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Quotes: pada-sevanam (Srila Prabhupada)

Damodar Pandit — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:25:58 GMT

Created page with "[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/23/18/#bb32771 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.23.18] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/23/18/#bb32771</nowiki> In this verse the word ''prabhu'' is also significant. As stated before, when one is completely self-realized and acts according to that position, he can be called ''prabhu.'' The spiritual master is addressed as Prabhupāda because he is a completely self-realized soul. The word ''pāda'' means “position,” and ''Prabh..."

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[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/23/18/#bb32771 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.23.18] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/23/18/#bb32771</nowiki>

In this verse the word ''prabhu'' is also significant. As stated before, when one is completely self-realized and acts according to that position, he can be called ''prabhu.'' The spiritual master is addressed as Prabhupāda because he is a completely self-realized soul. The word ''pāda'' means “position,” and ''Prabhupāda'' indicates that he is given the position of ''prabhu,'' or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for he acts on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unless one is a ''prabhu,'' or controller of the senses, he cannot act as spiritual master, who is authorized by the supreme ''prabhu,'' or Lord Kṛṣṇa.

[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/6/25/#bb28649 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.6.25] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/6/25/#bb28649</nowiki>

Another significant point is that Lord Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is described here as Tīrthapāda. ''Tīrtha'' means “sanctified place,” and ''pāda'' means “the lotus feet of the Lord.” People go to a sanctified place to free themselves from all sinful reactions. In other words, those who are devoted to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, automatically become sanctified. The Lord’s lotus feet are called ''tīrtha-pāda'' because under their protection there are hundreds and thousands of saintly persons who sanctify the sacred places of pilgrimage. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, a great ''ācārya'' of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ''sampradāya,'' advises us not to travel to different places of pilgrimage. Undoubtedly it is troublesome to go from one place to another, but one who is intelligent can take shelter of the lotus feet of Govinda and thereby be automatically sanctified as the result of his pilgrimage. Anyone who is fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Govinda is called ''tīrtha-pāda;'' he does not need to travel on various pilgrimages, for he can enjoy all the benefits of such travel simply by engaging in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. Such a pure devotee, who has implicit faith in the lotus feet of the Lord, can create sacred places in any part of the world where he decides to remain: ''tīrthī-kurvanti tīrthāni'' (''Bhāg.'' 1.13.10). The places are sanctified due to the presence of pure devotees; any place automatically becomes a place of pilgrimage if either the Lord or His pure devotee remains or resides there. In other words, such a pure devotee, who is engaged one hundred percent in the service of the Lord, can remain anywhere in the universe, and that part of the universe immediately becomes a sacred place where he can peacefully render service to the Lord as the Lord desires.

[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/9/7/#bb46392 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.7] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/9/7/#bb46392</nowiki>

astauṣīd dharim ekāgra-

manasā susamāhitaḥ

prema-gadgadayā vācā

tan-nyasta-hṛdayekṣaṇaḥ

Prahlāda Mahārāja fixed his mind and sight upon Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with full attention in complete trance. With a fixed mind, he began to offer prayers in love with a faltering voice.

The word ''susamāhitaḥ'' means “very attentive” or “fully fixed.” The ability to fix the mind in this way is a result of ''yoga-siddhi,'' mystic perfection. As it is stated in ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' (12.13.1), ''dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ.'' One attains yogic perfection when he is freed from all material diversions and his mind is fixed upon the lotus feet of the Lord. This is called ''samādhi'' or trance. Prahlāda Mahārāja attained that stage beyond the senses. Because he was engaged in service, he felt transcendentally situated, and naturally his mind and attention became saturated in transcendence. In that condition, he began to offer his prayers as follows.

===== pada-sevanam as pancaratriki-vidhi =====
Lecture. February 17, 1971, Gorakhpur

Therefore our Guru Maharaja introduced both the processes. This arca, arca, this is pancaratriki-vidhi. According to pancaratrika system, Narada Pancaratra, this worship of the Deity is there. And bhagavata-marga, the path of Srimad-Bhagavatam, is simply sravanam kirtanam. '''Out of the nine processes recommended, sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam [SB 7.5.23], so up to sravanam kirtanam smaranam, that is bhagavata-marga. That is the best. And pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam, that is pancaratriki-vidhi'''.

So both the vidhis, both the systems have been introduced. One will help the other. That is the way. Simply bhagavata-marga... Just like in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, in the beginning, is simply sravanam -- param satyam dhimahi; janmady asya -- smaranam, simply remembering, memorizing the Supreme Truth. But, of course, the pancaratrika-vidhi is recommended in the Second Canto. That, another pancaratrika-vidhi, is worshiping the gigantic form of the Lord. These things are there. But both, combined together, it is very much helpful, bhagavata-marga. Bhagavata-marga will help the pancaratrika-marga, or process, and the pancaratrika process will help Bhagavata process. Both together is helpful.

Therefore my Guru Maharaja introduced... You have seen the, what is called? That signia? One side, pancaratriki-vidhi, one side bhagavata-viddhi. That is... I have seen that Gaudiya Math emblem. Yes. And so actually bhagavata-marga is very strong. That is sufficient. But without pancaratrika-vidhi this polluted body, polluted mind of the devotee, cannot be purified. Therefore both the process should be adopted in preaching Krsna consciousness movement.

===== begin from the feet -- First Canto, Second Canto =====
Morning Walk. April 12, 1974, Bombay

That's all right. But that is the system. That is the system. You should begin. That... That is described in the Bhagavatam. The First and Second Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam are the two legs of Krsna. That is the beginning. Janmady asya yatah. These professional reciters, they read Bhagavata, they jump over immediately to the face. The Tenth Canto is described as the face of Krsna. So you cannot go immediately to the face. You must begin from the feet -- First Canto, Second Canto. Therefore there are nine cantos, and then Tenth Canto. And the Krsna's rasa dance, that is the smiling of Krsna. So you cannot ask the superior to take the facility of his smiling. Smiling will be when he is pleased.

'''The difficulty is that the Mayavadi philosophy, they do not accept the form of the Lord, and they do not know how to behave with the form. Of course, there is no difference between Krsna's face and Krsna's feet. There is no difference. But still, the system must be followed. Pada-sevanam. It is very important verse. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh [SB 7.5.23]. When one has heard, when one has properly chanted, he has little experience of the transcendental form of the Lord, then his service beginning. Just like I engage one servant. So gradually he is given, he is given service: "First of all this, first of all that, then..." Again and again, again, again. The same example can be given, that the husband and wife. Formerly, when I was married, my wife was eleven years old. So [laughing] an eleven-years-old girl, and I was at the same time twenty-one, twenty-two. One day I captured her hand. She began to cry. [laughs] A little girl, you see? So gradually, gradually. I know... When my brother-in-law, sister's husband, used to come... In the beginning, the girls were very... My sisters were same age. So they would meet the husband, offering a little pan or little sandesa [indistinct].'''

[break] ...after this. Then nistha. Then he has got a firm conviction that "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and my duty is to serve Krsna." That is called nistha.

== Туласи ==

==== tulasi is liked by Krsna ====
Morning Walk. June 10, 1976, Los Angeles

[break] ...aradhanam. When Parvati inquired from Lord Siva what is the best form of worship, he advised, visnor aradhanam param: "Oh, to worship Lord Visnu is the best form of..." Then he said, tasmat parataram devi tadiyanam aradhanam [Padma Purana]: "And greater than visnor aradhana, Visnu worship, is to worship tadiyanam, anything in connection with Visnu." Anything... That is Vaisnava. Just like we are worshiping tulasi, tulasi plant. Why tulasi plant? It is a plant only, not even human being. Tadiyanam. Because tulasi is liked by Krsna. Tadiyanam. Similarly, anything in connection with Visnu, to worship, that is better than Visnu worship.

===== Sadhu-sanga and tulasi puja =====
Letter to : Balai. San Francisco 22 March, 1968

My Dear Balai dasi,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 19th, along with Istagosthi notes, I am always so pleased to see how nicely the Istagosthi meetings are being carried on, so I am always anticipating your letters, along with Istagosthi reports. Thank you very much.

Yes, Sri Tulasi is the eternal consort of Krishna, and the most pure devotee, and therefore, the Tulasi plant is worshipped by Vaisnavas.

Letter to : Patty Dorgan. Delhi 17 November, 1971

Everything we do should be for the reason that it gives pleasure to Krishna. Because Krishna's intimate associates give Him the most pleasure, and because they are His favorites, it pleases Him to see that these associates and close friends are also offered all respect by the devotees. Tulsidevi is part of Krishna's entourage, she is Krishna-ised or Krishna Conscious, and in this pure state she has all the qualities of Krishna, and therefore she becomes worshipable just like Krishna. There is a saying, love me, love my dog. It is like that. To approach the President is very difficult, unless you are the friend of his son or daughter, then it becomes very easy. So worship of Tulsidevi and other of Lord Krishna's Entourage is part of the total devotional attitude of pleasing Krishna.

Letter to : Radhavallabha, Bombay 6 January, 1972

I am very glad to know that you are seriously taking to Srimati Tulasi Devi worship. Tulasi Devi is a pure devotee of Krishna and she should be treated with the same respect given to all Krishna's pure devotees. Simply by worshipping her faithfully, a devotee can get himself free of from all material miseries. In the Nectar of Devotion I have given two verses from the Skanda Purana, one of which is: ``Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing the tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world.<nowiki>''</nowiki> So from this verse we can understand how pure is the service which Tulasi offers to Sri Krishna. So we should always endeavor after becoming servant of Tulasi Devi. I do not know who has taught you that part of a Tulasi plant may be cut off and then replanted? From the Tulasi plant you can cut off only leaves for offering them to Krishna, never for cutting and planting. That is an offense. The manjaris (seeds) can be offered in water and it makes the water fragrant and tasteful. And the manjaris can be planted for growing new Tulasi plants. Yes, the prayer you have enclosed is bona fide. Tulasi Devi never goes back to Godhead, she is always with Godhead. She is a pure devotee and thus she has appeared on this planet to render service to Krishna by being offered in all temples throughout the world by being offered up to the lotus feet of Krishna.

1970.docx

The new growth of Tulasi is testimony to your sincere devotion because she will only grow and flourish in an atmosphere of Krsna Consciousness.

'''Letter No. 36 To Jagamohini Dasi,''' Jan. 31, 1973

'''...whether we may prune the leaves of Tulasi, no, there is no question of pruning. But you can take for worshiping Krsna leaves from the Tulasi. First utilize the dead leaves or leaves which have fallen down, and if more leaves are required for worshiping Krsna, you may take them from Tulasi plant in this way: First approach Tulasi Devi and offer your obeisances, requesting her that for worshiping Krsna you want to take some leaves. Then if she allows you may take. There is no question of pruning in the manner of gardeners just to make nice beautiful plant for ornamental purposes. And if there are any dead branches, these may be made into beads, like neck beads, and if they are large branches you can make japa beads. There is no need to keep candle burning all night, but you can burn candle in the evening for one hour for Tulasi Devi, that will be nice.'''

Letter to : Govinda, Los Angeles 7 April, 1970

I am so very glad to learn that Srimati Tulasi Devi has favored you so much. If you can actually grow this Tulasi plant, and I am sure you will do it, then you must know it for certain that your devotion for Krsna is testified. I was very much anxious to introduce this worship of Tulasi plant amongst our Society members, but it has not become successful til now, therefore, when I hear that you have got this opportunity, my pleasure does not have any bounds.

Please take care of the Tulasi plants in the following way. This is the best season for growing Tulasi plants. From 15th April to 15th June is the best season for growing this plant. Now I understand that the seedlings are coming out, so the whole spot if possible may be covered by some net because the seedling stage creepers being very delicate are sometimes eaten up by the sparrows, so we have to give a little protection from attack of the sparrows. All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning before taking prasadam. The watering should not be very much large in quantity, but it should be poured just to keep the ground soft and moist. Sunlight also should be allowed. When the creepers are grown at least 7 inches high, then you can take them out from the planting soil and transplant them in a row in a different place. Then go on watering and they will grow like anything. I think this plant cannot grow in cold countries, but if the plants are dispatched from your place and if the devotees take care of the plant with a little care in a flower pot, then it may grow.

'''Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Visnu. All Visnu-tattva Deities require profusely Tulasi leaves. Lord Visnu likes garland of Tulasi leaves. Tulsi leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves cannot be placed on the feet of anyone else except Lord Visnu and His different forms. Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of Radharani or on the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master. It is entirely reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. We can place, however, Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna, as you have seen on the Govinda Album.'''

'''I am giving you herewith three mantras for Tulasi Devi as follows:'''

'''vrindaai tulasi devyai priyaai kesavasya ca'''

'''visnubhaktiprade devi satyavatyai namo namah'''

'''This is offering obeisances, bowing down (pancanga pranam). And when collecting leaves from the plant, the following mantra should be chanted:'''

'''tulasya mrta janmasi sada tvam kesavapriya'''

'''kesavarthi cinomi tvam barada bhava sobhine'''

'''Then the mantra for circumambulating the Tulasi tree.'''

'''yani kani ca papani brahmahatya dikani ca'''

'''tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade'''

So there are three mantras, one for bowing down, one for circumambulating,* and one for collecting the leaves. The collecting of leaves should be done once in the morning for worshiping and for putting on the plates of foodstuff to be offered. On each bowl or plate there should be at lest one leaf. So you follow and practice these Tulasi affairs and you try to distribute your experience to all the other centers, that will be a new chapter in the history of Krsna Consciousness Movement.

Letter to : Kirtida Kanyaka Los Angeles 6 December, 1973

Thank you very much for the Tulasi leaves offered to Lord Caitanya's lotus feet. If one is fortunate enough to receive such holy prasadam then all sinful reactions are immediately purified within the heart and pure devotional service is very easily obtained.

I understand that you are especially devoted to the care of Tulasi devi. Formerly our Govinda dasi introduced this Tulasi worship to our Society and I was very much pleased to see it. Now she has temporarily gone away so you must take charge of caring for Tulasi devi in Hawaii. The more you devote yourself to her service, the more you will understand and relish Krsna Consciousness.

===== Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.15-17, Auckland =====
Devotee (3): How is it possible that Tulasi-devi is a pure devotee, what we might call a plant?

'''Prabhupada: That you cannot know in your impure state. You just become pure, you will understand. [laughter] Just like a physician, he can understand another physician, what is his position. The layman, what he can understand? If you say, physician, "Oh, how I can understand this physician?" How you can understand? You are not a physician. You become a physician, then you will understand what kind of physician he is. So when you become devotee, you will understand what kind of devotee is Tulasi. So long you are not devotee, you cannot understand. Don't expect. Therefore we have to accept the authority. That is beginning. Sastra says, "Tulasi is the greatest devotee of Krsna." We have to accept, that's all. Authority. How she is so great devotee, that you will understand when you become a devotee. You come to the platform, then you will understand, not before. Now chant.'''

== Ганга, Радха Кунда ==
[https://vedabase.io/ru/library/sb/5/17/1/ Шримад-Бхагаватам 5.17.1] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/ru/library/sb/5/17/1/</nowiki>

'''Шукадева Госвами сказал: О царь, Господь Вишну, который наслаждается всеми жертвенными дарами, появился в облике Ваманадевы на жертвоприношении, устроенном Махараджей Бали. Затем, перешагнув через три мира, Он ногтем большого пальца левой ноги пробил дыру в оболочке вселенной, и оттуда потекла чистая вода Причинного океана. Так во вселенной появилась река Ганга. Омыв лотосные стопы Господа, посыпанные красноватой пудрой, она стала нежно розовой. Каждый, кто прикасается к ее божественным водам, очищает свое сердце от материальной скверны, но сама Ганга при этом всегда остается чистой. За то, что, нисходя во вселенную, Ганга омыла лотосные стопы Господа, ее назвали Вишнупади, а позже она получила и другие имена, такие, как Джахнави и Бхагиратхи. Через тысячу эпох воды Ганги спустились на Дхрувалоку — высшую планету вселенной. Поэтому все великие мудрецы и знатоки Вед называют Дхрувалоку Вишнупадой, «пребывающей у лотосных стоп Господа Вишну».'''<center>Комментарий</center>В этом стихе Шукадева Госвами прославляет Гангу. Ее называют ''патита-павани,'' спасительницей всех грешников. Практика подтверждает, что любой, кто регулярно омывается в Ганге, очищается и внешне, и внутренне. Внешнее очищение проявляется в том, что тело такого человека становится неподвластным большинству болезней, а внутреннее — в том, что у него постепенно развивается преданность Верховной Личности Бога. Ганга протекает по значительной части Индийского субконтинента, и многие тысячи людей, живущих на ее берегах, регулярно омываются в ее водах и, безусловно, очищаются как духовно, так и материально. Многие мудрецы, в том числе Шанкарачарья, воспели Гангу в своих молитвах, и сама земля Индии прославилась тем, что по ней протекают такие реки, как Ганга, Ямуна, Годавари, Кавери, Кришна, Нармада. У каждого, кто живет на берегах этих рек, естественным образом развивается духовное сознание.

[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/17/1/ Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.17.1] <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/17/1/</nowiki>

'''Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, Lord Viṣṇu, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, appeared as Vāmanadeva in the sacrificial arena of Bali Mahārāja. Then He extended His left foot to the end of the universe and pierced a hole in its covering with the nail of His big toe. Through the hole, the pure water of the Causal Ocean entered this universe as the Ganges River. Having washed the lotus feet of the Lord, which are covered with reddish powder, the water of the Ganges acquired a very beautiful pink color. Every living being can immediately purify his mind of material contamination by touching the transcendental water of the Ganges, yet its waters remain ever pure. Because the Ganges directly touches the lotus feet of the Lord before descending within this universe, she is known as Viṣṇupadī. Later she received other names like Jāhnavī and Bhāgīrathī. After one thousand millenniums, the water of the Ganges descended to Dhruvaloka, the topmost planet in this universe. Therefore all learned sages and scholars proclaim Dhruvaloka to be Viṣṇupada [“situated on Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet”].'''<center>Purport</center>In this verse, Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes the glories of the Ganges River. The water of the Ganges is called ''patita-pāvanī,'' the deliverer of all sinful living beings. It is a proven fact that a person who regularly bathes in the Ganges is purified both externally and internally. Externally his body becomes immune to all kinds of disease, and internally he gradually develops a devotional attitude toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Throughout India, many thousands of people live on the banks of the Ganges, and by regularly bathing in her waters, they are undoubtedly being purified both spiritually and materially. Many sages, including Śaṅkarācārya, have composed prayers in praise of the Ganges, and the land of India itself has become glorious because such rivers as the Ganges, Yamunā, Godāvarī, Kāverī, Kṛṣṇā and Narmadā flow there. Anyone living on the land adjacent to these rivers is naturally advanced in spiritual consciousness.

===== Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.1. March 16, 1974, Vrndavana =====
'''yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke'''

'''sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma ijya-dhih'''

'''yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicij'''

'''janesv abhijnesu sa eva go-kharah'''

'''[SB 10.84.13]'''

'''Go-kharah. Go-kharah means... Go means cow, and kharah means ass. Yat-tirtha-buddhih salile. Now many persons come here in Vrndavana, tirtha, but what do they think? They think, "Let me take bathing in the Yamuna River. Then my business is finished." But no. Sastra says that you should approach to a bhagavata, a devotee who is living in Vrndavana, pure devotee, and surrender unto him. That is tirtha-yatra. Not that coming here and taking bathing in the Ganges or... They are going to dure vary-ayanam tirtham. General people think, in this Kali-yuga at least, that if you go thousand miles away from your home, then your tirtha is finished. Just like in Calcutta there is Ganges, but people come to Haridwar to take bathing in the Ganges. Now, what is the difference between the Haridwar Ganges and Calcutta Ganges? But he thinks, "If I go three thousand miles and take bathing there, that is real Ganges." So dure vary-ayanam tirtham. These are the symptoms of the Kali-yuga. Yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicit. Many thousands of people come to Vrndavana, but they think by taking bathing in the Yamuna, his tirtha is finished. Or going to Prayaga, taking bath... Christian also, they go. They take bathing in the...? Water of...? Jordan?'''

Room Conversation. September 5, 1976, Vrndavana

You can find him, that is not difficult, but what is his mentality? Why he has gone to Radha-kunda if he was teaching here? You cannot rely upon him. When he'll go Radharani [indistinct]? Radha-kunda, Radharani's place, if anyone thinks that it is very easy to remain in Radha-kunda, the topmost place... Rupa Gosvami has spoken -- he must speak about Radha-kunda. But what he has spoken about other things?

'''atyaharah prayasas ca'''

'''prajalpo niyamagrahah'''

'''[devotees prompt]'''

'''jana-sangas ca laulyam ca'''

'''sadbhir bhaktir vinasyati'''

'''[Upadesamrta 2]'''

'''Radha-kunda... Who will live Radha-kunda? One is topmost devotee, and if he mixes with third-class devotee, how he is fit for living in Radha-kunda? There is no difference between Radha-kunda and Radharani. So how you can jump over Radharani? Radha-kunda and Radharani, nondifferent. How you can enjoy Radha-kunda by swimming in it? You cannot touch with your feet even Radha-kunda. You can take little water and keep it on the head. That is respectful to Radha-kunda. Of course, things are going on like that, but strictly speaking, Radha-kunda should be respected as Radharani herself. That is Radha-kunda consciousness, highest Radha-kunda consciousness.'''

...

'''No soap. Take this Radha-kunda's... Why soap? You are so devotee of Radha-kunda, why you require soap? This is nonsense. You take earth from the Radha-kunda or Vrndavana. Vrndavana-dhuli dust. Why you require soap?''' '''[Transl. I am saying you are going to Radha-kund and you want soap? Just see! Are such fools really going to Radha-kund? They are going to naraka-kund [hellish kund]. Those who go to hellish kund they require soap. Those who want to go to Radha-kund, they don't need soap.]'''

== Преданные ==

===== '''surrenders to the dust of the lotus feet of pure devotee''' =====
The Nectar of Devotion. January 6, 1973, Bombay

'''Unless one surrenders to the dust of the lotus feet of pure devotee, Krsna consciousness cannot be developed. It is not possible. That is the secret. Otherwise you go on attending thousands of meetings and bhagavata-saptaha and so-called, I mean to say, sat-sanga. Unless you surrender to a person... Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg 4.34].'''

'''Unless you surrender... This is a process of surrender. As soon as there is a lack of surrendering process, it is very difficult. Therefore Krsna says, "Surrender." Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg 18.66]:'''

"Surrender." So Krsna, Krsna's representative, one should surrender. Then krsne matir bhavatu anyatha naiva. So matir na krsne parato svato va mitho 'bhipadyeta. This was instruction of Prahlada Maharaja.

===== Daya and seva =====
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.25-30. January 21, 1974, Honolulu

Daya. One must be merciful. Daya means... When a man is suffering, a fellow man, another fellow man must feel for it. That is called daya. There are two things: daya and seva. Seva means to give service to the superior, and daya means to give service to the inferior. Both of them are service. Daya, I mean to say... A man is suffering. He is in helpless condition. Just like in hospital, those who are patients, who are diseased, they go to the hospital. There is also seva. The nurse is serving. The doctor is serving. But that is not seva. That is called daya. He is not obliged, but out of his compassion he's giving service to the patient. That is called daya. And seva means superior. Just like spiritual master. Sevaya. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg 4.34].

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.16-17. February 6, 1971, Gorakhpur

'''[SB 6.3.18]'''

'''Very nice verse. The Yamaraja says that "These bhutani visnoh, visnu-bhutani, the Vaisnava, the Visnudutas, they are worshiped by the demigods. Anywhere they go, they are worshiped." They are worshipable, Vaisnava. As God is worshipable, similarly, the Vaisnava, or the God's servant, they are also worshipable. And Krsna says, mad bhakta-pujabhyadhika [SB 11.19.21]. So, "Anyone who worships My devotee, he renders devotional service better than by worshiping Me directly."'''

Morning Walk. March 25, 1976, Delhi

'''Therefore we say prabhu. Prabhu means "You are my master. Please order me. What can I do for you?" That should be the attitude. [break] ..."Gurudasa Prabhu, please come here and brush my shoes." [laughter] What kind of prabhu? He should say, "Gurudasa Prabhu, can I brush your shoes?" That is real Vaisnava, not that "Gurudasa Prabhu, come here and brush my shoes."'''

Ишта-гоштхи

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.1-11. February 1, 1971, Allahabad

[SB 6.3.11]

Now Yamaraja will reply very interesting reply. So before replying, pritah sva-dutan pratyaha smaran padambujam hareh. This is the Vaisnava behavior. As the subordinate puts the question very submissively, similarly, the superior also is not proud, that "I can answer you." No.

He immediately remembers the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and also begs. Because these answers and questions are not ordinary. They are all authorized. Therefore the master also remembers the lotus feet of the Lord, that "Whatever You help me to speak, I learn." He is not also proud, and they are not disobedient or puffed up, impudent.

'''This is the process of questioning-answering. The enquirer should be very submissive, and the answer-giver also should always remember the lotus feet, so the right answer can be given. This is the way of spiritual enquiry and spiritual answer. This is called sva-gosthi. Gosthi. Gosthi, this is called sva-gosthi.'''

'''Amongst the society, the answers and questions should be dealt in that spirit. The one who is questioning, he should be submissive, not in a challenging mood; and one who is answering, he should remember the lotus feet of the Lord so that right answer can come from Him.'''

Letter to : Kirtanananda. Bombay 10 November, 1975

'''Regarding the topics of the Krsna book, this is Istagosthi. Istagosthi means discussion between ourselves but that should not be taken as a competition. It is not the subject matter for competition. It can be discussed in a small group of devotees. That is Istagosthi. This is better than competition.'''

Letter to : Ranadhira. Los Angeles 24 January, 1970

'''I reply each and every letter that I receive, but sometimes it may be a little late due to pressure of work. But they should write; there is no checking. But it is better if simple questions are solved amongst yourselves in the Istagosthi class. Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice--in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.'''
[[Category:Quotes]]
[[Category:Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]]
[[Category:Spiritual practice]]

Quotes: Gayatri (Srila Prabhupada)

Damodar Pandit — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:11:24 GMT

Created page with "girls and thread Initiations and Gayatri of Devotees Going to London. August 11, 1968, Montreal So these ten kinds of offenses should be avoided, and at least sixteen rounds you must chant. All the Gosvamis in Vrndavana, they had a limited..., not limited, a number, fixed, that "So many times I shall chant." So we are offering only minimum of sixteen rounds. That, it will take, sixteen rounds, it will take about, utmost, three hours. So you should... Out of twenty-four..."

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girls and thread

Initiations and Gayatri of Devotees Going to London. August 11, 1968, Montreal

So these ten kinds of offenses should be avoided, and at least sixteen rounds you must chant. All the Gosvamis in Vrndavana, they had a limited..., not limited, a number, fixed, that "So many times I shall chant." So we are offering only minimum of sixteen rounds. That, it will take, sixteen rounds, it will take about, utmost, three hours. So you should... Out of twenty-four hours, you should '''engage at least three hours for chanting'''.

So then this is the beginning of initiation, and those who have chanted at least for one year, then the next initiation is to offer him Gayatri mantra. Some of the students, boys and girls, will be offered this Gayatri mantra. And when the Gayatri mantra is offered men, they are offered also sacred thread, and girls, they are not offered sacred thread. If their husband is a brahmana, she automatically becomes brahmana, because wife is considered to be the half, better half. She is the better portion. So she automatically becomes better brahmana. [laughter] So better brahmana does not require any thread.

There is a Bengali proverb, jana brahmanera paitera darakara nei. The proverb is that in India if one has got sacred thread, he is immediately understood that he must be belonging to the higher caste, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya. But if somebody knows that he is brahmana or ksatriya, he doesn't require to show the sacred thread.

Similarly, the wives of brahmana is already known that he [she] is brahmani, so she does not require to show the sacred thread. So don't be sorry because you will not be offered the sacred thread. [chuckles] That's all right.

tree times

Gayatri Mantra Initiation. May 9, 1968, Boston

Student: Are there any formal rules that they agree to accept at this stage? Over and above the earlier...

Prabhupada: Yes. Only form is that the mantra which will be given to him, he has to chant that mantra three times a day: morning, early in the morning; and in the noon; and in the evening. Tri-sandhya. Tri-sandhya means three times, junction of different moments. Morning, day and night, evening, day and night, junction, and the noon, afternoon and before noon. Three times.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.42. June 8, 1976, Los Angeles

The answer is here, that... We may not compare our inefficiency with the arrangement of the Supreme Lord. Now, God has kept so many witnesses. How you can escape? Here is a name, list of witness. Surya first of all -- the sun. So how you can escape surya's light? You cannot escape. So here is one witness. Then agni, fire. Then kham, the sky. Where there is no sky? Here we are sitting; there is sky. And there is light also. Then marut, air. Deva. Who is deva? Demigods, yes. Then soma. At night there is moon. Sandhya, evening or noon. Noon is also sandhya. Sandhya means junction. When the night is going away-the day is coming early in the morning -- that is also sandhya. When midday -- the forenoon is passing; the afternoon is beginning-that is also sandhya. Tri-sandhya. Tri-sandhya. We have to chant Gayatri mantra tri-sandhya -- early in the morning, in the midday and in the evening. That is tri-sandhya. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah yasyaprasadad na gatih kuto 'pi. What is next line?

Letter to: Sri Govinda. Jaipur 20 January, 1972

So far the meaning of Gayatri mantra, you may refer to Pradyumna and he will help you. Generally, best times for saying Gayatri mantra are when the sun rises and sets, and when it is noon.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.2 <nowiki>https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/12/2/</nowiki>

[02:02]

Translation: "At both the junction of day and night, namely early in the morning and in the evening, one should be fully absorbed in the thought of the spiritual master, fire, the sun-god and Lord Visnu, and by chanting the Gayatri mantra one should worship them."

На утренней и вечерней заре он должен погружаться в мысли о духовном учителе, огне, боге Солнца и Господе Вишну и поклоняться им, повторяя мантру гаятри.

low whispering voice

Letter to: Upendra. Los Angeles 24 January, 1969

In your letter you have asked many questions, and I will try to answer them for you herewith. Firstly, the Gayatri Mantra is not to be said loudly. Gayat means to sing, but singing can be done loudly or very softly. The Gayatri Mantra should be sung in a low whispering voice

silent or whispered

Letter to: Syama. Los Angeles 21 February, 1969

Regarding your next two questions, you may not put the initiation beads on the cow. Nor is it necessary for grhasthas to recite the Gayatri Mantra aloud. It should be silent or whispered.

Letter to: Mandali Bhadra. Tittenhurst 2 November, 1969

Regarding the Gayatri Mantra, to say it silently is also chanting. Every mantra is recommended to be uttered silently, but specifically this Maha (Hare Krishna) Mantra can be chanted both ways: loudly and silently. The meaning of the first Mantra is ``I meditate on the sungod who is maintaining the three worlds.<nowiki>''</nowiki> Savitur is the name of the sungod, but the greatest savitur is Krishna. Therefore it is meditation on Krishna who is the master of all the cosmic manifestation. The other mantras are prayers to the Spiritual Master, Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Krishna Himself.

Letter to: Gurudasa. Los Angeles 6 May, 1970

I am so glad to learn that things are going on nicely in our London Temple. The most important point in this letter is second time initiation of some of the devotees, specifically Jaya Hari Das Brahmacari, Jyotirmayidevi Dasi, and Mandakinidevi Dasi. So I am sending herewith the sanctified Gayatri Mantra Tape and papers for holding the ceremony, as well as a sacred thread and special instructions for the devotees with the Gayatri Mantra.

Now what we have to do is to hold the Gayatri Mantra ceremony according to the instruction paper, then at the end teach Jaya Hari personally how to count on the finger divisions. Then play the Gayatri Mantra tape for him, and let him repeat the Mantras along with my vibration, word-to-word, and then hang the Sacred Thread on his neck as usual. The girls don't require Sacred Thread, as you know, but they simply can responsively chant the Gayatri Mantras. In each individual case the instruction should be given and the mantra replayed.

This Gayatri Mantra function should be held amongst the devotees only.

Bhagavad-gita 2.22. November 26, 1972, Hyderabad

Prabhupada: Yes. Simply by mechanical japa, we'll not be ha... We have to hear from the sastra what is self. Of course, those who are actually following the rules and regulation of gayatri-mantra, they'll be, gradually, come to the spiritual understanding. But not as official chanting. That will not help. "Because I have got gayatri-mantra, oh, om-burble bura burra..." [makes sound] Finish. Not like that. Don't cheat yourself. Try to understand.
[[Category:Quotes]]
[[Category:Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]]
[[Category:Spiritual practice]]

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Quotes: sakhya-bhakti (Srila Prabhupada)

Damodar Pandit — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:51:05 GMT

Created page with "SB 4.28.30 '''''The word'' yavéyasaù ''indicates that these processes are very powerful. After a devotee engages in the processes of'' çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam/ arcanaà vandanaà däsyam ''[SB 7.5.23]'', ''and is able to secure these processes, he can later become a devotee capable of rendering spontaneous devotional service—namely'' sakhyam ''and'' ätma-nivedanam. ''Generally the great'' äcäryas ''who preach devotional service a..."

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SB 4.28.30

'''''The word'' yavéyasaù ''indicates that these processes are very powerful. After a devotee engages in the processes of'' çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam/ arcanaà vandanaà däsyam ''[SB 7.5.23]'', ''and is able to secure these processes, he can later become a devotee capable of rendering spontaneous devotional service—namely'' sakhyam ''and'' ätma-nivedanam. ''Generally the great'' äcäryas ''who preach devotional service all over the world belong to the category of'' sakhyam ätma-nivedanam. ''A neophyte devotee cannot actually become a preacher. The neophyte is advised to execute devotional service in the seven other fields (''çravaëaà kértanam, ''etc.). If one can successfully execute the preliminary seven items, he can in the future be situated on the platform of'' sakhyam ätma-nivedanam.'''

'''preaching'''

ND.docx

Devotional Service in Friendship

Devotional service in friendship can be divided into two categories: the first is to act as the confidential servant of the Lord, and the other is to act as the well-wisher of the Lord. The devotee who has confidence in devotional service to the Lord systematically follows the rules and regulations, with the faith that he will achieve the platform of transcendental life. '''The second type of devotional friendship is to become a well-wisher of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the Bhagavad-gétä it is said that the Lord accepts a preacher as the most dear servant. Anyone who is preaching the confidential message of the Gétä to the people in general is so dear to Kåñëa that no one can be equal to him in human society'''.

not insult; that is love, affectionate

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.6. March 26, 1972, Bombay

Arjuna: sakhyam. Arjuna made friendship with Krsna, and he got the highest perfection. Krsna certified: bhakto 'si, priyo 'si. This friendship, sometimes between friends there are some loose words, so sometimes fight, sometimes insulting -- that is not insult; that is love.

So Arjuna had all these affairs with Krsna. Krsna..a Arjuna wanted to marry Krsna's sister. Arjuna could understand..h, Krsna could understand that "My friend is attached with My sister," but His elder brother, Balarama, was not agreeable. So Krsna arranged, advised Arjuna to kidnap His sister. Just see how much Krsna is affectionate to His devotee. In any way.

JG

Bhakti Sandarbha 306:

Now sakhyam will be discussed. This means an attitude of friendship with a desire to benefit another person. That is the meaning of the word mitram in the following:

aho bhāgyam aho bhāgyaṁ nanda-gopa-vrajaukasām

yan-mitraṁ paramānandaṁ pūrṇaṁ brahma sanātanam

How greatly fortunate are Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because Kṛṣṇa, their friend, gave them prema, which is the highest bliss, eternal and complete. (SB 10.14.32)

paricaryā-parāḥ kecit prāsādādiṣu śerate |

manuṣyam iva taṁ draṣṭuṁ vyavahartuṁ ca bandhuvat ||

A person who is dedicated to serving the Lord, and out of friendship sees and treats him as a human, lies down in the Lord’s temple. (Rāmārcana-candrikā)

Sakhyam is listed after dāsyam in SB 7.5.23. Thus sakhyam is considered superior to dāsyam because of the attitude of trust and intimacy in the prema (no restraint). The fact that friendship is prescribed even with the Lord is not surprising, for there is a scriptural rule concerning attitude. Na devo devam arcayet: if one is not identical with the Lord one cannot worship the Lord. But the pure devotees give no regard to the attitude of complete identity since it is contradictory to the service (but they accept equality as a bhāva). Sakhyam is thus accepted by them as most favorable to service. In the commentary, dāsyam and sakhyam as integral parts of worship are shown in the following:

tasyaiva me sauhṛda-sakhya-maitrī- dāsyaṁ punar janmani janmani syāt

mahānubhāvena guṇālayena viṣajjatas tat-puruṣa-prasaṅgaḥ

Life after life may I attain prema, friendship, assistance and service. May I attain association with his devotees, since he is the reservoir of all qualities and powers. (SB 10.81.36)

Śrīdāmā speaks the verse. Śrīdhara Svāmī says in his commentary, “Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s affection for his devotee, Śrīdāmā prays for bhakti to the Lord in this verse. Birth after birth may I have prema (sauhṛdam), desire to benefit him (sakhyam), giving assistance (maitrī) and service (dāsyam). The singular number is viewed in the compound as one item. May I have this relationship, not power.”

Dāsyam should not be explained as offering karmas and sakhya should not be explained as conviction (though this is the definition according to some), since these are not directly part of bhakti. Bhakti is the result of offering karmas. Conviction is a cause of becoming absorbed in bhakti. This was previously explained.

not simply chatting. Friendship means thinking

Bhagavad-gita 4.1–2. May 9, 1969, Columbus

And then further development is friendship. Friendship means... Service means I ask you, "Please give me a glass of water." You give me. And friendship means you are thinking, "How my friend will be..., now he may be wanting a glass of water." So before asking me, if you give me, "I think you may require a glass of water," that is friendship. Friendship means feeling friend's welfare always. Suhrt. Friendship is not simply chatting. Friendship means thinking, "How my friend will be happy?" This is friendship.

helpless without Krsna

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.20. November 30, 1973, Los Angeles

[Bg 10.10]

Krsna will guide you. Krsna is within yourself, and He can speak to you. You can hear Him also, provided you are fully surrendered. So it does not mean that Arjuna was not fully surrendered. Arjuna was fully surrendered, and Arjuna was fully protected by Krsna. Neither these queens, sixteen thousand queens, could be plundered away by some cowherdsmen. But the... It is an instance that even a person like Arjuna, he will be helpless without Krsna. He will be helpless, what to speak of ourselves. He will be helpless. That is his... He is showing that example. Krsna was... So 'ham nrpendra rahitah purusottamena: "Now I am bereft of the association of my dearest friend, Krsna." Sakhya. Sakha means friend. Sakhya priyena. Not only friend; very dear friend, priyena. Suhrda. Suhrda means... Suhrt. There are different kinds of friends. But suhrt is a friend who always thinks of his friend how he will be happy. That is called suhrt. That is... This description is given about the devotees also. Suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Bg 5.29].

Therefore Vaisnava... What is that? Vaisnavanam? Vaisnava is happy. Just like, take Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada Maharaja said... Prahlada Maharaja was praying Lord Nrsimhadeva to pacify Him. So the commentator says that Prahlada Maharaja might have been very much afraid of this ferocious feature of the Lord, Nrsimhadeva. So he assured Nrsimhadeva, "My dear Lord, don't think that I am afraid of Your this feature. No, no." Naivodvije. "Neither I am afraid of this materialistic existence." Naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaranyas tvad-virya-gayana-mahamrta-magna-cittah [SB 7.9.43]. "I am quite confident that I have no fear." And he has practically seen that his father teased him in so many ways, but at last he was protected. So why he should not believe? He knows that "I am dedicated my life to Krsna, and Krsna is not so ungrateful that He will not give me protection. How it is possible?"

But one who does not believe in Krsna, he thinks that he will protect himself. Apasyatam atma-tattvam grhesu grha-medhinam [SB 2.1.2]. Those who are not God-realized, they think that they will be protected by their society, friendship, love, country, nation, like that. But that is not possible. Just like you are flying in the sky so many aeroplanes at a time. Sometimes in a bunch, in a group, they fly. But if one of the aeroplane is in danger, no other aeroplane can help him. He'll finish. So similarly, we are also flying as aeroplane in the open sky. The protection... You don't expect protection from your so-called society, friendship and love, materially. When there is question of danger, you have to protect with your own strength.

Therefore if we want actually protection, we should take protection of the Supreme, Krsna, or His devotee. Krsna is suhrdam sarva-bhutanam. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram, suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Bg 5.29]: "I am the friend of everyone." He can become friend. He is living within our heart as friend. But we refuse the guidance of such a nice friend. That is our misfortune. Krsna is so kind, so friendly, that you are... Just like one bird is flying from one tree to another, and another bird is following him. So similarly, we are flying from one body to another. Tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg 2.13].

And Krsna does not leave us. He also going with you, just to give you guidance. But we won't give Him. Just like father... It is very natural. Father naturally wants to guide the son, without any motive. That is father's nature. Similarly, Krsna, or God, the supreme father, is naturally inclined to give us protection. Naturally.

Therefore He comes, Krsna comes. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati [Bg 4.7]. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg 4.8]. Krsna's two business. First of all, preaching, these rascals who have forgotten Krsna, that "We are very intimately related. I am the father of all living entities. So you come to Me, come to home. You will be happy. I am not poor. I can provide you with all necessities." Eko yo bahunam vidadhati kaman [Katha Upanisad The Supreme Lord is eternal and the living beings are eternal. The Supreme Lord is cognizant and the living beings are cognizant. The difference is that the Supreme Lord is supplying all the necessities of life for the many other living entities.

Katha Upanisad 2.2.132.2.13]. That one can provide everyone with necessities of life. Actually He is doing. What government is doing for the cats and dogs and the ants and the trees? They are not doing anything. Rather, they are cutting. When there is jungle, for their paper mill they are cutting all the trees. No protection for the trees. They are all cutting all the throats of the cows and animals for eating. So the government cannot give protection. Nobody can give protection. Only Krsna can give you protection. Therefore we should always seek the protection of Krsna. That is our security, not any other thing.

So suhrt means... Krsna is suhrt. Suhrt means who always, I mean to say, trying for our welfare. He comes Himself, and even though we do not accept... Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg 18.66]. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg 18.65].

He gives plain advice, that "You always think of Me, become My devotee, offer your respect, obeisances, unto Me. That will make your life perfect." But we shall not do that. We shall not do that. We shall think of so many other things, but we will never accept thinking of Krsna. We shall become devotees of so many rascals, even of a dog also, but we shall never become devotee of Krsna. This is the position. We are devotee or master to our wife, to our children, to our country, to our society, but as soon as you say that "You become devotee of Krsna," oh, he is enraged immediately: "What nonsense you are speaking? I have got so many work to do. Why shall I become devotee of Krsna?" [laughter] This is the disease. This is the disease. Therefore Krsna ultimately says that "You give up all this nonsense, and if you surrender unto Me, then I shall give you protection." Naturally.

Just like we are preaching Krsna consciousness. We are not devotee to the people in general. Then why we are preaching? We are devotee. We are actually devotee, without any motive. Any so-called political leader, he has got some motive. When he becomes devotee of the nation, he has got some motive. But we have no such motive. We simply say plainly that "You become happy by becoming devotee of Krsna. You are now devotee of your lust, anger and illusion. You have become devotee of so many things, rascaldom. You simply become devotee of Krsna. Then your problems will be solved." Kamadinam kati na katidha palita durnidesah [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu O my Lord, there is no limit to the unwanted orders of lusty desires. Although I have rendered them so much service, they have not shown any mercy to me. I have not been ashamed to serve them, nor have I even desired to give them up. O my Lord, O head of the Yadu dynasty, recently, however, my intelligence has been awakened, and now I am giving them up. Due to transcendental intelligence, I now refuse to obey the unwanted orders of these desires, and I now come to You to surrender myself at Your fearless lotus feet. Kindly engage me in Your personal service and save me.

-- Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 3.2.353.2.35, Cc. Madhya 22.16].

We are devotee, somebody. But we are not devotee of somebody; we are... We have got some motive. Just like now it is coming to exposure: so many leaders, they got election, pretending themselves devotee of the nation -- in everywhere, not only in your country. But actually, they were not devotee of the nation; they were devotee of their own lusty desires. That's all. That "If I occupy this post, then I shall be able to fulfill my lusty desires." Nobody is devotee. Devotion is only applicable to Krsna. If somebody is proclaiming himself that "I am devotee, servant of my nation, of my society, of my wife or my children" -- all false. Here nobody is devotee. Everyone has got some motive. Even the intimate relationship between husband and wife, there is some motive. The husband has got some motive and the wife has got... As soon as the motive is not fulfilled, divorce: "Ah, no more now. Take another chapter."

So this is going on. You see? This is going on, and therefore in the name of devotion, in the name of love, in the name of faith, they are trying to satisfy their own senses. This is called illusion. And he will never be happy so long he will try to satisfy his senses. And that is the truth. They will never be happy. Because... I have given this example: the parts and parcel of your body. If separately the part and parcel of the body wants to satisfy itself, it will never be satisfied. The only means of satisfaction is that the part and parcel conjointly work and satisfy the stomach, and then it will be satisfied. Similarly, we are part and parcel of Krsna. If we want to satisfy ourself, our senses, independently, we shall never be satisfied. This is the fact. You have to satisfy Krsna. Then you will be satisfied. This is the process. Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate [Cc Madhya 19.170].

Because actually the owner is Krsna. I am claiming, "This is my hand." It is not my hand; it is Krsna's hand. He has given us to use it. So if I don't use it for Krsna, then it will be criminal. It will be criminal. Yajnarthe karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg 3.9].

Simply for Krsna you have to work. And if you work for your sense gratification, then you will be entangled. This is called karma-bandha. You will be entangled more and more. Yavan mano vai karmane saktam tavat na muncante deha-bandhat[?]. So long we will be, I mean to say, sense-gratifying minded... Because everyone's mind is absorbed in the thought of gratifying his own senses. So, so long we shall be absorbed in this type of thoughts, then we have to accept a body, either human body or other body. There are 8,400,000 different types of forms and body. So we have got different types of desires also, because we are -- prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg 3.27], we are under the modes of material nature, and the material nature has got the modes, different modes: goodness, passion and ignorance. You mix up these three: three into three, it becomes nine; nine into nine, it becomes eighty-one; eighty-one into eight..., it increases. It increases. Therefore we see so many varieties of life, according to the mentality.

So if we work on our..., according to the dictation of the mind, then we become entangled. And if we work under the dictation of Krsna, then we become free. This is the process of Krsna consciousness.

Thank you very much.

Visvasa

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.3. August 19, 1971, London

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam

sarva-loka-mahesvaram

suhrdam sarva-bhutanam...

[Bg 5.29]

These three things, if we understand properly, that Krsna is the supreme enjoyer, bhokta; He's friend also. Krsna is so nice friend that... Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg 18.61]. Krsna, or the Supreme Lord, is situated in everyone's heart as friend. That is stated in the Upanisads.

Two birds are sitting on one tree as friend. One bird is eating the fruit of the tree, and the other friend is simply witnessing. He is friend, He's supreme friend, not so-called friend. Actually He's our supreme friend. He's always trying to get us back to home, back to Godhead. Not only He's sitting within our hearts, but He's descending as Krsna.

Nrsimha-caturdasi. Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.22–32

He's always sitting with me

'''[SB 7.5.23]'''

'''Arcanam vandanam dasyam. To be always in service of the Lord, dasyam; sakhyam, to make friendship with Him, to consider Krsna as your friend. He says... Even if I do not say that He's my friend, He says, "I am friend of everyone." Suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Bg 5.29]. He's friend of everyone. We don't want His friendship, but He wants our friendship. He wants us to go back to home, Godhead; we don't want. So He is more anxious to take us, exactly like the father is more affectionate than the son. That's a fact.'''

So He's the supreme father. So He wants that we may be happy, and therefore He comes to show us. He sends His representative, son. He leaves behind Him books so that we may go back to home, back to Godhead. So sakhyam. He's always sitting with me, within my heart. I am in the heart, and Paramatma is also within the heart as friend, to give me advice that "Why you are bothering in this material world? Please come back to home, back to Me." This is going on. Sakhyam atma-nivedanam

working very hard

The Nectar of Devotion "Relief from Material Distress." November 4, 1972, Vrndavana

So the activities of the karmis, when dovetailed in the service of Krsna, even by working so hard, our tendency, we can... Actually, devotional service depends on the main principles, sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam [SB 7.5.23]. But within the category of dasyam... Just like Hanuman, Hanumanji: he was engaged in the platform of dasyam. Arjuna was engaged in the platform of sakhyam. So they were also working very hard.

The Battlefield of Kuruksetra, it was not a place of sitting down very easily and silently. When he was fighting, he was fighting just like a soldier. He took all the duties of the soldier. But it was being fought for Krsna. That is the attraction. That is pure devotional service. Krsna also gave him certificate, bhakto 'si priyo 'si [Bg 4.3]: "My dear Arjuna, you are My dear friend and devotee."

So by any action, if it is dovetailed for the satisfaction of Krsna, that is devotional service, and one can attract Krsna, attention of Krsna. Attention of Krsna can be attracted by pure devotional service, without any personal motive. If it is... And that motive, that order, is received through the disciplic succession of the spiritual master, how Krsna will be pleased.

In the present condition, we do not know how Krsna will be pleased, but we know from the sastras... We can know also from the direction of the spiritual master how Krsna will be pleased. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah.

mahatma - keep friendly relationship with Krsna

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.3. April 15, 1975, Hyderabad

So such persons described here, because the recommendation is mahat-seva. So it does not mean mahat is only to be found in..., among the sannyasis, or higher circle, brahmanas. No. Mahat can be found in other circle also, but what is the qualification? The qualification is, ye va mayise krta-sauhrdartha. His only business is to keep friendly relationship with Krsna. That is the first qualification.

'''The first-class example is Arjuna. He was a military man, a politician, and grhastha, ksatriya -- not brahmana, not sannyasi -- but still Krsna accepts him: sakha ceti, "For you are My dear friend." Bhakto 'si sakha ceti: "You are not only My devotee, you are My best friend," Krsna says. Although he is grhastha, a military man, and as ksatriya, still Krsna accepts him that "I shall speak to you the mystery of Bhagavad-gita, because you are My dear friend and bhakta." Bhakto 'si sakha ceti rahasyam hy etad uttamam [Bg 4.3].'''

Krsna also wants somebody friendly. It doesn't matter whether he is a sannyasi or grhastha. So any grhastha whose only aim is how to keep friendship with Krsna, he is also mahat, mahatma. He also mahat. Because the recommendation, mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimuktes [SB 5.5.2]: one has to take shelter of a mahatma and serve him with surrender, then his path of liberation will be open. So, if somebody says... I think the other day somebody was questioning that "If I cannot contact sannyasi because I am grhastha, I am family man, so how my path of liberation will be open?" Yes, that is possible, provided you find amongst your society a person like this, ye va mayise krta-sauhrdartha. If you can find out amongst your associate a person who is only dedicated to Krsna, you can associate with him. Then your path of liberation will be open.

встреча с другом через духовного учителя

SB 4.docx

PURPORT

'''''Just as in the'' vänaprastha ''stage the wife follows the husband, similarly when the spiritual master retires for'' nirjana-bhajana, ''some of his advanced devotees follow him and engage in his personal service. In other words, those who are very fond of family life should come forward in the service of the spiritual master and abandon so-called happiness afforded by society, friendship and love. A verse by Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura in his'' Gurv-añöaka ''is significant in this regard.'' Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù **. ''A disciple should always remember that by serving the spiritual master he can easily advance in Kåñëa consciousness. All the scriptures recommend that it is by pleasing the spiritual master and serving him directly that one can attain the highest perfectional stage of devotional service.'''''
[[Category:Quotes]]
[[Category:Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]]
[[Category:Spiritual practice]]

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