Service of the acaryas

Expressions researched:
"service of the acaryas" |"service of the acarya"

SB Canto 9

Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura also recommends that one engage in the service of the ācāryas, and if one wants to live in association, he must live in the association of devotees

SB 9.6.51, Purport: One who desires complete freedom from material bondage can engage himself in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. He must not associate with visayi -- materialistic persons or those interested in sex life. Every materialist is interested in sex. Thus in plain language it is advised that an exalted saintly person avoid the association of those who are materially inclined. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura also recommends that one engage in the service of the acaryas, and if one wants to live in association, he must live in the association of devotees (tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa). The Krsna consciousness movement is creating many centers just to create devotees so that by associating with the members of such a center people will automatically become uninterested in material affairs. Although this is an ambitious proposal, this association is proving effective by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. By gradually associating with the members of the Krsna consciousness movement, simply by taking prasada and taking part in chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, ordinary persons are being considerably elevated. Saubhari Muni regrets that he had bad association even in the deepest part of the water. Because of the bad association of the sexually engaged fish, he fell down. A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

He is praying, "My dear Lord, this is my ambition, birth after birth." What is that? "That to be engaged in the service of the ācārya guru, and in the association of devotees. This is perfection

Lecture on SB 1.15.29 -- Los Angeles, December 7, 1973: So here, if you simply think of Krsna -- Krsna recommends also that, man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. This Krsna consciousness movement is nothing, just to train people how to think of Krsna and how to become devotee of Krsna. That's all. So you may become devotee... But you will become devotee. If you think of Krsna, naturally you will become devotee. So... But think of Krsna, is it very difficult task? Very simple, very easy, even a child can do it. Here is Krsna. You can think of. So you go on thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, you will be attached. You will be attached. You will be attached. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. And thinking of Krsna in association of the devotees. Not alone, then you will go to hell. Alone will not do. Association is so strong that anyone who is coming to our association, we..., not that we are everyone teaching, but by association, he wants to become devotee. By association, automatically. So the association is so powerful. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says,

tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa

janame janame haya ei abhilasa

He is praying, "My dear Lord, this is my ambition, birth after birth." What is that? "That to be engaged in the service of the acarya guru, and in the association of devotees. This is perfection." Janame janame haya ei: "This is my desire. I don't want to stop my birth, but simply I want that I may take birth -- it doesn't matter -- but bhakta-sane vasa, let me live with the devotees."

Therefore our duty is tāṅdera caraṇa sevi, bhakta-sane vās. We should live with the devotees and be engaged in the service of the ācāryas

Lecture on SB 7.9.1 -- Mayapur, February 8, 1976: Therefore our duty is tandera carana sevi, bhakta-sane vas. We should live with the devotees and be engaged in the service of the acaryas. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27]. One should understand acarya as Krsna Himself. Don't disregard him. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau [SU 6.23]. These are the statement. So we must be very cautious. Just like here also. The brahmadaya, big, big demigods, they could not pacify, appease the Lord. He was angry. Evam suradayah sarve brahma-rudra-purah sarah. Big, big personalities, rudra, na upaitum. Na upaitum asakan manyu. They could not pacify Hmm, and samrambham sudurasadam. Sudurasadam, very, very difficult. Once we are condemned by Krsna, it is very, very difficult to rise up again. Mudha janmani janmani [Bg. 16.20]. Life after life we shall be condemned. That is our punishment. So don't do anything which will make Krsna unhappy. Simply engage yourself in the service of the Lord. Very simple thing. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Simply always think of Him. Do not think anyone, anything else. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. Just try to maintain your service for Krsna. There is twenty-four hours' engagement, and try to follow it. Do not neglect it. That will make your life successful.