Even a moments association with a pure devotee

[kailasa 0]

"So this Krsna consciousness movement, it is the desire of Krsna that these people who have no information practically about Bhagavan, so they should learn something from this Krsna consciousness movement. And therefore we have published so many nice books. It is the desire of Krsna they should read these books and try to understand the Krsna philosophy, the science of Krsna, the science of God. Then their life will be perfect.

 

"Sadacara, these are the Sadacara: to rise early in the morning, to take bath, attend maмgala-дrдtrika, and chant Hare Krsna mantra, read books, Vedic literature, and then prasдdam—always some prescribed duty for Krsna consciousness. That is called Sadacara.

 

"We are reading Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita. That is also Isa. BIsause these are the words of Isa, therefore, Isa being absolute, there is no difference between His words and Him. Krsna, five thousand years ago He spoke Bhagavad-gita. That Bhagavad-gita is the same Bhagavad-gita which He spoke five thousand years ago, and it is not different from Krsna bIsause Krsna is absolute. Whatever, His words, His form, His name, His quality, everything, His temple, His activities, His books—everything Isa.

 

At that time Caitanya Mahaprabhu was staying at Varanasi. So he met Him there. And after his becoming a Vaisnava, dressed in Vaisnava, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed him for two months continually just to enliven him in the matter of devotional service and write books so that in future the followers of Caitanya cult may take guide and be advanced in spiritual consciousness.

 

So those who have joined this Krsna consciousness movement, my request is they follow the regulative principles, as instructed by Rupa Gosvami, with enthusiasm, read books and distribute books. And that is a very great service. I'll speak something, you may forget, but if you read from the book, you will get good opportunity to understand the philosophy. So our principle is to study the books as well as to distribute the books. People will be benefited and their life will be successful. This is Krsna consciousness movement.

 

Some are trying to merge into the spiritual existence only, and we devotees, we want to keep individuality and want to become associate with the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna. So gradually you can learn it from the lectures and the books and with association with your Godbrothers and sisters.

 

So we have to study the Vedic literature very carefully, following the footsteps of Gosvamis. Not only chanting. This is also required, kеслot-kйrtana-gдna. But this is meant, if you simply go on chanting without reading books, that is also good. Especially in this age, bIsause nobody has got power to study books. Education is very less, so still, one who is able, they should consider all this. We have given in English translation. So many important books, you study, and chant this Hare Krsna mantra like this, and that is the following the footsteps of Gosvamis. Acaryopasana. We have to worship the acaryas. That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita, for making advancement in spiritual life, Acaryopasana. So this is Acaryopasana, by reading their books,

 

---

 

"Prabhupada: Well, if that sort of remark is given it is not against the sastra, but it was not necessarily previously. His direct association... Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

 

sadhu sanga sadhu sanga sarva sastra kaya

lava mдtra sдdhu saмge sarva siddhi haya

 

"Even a moments association with a pure devotee—all success." Not necessarily that one has to acquire it previous, no. Generally it is so, but sadhu sanga has got its effect. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, lavamatra sadhu sanga sarva siddhi haya. You have not read in the Sanatana-siksa in the Teachings of Lord Caitanya?

 

 

Revatinandana: Does that also apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?

 

Prabhupada: Yes.

 

 

Revatinandana: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?

 

Prabhupada: Effect, of course, it requires both the things. One must be very eager to take it.

 

 

Just like Maharaja Pariksit heard SB, and there are so many others. They are also reading SB. So Maharaja Pariksit was very serious. So both things should be serious. Just like the example: the husband and wife must be potent; then there is pregnancy. Otherwise there is no pregnancy. So sewing the seed, the field also must be fertile or receptible, then the seed will fructify. It is reciprocal."

 

------------------------------

 

The beginning of service is to engage our hearing organs, and receive the transcendental message by aural reception. And whenever we are mature in receiving the transcendental message from books like Bhagavad-gita, and Srimad-Bhagavatam, via media the transparent bona fide Spiritual Master, then we are able to chant or engage our tongue in the service of the Lord, being engaged in the service of the Lord.

 

...and they are understanding association with the Spiritual Master is the same as association with His vani or teachings. This is a transcendental fact.

 

Thus it is the duty of the acarya to publish books that will help future candidates take up the method of service and become eligible to return home, back to Godhead, by the mercy of the Lord.

 

Krsna will accept a devotee who strictly follows the regulative principles and the method prescribed in the various books and literatures published by the authorities. The acarya gives the suitable method for crossing the ocean of nescience by accepting the boat of the Lords lotus feet, and if this method is strictly followed, the followers will ultimately reach the destination, by the grace of the Lord. This method is called acarya-sampradaya. It is therefore said, sampradдya-vihйnд ye mantrдs te niсphalд matдщ (Padma Purana).

 

He never claims to have written this transcendental literature by carrying out research work. He simply admits his indebtedness to the notes taken by Svarupa Damodara, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and other authoritative persons. This is the way of writing transcendental books, which are never meant for so-called scholars and research workers. The process is mahд-jano yena gataщ sa panthдщ: one has to strictly follow great personalities and acaryas. Дcдrya-vдn puruсo veda: one who has the favor of the acarya knows everything. This statement made by Kaviraja Gosvami is very valuable for all pure devotees. Sometimes the prakrta sahajiyas claim that they have heard the truth from their guru. But one cannot have transcendental knowledge simply by hearing from a guru who is not bona fide. The guru must be bona fide, and he must have heard from his bona fide guru.

 

As Svarupa Damodara has said, if one wants to learn the meaning of SB, one must take lessons from a realized soul. One should not proudly think that one can understand the transcendental loving service of the Lord simply by reading books. One must become a servant of a Vaisnava. As Narottama dдsa Цhдkura has confirmed, chдтiyд vaiслava-sevд nistдra pдyeche kebд: one cannot be in a transcendental position unless one very faithfully serves a pure Vaiслava. One must accept a Vaiслava guru (дdau gurv-дзrayam), and then by questions and answers one should gradually learn what pure devotional service to Krsna is. That is called the parampara system.

 

The devotee never thinks that he is a great bhakta. Kеsnadasa Kavirдja Gosvдmй, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, has stated, purйсera kйцa haite muпi se laghiсцha: "I am lower than the worms in stool." (Adi 5.205) This is the Vaisnava conception.

 

The Vaiслava says, "Krsna is God. Worship Krsna." It is not difficult to become a guru, provided that we repeat what Krsna says. Whatever Krsna states in Bhagavad-gita is dharma. Dharma is one. It cannot be different. Dharma means abiding by the orders of God. However, if we do not know God or His orders, we can only set about manufacturing some rubbish and fighting among ourselves. This is not dharma but philosophical speculation. All of this speculation and manufactured dharma has been kicked out of SB bIsause it is all cheating.

 

If we do not cultivate knowledge, we are no better than animals. An animal may say that there is no need of books and that he has become a guru, but how can anyone obtain knowledge without the study of authoritative books on science and philosophy? Rascal gurus try to avoid these things. We must understand that we are all born rascals and fools and that we have to be enlightened. We have to receive knowledge to make our lives perfect. If we do not perfect our lives, we are defeated. What is this defeat? The struggle for existence. We are trying to obtain a better life, to attain a superior position, and for this we are struggling very hard.

 

There are many philosophy and theology books, but people are not interested in them. That is the difficulty. For instance, the SB is a very long work, and if you try to read this book, it may take many days just to understand one line of it. The Bhagavatam describes God, the Absolute Truth, but people are not interested. And if, by chance, someone becomes a little interested in spiritual life, he wants something immediate and cheap. Therefore, he is cheated.

 

And he has also heard from his guru. THIS IS BOTH, hearing. Therefore Vedas are known as sruti. Formerly it was learned simply by HEARING. There was no books. And there was no need of noting down. The merit was so perfect that simply by hearing from guru, he would understand everything.

But in the Kali-yuga bIsause gradually we are losing the potency of our brain, therefore we require in writing books. Vyasadeva was very kind. He knew that in the Kali-yuga there will be no sharpened brain.

 

You have to repeat only, and you become guru. Our request is that you all respectable gentlemen, you develop this center of ISKCON. We have published so many important books. They are being appreciated all over the world by scholars, by universities. You also study them, learn Krsna science, Krsna consciousness, and preach in your country. That is my request.

 

You can make yourself perfect bIsause in the Bhдratavarсa there are this Bhagavad-gita, SB, Vedic literature. Just study them. And therefore we are publishing so many books on the basis of Bhagavad-gita and SB and people are appreciating very much all over the world. So it is the duty of every Indian to make his life perfect by understanding Bhagavad-gita at least, and spread the message. That is Caitanya Mahдprabhus mission. Yдre dekha tдre kaha kеслa-upadeзa. Every one of you can become a guru. He says that. Дmдra дjпдya guru haпд tдra’ ei deзa. Wherever you are, you can deliver the persons, surrounding persons in your neighborhood. "How can I become guru? I have no qualification." No. There is no need of qualification. Simply repeat. Yдre dekha tдre kaha kеслa-upadeзa. Very simple thing. Anyone you meet, "My dear friend, just hear little.What is that?Now, Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You kindly think of Krsna. Just offer your obeisances to Krsna, just become a bhakta and chant His holy name." Bas. Your guru duty is finished. So it is not very difficult task. Anyone can do this. And then everyone will be benefited. And that is Krsna consciousness movement.

 

Sudama: She wants to know actually that should they just have the chanting without reading your books or without instruction or following the program.

Prabhupada: But that chanting must be pure. Your guru is writing books. If you think, "There is no necessity of reading books," that is guror avajna. Do you means to say I am writing these books whole night for selling and making money? What do you think like that?

Woman Devotee: So there should just be chanting and reading of the books.

Prabhupдda: Yes.

 

That transcendental vibration... Just like we are chanting, this is one vibration. And these books are bigger vibration. This is... This, when we chant Hare Krsna mantra, a few yards, people can hear, "Here is Hare Kеслa." But this, my Guru Maharaja used to say, that "This is brhad-mrdanga.” Mrdanga, that drum, you have seen, that is small Mrdanga. If I beat on this drum, maybe a few yards, people can heard from few yards. But this is... The books are distributed, it can go from country to country, from continent to continent, actually it is so happening. So our only appeal is that all book sellers, all publishers, may come forward and cooperate with us and distribute the transcendental literature in the unique form.

 

So this press propaganda, this literary propaganda, is required bIsause it is not sentiment. Krsna consciousness is not sentiment. It is not that some sentimental people have gathered here and dancing and chanting. No. There is background. There is philosophical background. There is theological understanding. It is NOT BLIND or sentimental. So therefore Narada advises Vyasadeva that "You are not only fortunate, but you are amogha-dеk. Your vision is perfect bIsause you are liberated." Amogha. Our vision—we are not perfect. Therefore youll find in Vedic version, anuзелuyet, anuvarлayet. Anu. Anu means following. Following. We have to follow the acaryas. Just like Vyasadeva. Amogha-dеk: his vision is without any impediment. There are four kinds of impediments for the conditioned soul. What are those? That we are subjected to commit error.

 

So our business is not to make any research work, not to invent something, not to write voluminous books, something mental concoction. We have got everything ready, given by this, received through the parampara system. Everything, real fact, real goods, not bogus things. So we have to simply accept. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, дmдra дjпдya guru haпд tдra’ ei deзa, yдre dekha tдre kaha kеслa-upadeзa. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that "Every one of you just become... Each and every one of you become a spiritual master under My order.Oh, so what is Your order?" Yдre dekha tдre kaha kеслa-upadeзa: "Whomever you meet, simply you say what Krsna has spoken or what about Krsna has been spoken." The Krsna has spoken the Bhagavad-gita. You simply speak about Bhagavad-gita. And this Bhдgavata is also spoken about Krsna. This is also kеслa-kathд; that is also kеслa-kathд. One is spoken directly by Krsna, and the other is spoken about Krsna. So theyre practically the same thing. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that yдre dekha tдre kaha kеслa-upadeзa: "You simply deliver the instruction of Kеслa, and you become a spiritual master."

 

Therefore I am so much after books. If we forget our position, if we become pound-shilling man, property man, then Krsna will be finished, bIsause Krsna is akiпcana-gocara. Therefore we should always remember that we possess this nice house not for our comfort, but people will come bIsause they are not accustomed. If we would have invited people, "Come and sit down on this Mayapura ground," no, there was no possibility. Therefore we must possess Krsna's temple very nice so that people will come, and we shall preach. That is philosophy, not that bIsause we have got this nice house, therefore we should be very much attached. Attachment must be there—for Krsna's service.

 

 

So the next question will be, "Then whom shall I select, guru?" Now, sabde pare ca niслдtam. A guru means one who is fully conversant in Vedic knowledge. Здbde pare. Sabda-brahman. Veda is known as sabda-brahman. In the material world all these books are material sound vibration, but Vedic knowledge is transcendental sound vibration. Hare Krsna is transcendental sound vibration. Narottama dasa Thakura says,

 

golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana.

 

This hari-nama-sankirtana is not a cinema song. No. It is golokera prema-dhana. This sound is coming... Just like we catch sound in the radios and television, similarly, you can catch sound also which is transmitted from Goloka Vrndavana. But you must have the particular machine to catch it. Then you can get message from Goloka Vrndavana.

 

 

Finish this business within this life. Take help from Krsna, take help from books, take from your spiritual master.

 

we have got spiritual master, we have got the books, Bhagavata, we have got Gita. Now let us take advantage of it. These transcendental literature, we have taken much pain to translate them into English so that you can understand. We have got fifty books. So take advantage. It is not meant for the cats and dogs. It is meant for the human being, not a particular class or nation. No. It is meant for all human being.

 

So Krsna teaches—He is so kind—as caitya-guru, from the heart, and He sends His representative from outside. Caitya-guru and guru, both ways, Krsna is trying. Krsna is so kind. So therefore Vedas, they are not man-made books. Veda, apauruseya. Apauruseya means not made by... We should not take Vedas as ordinary mental speculation book. No. It is perfect knowledge. It is perfect knowledge. And one has to take as it is, without any adulteration, interpretation. So it is spoken by God. Therefore Bhagavad-gita is also Veda. It is spoken by Krsna. So you cannot make any addition, alteration. You must take it as it is. Then you get the right knowledge. Vedas, how... The example is given. Perhaps you know several times that the Vedas, how it should be accepted as it is without interpretation.

 

Now he's describing what is Krsna consciousness, how to practice it. The practice is, the first thing is, Prahlada Maharaja recommends guru-зuзrьсayд. Guru-зuзrьсayд. Guru-зuзrь... means that you have to first of all select a spiritual master. Without a teacher, without guidance, nobody can make any process.

 

*************

 

Madhudvisa: ...cannot become a medical practitioner by simply reading the books. He must study under a medical practitioner. So in the case of your books, is it possible to become a devotee without actually having personal association with you? Just by reading your books?

 

Prabhupada: No, it is not that you have to associate with the author. But one who knows, if you cannot understand you have to take lesson from him. Not necessarily that you have to contact with the author always.

 

Devotee: Just like the textbooks are not written by the teachers; they're written by other professors.

 

Devotee: Usually you don't even meet the author.

 

Prabhupada: Simply one who knows the subject matter, he can explain.

 

Madhudviсa: But can your, would your purports, would that serve as explanation besides...

 

Prabhupada: No, no, anyone who knows the subject matter, he will be able to explain. Not necessarily the author is required to be present there. (break) ...to study from a medical man, I never said you have to study from the author. Or one who understood the author's purpose. Just like we are explaining Bhagavad-gita as it is. Not that one has to learn directly from Krsna. One who has understood Krsna, from him. That is parampara system.

 

***************

 

We cannot manufacture a God by our own concoctions. As stated by Narottama dasa Thakura, sadhu-sastra-guru: one has to test all spiritual matters according to the instructions of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master. The spiritual master is one who follows the instructions of his predecessors, namely the sadhus, or saintly persons.

 

A bona fide spiritual master does not mention anything not mentioned in the authorized scriptures.

 

Ordinary people have to follow the instructions of sadhu, sastra and guru. Those statements made in the sastras and those made by the bona fide sadhu or guru cannot differ from one another.

 

"One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one's possession should be offered to the spiritual master, and in the association of saintly persons and devotees one should worship the Lord, hear the glories of the Lord with faith, glorify the transcendental qualities and activities of the Lord, always meditate on the Lord's lotus feet, and worship the Deity of the Lord strictly according to the injunctions of the sastra and guru." ( SB 7.7.30-31 )

 

* * *

 

"Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya, cittete kariya aikya. One should accept a thing as genuine by studying the words of saintly people, the spiritual master and sastra.

 

The actual center is sastra, the revealed scripture.

 

If a spiritual master does not speak according to revealed scripture, he is not to be accepted.

 

Similarly, if a saintly person does not speak according to the sastra, he is not a saintly person.

 

Sastra is the center for all."

[theist 1]

Paramahaàsa: There’s a verse in the Bhägavatam that says that one moment’s association with a pure devotee is greater than liberation from the material world or than innumerable...

 

Prabhupäda: Yes.

 

Paramahaàsa: ...years of enjoyment on heavenly planets.

 

Prabhupäda: Yes.

 

Paramahaàsa: My question is: A pure devotee, when he comments Bhagavad-gétä, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with his commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?

 

Prabhupäda: Yes. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-gétä. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty? Everyone is helping you.

[theist 1]

Maharaja Nimi to the Yogendras:

 

 

"Therefore, O completely sinless ones I ask you to kindly tell me what the supreme good is. Afterall, even a half a moments association with pure devotees within this world of birth and death is a priceless treasure for any man."SB 11.2.20

[Guest guest]

"Beyond Business Of Hogs And Dogs"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.12

October 23, 1972, Vrndavana

 

 

"That Absolute Truth is realized by the seriously inquisitive student or sage who is well equipped with knowledge and who has become detached by rendering devotional service and hearing the Vedanta-sruti."

 

Prabhupada:

 

tac chraddadhana munayo

jnana-vairagya-yuktaya

pasyanty atmani catmanam

bhaktya sruta-grhitaya

[sB 1.2.12]

 

So first of all it has been described what is the purpose of life. This human form of life, it is not meant for being spoiled like the dogs and hogs. The dogs and hogs, they're busy to find out food: "Where is food? Where is stool?" And they are spoiling their whole day and night. Their life has been made by nature in such a way that they have no other business than to find out where is some food, where is some food, where is... And laboring, they're laboring very hard.

 

So human life is not meant for that purpose. It is a chance given by the nature's way. Asitim caturas caiva laksams tan jiva-jatisu. Eight million, four hundred thousands forms of life we are passing through. Nature has given a chance, this human form of body, especially civilized form of body... (aside:) Hmm? Don't do that. What is the purpose? Just like try to understand, a government servant, a big minister or M.P.'s, they're given all facilities of living condition, good bungalow, nice salary, servant. What is the purpose? The purpose is that with cool brain, satisfied mind, they'll do, be able to render valuable service to the administration. That is the purpose. Similarly, human being has been given so much facilities. The grains, the fruits, the flowers, the milk, intelligence to construct nice house, nice road, nice cities. The cats and dogs, they cannot do it. Why? You live peacefully and try to understand the value of life. Not that we get more facilities for bodily comfort and we engaged ourself in sense gratification. No.

 

Just like in the Western world, they have been endowed with so much facilities of comfortable life, but because they do not know how to utilize the comfortable situation of life, there is so much chaos and confusion. The so rich nations, young boys and girls, they are turning to be hippies. Because they do not find... It is hackneyed. The same wine, same women, and same motorcar and same road, it has become disgusting. That is the nature's way. Because human life is not meant for that purpose. Human life is meant for, as it is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, jivasya tattva-jijnasa nartho yas ceha karmabhih. You are working so hard... You are so working hard... Why? Is it meant for simply sense gratification and satisfying the bodily needs? That is being done by the hogs and dogs. The... We see the hogs and dogs, they are always busy. So this human form of life is not meant for that purpose. Jivasya tattva-jijnasa. Earn money, but... Be comfortable, but utilize time -- tattva-jijnasa, athato brahma jijnasa. That is your aim of life.

 

So this has been described in the previous verses: jivasya tattva-jijnasa nartho yas ceha karmabhih. If you have no program for tattva-jijnasa, then why should you work so hard? Food is available for birds and beasts. You have also your food. That is already there, destined by nature's way, by God's arrangement. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. God provides food just before your birth. A child takes birth; the mother, young mother, has no milk on the breast a minute ago. But as soon as the child is born, immediately there is profuse milk in the breast of the mother. That is the nature's arrangement. Before birth, the food, the child immediately require, the mother's breast, there is milk supply immediately. So by God's arrangement, the economic position is already arranged. Our only business is tattva-jijnasa.

 

What is that tattva? Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. The original cause of everything, the cause of all causes. That is already mentioned in the Vedas, that Krsna:

 

isvarah paramah krsnah

sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah

anadir adir govindah

sarva-karana-karanam

[bs. 5.1]

 

The cause of all causes. Why you have come to this material world? Why you are under the threefold miserable condition of life: adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika. These things are to be inquired. "I do not wish to die, but death is forced upon me. I do not want to become old man. Old age is forced upon me." So these are the inquiries, tattva-jijnasa. But they are not interested. Neither educational department, nor any other department. They are simply interested, "Where is money? Where is money? Where is money?" Diva carthehaya rajan kutumba-bharanena va [sB 2.1.3]. We are spoiling our night simply by sleeping. And, and those who have got sex facilities, they enjoying sex life. This is the night's engagement. And day's engagement, "Where is money? Where is money? Where is money?" And if we get money, then how to spend it for relatives, for sons, children. That's all. Diva carthehaya rajan.

 

So in this way we shall not spoil our life. The life's purpose is different. They do not know. The modern civilization do not know what is the purpose of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [sB 7.5.31]. They are trying to make adjustment, political situation, social situation in so many problems. The United Nations, they're trying to solve the problems of whole nation, but still the war is going on between such and such party, such and such party, and everyone busy in politics and diplomacy. This way, the problems of life cannot be solved. If there is any solution of the problems of life, it is actually this Krsna consciousness movement. Those who are intelligent, they should study the purpose of Krsna consciousness movement and try to apply in all fields of activities -- political, social, religious, anything, economical. Everything can be solved. Jiva, jivasya tattva-jijnasa. This is called inquiry, inquisitiveness about the Absolute Truth.

 

Now this verse is describing how one can become interested in the values of life. The values of life is to inquire the Absolute Truth, how this inclination can be developed or how Krsna consciousness can be developed. Tattva-jijnasa means Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan, Krsna. Now how this inclination... There is inclination in everyone, but by artificial means, they have been checked. Otherwise, normally, this inclination is there in everyone's heart. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti sadhya kabhu naya. It is not an artificial imposition. Naturally there is tendency to know, if he's a sane man, "What I am? What is God? What is my relationship with Him? Why I am suffering?" There are so many questions. So here it is suggested that if you are actually serious about tattva-jijnasa, to understand the Absolute Truth, this is the process. What is that? Tat sraddadhanah. Sraddha. Sraddha means that at least to understand that "These people are doing some nice things." Just like in Europe and America, the papers are now discussing about our Movement. They say, "They are nice people, and we want more of them." At least, they are saying like that. Yes. "These Hare Krishna people, they are very nice, and we want more of them." And in Berkeley, when our procession was taken, the neighboring shopkeepers, they remarked that "These people are not window-breaking crowd." Because as soon as there is some crowd, or procession, immediately they begin to break the windows and throw stones. That is, that has become a custom. So when they see that these people are very peaceful... Even the police, they also give certificate that "We don't have to take much worries to control this crowd," when our Ratha-yatra festival go.

 

So actually, this is the fact. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. If one develops Krsna consciousness, devotion to Krsna, then naturally, without any separate endeavor, all the good qualities will develop. This is the symptom how one is advancing in Krsna consciousness. That means all the good qualities will be visible in his character. That is practical. Anyone can test. Just like these boys, these girls, European, American boys and girls who have taken to this Krsna consciousness, just see how their bad habits have been altogether stopped. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. All good qualities will develop. You see practically. You see practically. These young boys and girls, they never asked me that "Give me some money. I shall go to cinema," or "I shall purchase a packet of cigarettes. I shall drink." No. This is practical. And everyone knows that from the very their birth, they are accustomed to eat meat, and... I do not know from the very beginning whether they are accustomed to take intoxicants. But actually they were habituated to these things, but they have altogether given up. They don't drink tea even, coffee, cigarettes, anything. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate... This is the test. A man has become devotee, at the same time smoking -- this is ludicrous. This is ludicrous. A devotee cannot smoke, cannot indulge in intoxication, nor illicit sex or meat... They cannot. That is disqualification. That means he's not on the platform. This is the practical.

 

So tat sraddadhanah. The first thing is sraddha. Adau sraddha. That is the beginning of Krsna conscious life. Rupa Gosvami has given this formula that in order to attain to the perfectional stage of life, how to love God,... Krsna consciousness movement means that we are try, teaching people how to love God. This is the sum and substance. Unfortunately, people have no idea of God, who is God, what is His form... Generally, they think God has no form. If anyone has advanced little in spiritual life, they come to the point of nirakara, or nirvisesa-brahman, formless. That is the first step in Brahman realization. We have already described this. But beyond that they don't want to proceed. They think this is fac..., this is final, to realize the impersonal feature of the Absolute Truth, that is final. That is Mayavada philosophy. No, that is not final. Still you have to advance, realize Paramatma. Still you have to advance, realize God, the Supreme Personality of God.

 

So we are teaching people how to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That means one who has surpassed the realm of Brahman and Paramatma, they can realize, they can understand what is the process of loving God. If they have no idea of God, then whom to love? You cannot love air or sky. You must have form. But they have no idea what is the form of God. Therefore sastra says, "Here is form." Isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [bs. 5.1]. Vigraha means form. Without form, how we can love? So to come to that perfectional stage, how to love God, this is our philosophy. How to love God. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [sB 1.2.6]. That is first-class religious system which helps the followers to come to the point to love God. That is first-class religion.

 

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo

yato bhaktir adhoksaje

ahaituky apratihata

yayatma suprasidati

[sB 1.2.6]

 

If you want actually peace and tranquillity, atma, of your self, of your mind, of your body, everything fully, then this is the process. This is the aim, how to love God.

 

So that stage, that supreme stage can be attained as it is described here, tac chraddadhanah. Sraddha. Rupa Gosvami therefore says, adau sraddha. In the beginning, one must have a conviction that "I must love Krsna, or God." This is the first... Caitanya-caritamrta karaca explains this sraddha:

 

‘sraddha'-sabde visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya

krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya

 

This is called sraddha, beginning, one... Bhagavan, Sri Krsna is teaching in the Bhagavad-gita,

 

sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebhyo

moksayisyami ma sucah

[bg. 18.66]

 

This is the beginning. If I am firmly convinced that simply by surrendering unto the lotus feet of Krsna I'll be saved by Him... Because He assures, "I..." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami. People suffer on account of sinful activities. The resultant actions are reserved there. What we are suffering now, it is the resultant action of our past sinful activities. And we are preparing another body in this life by committing sinful activities. The more we... Everyone within this material world who has got this material body, it is to be understood it is due to our past sinful activities. It doesn't matter what kind of body you have got. Therefore Bhagavata says that we should not, I mean to say, commit any more sinful activities. Na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam asann api klesada asa dehah [sB 5.5.4].

 

Although we have got this temporary body... You can say that "Although I am suffering, I'll, it will be finished, within, say, twenty years, ten years." Asann api. It is not permanent. But why you should make yourself under these tribulations of life? That is the problem. Not only that. Asann api klesada asa dehah. I have got this body. I am suffering. I am undergoing threefold miseries, threefold miserable condition of life. Why I shall make another body, again undergo the threefold miseries of life? Not only human life, any form of life. Human life, there... Human form of life, there is possibility of little comfort. Suppose if I get a body like a tree. Just like here is an eucalyptus tree standing. Then I'll have to stand for thousands of years. And I have to suffer scorching heat, shivering cold, and blast wind, and so many things.

 

So people have no education, unfortunately, that the spirit soul is permanent. It is changing different types of body in order to suffer different types of miserable condition of life. They're thinking, easy-going... "I have got now very nice body, eating, sleeping mating and..." That is the business of the hogs and dogs. That is not the business of human being. Human being must be serious to understand the value of life and prepare himself for the next life. The next life, if you go back to Krsna... Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama [bg. 15.6]. Krsna says, "You can go back to Krsna." Krsna comes here. He takes His incarnation here to canvass, "My dear sons, please come back home. Why you are suffering here?" Krsna comes, Krsna canvasses. Sarva-dharman parityajya [bg. 18.66]. "Why you have created so many rascaldom, politics and economics and this and that, So many things are encumbered. Please come to Me. You'll be happy." This is the whole instruction of Bhagavad-gita. He comes. He shows His vrndavana-lila, that "You can dance also with Me. You can play with Me just like cowherds boy. And I shall give you protection. There are so many demons. They're coming to attack us. But I'll give you protection." Jolly life. Anandamayo 'bhyasat. This is Krsna consciousness.

 

Krsna is coming personally, but we are so stubborn, we shall not take to this. We shall not take to this. Avajananti mam mudhah. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [bg. 7.15]. Krsna says, "These are the classes of men who do not surrender unto Me." Who are they? Duskrtinah. Those who are engaged always in sinful activities. Duskrtinah. Mudhah. Rascals without any knowledge. Asses. So duskrtinah mudhah and naradhamah, lowest of the mankind, lowest of the mankind. Means this human form of life is meant for understanding Krsna and surrender unto Him, but they'll not do. They're busy in so many other rascaldom except Krsna consciousness. This is their business, naradhamas. You can say, "Oh, there are so many educated persons, B.A., M.A., D.A.C.'s, and they do not take to Krsna consciousness." (aside:) Vaikuntha, you come here. You are in front of the... Agreti dalayam(?). Give him... Yes. You... So you can say that "So many educated persons, they're not taking to Krsna consciousness. Are they naradhamas, lowest of the mankind?" Yes? The immediate answer is "Yes.Now, after passing so big, big examination, they have become naradhamas?Yes."

 

The Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirms it: jibake karaye gadha, jada-bidya jato mayara vaibhava. This material education, they're simply expansion of the opulence of maya, illusion. Suppose if I am darkness, in darkness, if the darkness becomes more and more deeper, is it advancement? The darkness, there must be light. Then it is advancement. But if, if the, if there is little darkness, if you make it more and more dark, then is that advancement? So here it is actually... The advancement of so-called material education is making the people more and more attached to this material world. The value of life is jnana-vairagya, to acquire the knowledge, "What is the value of life?" And when one has actually attained to that platform of knowledge, he should be detached from this material world. Jnana-vairagya. That is required.

 

But what is happening? There is no knowledge of the value of life, and they are becoming more and more attached to this material world. Therefore Krsna says that so-called advancement of education, education means mayaya apahrta-jnana. The maya, the illusory energy, is plundering the real purpose of knowledge. Therefore they are naradhamas, simply spoiled. In Los Angeles, from the University, many scientists come, many psychologists and psychiatrists... We have got many students also, they are Doctor of Science. So we talked. So we flatly say that "This advancement of education making you naradhama, lowest of the mankind." So they are convinced. And some of them are very serious student. So actually this education, as Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said, jada-bidya jato mayara vaibhava, tomara bhajane badha. You, you'll see, the more a person is materially educated, he has no interested. Just like our whole state has become secular state. No more interested. Here is our Bhagavad-gita. Gandhi started his movement with Bhagavad-gita. The big, big politician, Aravinda, he studied Bhagavad-gita. And Tilaka, he studied Bhagavad-gita. Now, in our schools and colleges, if there is question of studying Bhagavad-gita, the state will not allow. Is it not? They... So mayaya apahrta-jnanah. Such a cultural book, such a book of knowledge, great book of knowledge, Bhagavad-gita, they're banned. It is banned. And if you present Bhagavad-gita with some nonsense commentary, that will be sold. And when you speak Bhagavad-gita as it is... Of course, factually, now we are getting ground. Our Bhagavad-gita is selling more than other editions, Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

 

So actually this is the knowledge. This knowledge is rejected. Mayaya apahrta-jnanah. Why this is happening? Asuram bhavam asritah. Because they have taken to the shelter of atheism, the philosophy of atheism: "There is no God. Everyone is God. I am God. You are God. Why you are finding out, trying to find out...? You are... Why you are going to the temples? There is no God. God is everywhere." God is everywhere, except in the temple. They'll preach this philosophy, "God is everywhere; why you are going to the temple?" That means God is everywhere except in the temple. That is their philosophy. So these nonsense things are going on. Naradhama. Therefore they're naradhamas. Don't follow these naradhamas. Be faithful. Try to understand, those who are actually followers of God. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [bg. 4.2]. So you take to this line of disciplic succession from Krsna and try to understand what is Absolute Truth, what is your relationship with you, how you can get out of the threefold miserable condition of life. This is possible. That is called brahma-jijnasa, tattva-jijnasa, athato brahma jijnasa.

 

The Bhagavata also says, jivasya tattva-jijnasa.

 

So this sraddadhanah, if we have got little faith that... Just like people come here with little faith. That faith is the little spark of fire. Now you have to fan it, fan it, so that fire may increase. Tat sraddadhanah munayah. So sraddadhanah, Rupa Gosvami has given us the formula that if you have got little faith in for understanding the Absolute Truth, Bhagavan, then adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah, associate with sadhu. Who is sadhu? Sadhu means devotee. Krsna says, api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah [bg. 9.30]. He's sadhu. Not a sadhu having big beard or mustaches and having red cloth without any sense of Krsna. He's not sadhu. Sadhu means one who is fully engaged in the service of the Lord. He's sadhu. Api cet su-duracarah. Even if he's not very well-behaved, su-duracara, still he's sadhu. Why? Bhajate mam ananya-bhak. He has no other business than to love Krsna. This is the symptom of sadhu.

 

So sadhu-sanga means: Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. Sadhu-sanga means to associate with the devotees of Krsna. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya. Sadhu-sanga. As soon as these boys... They first of all, they come out of inquisitiveness to our several centers. Gradually, they shave their head and try to understand the books and literature. They then come forward: "Swamiji, give me initiation. Make, get me the sannyasi-asrama." Gradually they come. So adau sraddha tatah sa... Sadhu, this is the effect of sadhu-sanga. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said,

 

sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva-sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

[Cc. Madhya 22.54]

 

Actually, if one associates with a sadhu, with a pure devotee of Lord, then certainly it will be effective. Certainly. This Krsna consciousness society is meant for giving opportunity to the people to make association with bhaktas. By association with bhakta, devotees, they'll become also bhakta. Sangat sanjayate kamah. If you associate with drunkards, then you gradually become a drunkard. But if you associate with devotees, gradually you become a devotee. This is natural sequence.

 

So adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat. Anartha, things which are not wanted. Artha means wanted, something wanted; anartha means this is not wanted. So we are habituated to so many things, bad habits. So anartha-nivrttih syat. This is the result of bhajana-kriya. Anartha. Anartha. Just like these things, as we prohibit -- illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling -- these are anarthas. They are not required actually. But people are habituated to these things on account of bad association. So if you associate with a really sadhu, if you execute really devotional service, these anarthas will be vanquished. That is the symptom. No more illicit sex. No more intoxication. No more gambling. No more meat-eating, fish-eating, egg-eating. No. That is called anartha.

 

People are not dying for want, for want of cigarette smoking. But it is habit. You can give it up. You can give up so many things which is not required at all. So these unwanted things will be automatically vanquished. This is the result of bhajana-kriya. Not that I am chanting one hand, Hare Krsna, and in another hand, smoking. This is not anartha-nivrtti. The... If actually you are chanting, there will be no more in the other hand, smoking bidi or cigarette. This is called anartha-nivrtti. Then after anartha-nivrtti, then you become cleansed. Yesam anta-gatam papam. This is called the freedom stage from all sinful activities. Because unless you are free from all sinful activities, we cannot engage ourself in devotional service.

 

yesam tv anta-gatam papam

jananam punya-karmanam

te dvandva-moha-nirmukta

bhajante mam drdha-vratah

[bg. 7.28]

 

The bhajana, devotional service, is possible when one is freed from these anarthas, unwanted things. Tato nistha rucis tatah athasaktis tato bhavah, sadhakanam ayam premnah pradurbhave bhavet kramah.

 

So these are the different steps of sraddha. Actually, devotional service means increasing your faith more and more. And these are the steps. The first step is that you must associate with devotees and then take to bhajana-kriya. Then see, examine yourself that whether you are free from all the anarthas, all the unwanted things. If all the unwanted things are vanquished, then you'll have firm faith. Bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya, nasta-prayesu abhadresu... Nasta [sB 1.2.18]. Not that I am completely free from all sinful activities, but prayesu, say, fifty percent, sixty percent is gone. At that time, nasta-prayesu abhadresu... How it has come to take place? Nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Nityam... We have to daily. Not that Bhagavata-saptaha, and finish, and whole year you can do all nonsense. Not like that. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya.

 

I don't find any Bhagavata-saptaha any authorized book. I don't find. There are so many big, big stalwart commentators of Srimad-Bhagavatam, beginning from Sridhara Svami. Nobody has recommended this Bhagavata-saptaha. But it has come to existence by the professional man. But actually nityam bhagavata-sevaya. How you can finish Bhagavatam in seven days? You cannot finish even one word. My Guru Maharaja explained Srimad-Bhagavatam, the first verse, janmady asya yatah [sB 1.1.1], in Dacca, for three months. Actually, it is so profound. Janmady asya yatah. This very quote contains all the Vedanta philosophy. How you can finish Bhagavatam within seven days? It is a farce. Actually, Bhagavata should be relished. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya.

 

nasta-prayesv abhadresu

nityam bhagavata-sevaya

bhagavaty uttama-sloke

bhaktir bhavati naisthiki

[sB 1.2.18]

 

As soon as praya, seventy-five, sixty percent of your unwanted things are given up, and then your naisthiki, firm, steady devotional attitude develops. Bhagavaty uttama-sloke bhaktir bhavati naisthiki.

 

tada rajas-tamo-bhavah

kama-lobhadayas ca ye

ceta etair anaviddham

sthitam sattve prasidati

[sB 1.2.19]

 

You cannot have a steady position unless you come to the platform of goodness. Sthitam sattve. Sattva means sattva-guna, goodness. And rajo-guna and tamo-guna means kama and lobha, lust and greediness. This is the symptoms. And when you come to the platform of goodness, then you are satisfied that "I don't want all these things. Now I want Brahman." Brahma janati iti brahmanah.

 

So these are the processes. So Bhagavata recommends, tat sraddha, sraddadhana munayo jnana-vairagya-yuktaya. There must be sufficient knowledge. Otherwise this kind of vairagya has no meaning. I have, I've taken renounced order of life, but I've, privately I've got all these nonsense, illicit sex, intoxication, gambling -- that is not required. Real knowledge means there must be renouncement of this nonsense. That is real knowledge. Jnana-vairagya-yuktaya munayah pasyanty atma... For him, it is not difficult to find out where is God. He can immediately find out God sitting within his heart. Immediately. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti [bs. 5.38]. Anywhere he can sit down and he can talk with God, he can see God, he can take direction from God. Pasyanty atmani catmanam bhaktya sruta-grhitaya. By devotional service. Not by other means. Sruta-grhitaya. By understanding from the Vedas. Not manufactured. Just like Krsna says, evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [bg. 4.2]. You have to hear from Krsna or from His bona fide representative. Then it will be sufficient.

 

Thank you very much. (end)

 

 

 

So sadhu-sanga means: Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. Sadhu-sanga means to associate with the devotees of Krsna. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya. Sadhu-sanga. As soon as these boys... They first of all, they come out of inquisitiveness to our several centers. Gradually, they shave their head and try to understand the books and literature. They then come forward: "Swamiji, give me initiation. Make, get me the sannyasi-asrama." Gradually they come. So adau sraddha tatah sa... Sadhu, this is the effect of sadhu-sanga. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said,

[Subala 1]

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

 

lava matra is time about equal to the blink of the eyebrow.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Please observer carefully. Srila Prabhupada says <B>both</B> things are necessary ... books are very esential but alone not enough. I've highlighted in bold red, the relevant parts.

 

 

"Prabhupada: Well, if that sort of remark is given it is not against the sastra, but it was not necessarily previously. His direct association... Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

 

sadhu sanga sadhu sanga sarva sastra kaya

lava matra sadhu saamge sarva siddhi haya

 

"Even a moments association with a pure devotee all success." Not necessarily that one has to acquire it previous, no. Generally it is so, but sadhu sanga has got its effect. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, lavamatra sadhu sanga sarva siddhi haya. You have not read in the Sanatana-siksa in the Teachings of Lord Caitanya?

 

 

Revatinandana: Does that also apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?

 

Prabhupada: Yes.

 

 

Revatinandana: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?

 

<font face="monotype corsiva" size=6 color=red><B>Prabhupada: Effect, of course, it requires both the things. One must be very eager to take it.</font></B>

 

 

Just like Maharaja Pariksit heard SB, and there are so many others. They are also reading SB. So Maharaja Pariksit was very serious.<font face="monotype corsiva" size=6 color=red><B> So both things should be serious. Just like the example: the husband and wife must be potent; then there is pregnancy. Otherwise there is no pregnancy. So sewing the seed, the field also must be fertile or receptible, then the seed will fructify. It is reciprocal."</font></B>

 

[theist 1]

 

Please observer carefully. Srila Prabhupada says both things are necessary ... books are very esential but alone not enough. I've highlighted in bold red, the relevant parts.

 

Good point. And the second thing is "One must be eager to take it."

 

So read/hear with eagerness.

[Laulyam 0]

TEXT 18

nasta-prayesv abhadresu

nityam bhagavata-sevaya

bhagavaty uttama-sloke

bhaktir bhavati naisthiki

SYNONYMS

nasta--destroyed; prayesu--almost to nil; abhadresu--all that is inauspicious; nityam--regularly; bhagavata--Srimad-Bhagavatam, or the pure devotee; sevaya--by serving; bhagavati--unto the Personality of Godhead; uttama--transcendental; sloke--prayers; bhaktih--loving service; bhavati--comes into being; naisthiki--irrevocable.

TRANSLATION

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

PURPORT

Here is the remedy for eliminating all inauspicious things within the heart which are considered to be obstacles in the path of self-realization. The remedy is the association of the Bhagavatas. There are two types of Bhagavatas, namely the book Bhagavata and the devotee Bhagavata. Both the Bhagavatas are competent remedies, and both of them or either of them can be good enough to eliminate the obstacles. A devotee Bhagavata is as good as the book Bhagavata because the devotee Bhagavata leads his life in terms of the book Bhagavata and the book Bhagavata is full of information about the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees, who are also Bhagavatas. Bhagavata book and person are identical.

The devotee Bhagavata is a direct representative of Bhagavan, the Personality of Godhead. So by pleasing the devotee Bhagavata one can receive the benefit of the book Bhagavata. Human reason fails to understand how by serving the devotee Bhagavata or the book Bhagavata one gets gradual promotion on the path of devotion. But actually these are facts explained by Srila Naradadeva, who happened to be a maidservant's son in his previous life. The maidservant was engaged in the menial service of the sages, and thus he also came into contact with them. And simply by associating with them and accepting the remnants of foodstuff left by the sages, the son of the maidservant got the chance to become the great devotee and personality Srila Naradadeva. These are the miraculous effects of the association of Bhagavatas. And to understand these effects practically, it should be noted that by such sincere association of the Bhagavatas one is sure to receive transcendental knowledge very easily, with the result that he becomes fixed in the devotional service of the Lord. The more progress is made in devotional service under the guidance of the Bhagavatas, the more one becomes fixed in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. The messages of the book Bhagavata, therefore, have to be received from the devotee Bhagavata, and the combination of these two Bhagavatas will help the neophyte devotee to make progress on and on.

 

 

 

[Laulyam 0]

<CENTER><CENTER><H1>The Glories of Sadhu-sanga</H1></CENTER><CENTER><H3>A lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.10–13 delivered by

Sri Srimad Bhakti Sri-rupa Siddhanti Gosvami Maharaja

 

Excerpt

</CENTER></H3>

 

 

Our Inability to Actually Associate

 

</CENTER>Real sadhus, however, are extremely rare and therefore difficult to find; and if they are found, it is very difficult to associate with them in the real sense. Although people of this world may attain the association of a bhagavad-bhakta, they remain unable to comprehend his bhava-dhara, line of thought that is his moods. We may, by the accumulation of previous sukriti, come close physically to a bhagavad-bhakta; but we then discover that we cannot associate with him in any real sense. If those who have attained the sanga of bhagavad-bhaktas find themselves unable to benefit from it, what can be said of the predicament of those who have not even attained such sanga.

Why is this so? Why can we not properly associate with bhagavad-bhaktas despite being in their company? Sanga means “samyak rupena gamana – to completely follow the bhagavad-bhakta.” It is difficult for us to comply with their instructions. Moreover, the foundation of sanga is priti. Without priti, there can be no sanga. We go to the market and see, meet and talk with many people, but can this be called sanga? No. Priti is the real requirement.

What is priti? Srila Rupa Gosvami has written:

dadati pratigrihnati

guhyam akhyati pricchati

bhunkte bhojayate caiva

shad-vidham priti-lakshanam

 

Sri Upadesamrita (4)

Offering pure devotees items in accordance with their requirements, accepting remnant items given by pure devotees, revealing to devotees one’s confidential realizations concerning bhajana, inquiring from them about their confidential realizations, eating with great love the prasada remnants given by devotees and lovingly feeding them prasada – these are the six symptoms of loving association with pure devotees.

Are we able to deal with bhagavad-bhaktas with these six symptoms of priti? We can have these six exchanges with worldly people, but not with bhagavad-bhaktas, because maya does not let us do so. Such is the oppression of maya that she will not allow us to associate with sadhus. Hence, the sanga of bhagavad-bhaktas is very rare; we are unable to attain it even after attaining their company. This is our misfortune.

Why is this so? Man is the sangi (associate) of maya and likes associating with her. Ordinary people may come close to a bhagavad-bhakta, but they will prefer to discuss worldly topics with him and go away. They are not influenced by his association. It is very difficult for them. Therefore it is said that the result of associating with a bhagavad-bhakta for a single moment cannot be compared to the attainment of Svarga and moksha. What a significant matter! What a precious commodity is sadhu-sanga. Is such a highly worshipable and desirable thing attained in the course of everyone’s fate?

It is said in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Madhya-lila 22.54):

‘sadhu-sanga’, ‘sadhu-sanga’ sarva-sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a sadhu, one can attain all success.

 

<CENTER>Smearing One’s Body with a Sadhu’s Foot Dust

 

</CENTER>In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bharata Maharaja speaks as follows to King Rahugana: r

ahuganaitat tapasa na yati

na cejyaya nirvapanad grihad va

na cchandasa naiva jalagni-suryair

vina mahat-pada-rajo-’bhishekam

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.12.12)

How significant are the words spoken by Bharata Maharaja to King Rahugana. “O Rahugana, you want to know Bhagavan, but He cannot be known by austerity (tapasya), nor by worship, nor by giving up one’s home, nor indeed by living in one’s home. He cannot be known by reciting the Vedas nor by worshiping the demigods such as the Sun-god, Varuna and so on.

Why? Because vina mahat-pada-rajo-’bhishekam: as long as one does not smear himself with the foot dust of the mahat, great saintly personalities, one cannot achieve any result by performing all these other activities. So one should first seek the sanga of a great saintly personality, and only when he can smear himself with the foot dust of this personality, can Bhagavan be known to him.”

Prahlada Maharaja gave the same instruction to the sons of his guru:

naisham matis tavad urukramanghrim

sprisaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah

mahiyasam pada-rajo-’bhishekam

nishkincananam na vrinita yavat

 

Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.32)

Prahlada Maharaja told the sons of his teacher that they should give up everything. “What benefit can you derive from your father Sukracarya, who you consider a great pandita?” he asked. “His consciousness is unable to touch the lotus feet of Bhagavan, who performs uncommon activities. These lotus feet have the effect of removing a person’s anarthas and awarding him complete perfection. They deliver to him his prayojana, or goal.

“So how can we attain Bhagavan? Can everyone attain him? Mahiyasham pada-rajo-’bhishekam: one must smear himself with the dust of the lotus feet of mahat, a saintly personality. Who is such a saintly personality? Niskincananam na vrinita yavat: one who possesses no wealth other than Bhagavan. As long as we do not accept and smear upon our bodies the foot dust of a niskincana mahapurusha, we will achieve nothing at all.”

The essence of the whole subject, in the language of my gurupada-padma Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, is that the jiva’s supreme auspiciousness comes about by hearing hari-katha in sadhu-sanga. This is because sadhusanga is the sole means to attain krishna-bhakti:

krishna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga’

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Madhya-lila 22.84)

The root cause of bhakti to Sri Krishna is association with sadhus.

Hare Krishna.

Original Bengali lecture transcribed and translated into English. Audio recording courtesy of the disciples of Sri Srimad Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvami Maharaja.

Audio recording courtesy of the disciples of Sri Srimad Bhakti-Pramoda Puri Gosvami Maharaja RAYS OF THE HARMONIST No. 12 Gaura Purnima 2003

RAYS OF THE HARMONIST No. 13 Karttika 2003