Bhakti begins when is..., one is
actually liberated from the influence of the modes of material nature. That is
real bhakti. Otherwise, when you are, we are in training, that is called
prakrta-bhakta. Actually, we are in the material state, but we are being trained
up, the Deity worship. This is, following the rules and regulations under the
instruction of spiritual master. Or Vedic injunction, this is training period.
But even in the training period, if one is sincere and serious, he's liberated.
He's liberated. It is so nice. Krsna consciousness is so nice that even in the
training period, although he's not mature, and even one falls immature stage,
there is no loss. That is also confirmed by Narada Muni: tyaktva sva-dharmam
caranambujam harer patet tato yadi apakva... [SB 1.5.17]. There is a verse like
this -- I don't exactly remember -- that if one is engaged in Krsna
consciousness and, and without being mature, somehow or other, if he falls down,
there is no loss, whereas other persons, who are sticking to their sva-dharma,
but has no idea of Krsna consciousness, he does not gain anything. These are the
statements of Narada. Therefore our position should be, our real active life
begins when we begin to serve Krsna with our senses without being designated,
without being situated in designation. This is transcendental
stage.
Therefore a bhakta, Vaisnava, Vaisnava should not be considered that he's coming from European group or this group or that group. No. Vaisnave jati-buddhih. Vaisnava should not be considered belonging to any jati. Vaisnave, arcye sila-dhir gurusu nara-mati. Just like we worship Deity. Everyone knows that Deity is made of stone, but do we worship the stone? Do we construct so big, big temples for worshiping a piece of stone? No. Unless one has got this connection, that "Here is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Saksad brajendra-nandana..." Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Jagannatha Temple and immediately fainted. He saw saksad brajendra-nandana Hari, Krsna, immediately. So we have to learn how to see Vaisnava and Visnu. That is Krsna consciousness movement. That means we have to purify our senses. Then we can see Krsna always.
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-
santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti
yam syamasundaram acintya-guna-svarupam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.38]
One has to smear the eyes with the ointment of love, how to love Krsna. Then one can see Krsna always within his heart. And one who has learned this art, how to see Krsna within himself, within his heart always... Krsna certifies, "He's the topmost yogi."
yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gata antaratmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]
These are clear things. There is no hazy idea. Everything is clear. We have to become designationless, free from designation. We shall forget. Not that "Here are some foreigners. Pick up some quarrel with them and try to drive them away. Why they have come?" So many nonsense things are going on, for want of actual spiritual education. This is not good, at least, for Vrndavana. This is not good. People have not been educated properly with the Vrndavana spirit. Therefore things are happening like that. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam: [Cc. Madhya 19.170] how to engage the senses, being freed from designation, in the service of the Lord. That is Vrndavana life. That is Vrndavana atmosphere. If there is any other purpose than this, then it is very difficult to utilize the opportunity, the fortune of living in Vrndavana. One has to be designationless. Go on.
Pradyumna: "As long as one identifies himself as belonging to a certain family, a certain society, or a certain person, he is said to covered with designations. When one is fully aware that he does not belong to any family, society, or country, but is eternally related to Krsna, he then realizes that his energy should be employed not in the interests of so-called family, society or country, but in the interests of Krsna. This, this is purity of purpose and the platform of pure devotional service in Krsna consciousness."
Prabhupada: So our purpose... The Krsna consciousness movement is started with this summary idea, that nobody should think himself as belonging to certain family or sect or religion or country or nation. All these designations have created havoc in the world, these false designations. When I think that "This country is mine," it is a false designation. Country is not mine. I am a guest here. If I stay in a country, in a place, for, say, twenty years, fifty years, hundred years, does it, does it mean that it belongs to me? Because they have no Krsna conscious idea, they are misled in thinking in that way. Some group of men are thinking that "This is our country. We are American," "We are Indian," "We are German." This is the false... Illusion. Actually, everything belongs to Krsna. Krsna says, bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]. He's the proprietor. But because people are not educated in Krsna consciousness, they are thinking, "I am the proprietor." Aham mameti janasya moho 'yam [SB 5.5.8]. This aham mama, increasing the aham mama, is illusion. It is maya. And that is going on. Therefore there is great need of spreading Krsna consciousness in the human society. Those who are actually welfare workers, they should come forward and join this movement to spread it. Actually, it is being accepted very nicely. Although not nicely, they have begun to accept it all over the world. This is our experience. And if we present the philosophy in correct viewpoint, people will accept it. And people will accept it, and people from all parts of the world will come to Vrndavana. Because they are hearing about Vrndavana, about Krsna, naturally they are very much anxious to visit. But if we do not receive them nicely, if we remain sectarian, oh, it will be an unfortunate thing. That is my request. Those who are inhabitants of Vrndavana, they should be prepared to receive these foreigners, who are being educated in Krsna consciousness. They should come here to visit; so they should be received, they should be welcomed. That is my request. Yes. Next.
Pradyumna: " 'The Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service.' In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Third Canto, Twenty-ninth Chapter, 10th verse, Srila Kapiladeva, while instructing His mother, has given the following characteristics of pure devotional service: 'My dear mother, those who are My pure devotees, and who have no desire for material benefit or philosophical speculation, have their minds so much engaged in My service that they are never interested in asking Me for anything -- except to be engaged in that service. They do not even beg to live in My abode with Me.' "
Prabhupada: Yes. This is pure devotional purpose. Natural. "Here is a Krsna devotee." How much one should be glad to see a Krsna devotee. Naturally, his love for a Krsna devotee should enhance. That is pure devotion. Just like in foreign country, when one Indian meets another Indian, naturally, he has got some tendency: "Oh, wherefrom you are coming? How long you are here?" This conversation goes on. Similarly, natural flow of Krsna consciousness is that as soon as one sees a person in Vaisnava symptoms, he should be eager to welcome him. He should be very much anxious to talk with him about Krsna, Krsna-katha. Bodhayantah parasparam tusyanti ca ramanti ca. Krsna conscious people should be so nice that as soon as they meet together, they talk about Krsna, they try to understand about Krsna, and they feel pleasure in that way. That is Krsna consciousness society. We are trying to make a Krsna consciousness society to give this opportunity to these people, how one should be engladdened by seeing one devotee and talk with them, one another, about Krsna, forgetting their designations. That is Krsna consciousness. Go on.
Pradyumna: "There are five kinds of liberation, namely, to become one with the Lord, to live with the Supreme Lord on the same planet, to have the same features as the Lord, to enjoy the same opulences as the Lord, and to live as a companion of the Lord. A devotee, not to speak of rejecting material sense gratification, does not even want any of the five kinds of liberation. He is satisfied simply by discharging loving service to the Lord. That is the characteristic of pure devotion."
Prabhupada: Yes. This is instructed by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He rejects: na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. The karmis, they want all these things. Na dhanam. Great riches, and beautiful wife, great followers. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu is rejecting these, and He's rejecting also liberation. Dhiyamanam na ghrnanti (?). A pure devotee is not interested even in liberation. That is pure devotee. That... Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura, he says, kita janma ha-u yatha tuya dasa, bahir mukha brahma janme nahi mora asa. A devotee does not pray that "Give me this, give me that, give me that." No. He prays that "Whatever you like, if you like me to take birth as an insect, that's all right. But my only request is that I may become an insect in the house of a devotee so that I may get the chance of prosecuting my devotional service. I may eat the remnants of foodstuff eaten by the devotee." Just like Bharata Maharaja, he became a deer, but he was associating with saintly persons. He understood that "I was formerly King Bharata. My chance, my mind being absorbed in the thinking of a deer, I have become a deer. All right. Doesn't matter." So he was associating with devotees. Similarly, a devotee is not interested to become liberated, go back to home, back to Godhead. Of course, even if he's not interested, Krsna takes him. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti [Bg. 4.9]. That is natural. But that is not our... We don't pray to Krsna for anything of sense gratification. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said, mama janmani janmani isvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi. Ahaituki apratihata. Our simply, simple desire is how to be engaged in the service of the Lord. Janmani janmani. When, when Caitanya Mahaprabhu speaks janmani janmani, that means He rejects liberation also. Na dhanam na janam na kavitam va yace. This is the karmi's, jnani's... And even liberation. He rejects liberation. Mama janmani. If one is liberated, then where is the question of janmani janmani? So liberation is also not aspired by a devotee. These are the characteristics of pure devotion. This chapter is "Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service." Pure devotional service should be without any desire, anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. The others, they are trying to make Krsna-sunyam, sunyavadi; our attempt should be to make our desires sunyam. Simply we be engaged in the service of the Lord. That is pure devotion. Go on, one paragraph more. What is the time now?
Pradyumna: "In the above statement by Kapiladeva from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the actual position of a pure devotee is described, and the primary characteristics of devotional service are also defined. Further characteristics of devotional service are described by Rupa Gosvami with evidences from different scriptures. He states that there are six characteristics of pure devotional service, which are as follows: (1) Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. (2) Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness."
Prabhupada: Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati has described,
visvam purna-sukhayate vidhi-mahendradis ca kitayate
yat-karunya-kataksa-
(Caitanya-candramrta 5)
When actually one comes in the platform of devotional service, for him, there is no problem. The whole world is disturbed, agitated with so many problems, but for a devotee, there is no problem. Visvam purna-sukhayate. And they are trying, the whole world is trying to become very big man. Somebody's trying to be very big merchant or big industrialist, or minister, or this or that, and others, they are trying to occupy the post of Indra, Candra, devata. That is competition, going on. As soon as there is some competition, even persons, demigods, like Indra, Candra, they become disturbed, and they try to stop it. But a devotee has no such concern. He's not disturbed. Because he's engaged in the service of the Lord, he feels so much happy that he has no disturbance. Visvam purna-sukhayate. Neither he is anxious to occupy any very big post. Because for a devotee, vidhi-mahendradis ca kitayate. He knows that "What is this position? Say, for some years, ten years, twenty years, fifty years, hundred years, millions years." It is limited. As soon as the limited span of life is finished, either in this world, either in this planet, or in other planets... Suppose I go to the heavenly planet, I occupy the post of Indra. What is that? It is also limited. Ksine punye martya-lokam visanti [Bg. 9.21]. So long you have got assets of pious activities, you can occupy such post; then again come down. A-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna [Bg. 8.16]. So in this way we are wandering from up, down, down, up. In this way. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said,
ei rupe brahmande kono bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
We are wandering, life after life, in different species of life, different forms of life, in different planetary system. And that is going on. This is not progress. Where is progress? You are conditioned within this universe. Where is your progress? Suppose you... Just like if I jump with a limited space, where is my progress? Real progress is Krsna consciousness. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. If we actually want to make progress, then we must take to Krsna consciousness so that after leaving this body there is no more coming down to accept a material body. That is real progress. Otherwise, there is no progress. It is simply wandering with a limited space. That is not progress at all. But because we are in illusion, we are thinking it is progress. It is not progress.
Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => The
Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1972
The Nectar of Devotion
--
Vrndavana, November 3, 1972
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Vrndavana, November 3, 1972
Pradyumna: (reading) "4) Pure devotional service is rarely achieved. 5) Those in pure devotional service..."
Prabhupada: Page number? Page number?
Pradyumna: Page 2. "Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation. 6) Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Krsna is all attractive, but pure devotional service attracts even Him. This means that pure devotional service is even transcendentally stronger than Krsna Himself, because it is Krsna's internal potency."
Prabhupada: So six advantages. These are the immediate result of taking to Krsna consciousness. Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. There is a song of Bhaktivinoda Thakura: manasa deha geha yo kichu mora, arpilun tuya pade nanda-kisora. The purport of this song is when we surrender to Krsna, pranair arthair dhiya vaca, then we get relief from all kinds of anxieties. This is very simple to understand. Everyone is, in the material world, here, everyone is full of anxieties. That is the nature of material existence. One after another, problems. So if somebody says, assures, that "You just depend on me. I take charge of all your problems," how much relief you will feel. Just imagine. So an ordinary man, if some ordinary human being says (to) a friend that "Don't worry. I shall take charge of your all affairs. Don't worry," so we may doubt an ordinary man, because we know the capacity of an ordinary man. But when Krsna says that "I take charge of you," then how much relief you should feel. Krsna is not ordinary man. Krsna is all-powerful, the Supreme Personalty of Godhead. He's Yogesvara. He's the Absolute Truth. So when He assures that "I take charge of you...," aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66], gives assurance that "I shall get you liberated, delivered, from the reaction of all sinful activities..."
We suffer due to our sinful activities. That is the general meaning of suffering. For pious activities we enjoy. But in this material world, either we enjoy or suffer, the common factor is suffering. Suppose if for my pious activities I get good birth, janmaisvarya-sruta-sri [SB 1.8.26]. By pious activities, we get birth in good family, janma; aisvarya, we get sufficient riches, wealthy family, wealthy parents; janmaisvarya-sruta, good education; and sri, beauty. These are the result of pious activities. But to take birth in the family of a king or very rich man, the sufferings of taking birth is the same. As the poor man suffers within the womb of his mother, similarly the rich man also suffers within the womb of his mother. The sufferings of taking birth is equal to the poor man and rich man. There is no difference. When there is disease, fever, it is not it is less painful to the rich man and very painful to the poor man. The pain is the same. So actually, so long there is material existence, the so-called suffering and enjoying, they're on the same level. There is no difference. But if we take to Krsna consciousness, as Krsna assures, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66], "I shall get you relieved, released from all kinds of sinful activities." That is real auspiciousness. Means when Krsna takes charge, He gradually educates the devotee buddhi-yogam, in devotion service, so that he may go back home, back to Godhead, Krsna. That is real auspicity. In the material world, so-called auspicity, to become very rich, to become very educated, to become very beautiful, high parentage, they are also, in material consideration, they are auspicity, undoubtedly. But they are also adulterated with so many sufferings, threefold miseries: adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika. So actually such position is not auspicity. Real auspicity is go back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore it is said, pure devotional service... Pure devotional service means without any material motive. Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam [Brs. 1.1.11].
So pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness. All-auspiciousness means go back to home, back to Godhead. So if we stick to pure devotional service, follow the rules and regulations, chant sixteen rounds, be engaged always in the service of the Lord, then ultimate gain is that tyaktva deham punar naiti mam eti kaunteya. (reads:) "Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure." Transcendental pleasure and material pleasure, there is difference. Material pleasure means sense gratification, and transcendental pleasure means satisfaction of Krsna. A devotee is satisfied seeing Krsna is pleased. That is their satisfaction -- through Krsna. Material pleasure means direct sense perception, and spiritual pleasure means by, through Krsna. If Krsna is satisfied, then the devotee is satisfied. Just like a tree, the leaves and twigs become satisfied through the root of the tree. So Krsna is the root. Krsna is the origin of everything. Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate [Bg. 10.8]. So transcendental pleasure mean feeling of pleasure through Krsna. Just like the gopis and Krsna. Gopis, when they saw Krsna is pleased, they became happy, and Krsna, when He saw that the gopis are happy, He become happier. Again the gopis sees that Krsna is happier, they, again they become more happy. In this way, there is competition of happiness. The gopis sees Krsna happier; they feel happiness, and Krsna sees gopis happier; Krsna feels happiness. This word is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta: dui lagi hura huri (?). This is spiritual competition.
So: "Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure." In the material pleasure, if I see you happy, I am unhappy; If I see you unhappy, I become happy. This is nature. I may say otherwise, but material nature is, if one is put into difficulty, then I become very happy, and if I am happy, others become envious. This is material pleasure. Whereas spiritual pleasure means that when one sees Krsna is happy, a devotee's happy, the other devotee becomes happier. That is spiritual pleasure. In the spiritual world there is competition, but when one is advanced, the competitor become happy: "Oh, he's so advanced. I could not do so." There is no enviousness. In the material world, if one is advanced, other, who is not advanced, he's envious. This is the difference between spiritual pleasure and material pleasure. It is not difficult to understand. Material pleasure means if you are happy, I become unhappy; if you are unhappy, then I become happy. This is material pleasure. And spiritual pleasure means by seeing your happiness, I become happy. By seeing... But there is no distress in the spiritual world. Simply by seeing the happiness of other devotee, another devotee becomes happier.
"Pure devotional service is rarely achieved." That is the criterion. Pure devotional has got so many advantages, but it is very difficult. It is very difficult. Na janma-koti-sukrtibhih na labhyate. Pure devotional service, even after endeavoring, endeavoring for millions and millions of births, it is very difficult to achieve. Pure devotional service can be achieved only through the mercy of a pure devotee. Otherwise, it is not possible.
mahiyasam pada-rajo 'bhisekam
niskincananam na vrnita yavat
naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim
sprsata, sprsata...
[SB 7.5.32]
What is that? The purpose is that unless one takes the dust of the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to become a pure devotee. Mahiyasam pada-rajah, mahiyasam, great personality, great devotee. Pada-rajah means the dust of the lotus feet; abhisekam, taking to the, on the head. Mahiyasam pada-rajo 'bhisekam niskincananam. Mahiyasam, great personality means niskincana. Bhagavad-bhakta is niskincana. He has no more material obligation. That is Bhagavad-bhakta. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, niskin..., niskin..., bhagavad, niskincanasya bhagavad bhajanon mukhasya. Bhagavad-bhajanomukha means niskincana, no material obligation, no material duty. Nayam rni na kinkara rajan sarvatmana ye saranam saranyam gato mukundam. Anyone who has completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, saranam saranyam gato mukundam parihrtya kartam, giving up all other duties, tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer [SB 1.5.17], if one takes shelter of Krsna's lotus feet, giving up all other duties... There are so many duties. You have got duty towards your family, towards your kinsmen, towards your country, towards the animals, other living entities, your obligation to the demigods, great saintly persons, rsis. We are reading Vedas, but it is given by Vyasadeva, so we are indebted to him. Similarly, many other sastras we read. So we are indebted. Devarsi, rsi, devata, the demigods. We are taking sunshine. We are obliged to sun-god. We are taking moonshine. We are obliged to moonshine, uh, moon-god, the air-god, Varuna. Everyone, they are helping us. We cannot do without this. You cannot live without water. You cannot live without light. You cannot live without heat. So who is supplying? Of course, Krsna is supplying, but we cannot see Krsna directly. They are being supplied by different demigods. Therefore deva-yajna is recommended. Deva-yajna means, ultimately, to satisfy Krsna. So these are the processes. But if one takes to Krsna consciousness, he has no more obligation to all these devatas. Devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam [SB 11.5.41]. We have got so many obligations, but if you take to Krsna consciousness, everyone will be pleased, and you haven't got to oblige them by your service to them. Otherwise, you are bound to give them obeisances for their beneficial contribution.
So devotional service is rarely achieved. Rarely achieved means if you achieve, then you become free from all obligation. Na janma-kotibhih sukrtibhih. Tatra laulyam eka-mulyam na labhyate yad janmabhih sukrtibhih. Krsna consciousness can be achieved simply by your intense desire that "This life I shall try to achieve favor of Krsna." Krsna will help you. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam, buddhi-yogam dadami tam [Bg. 10.10]. If you are actually seriously engaged in Krsna consciousness, then Krsna gives us intelligence how to approach Him. So pure devotional service is rarely achieved. But by chance, guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151], if we somehow or other come in contact with bona fide guru and Krsna... Krsna is already there. We are already in touch. And if we are serious, then by grace of Krsna, we get niskincana, a devotee, and by his grace we achieve to the platform of devotional service. Otherwise it is very difficult. Not by executing karma, jnana, yoga. No. Bhaktya mam abhijanati [Bg. 18.55]. Simply you have to take pure devotional service. Therefore it is very difficult. People do not wish to come to the pure devotional service. They want hodgepodge: something this, something that, something that. No. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam... [Bg. 18.66]. That is the beginning of pure devotional service. No other engagement. Simply Krsna. That is pure devotional service. But that is very difficult to achieve. People will not accept the simple thing. You give them big, big formulas, yoga system, astanga-yoga, they'll like it: "It is something." Just like in homeopathic medicine, because it has no taste, there is no trouble to drink, people do not believe in it. But if you give them some very bitter, pungent medicine, "Oh, it is something." Similarly, if you give the simple process, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us, harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Cc. Adi 17.21], they'll not take it very seriously. "Oh, simply by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, one will be liberated, and he'll go back...? Oh, this is exaggeration." They will say. But if you give them some difficult job, that "You press your nose in this way, you make your head downwards, and you exercise in this way, do...," they'll think, "Yes, it is something." So things are very easy, and one can achieve very easily, but they are reluctant to take the easiest process given by Krsna, given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Krsna is giving the easiest process, that "You surrender unto Me. I give you all possible help." We are not prepared to do that. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that "You simply chant Hare Krsna. You'll achieve the highest perfection." Not we are prepared. Therefore it is said, "Pure devotional service is rarely achieved." People will not accept the simple thing. They want to make something very difficult, then it is all right.
"Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation." Yes. Muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman. A devotee does not care for mukti. Mukti... Why they will care for mukti? As soon as he's a pure devotee, Mukti is on his leg. Why he should try for mukti? Bilvamangala Thakura says, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman. There is no need of separate endeavor for getting liberation. It is already there. Muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman dharmartha-kama-moksa samaya-pratiksah [SB 4.8.41].
Devotee: It's broken.
Prabhupada: (aside:) Eh? So don't try it. It is working?
Syamasundara: The fixture is broken. (conversation about light or something in background)
Prabhupada: Yes. So "Pure devotional service is the only means to attract..." "Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation." Mukti. Prabodhananda Sarasvati... Kaivalyam. Mukti's another name is kaivalya. "Everything is one. One, knowledge." That's all. So Prabodhananda Sarasvati says, kaivalyam narakayate. This conception of liberation, that "I have become one with the Supreme," it is, to a devotee, just like hell. Kaivalyam narakayate. They do not give very much value to such conception, to become one with the Supreme. Or liberation, mukti. And the, this is moksa-kami, those who are aspiring after... Nirbheda-brahmanu-sandhana, without any difference with the Supreme Brahman. That is called mukti, liberation. And tridasa-pur akasa-puspayate. And the karmis, they're aspiring after heavenly planets, tri-dasa-pur. Tri-dasa means thirty. So there are more than thirty millions of demigods in different planetary systems. They are called heavenly planets. So they are akasa-puspa. Akasa-puspa means a flower does not grow in the sky; it is something imaginary, phantasmagoria. Tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate. So karmis are interested in the akasa-puspa, heavenly planet. And the jnanis are interested in mukti. Karmi, jnani... And yogis are interested how to control the senses.
So tri... Prabodhananda Sarasvati Maharaja says that durdanta indriya-kala-sarpa-patali-
So pure devotional service rare... In this way, the point is that pure devotee does not give very much value to so-called liberation. Because so-called liberation, so-called... It is in this sense that we have seen many so-called liberated persons, muk..., vimukta-maninah. They considered that... Vimukta-maninah. Now, you'll be pleased to hear that one of the Mayavadi sannyasis in India, very well known, his disciples came to me to invite me because they are now seeing that their Mayavada philosophy has not been so much effective as devotional service. Practically. So they are now taking gradually to devotional service. They are trying to read Bhagavata, although they are habituated to malinterpret. But they have no other. They have finished their job. Now they are gradually coming to bhakti-marga. That is natural. If one is actually sincere, after suffering the distress of impersonalism, gradually they'll come to surrender to the person. Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. So when one becomes devotee, jnanis, they give too much value to liberation, moksa, nirbheda-brahmanusandhana. But yogis, they give too much value for controlling the senses. Karmis, they give too much value to, to the acts of promotion to the heavenly planets. But for a devotee these things are very teeny. They don't care for these things. Neither for the karmis, or for the jnanis, or for the yogis. They are... Yam labdhva caparam manyate nadhikam tatah. A bhakta who has come to Krsna consciousness, pure devotional service, he has no more any desire for the resultant action of karmis, jnanis, and yogis. He's so fixed up. There are many examples. Just like Dhruva Maharaja, when he was offered "Anything you want," he wanted... Actually he wanted the kingdom of his father. But when he actually became fixed up in devotional service, he said, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "I have no more to ask anything material benediction, varam. No, I don't want." So Krsna consciousness is so nice that automatically one feels fulfillment of all desires. Therefore what they'll desire for liberation, for mukti? It is most insignificant thing.
The next is: "Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna." You cannot attract Krsna. Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with full opulences. So you cannot attract Krsna by your richness, by your reputation, by your education, by your beauty or by your strength or renunciation. No. You cannot attract Krsna by all these things, because He's already full. You cannot attract by anything, any opulence, Krsna, because He's atmarama. But if you offer something to Krsna, it is for your benefit. The example is given: just like the original person is decorated, in the mirror the reflection of the person is also decorated. Similarly, if you decorate the Deity gorgeously, you will feel happy. Krsna has many devotees, or many things for being decorated. But if you, in the temple, if you offer Krsna all nice things, all nice flowers, all nice dress, all nice food, everything, everything, all nice, then you will feel happy. That is your interest. Therefore pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Attract Krsna... Krsna will be happy in this way, that you are doing so much for Krsna. Krsna has everything, but your devotional service, that sincerity of purpose, will attract. My Guru Maharaja used to say that "Do not try to see Krsna. Render your service in such a nice way that let Krsna see you." When Krsna sees you, then your mission is perfect. We cannot see... Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]]. We cannot perceive Krsna by our senses, but when our senses are engaged in satisfying Krsna, then Krsna sees us. Svayam eva sphuraty adhah. And when Krsna sees us, then our life is successful. And how Krsna can see us? Simply by our devotional service. Otherwise, you cannot satisfy Krsna by opulence, by education, by scholarship, by beauty, riches. No. These things Krsna has all perfectly. He's full with all these opulences. Bhaktya mam abhijanati [Bg. 18.55]. If you want to attract Krsna, then be engaged in pure devotional service.
Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => The
Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972
The Nectar of Devotion
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Vrndavana, November 4, 1972
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Vrndavana, November 4, 1972
Pradyumna: (reading): ...from page number two. " 'Relief from Material Distress.' In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that one should surrender unto Him, giving up all other engagements. The Lord also gives His word there that He will protect such surrendered souls from the reaction of all sinful activities. Srila Rupa Gosvami says that the distresses from sinful activities are due both to the sins themselves and to sins committed in our past lives."
Prabhupada: Now, "Relief from Material Distress." There are two kinds of activities, pious activities and impious activities. Generally we understand by performing impious activities, we suffer, and by performing pious activities, we enjoy. But actually, in the material world there is no enjoyment. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami explains that dvaite bhadrabhadra sakali samana. In the material world, in the world of dualities, either we think "This is pious" or either we think "This is impious," they are practically on the same platform. We take it as pleasure. Just like several times I have explained, people here in this material world, they are working very hard all day and night. And, when they gain some material profit, after working so hard, they think that "This is profit. This is happiness." Actually, where is the happiness? If one is working very hard, where is the happiness? So this is called illusion. In the sastra it is said, "Generally, people in this material world, they are in..., in the rajo-guna." Therefore hard-working activities, they take it as pleasure.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => The
Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1972
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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