Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada declares that “a moment passed in the association of a pure devotee by hearing and chanting the transcendental messages of the Lord is a perfect guarantee for eternal life, for returning home, back to Godhead.”
Sripada Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja explains that the material energy is arranged for the purpose of those who want to forget they are the servant of Krsna and who prefer to serve their own provincial interests. However, the only result of such behavior is a reactionary existence without any conclusion, the cycle of samsara, reincarnation.
The path of progress for the jiva soul is the progressive realization of our eternal relation with Krsna. As explained by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaja, the life of the surrendered soul is one of positive and progressive immortality.
In the path of devotion, there may be many obstacles and much suffering. Mahaprabhu showed us how to persevere in the face of so much pain. He who has love is not so concerned with his own situation, thus it is possible to tolerate all kinds of suffering. One who has proven his detachment from self-interest and who has shown his attachment to the transcendental service of the Lord, will have the opportunity to enter more and more into that realm.
The purpose of bhakti-yoga is to free ourselves from the false ego, the tendency to think that we are the enjoyer. When we become free from that idea, and become willing to work for His enjoyment and not our own, then all difficulties will be overcome.
Here is the recording of 07 November 2012 sadhu-sanga.
Last week the NY devotees came to Princeton for our Saturday Harinama program. Smt Kushum Devi wrote the report for the occasion (attached here as PDF), despite the intervening super storm that passed through the region this week. Most of us got through without too much disruption, but some are still without electricity, or other resources. One devotee we know has suffered greater loss due to flooding.
As the Bhagavad-gita reminds us, agamapayino ‘nityas, tams titiksasva, one must simply tolerate the anitya, the non-eternal or fleeting pleasures and pains that arise from contact of the senses with their objects. The transcendental enduring reality in which our actual identity is encompassed is non-finite and eternal.
Attracted by the chanting of the Holy Names, transformed by the transcendental taste of prasadam, and converted by the scientific conception of Mahaprabhu’s teachings, a portal was opened for the jiva souls of this world to be transported back to their eternal home.
Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami explains why we should have faith in the Holy Name.
The Holy Name is so attractive that anyone, including the demigods, who chants it under the shelter of pure devotees becomes imbued with love of Krsna.
In the conclusions of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krsna instructs Arjuna to surrender with full faith on our eternal well-wisher Lord Sri Krsna. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught the post Bhagavat Gita lesson: how surrender should be manifested.
While traveling through the forest to visit Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sanatana Goswami contracted a disease which caused his skin to itch. Ashamed of his open, running sores, he resisted Lord Sri Chaitanya’s embrace. Thinking his body unfit for service to Mahaprabhu, Sanatana Goswami was planning to give up his body. However, the all-knowing and most merciful Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu not only removed Sanatana Goswami’s bodily sufferings by His loving embrace, but gave a most important teaching: Gurudev is the proprietor of everything a sincere disciple possesses, including his own body. Hence a disciple should take care of Gurudev’s property sincerely with the mood of devotion so that it will not incur any harm due to one’s own self-interest.
Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja explains that the three Goswamis each have special significance in the teachings of Krsna Consciousness. Sanatana Goswami is the Sambandha Acharya, who teaches us our fundamental relationship to Krsna. Rupa Goswami teaches us Abhideya, the path or process of devotional service. Raghunatha Goswami teaches us Prayojana, the ultimate goal, which is to become the servant of the servant of Srimati Radharani.
Here is the recording of 03 November 2012 sadhu-sanga.
