Maya means “that which is not.”
That which is, the positive, is God. The negation of the positive, God, is the negative, or maya. As soon as we connect the negative maya to the positive, personal God, considering ourselves God, we give birth to self-worship.
Speaking hari-katha is real rest – it removes all fatigue. Any endeavor other than kirtana, performed even for a moment, is averse to God. Exalted personalities and their followers always engage in glorifying topics about Hari in all respects. They have no other duty.
Sri Caitanyadeva also instructed us, kirtaniyah sada harih: always chant the glories of Hari. The symptom of liberated persons is that they only chant the glories of Hari at all times with body, mind, and speech.
Sri Sarasvati Samlapa, Conversation 5
Srila Saraswati Prabhupada
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
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
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
(Sri Purusottama Matha, Puri, May 7, 1929)
This material world is temporary—nobody has come here to live forever. When the Supreme Lord keeps one in a particular place, he should gladly stay there and accept His rewards and punishments. All types of rewards and punishments awarded by the Supreme Lord are meant for our benefit. We welcome the rewards of the Lords external energy, Maya, whereas we consider her punishments as troublesome. Since the punishments of Maya are awarded so that one can obtain the Lords mercy, the devotees do not disregard them; rather they gladly accept them as the Lords mercy and simply tolerate them. Those who cannot understand worldly inconveniences to be the Lords mercy ultimately fall into a state of disappointment while searching for material happiness and advancement. Next Saturday, the twentieth day of Vaisakha, is the candana-yatra festival.
During the summer, Sri Radha-Madana-mohanadeva enjoy water pastimes at Narendra-sarovara. During this time many pilgrims visit Sri Ksetra and get respite from their various miseries, as well as the heat. You should come to Sri Purusottama-Ksetra and become relieved of all material distress by hearing the glories of Hari. Our material miseries and scarcities will go away by participating in festivals in the association of those who serve the Supreme Lord. To always remain engaged in hearing and chanting the glories of Lord Hari is the instruction of saintly persons, scriptures, and the Supreme Lord.
We are well by the mercy of Lord Jagannatha. We are getting special opportunities to always chant the holy names of Hari. You should come to Sri Purusottama-ksetra as soon as possible and thus become freed from the clutches of worldly miseries.
(From Patramrita Nectar from letters by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakura Prabhupada)
About Sri Caitanya Bhagavat and Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad
চৈতন্য নিতাই কথা, শুনিলে হৃদয়-ব্যথা
চিরতরে যায় সুনিশ্চিত।
কৃষ্ণে অনুরাগ হয়, বিষয়ে আসক্তি যায়
শ্রোতা লভে নিজ-নিত্য-হিত।।
By listening to discussion of Caitanya and Nitāi, all pain in the heart most certainly goes away for good. Devotion to Kṛṣṇa manifests and attachment to the sense objects goes away. Listeners attain their eternal welfare.
ভাগবতে কৃষ্ণ কথা, ব্যাসের লেখনী যথা
তার মর্ম বৃন্দাবন জানি।
শ্রীচৈতন্য ভাগবতে, বর্ণে অনুরূপ-মতে
গৌর-কৃষ্ণে এক করি মানি।।
Understanding the essence of the discussion of Kṛṣṇa from the pen of Vyāsa in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Vṛndāvana Dāsa described Gaurakṛṣṇa in Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata accordingly, consider Him one (with Śrī Kṛṣṇa).
গৌরের গৌরব লীলা, শুদ্ধতত্ত্ব প্রকাশিলা
যে নিতাই দাস বৃন্দাবন।
তাঁহার পদাব্জ ধরি, অনুক্ষন শিরোপরি
গৌড়ীয় ভাষ্যের সঙ্কলন।।
Vṛndāvana Dāsa manifests the pure nature of Nitāi and His līlā of honoring Gaura. Holding His lotus feet
continuously atop my heard, I compile this Gauḍīya-bhāṣya.
শ্রীচৈতন্য ভাগবত , লীলা মণি মরকত
চৈতন্য নিতাই কথা সার।
শুনে সর্বক্ষণ কর্ণে, সহস্র-মুখেতে বর্ণে
গ্রন্হরাজ মহিমা অপর।।
Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata is an emerald of jewel-like līlā and discussion of Caitanya and Nitāi are its essence. It is heard constantly by the ears and described by thousands of mouths. The greatness of this king of scriptures is boundless.
(From Sri Caitanya Bhagavat Gaudiya Bhasya)
