana Gosvanu has also said that avaisnava chad girna puta-hari-kathamrtam. Hari-katha, amrta, nectar, but still, although it is amrta, it is not to be recieved from the mouth of a non-devotee. One must he practical devotee, pure devotee. When he speaks, you should receive Bhagavata, the message of Bhagavata, Bhagavad-gita from him.” (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavtam Lecture, 1.2.18 Vrndavana 29th October, 1972)

"In the Naradiya Purana it is directed, "One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service." The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. For example, it may be said that one should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least one hundred thousand times daily on his beads. But if this is not possible, then one must minimize his chanting according to his own capacity. Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life."(Nectar of Devotionby His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,Chapter 7)

"In the Naradiya Purana it is directed, "One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service." The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. For example, it may be said that one should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least one hundred thousand times daily on his beads. But if this is not possible, then one must minimize his chanting according to his own capacity. Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life."(Nectar of Devotionby His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,Chapter 7)

30 PRABHUPADA TELLS A STORY When Prabhupada's edition of Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila Volume 1, was first published, devotees were surprised and pleased to read about the humorous joking between Lord Nityananda and Advaita Acarya during the taking of prasadam at Advaita Acarya's house. One morning, during a car ride with Srila Prabhupada, one of the devotees expressed his appreciation for the new volume. "There is such nice humour in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada." "Yes", said Srila Prabhupada, "spiritual life is humour also. Then he began to tell a story. "Krsna said to one old lady, 'You are so ugly, you should marry a monkey.' "'No', said the old lady, 'I have given up all material desires. I will marry you, Krsna!' "'Yes! Yes! Yes!' All the gopis and boys clapped and laughed." While Prabhupada said this, his eyes lit up and he became very animated, laughing at the humorous pastimes of Krsna. "So Krsna was defeated," said Srila Prabhupada, "by that laughing of the gopis." (PRABHUPADA NECTAR --- stories about Srila Prabhupada told by disciples,by Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami) Note:PRABHUPADA NECTAR can be read online at http://web.tiscali.it/gopala/Prabhupada_Nectar/

30 PRABHUPADA TELLS A STORY When Prabhupada's edition of Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila Volume 1, was first published, devotees were surprised and pleased to read about the humorous joking between Lord Nityananda and Advaita Acarya during the taking of prasadam at Advaita Acarya's house. One morning, during a car ride with Srila Prabhupada, one of the devotees expressed his appreciation for the new volume. "There is such nice humour in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada." "Yes", said Srila Prabhupada, "spiritual life is humour also. Then he began to tell a story. "Krsna said to one old lady, 'You are so ugly, you should marry a monkey.' "'No', said the old lady, 'I have given up all material desires. I will marry you, Krsna!' "'Yes! Yes! Yes!' All the gopis and boys clapped and laughed." While Prabhupada said this, his eyes lit up and he became very animated, laughing at the humorous pastimes of Krsna. "So Krsna was defeated," said Srila Prabhupada, "by that laughing of the gopis." (PRABHUPADA NECTAR --- stories about Srila Prabhupada told by disciples,by Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami) Note:PRABHUPADA NECTAR can be read online at http://web.tiscali.it/gopala/Prabhupada_Nectar/

"Generally people are spoiling their lives for decorating the dead body and giving no attention at all to the spirit soul within. Our business is just the opposite, to give more time to the spiritual life and accept material necessities only as required. This makes life perfect. This is the Vedic way of life. We do not reject or accept anything until it is seen in the light of our Krsna Consciousness Movement. Anything favorable for Krsna consciousness we accept and anything unfavorable we reject, anukulasya sankalpah pratikulyam-vivarjanam." (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivdedanta Swami Prabhupada, in a letter to Tusta Krsna Maharaja,23 August, 1976)

"Generally people are spoiling their lives for decorating the dead body and giving no attention at all to the spirit soul within. Our business is just the opposite, to give more time to the spiritual life and accept material necessities only as required. This makes life perfect. This is the Vedic way of life. We do not reject or accept anything until it is seen in the light of our Krsna Consciousness Movement. Anything favorable for Krsna consciousness we accept and anything unfavorable we reject, anukulasya sankalpah pratikulyam-vivarjanam." (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivdedanta Swami Prabhupada, in a letter to Tusta Krsna Maharaja,23 August, 1976)

"The beginning is God consciousness, but we have lost it. So people cannot be happy without reviving God consciousness. It may be named in a different way--"Krsna consciousness." That means God consciousness. That is the necessity. He's trying to love somebody. That somebody's love will be perfected when he loves Krsna or God. We are teaching that. Try to love God, and if you love God, if you love Krsna, then automatically you love everybody. That is the perfection of love. The example is just like if you love your stomach, if you supply nice food to your stomach, that means you love all the parts of your body. If you supply foodstuff in the stomach, the energy is distributed in all parts of the body. That means you love all parts of the body. If you love the tree, you pour water on the root and the water is distributed to the branches, fruits, flowers, leaves, everywhere." (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,681202SB.LA Lectures)

"The beginning is God consciousness, but we have lost it. So people cannot be happy without reviving God consciousness. It may be named in a different way--"Krsna consciousness." That means God consciousness. That is the necessity. He's trying to love somebody. That somebody's love will be perfected when he loves Krsna or God. We are teaching that. Try to love God, and if you love God, if you love Krsna, then automatically you love everybody. That is the perfection of love. The example is just like if you love your stomach, if you supply nice food to your stomach, that means you love all the parts of your body. If you supply foodstuff in the stomach, the energy is distributed in all parts of the body. That means you love all parts of the body. If you love the tree, you pour water on the root and the water is distributed to the branches, fruits, flowers, leaves, everywhere." (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,681202SB.LA Lectures)

"Another process is, save time, if you chant Hare Krsna mantra, then the time is not lost. Time is not lost. Hare Krsna mantra, read book, Krsna book. Any moment, any time you spend for thinking of Krsna, working for Krsna, chanting for Krsna, eating for Krsna, dancing for Krsna, that time is saved. That time is saved. Therefore it is recommended, harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva... Otherwise, by yoga process, it is not... How many men can actually practice yoga? It is all farce. This is possible. Even a child can take part, Hare Krsna mantra. (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,740120SB.HAW Lectures)

"Another process is, save time, if you chant Hare Krsna mantra, then the time is not lost. Time is not lost. Hare Krsna mantra, read book, Krsna book. Any moment, any time you spend for thinking of Krsna, working for Krsna, chanting for Krsna, eating for Krsna, dancing for Krsna, that time is saved. That time is saved. Therefore it is recommended, harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva... Otherwise, by yoga process, it is not... How many men can actually practice yoga? It is all farce. This is possible. Even a child can take part, Hare Krsna mantra. (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,740120SB.HAW Lectures)

"It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can advent Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear. In each and every incarnation, He speaks as much about religion as can be understood by the particular people under their particular circumstances. But the mission is the same--to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion. Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form. The principles of the Bhagavad-gita were spoken to Arjuna, and, for that matter, to other highly elevated persons, because he was highly advanced compared to ordinary persons in other parts of the world. Two plus two equals four is a mathematical principle that is true both in the beginner's arithmetic class and in the advanced class as well. Still, there are higher and lower mathematics. In all incarnations of the Lord, therefore, the same principles are taught, but they appear to be higher and lower in varied circumstances." (From Purport to Bhagavad-gita 4.7 By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

"It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can advent Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear. In each and every incarnation, He speaks as much about religion as can be understood by the particular people under their particular circumstances. But the mission is the same--to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion. Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form. The principles of the Bhagavad-gita were spoken to Arjuna, and, for that matter, to other highly elevated persons, because he was highly advanced compared to ordinary persons in other parts of the world. Two plus two equals four is a mathematical principle that is true both in the beginner's arithmetic class and in the advanced class as well. Still, there are higher and lower mathematics. In all incarnations of the Lord, therefore, the same principles are taught, but they appear to be higher and lower in varied circumstances." (From Purport to Bhagavad-gita 4.7 By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

'The yoga students were influenced by Prabhupada's lecture, so much so that they came by the next morning and joined the eleven of us waiting outside Prabhupada's house. On this fresh and mild morning we were all going to accompany Prabhupada on one of his regular walks. Damodara, who had now returned to Boston for his visit, and who liked to make videos, was lying down on the street beside a car, his camera poised for the door to open. When Prabhupada came out onto the porch and walked down the stairs, he said loudly, "Jayas tu pandu-putranam yesam pakse janardanah: 'Because Krsna was on the side of the Pandavas, they were victorious during the battle of Kuruksetra. So, if you keep 'Hare Krsna' on your side, you will always be victorious.'" We all cheered, "Jaya!" He first passed us by, and then, at the street curb, he turned to back to us and said, "We do not serve Krsna for any benefit. And even if there is no benefit, still we serve." I'd been always looking for some return for my services, some remuneration, even if only a smile from Prabhupada or some praise from my god-brothers and god-sisters. "We only serve Krsna to make Him happy," Prabhupada added and then told the yoga students, "You don't have to look very far to see Krsna, just like you don't have to look very far to see the sky. The sky is after all everywhere. Similarly, Krsna is everywhere-and He is canvassing you." He walked so briskly that we practically had to run to keep up with him. I could scarcely believe that he was so easily outpacing us twenty-year-olds.' (The Art of Spiritual Life By Jadurani dasi,1968,Twiceborn)

'The yoga students were influenced by Prabhupada's lecture, so much so that they came by the next morning and joined the eleven of us waiting outside Prabhupada's house. On this fresh and mild morning we were all going to accompany Prabhupada on one of his regular walks. Damodara, who had now returned to Boston for his visit, and who liked to make videos, was lying down on the street beside a car, his camera poised for the door to open. When Prabhupada came out onto the porch and walked down the stairs, he said loudly, "Jayas tu pandu-putranam yesam pakse janardanah: 'Because Krsna was on the side of the Pandavas, they were victorious during the battle of Kuruksetra. So, if you keep 'Hare Krsna' on your side, you will always be victorious.'" We all cheered, "Jaya!" He first passed us by, and then, at the street curb, he turned to back to us and said, "We do not serve Krsna for any benefit. And even if there is no benefit, still we serve." I'd been always looking for some return for my services, some remuneration, even if only a smile from Prabhupada or some praise from my god-brothers and god-sisters. "We only serve Krsna to make Him happy," Prabhupada added and then told the yoga students, "You don't have to look very far to see Krsna, just like you don't have to look very far to see the sky. The sky is after all everywhere. Similarly, Krsna is everywhere-and He is canvassing you." He walked so briskly that we practically had to run to keep up with him. I could scarcely believe that he was so easily outpacing us twenty-year-olds.' (The Art of Spiritual Life By Jadurani dasi,1968,Twiceborn)

Taking the part of Radharani, Caitanya tries to love Krsna as Radharani loved Him. Krsna was always amazed by Radharani's love. "How does Radharani give Me such pleasure?" He would ask. In order to study Radharani, Krsna lived in Her role and tried to understand Himself. This is the secret of Lord Caitanya's incarnation. Caitanya is Krsna, but He has taken the mode or role of Radharani to show us how to love Krsna. Thus He is addressed: "I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord who is absorbed in Radharani's thoughts." (From Introduction to Teachings of Lord Caitanya By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

I'm not sure whether I remember correctly,butdidn't Srila Prabhupada write somewhere that even Krsna cannot understand Radha and that He has to descend as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to understand Radha's devotion?

"So one who is spreading Krsna-upadesa, simply repeat what is said by Krsna, then you become acarya. Not difficult at all. Everything is stated there. We have to simply repeat like parrot. Not exactly parrot. Parrot does not understand the meaning; he simply vibrates. But you should understand the meaning also; otherwise how you can explain?" (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,lecture, Mayapur, April 6, 1975) [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 02-05-2002).]

"So one who is spreading Krsna-upadesa, simply repeat what is said by Krsna, then you become acarya. Not difficult at all. Everything is stated there. We have to simply repeat like parrot. Not exactly parrot. Parrot does not understand the meaning; he simply vibrates. But you should understand the meaning also; otherwise how you can explain?" (His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,lecture, Mayapur, April 6, 1975) [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 02-05-2002).]

Bob: The devotees have said that the sensual pleasures they have given up are replaced with spiritual kinds of pleasures, but--see--I haven't felt this. Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual pleasures come when you desire to please Krsna. That is spiritual pleasure. For example, a mother is more pleased by feeding her son. She's not eating, but when she sees that her son is eating very nicely, then she becomes pleased. Bob: Hmm-m. Spiritual pleasure, then, is pleasing God. Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual pleasure means the pleasure of Krsna. Bob: Pleasing Krsna. Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Material pleasure means the Pleasure of the senses. That's all. This is the difference. When you simply try to please Krsna, that is spiritual pleasure. Bob: I had viewed this as--my thought of pleasing God was to-- Srila Prabhupada: Don't manufacture your ways of Pleasing God. Don't manufacture. Suppose I want to please you. Then I shall ask you, "How can I serve you?" Not that I manufacture some service. That is not pleasing. Suppose I want a glass of water. If you concoct the idea, "Svamiji will be more pleased if I give him a glass of milk, hot milk," that will not please me. If you want to please me, then you should ask me, "How can I Please you?" And if you do what I order, that will please me. (my italics) Bob: And pleasing Krsna, then, is being a devotee of Krsna. Srila Prabhupada: A devotee is one who is always pleasing Krsna. He has no other business. That is a devotee.(Perfect Questions,Perfect Answers By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,Chapter Five:Becoming Pure)

Bob: The devotees have said that the sensual pleasures they have given up are replaced with spiritual kinds of pleasures, but--see--I haven't felt this. Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual pleasures come when you desire to please Krsna. That is spiritual pleasure. For example, a mother is more pleased by feeding her son. She's not eating, but when she sees that her son is eating very nicely, then she becomes pleased. Bob: Hmm-m. Spiritual pleasure, then, is pleasing God. Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual pleasure means the pleasure of Krsna. Bob: Pleasing Krsna. Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Material pleasure means the Pleasure of the senses. That's all. This is the difference. When you simply try to please Krsna, that is spiritual pleasure. Bob: I had viewed this as--my thought of pleasing God was to-- Srila Prabhupada: Don't manufacture your ways of Pleasing God. Don't manufacture. Suppose I want to please you. Then I shall ask you, "How can I serve you?" Not that I manufacture some service. That is not pleasing. Suppose I want a glass of water. If you concoct the idea, "Svamiji will be more pleased if I give him a glass of milk, hot milk," that will not please me. If you want to please me, then you should ask me, "How can I Please you?" And if you do what I order, that will please me. (my italics) Bob: And pleasing Krsna, then, is being a devotee of Krsna. Srila Prabhupada: A devotee is one who is always pleasing Krsna. He has no other business. That is a devotee.(Perfect Questions,Perfect Answers By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,Chapter Five:Becoming Pure)