Prabhupad

How do we find a genuine spiritual master?

Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

Granth upadeshamrit

The first step in attaining perfection is to take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master. By the Lord's will, everyone receives a spiritual master accordingly to his own qualification, just as the Christians received Jesus Christ and the Muslims Prophet Mohammad. Moreover, according to their luck, materialists remain attached to material life by accepting family priests as their spiritual masters. But if we are fortunate and search sincerely for a...

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Prabhupad

Is indulging in worldly talks harmful to devotional service?

Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

Granth upadeshamrit

Sriman Mahaprabhu told us to neither hear wordly topics nor discuss them. We should neither eat palatable foods nor wear opulent clothing. He gave those instructions for those who had developed faith in and taste for worshiping Lord Hari. Eating palatable foods is harmful, but it does not inconvenience others or create obstacles in their worship of Hari. Wearing opulent clothing, however, is more harmful to others. When we dress...

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Prabhupad

Isn't it posiible to serve Hari by our own endeavors?

Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

Granth upadeshamrit

Service to Hari is possible only if Lord Krsna mercifully bestows such an opportunity upon us. Otherwise, it is impossible to engage in Hari's service even after taking much personal trouble. Service to Hari is not a light engagement. In the hope to serve Hari, high birth is an enemy, opulence is an enemy, vast learning is an enemy, and beauty is an enemy. Unless we engage each of these...

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Prabhupad

How can we enhance our devotional service?

Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

Granth upadeshamrit

Our propensity to serve will increase if we simply serve. If we have no desire at all to serve the spiritual master or Krsna, then what is the question of increasing our service? If our mind is fixed at the spiritual master's lotus feet, then wherever we may be, our propensity to serve will increase. If our mind is fixed otherwise, we will only increase our propensity for sense gratification...

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Prabhupad

What a is service?

Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

Granth upadeshamrit

Service is not a function of the body or mind but of the spirit soul. There is no business or trade in service. For the service to be actually devotional, it must be intended simply for Krsna's pleasure. One's service should contain nothing motivated by a desire for one's own happiness. Devotional service is unmotivated, causeless, and the uninterrupted propensity of the spirit soul. One cannot understand the ultimate goal...

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