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| {{notes|VedaBase research query: "platform of devotional service"/7}} | | {{notes|VedaBase research query: "platform of devotional service"/7}} |
| {{compiler|Labangalatika}} | | {{compiler|Labangalatika}} |
| {{complete|}} | | {{complete|ALL}} |
| {{goal|28}}
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| {{first|26Jul10}} | | {{first|26Jul10}} |
| {{last|26Jul10}} | | {{last|26Jul10}} |
| {{totals_by_section|BG=0|SB=0|CC=0|OB=0|Lec=15|Con=0|Let=0}} | | {{totals_by_section|BG=0|SB=0|CC=0|OB=0|Lec=26|Con=0|Let=0}} |
| {{total|15}} | | {{total|26}} |
| {{toc right}} | | {{toc right}} |
| [[Category:Platform of Devotional Service|1]] | | [[Category:Platform of Devotional Service to God|1]] |
| [[Category:Compilations from Lectures]] | | [[Category:Compilations from Lectures]] |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| :sa guṇān samatītyaitān | | :sa guṇān samatītyaitān |
| :brahma-bhūyāya kalpate | | :brahma-bhūyāya kalpate |
| :([[Vanisource:BG 14.26|BG 14.26]]) | | :([[Vanisource:BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]]) |
| <p>So activities on the platform of devotional service, without expecting any result for his personal satisfaction, means on the platform of liberation. Thank you very much.</p> | | <p>So activities on the platform of devotional service, without expecting any result for his personal satisfaction, means on the platform of liberation. Thank you very much.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura was in his previous life, elevated to almost prema-bhakti, highest platform of devotional service. But there is always chance of falldown. So somehow or other he fell down. | | <div class="heading">Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura was in his previous life, elevated to almost prema-bhakti, highest platform of devotional service. But there is always chance of falldown. So somehow or other he fell down. |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 6.46-47 -- Los Angeles, February 21, 1969|Lecture on BG 6.46-47 -- Los Angeles, February 21, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">There is an instance of Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura. Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura was in his previous life, elevated to almost prema-bhakti, highest platform of devotional service. But there is always chance of falldown. So somehow or other he fell down. And next life he was born in a very rich family as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe ([[Vanisource:BG 6.41|BG 6.41]]). So he was born in a rich brāhmaṇa family, but he became, naturally as rich boys become attached to woman-hunter. So it is said that his spiritual master instructed him through his prostitute. At the right moment, his spiritual master said through that prostitute, "Oh, you are so much attached with this flesh and bone. If you had been attached so much with Kṛṣṇa, how good you could have achieved." Immediately he took to that position. So that responsibility is for the spiritual master. But we should not take advantage of that. That is not very good.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 6.46-47 -- Los Angeles, February 21, 1969|Lecture on BG 6.46-47 -- Los Angeles, February 21, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">There is an instance of Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura. Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura was in his previous life, elevated to almost prema-bhakti, highest platform of devotional service. But there is always chance of falldown. So somehow or other he fell down. And next life he was born in a very rich family as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe ([[Vanisource:BG 6.41 (1972)|BG 6.41]]). So he was born in a rich brāhmaṇa family, but he became, naturally as rich boys become attached to woman-hunter. So it is said that his spiritual master instructed him through his prostitute. At the right moment, his spiritual master said through that prostitute, "Oh, you are so much attached with this flesh and bone. If you had been attached so much with Kṛṣṇa, how good you could have achieved." Immediately he took to that position. So that responsibility is for the spiritual master. But we should not take advantage of that. That is not very good.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">If one is on the platform of devotional service, anyone who is serving Kṛṣṇa without any motive, without any alloy, pure devotional service, he's already liberated. | | <div class="heading">If one is on the platform of devotional service, anyone who is serving Kṛṣṇa without any motive, without any alloy, pure devotional service, he's already liberated. |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 16.8 -- Hawaii, February 4, 1975|Lecture on BG 16.8 -- Hawaii, February 4, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"Anyone who is engaged in My devotional service without any adulteration, pure..." Pure devotional service means anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam: (Brs. 1.1.11) no other desire, no duplicity, pure—"I am servant of Kṛṣṇa, and it is my duty to serve Kṛṣṇa," not, "I am serving Kṛṣṇa with a motive. As soon as I get the opportunity, I shall utilize." That is not pure devotion. Pure devotion means without any motive: "Kṛṣṇa is my Lord. I am His eternal servant. It is my duty to serve"—no motive. That is pure devotion. So if one is on the platform of devotional service, māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate ([[Vanisource:BG 14.26|BG 14.26]]). Anyone who is serving Kṛṣṇa without any motive, without any alloy, pure devotional service, he's already liberated. Māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate, sa guṇān samatītya etān ([[Vanisource:BG 14.26|BG 14.26]]).</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 16.8 -- Hawaii, February 4, 1975|Lecture on BG 16.8 -- Hawaii, February 4, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"Anyone who is engaged in My devotional service without any adulteration, pure..." Pure devotional service means anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam: (Brs. 1.1.11) no other desire, no duplicity, pure—"I am servant of Kṛṣṇa, and it is my duty to serve Kṛṣṇa," not, "I am serving Kṛṣṇa with a motive. As soon as I get the opportunity, I shall utilize." That is not pure devotion. Pure devotion means without any motive: "Kṛṣṇa is my Lord. I am His eternal servant. It is my duty to serve"—no motive. That is pure devotion. So if one is on the platform of devotional service, māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate ([[Vanisource:BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]]). Anyone who is serving Kṛṣṇa without any motive, without any alloy, pure devotional service, he's already liberated. Māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate, sa guṇān samatītya etān ([[Vanisource:BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]]).</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">For coming to the platform of devotional service one has to make some sacrifice. That is called tapasya. | | <div class="heading">For coming to the platform of devotional service one has to make some sacrifice. That is called tapasya. |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 18.67 -- Ahmedabad, December 10, 1972|Lecture on BG 18.67 -- Ahmedabad, December 10, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">One can become tattva-darśī simply by devotional service. So for coming to the platform of devotional service one has to make some sacrifice. That is called tapasya. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting some difficult things. That is called tapasya. Therefore those who have not taken to that, those who have taken Bhagavad-gītā as a table talk, they cannot understand. Not Bhagavad-gītā should be preached amongst them. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is warning: idaṁ te na atapaskāya nābhaktāya. Idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana: "Never describe, never described this Bhagavad-gītā." Kṛṣṇa said in the previous verse... People will not be able to understand. Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66|BG 18.66]]). This simple fact cannot be understood by any man who has not undergone some austerities, penances, and who has not become a devotee. It is not possible. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is warning: "Don't speak to these nonsense. They will not understand." But a devotee of Kṛṣṇa tries to make them devotee.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 18.67 -- Ahmedabad, December 10, 1972|Lecture on BG 18.67 -- Ahmedabad, December 10, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">One can become tattva-darśī simply by devotional service. So for coming to the platform of devotional service one has to make some sacrifice. That is called tapasya. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting some difficult things. That is called tapasya. Therefore those who have not taken to that, those who have taken Bhagavad-gītā as a table talk, they cannot understand. Not Bhagavad-gītā should be preached amongst them. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is warning: idaṁ te na atapaskāya nābhaktāya. Idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana: "Never describe, never described this Bhagavad-gītā." Kṛṣṇa said in the previous verse... People will not be able to understand. Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). This simple fact cannot be understood by any man who has not undergone some austerities, penances, and who has not become a devotee. It is not possible. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is warning: "Don't speak to these nonsense. They will not understand." But a devotee of Kṛṣṇa tries to make them devotee.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">If you want to become above the material platform, then you have to take to the platform of devotional service. | | <div class="heading">If you want to become above the material platform, then you have to take to the platform of devotional service. |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 5.5.1 -- Bombay, December 25, 1976|Lecture on SB 5.5.1 -- Bombay, December 25, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The animals, they are in the tamo-guṇa. Then gradually they are elevated by the evolutionary process to the rajo-guṇa, and then we are elevated to the sattva-guṇa. That is the brahminical qualification. And we have to surpass the sattva-guṇa also. Not that coming to the platform of sattva-guṇa we become perfect. No. There is chance of falling down from the sattva-guṇa. We have got practical experience in this age, Kali-yuga, many persons have fallen down from the platform of brahminical qualification. The brahminical qualification is the platform of sattva-guṇa: śamo damo titikṣava ārjavaṁ jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma karma svabhāva-jam ([[Vanisource:BG 18.42|BG 18.42]]). This is the brahminical culture.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 5.5.1 -- Bombay, December 25, 1976|Lecture on SB 5.5.1 -- Bombay, December 25, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The animals, they are in the tamo-guṇa. Then gradually they are elevated by the evolutionary process to the rajo-guṇa, and then we are elevated to the sattva-guṇa. That is the brahminical qualification. And we have to surpass the sattva-guṇa also. Not that coming to the platform of sattva-guṇa we become perfect. No. There is chance of falling down from the sattva-guṇa. We have got practical experience in this age, Kali-yuga, many persons have fallen down from the platform of brahminical qualification. The brahminical qualification is the platform of sattva-guṇa: śamo damo titikṣava ārjavaṁ jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma karma svabhāva-jam ([[Vanisource:BG 18.42 (1972)|BG 18.42]]). This is the brahminical culture.</p> |
| <p>So if by coming to the platform of brahminical culture, one is sure, that is not possible. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā. Sometimes sattva-guṇa is overpowered by rajo-guṇa or rajo-guṇa is overpowered by tamo-guṇa or sattva-guṇa is overpowered by tamo-guṇa. In this way, topsy-turvy it is going on. That is material world. But if you want to become above the material platform, then you have to take to the platform of devotional service.</p> | | <p>So if by coming to the platform of brahminical culture, one is sure, that is not possible. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā. Sometimes sattva-guṇa is overpowered by rajo-guṇa or rajo-guṇa is overpowered by tamo-guṇa or sattva-guṇa is overpowered by tamo-guṇa. In this way, topsy-turvy it is going on. That is material world. But if you want to become above the material platform, then you have to take to the platform of devotional service.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">"That type of religion is first class which elevates one to the platform of pure devotional service to the Absolute Truth." | | <div class="heading">"That type of religion is first class which elevates one to the platform of pure devotional service to the Absolute Truth." |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 6.2.12-14 -- Allahabad, January 17, 1971, at Kumbha-mela|Lecture on SB 6.2.12-14 -- Allahabad, January 17, 1971, at Kumbha-mela]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Actually, religion does not mean to improve your material condition. That is not religion. Śrīmad-Bhāgavata therefore says that sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje: ([[Vanisource:SB 1.2.6|SB 1.2.6]]) "That type of religion is first class which elevates one to the platform of pure devotional service to the Absolute Truth." That is religion. People are not attracted to the bhāgavata-dharma, or the religion. Bhāgavata-dharma is actually sanātana-dharma. Sanātana-dharma does not mean that one must have a certain type of religious life. Sanātana-dharma means the eternal religion. Sanātana-dharma is applicable for all living entities. A living entity is eternal, God is eternal, and there is an eternal abode also. Paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyo 'vyakto 'vyaktāt sanātanaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 8.20|BG 8.20]]). So the religious principles which promote a follower to the highest platform of serving the eternal, supreme God, that is called sanātana-dharma. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). That is first-class religion.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 6.2.12-14 -- Allahabad, January 17, 1971, at Kumbha-mela|Lecture on SB 6.2.12-14 -- Allahabad, January 17, 1971, at Kumbha-mela]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Actually, religion does not mean to improve your material condition. That is not religion. Śrīmad-Bhāgavata therefore says that sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje: ([[Vanisource:SB 1.2.6|SB 1.2.6]]) "That type of religion is first class which elevates one to the platform of pure devotional service to the Absolute Truth." That is religion. People are not attracted to the bhāgavata-dharma, or the religion. Bhāgavata-dharma is actually sanātana-dharma. Sanātana-dharma does not mean that one must have a certain type of religious life. Sanātana-dharma means the eternal religion. Sanātana-dharma is applicable for all living entities. A living entity is eternal, God is eternal, and there is an eternal abode also. Paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyo 'vyakto 'vyaktāt sanātanaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 8.20 (1972)|BG 8.20]]). So the religious principles which promote a follower to the highest platform of serving the eternal, supreme God, that is called sanātana-dharma. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). That is first-class religion.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So bhagavad-bhakti is not dependent on any material possession. Material possession, the description is fully given here. If one is very rich, dhana, he cannot think that "I can become a devotee of the Lord," because Hiraṇyakaśipu possessed the riches of the whole universe, but he could not become a devotee. So this is misconception, that "Because I am very rich, I am very beautiful, I am very intelligent, I am a great scholar, I am very prestigious person," and so on so on... There are so many things. But Prahlāda Mahārāja says, "No, nothing of these items can help you to be promoted to the transcendental platform of devotional service. Nothing, only bhakti."</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So bhagavad-bhakti is not dependent on any material possession. Material possession, the description is fully given here. If one is very rich, dhana, he cannot think that "I can become a devotee of the Lord," because Hiraṇyakaśipu possessed the riches of the whole universe, but he could not become a devotee. So this is misconception, that "Because I am very rich, I am very beautiful, I am very intelligent, I am a great scholar, I am very prestigious person," and so on so on... There are so many things. But Prahlāda Mahārāja says, "No, nothing of these items can help you to be promoted to the transcendental platform of devotional service. Nothing, only bhakti."</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonSB799MayapurFebruary161976_9" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="804" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976"> |
| | <div class="heading">Prahlāda Mahārāja said that abhijana: "By these things you cannot achieve the platform of devotional service." And many, many millions of years after, so Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī also showed the same example. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">This is called disciplic succession. Many millions of years, the Prahlāda Mahārāja said that abhijana: "By these things you cannot achieve the platform of devotional service." And many, many millions of years after, so Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī also showed the same example. Tyaktvā tūrṇam aśeṣa-maṇḍala-pati-sreṇīṁ sadā tucchavat. This is called paramparā system. Not that "Millions of years ago Prahlāda Mahārāja, what he did, that is now gone. Now something new should be introduced." No, it cannot be changed even millions of years after. This is called paramparā system.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonSB7912MontrealAugust191968_10" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="815" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.12 -- Montreal, August 19, 1968" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.12 -- Montreal, August 19, 1968"> |
| | <div class="heading">It does not matter in which family he belongs to, if he takes shelter unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, never mind what he is. He may be a man, he may be a woman, he may be a śūdra, he may be a brāhmaṇa or he may be black or he may be white. Everyone can approach to the highest platform of devotional service. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.12 -- Montreal, August 19, 1968|Lecture on SB 7.9.12 -- Montreal, August 19, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Kṛṣṇa does not take account, God does not take account of the family of breeding. He's equally kind to everyone. You have seen the picture, that Kṛṣṇa is loving both the calves and as well as the gopīs. In the spiritual platform, there is no such distinction that one is on the higher level or one is on the lower level. Paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 5.18 (1972)|BG 5.18]]). In the Bhagavad-gītā, therefore, it is said that those who are actually learned, they have no such distinction. Although in material consideration, according to the body, there is distinction, in the spiritual platform there is no such distinction. Kṛṣṇa therefore says in the Bhagavad-gītā, māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 9.32 (1972)|BG 9.32]]). Anyone, it does not matter in which family he belongs to, if he takes shelter unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, never mind what he is. He may be a man, he may be a woman, he may be a śūdra, he may be a brāhmaṇa or he may be black or he may be white. Everyone can approach to the highest platform of devotional service. It is open field.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Lectures" text="Nectar of Devotion Lectures"><h3>Nectar of Devotion Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaOctober181972_1" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="5" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 18, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 18, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Before beginning of pure devotional life, one must be Brahman realized. That is pure bhakti. That is actual, actually the platform of devotional service. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 18, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 18, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Actually, when one becomes learned scholar, he becomes Brahman realized. That is the meaning of brāhmaṇa. Brāhmaṇa is one who has realized the Brahman.</p> |
| | :brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā |
| | :na śocati na kāṅkṣati |
| | :samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu |
| | :mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām |
| | :([[Vanisource:BG 18.54 (1972)|BG 18.54]]) |
| | <p>So before beginning of pure devotional life, one must be Brahman realized. That is pure bhakti. That is actual, actually the platform of devotional service. Means one must be above the brahminical qualifications, a Vaiṣṇava.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaOctober231972_2" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="11" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">When you are raised to the highest platform of devotional service, then there is no more dviṣatsu. No more friend, no more dviṣat. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">And those who are dviṣat, demons, simply against God, they should avoid them. Avoid them. Don't go there for preaching. Neither to love them. Of course, everyone should be loved, but according to the time and circumstances. So for a preacher who is trying to do good to the innocent persons, who, one who does not know how to love God, what is God, a preacher's business is to teach him. And not to waste his time with the demons, one who is not interested in the matter of God.</p> |
| | <p>But when you are raised to the highest platform of devotional service, then there is no more dviṣatsu. No more friend, no more dviṣat. Everyone, a mahā-bhāgavata sees that "Everyone is engaged in the service of the Lord, except myself." That is mahā-bhāgavatas vision. But we should not imitate that.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember21972_3" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="30" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">When actually one comes in the platform of devotional service, for him, there is no problem. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī has described,</p> |
| | :viśvaṁ pūrṇa-sukhāyate vidhi-mahendrādiś ca kīṭāyate |
| | :yat-kāruṇya-kaṭākṣa-vaibhavavatāṁ gauram eva stumaḥ |
| | :(Caitanya-candrāmṛta 5) |
| | <p>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. Viśvaṁ pūrṇa-sukhāyate. 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.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember31972_4" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="31" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">If we are serious, then by grace of Kṛṣṇa, we get niṣkiñcana, a devotee, and by his grace we achieve to the platform of devotional service. Otherwise it is very difficult. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So pure devotional service is rarely achieved. But by chance, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.151|CC Madhya 19.151]]), if we somehow or other come in contact with bona fide guru and Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa is already there. We are already in touch. And if we are serious, then by grace of Kṛṣṇa, we get niṣkiñcana, a devotee, and by his grace we achieve to the platform of devotional service. Otherwise it is very difficult. Not by executing karma, jñāna, yoga. No. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti ([[Vanisource:BG 18.55 (1972)|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-dharmān parityajya mām ekam... ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). That is the beginning of pure devotional service. No other engagement. Simply Kṛṣṇa. That is pure devotional service.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember101972_5" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="38" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">You cannot achieve the platform of devotional service by karma-kāṇḍa and jñāna-kāṇḍa processes. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">You cannot achieve the platform of devotional service by karma-kāṇḍa and jñāna-kāṇḍa processes. Therefore Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura sings,</p> |
| | :karma-kāṇḍa jñāna-kāṇḍa sakali viṣera bhāṇḍa |
| | :amṛta baliyā yeba khāya |
| | :nānā yoni brahman kare, kadarya bhakṣaṇa kare |
| | :tāra janma adho pāte yāya |
| | <p>So jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.167|CC Madhya 19.167]]) "Devotional service should not be contaminated by jñāna-kāṇḍa, karma-kāṇḍa, by fruitive activities or mental speculation." Devotional service should be taken exactly in the line of the great authorities. Just like our sampradāya, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava sampradāya, they are following... Rūpānuga.</p> |
| | :śrī-rūpa sanātana bhaṭṭa-raghunātha |
| | :śrī-jīva gopāla-bhaṭṭa dāsa-raghunātha |
| | <p>Ei chaya gosāi yāra tāra mui dāsa. We have to follow the principles of these six Gosvāmīs. That will make us happy. Otherwise, if we adopt the ritualistic ceremonies, śubha-karma... Sama-śubha-kriyā matir pramādaḥ. If we take devotional service as one of the pious activities, śubha-kriyā, that is offense. We should not take devotional service, or chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, equal to some Vedic pious activities, ritualistic ceremonies. It is offense.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember101972_6" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="38" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Unless we surrender to the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to come to the platform of devotional service. That is the way. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 10, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Devotional service is not dependent on śubhāśubha-karma. It is simply dependent on the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. Kṛṣṇa de... Sādhu. Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.151|CC Madhya 19.151]]). Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya. Naiṣāṁ matis tāvad urukramāṅghriṁ ([[Vanisource:SB 7.5.32|SB 7.5.32]]), mahīyasāṁ pāda-rajo-'bhiṣekam niṣkiñcanānāṁ na vṛṇīta yā... Unless we surrender to the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to come to the platform of devotional service. That is the way. We cannot taste the honey within the bottle. The bottle must be opened by the expert. If you simply lick up the bottle, if we think, "Now we are tasting honey," that is not the proper way. We should get the bottle opened by the expert, and when we taste within the bottle, then actually... Similarly, devotional service, without being opened by the..., open, without the door being opened by the devotee, we cannot enter into the region. Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.151|CC Madhya 19.151]]).</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Lectures" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures"><h3>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonCCAdilila71AtlantaMarch11975_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="20" link="Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.1 -- Atlanta, March 1, 1975" link_text="Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.1 -- Atlanta, March 1, 1975"> |
| | <div class="heading">Even if we cannot finish the whole job or we fall down from the platform of devotional service, still, we are not loser. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.1 -- Atlanta, March 1, 1975|Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.1 -- Atlanta, March 1, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Here Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very, very magnanimous. He is, without asking, He is offering the best benefit, Kṛṣṇa-prema. So best objective... Our objective, of life should be to understand God. If we, in this life, if we simply understand what is God and what is my relationship with, and begin to act like that, then also our life is successful. Even if we cannot finish the whole job or we fall down from the platform of devotional service, still, we are not loser. Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer patet tato yadi bhajann apakvaḥ atha ([[Vanisource:SB 1.5.17|SB 1.5.17]]). This devotional service is the process. Requires some time to fulfill the whole job and become perfect. But even becoming..., before becoming perfect, one falls down, he is not loser. The service is so transcendental that whatever you have done, that is your asset. And if you stop, so that is not good, but even if you stop, whatever you have done already, that is your permanent asset. This is the benefit of devotional service.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonCCMadhyalila20137146BombayFebruary241971_1" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="77" link="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137-146 -- Bombay, February 24, 1971" link_text="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137-146 -- Bombay, February 24, 1971"> |
| | <div class="heading">When one is elevated in the platform of devotional service, it is not that he gets some material happiness, that is the result. No. Material happiness automatically comes to him. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137-146 -- Bombay, February 24, 1971|Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137-146 -- Bombay, February 24, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So however we may try to make ourself happy by material adjustment, it is not possible. We must turn to the spiritual life, or devotional... Spiritual life means devotional service. That is real spiritual life. As Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, māṁ ca vyabhicāriṇi-bhakti-yogena yaḥ sevate. "One who is engaged in bhakti-yoga service," sa guṇan samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate ([[Vanisource:BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]]), "he's already in the Brahman stage." People cannot understand how bhakti is on the Brahman platform. But here the Lord Himself says, brahma-bhūyāya kalpate.</p> |
| | :dāridrya-nāśa bhava-kṣaya-premera 'phala' nay |
| | :prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya |
| | <p>So when one is elevated in the platform of devotional service, it is not that he gets some material happiness, that is the result. No. Material happiness automatically comes to him. Material happiness..., a devotee is not bereft of material happiness. Automatically (it) comes to him.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Philosophy_Discussions" class="sub_section" sec_index="13" parent="Lectures" text="Philosophy Discussions"><h3>Philosophy Discussions</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="PhilosophyDiscussiononWilliamJames_0" class="quote" parent="Philosophy_Discussions" book="Lec" index="9" link="Philosophy Discussion on William James" link_text="Philosophy Discussion on William James"> |
| | <div class="heading">That living condition otherwise than the devotional service is called conditioned life. And as soon as we come to this platform of devotional service, that is mukti, liberated life. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Philosophy Discussion on William James|Philosophy Discussion on William James]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Hayagrīva: Four, he sees, "a shifting of the emotional center toward loving and harmonious affection, toward yes and away from no, where the clangs of the non-ego are concerned." That is to say, agreeing with God.</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Yes. God is asking always that "You agree to obey My orders," and as soon as we accept this principle, we immediately becomes liberated: "Yes, from this point I shall now fully agree to the the orders of Kṛṣṇa, or God." That is liberation. The liberation is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā: to give up a mode of life other than devotional life. Muktiḥ hitvā anyathā rūpam. Our life is meant for rendering devotional service to the Lord. As soon as we give up this principle of life, devotional service to the Lord, that is our anyathā rūpam, means our living condition otherwise, except devotional service. That living condition otherwise than the devotional service is called conditioned life. And as soon as we come to this platform of devotional service, that is mukti, liberated life. Muktiḥ hitvā anyathā rūpaṁ sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ. To remain in one's own constitutional position is called mukti, or liberation.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |