Divine Words of the Guardian of Devotion
Devotee: How can we detect pratistha within ourselves?
Srila Guru Maharaj: That comes with the development of internal perfection and our continuous thankfulness to Gurudeva. It is necessary to understand and feel that everything comes from above: “I have nothing. I have no position and therefore my present situation always depends on the mercy of my Gurudeva. It may be withdrawn from me at any moment. Whatever I may have is not a fixed thing in me. It is not as a matter of right but is only extended grace in me. The moment it is withdrawn I am nowhere. It is all Krsna’s svarupa-sakti. I am tatastha-sakti and have no capital. I am working on the capital of my Master. I have no capital of my own.” We must be able to remain on such a plane of thinking and realize that, “Without His help, without His grace, I am in darkness. My fate is dark. As long as He extends His grace in me I can see. If the light is withdrawn, the eye is helpless.” We are to realize the position that it is not our birth-right.
By our birth we are tatastha-sakti, marginal potency, and whatever we have found, it is the gracious extension of svarupa-sakti in us. Our Guru and the Vaisnavas are the proprietors. It is their wealth and property; it all belongs to them. At the same time it never occurs that the Guru and Vaisnavas withdraw their grace from the faithful. Such cruel activity can never be seen, rather they are busy to extend their circle and they never withdraw; that is our solace, our consolation. But it is not a matter of right that we can make some demand. There must be no demand and no challenge. The challenging spirit towards the Vaisnavas must be eliminated for ever. We are living on their grace, their Prasada.
Uddhava said to the Lord:
tvayopabhukta-srag-gandha-vaso’ lankara-carccitah
ucchista-bhojino dasas, tava mayam jayema hi
“Adorned with the articles that have been offered to You, such as garlands, fragrant clothing, and ornaments, we. Your personal servitors who partake of Your holy remnants alone, will certainly be able to conquer Your illusory energy (Maya).”
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