Pandita: How does one develop devotional service to Krishna?
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by hearing Krishna-katha with attention and a service attitude from nonduplicitous devotees who worship the Supreme Lord and who have no duty other than to constantly glorify Krishna.
Sri Sarasvati Samlapa
Conversation 3
prabala bhaktir ajitendriyan api visaya-bhogad-uddharati –
badhyamano ‘pi mad-bhakto, visayair ajitendriyah
prayah pragalbhaya bhaktya, visayair nabhibhuyate
SB.11.14.18
Intense devotion delivers even persons of uncontrolled senses from worldly enjoyment –
“A person adopting the path of devotion may suffer the obstacle of his mind loitering somewhat in thoughts of mundanity, due to former habits of sensual dalliance. As he cultivates devotion, his service aptitude develops. And the more his boldness to serve increases, the more that materialistic devotee is gradually able to curb his attraction for the mundane. The only cause of failure for such aspirants is their lack of sincerity.”
Srila B.R Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaj
The foremost duty is to associate with the spiritual master and other Vaisnavas.
(Residence of Sri Atul Chandra Banerjee, Dhanvad, September 30, 1921)
Association with devotees is the main criteria by which a human being develops a propensity for worshiping Lord Hari. By associating with nondevotees, one can make material advancement, and by the influence of associating with devotees, the soul progressively becomes absorbed in the service of Lord Hari. This is the main support and most important asset of human existence. Do not ever become averse to this association. There will definitely be tangible results by associating with devotees. We spend our lives uselessly without the association of devotees. Other duties and works only replace the service of Lord Hari.
Consider this maxim: sreyamsi bahu vighnani, or “for anything beneficial or auspicious, there are always many obstacles” and discuss the following verse (Srimad -Bhagavatam 11.9.29) with great care:
labdhva su-durlabham idam bahu-sambhavante
manusyam artha-dam anityam apiha dhirah
turnam yateta na pated anu-mrtyu yavan
nihsreyasaya visayah khalu sarvatah syat
“After many, many births and deaths, one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Kṛṣṇa consciousness is possible only for a human being..”
PATRAMRITA Nectar from the Letters of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada
“So the Lord’s search for His lost servants is a loving search; it is not ordinary but from the heart. And the Lord’s heart is not an ordinary heart. Who can estimate what type of search He is engaged in? Although He is full in all respects, still He feels pangs of separation for every one of us, however small we may be.
In spite of His supreme position, He has room for us in a corner of His loving heart. This is the nature of the infinite. Such an absolute autocrat, absolute good, is Krishna. An autocrat is not under the law. It is not that if Krishna gives Himself to one, another will be lacking. The infinite is not like that; rather there is an infinite supply at His command. So He is the Emporium of Rasa [akhila-rasamrta murtih].
And He is searching for His lost servants, to bring them home.”
Loving Search for the lost servant.
Divine Words of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami
The pastimes of Krishna, and things favorable for devotional service..
Because we will forget the Supreme Lord if we are satisfied with material happiness, the merciful Lord has created various dangers to test us. Happiness in this material world guarantees the forgetfulness of Krishna.
Hence, miseries are examples of His compassion.
Patramrita – Nectar from letters by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakura Prabhupada
Lectures and personal talks with Srila Sridhar Maharaj
“The Faults You Find May Be Your Own”
There must be some affectionate heart within
Srila Sridhar Maharaj: We go to judge in the case of others: “Why should he receive all this mercy? He has got so many defects, so many disqualifications, an opposing attitude. Why should he be accepted or given any chance?”
But we want mercy for ourselves:
“Don’t come to judge me because then I have no hope, my Lord.”
Format: PDF
Peacefulness and tolerance are favorable for the execution of devotional service.
(Sri Purusottama Matha, Puri, February 5, 1935)
If devotion for the Supreme Lord is manifest then the living entities have no reason to be discontent. Due to our aversion to the Lord’s service, we are forced to enjoy the fruits of our karma. As a result of our deeds, sometimes we enjoy happiness and friendship, and sometimes we suffer distress and envy. If we feel the need for the Lord’s service then all kinds of distress and desires for material happiness cannot harm us.
If you constantly engage your mind in the Lord’s service then no one can harm you. If you are restless or dissatisfied with others then an inclination for the Lord’s service will not be present within your mind. Your words, body, and mind will form a mental displeasure that will not allow you to serve Hari. Therefore become tolerant like a tree, and by the Lord’s will stay at Samanta-pancaka. This will be beneficial for you. Wait for the day when Lord Gaura Hari will send you elsewhere.
Patramrita – Nectar from letters by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakura Prabhupada
Devotee: Maharaj, I have one question. I am very much afraid to write anything about Krsna consciousness because I see that I am having so many material desires; but at the same time, when I go out and I speak to people about Krsna, and the sweetness of Krsna, I see how much they are enjoying that. So I am thinking, even though I have no qualification, I should continue to write or to preach. Is this correct?
Srila Sridhar Maharaj: It is laudable that you want to do good to others. Mahaprabhu has given general instruction:
yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa
amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
(Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 7:128)
“Wherever you go, whomever you meet, talk with them only about Krsna. Deliver this news to anyone and everyone, and the new light will come to you, which in turn you are to distribute to others. In this way you will have a dynamic and progressive life and there will be no shortage of higher backing. If you obey my command, then you will find that I am there, backing you in this work.”
SERVICE FOR KRISHNA
Service is nourishing. Service is not depleting; it is not killing. Therefore our attempt should not be so much for knowledge, for trying to know everything, but it should be directed towards how we can utilize ourselves in the highest function: service.
Service, service, service.
Don’t be afraid that service is depleting energy. Service is life-giving. It is feeding you properly.
Service!
— Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami
Song Name: Krsna Bhakti Vina Kabhu
Official Name: Sreyo Nirnaya Song 1
Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Book Name: Gitavali
Language: Bengali
LYRICS:
(1)
kṛṣṇa-bhakti vinā kabhu nāhi phalodoy
miche sab dharmādharma jīver upādhimoy
(2)
yoga-yāga-tapo-dhyān, sannyāsādi brahma-jñān,
nānā-kāṇḍa-rūpe jīver bandhana-kāraṇa hoy
(3)
vinoder vākya dharo, nānā kānḍa tyāg koro,
nirupādhi kṛṣṇa-preme hṛdoye deho āśroy
TRANSLATION
