How do we achieve strength and mercy?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
Mercy and spiritual strength are invested in the heart when one takes shelter at the lotus feet of guru without deviation. The spiritual master gives strength and mercy. Nourished by devotional service, the spiritual master's gift of mercy and strength gradually destroy one's anarthas.
Who should live in the Matha?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
Our Matha is not meant for wrestlers nor do aristocrats need to live in the Matha. Only Lord Hari devotees should live in Matha. If we remove the people in the Matha who are fond of eating and enjoying initimate association with women, the Matha expenditures and problems will diminish. We have to send home those proud and independent people who do not follow the Matha rules and regulations, and...
How long does the living entity remain conditioned?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
Until devotional service fully blossoms in the living entities, they cannot understand that they are the Supreme Lord's servants, Thus, they remain conditioned. Unless one develops transcendental pride, how can he give up material pride?.
Whom should the Matha avoid?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
The Matha does not and cannot have relationship with anyone who takes shelter of the Math but is under the control of duplicity (Someone with the desire to misuse transcendental knowledge). Just as we need a boat and a boatman to cross the river, we need a spiritual master to cross the material ocean.
Should we give up material enjoyment [karma] and renunciation [jyana]?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
MahaPrabhu instructed us to give up both material enjoyment and dry renunciation. Material enjoyment is defined as accepting mundane form, taste, smell, sound, and touch through our eyes, tongue, nose, ears, and skin as pleasureable. Although there is some apparent momentary happiness in material enjoyment, we later discover that sense gratification comes with more distress than happiness.
What is the highest welfare activity?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
Let everyone be devoted to Krsna. This is the highest benediction for the world's people. The highest form of welfare is to engage people's minds at Krsna's lotus feet. The topmost charity or altruism is to distribute Krsna's devotional service to everyone. The devotees are always anxious to help others in this way.
How do we achieve devotional service?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
Attaining Krsna's lotus feet is the living entity's topmost achievement, but devotional service can be attained only in the association of devotees. Only the most fortunate souls can attain Krsna. A living entity becomes fortunate when his desire to wander throughout the universe is extinguished. Then, when by the strength of the guru's mercy his constitutional propensity is revived, he attains the seed of devotional service. There is no difference...
Is there harm in not properly following the spiritual master's orders?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
By not following the orders of the all-auspicious spiritual master the living entities invite suffering. Such disobedience or neglect increases their material desires and they go to hell after death. Anyone who does not obey his spiritual master's order is certainly a materialist and offender. Those who transgress the spiritual master's orders take birth as pigs. Those who are too attached to material enjoyment cannot attain benefit because they do...
Is the spiritual master great?
Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati ThakurGranth upadeshamrit
We are smaller than the smaller and the spiritual master is greater than the greatest. The spiritual master serves the Great, and that Great is controlled by his love. Those who worship Krsna in the mood of *madhurya-rasa* accept the spiritual master as nondifferent from the daughter of Vrshabhanu. Those who are candidates for *vatsalya-rasa* accept him as a manifestitation of Nanda and Yashoda. Those who serve on the platform...
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- The Purpose of Life
- त्याज्य-पुत्र
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- Respect one vaishnav and offend another Vaishnav is an offense
- হে শ্রীনিত্যানন্দরাম!
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- কলি-কুশলী
- প্রভুপাদ নামের অপসারণ - Displacing the Prabhupāda Name
- প্রচারক তথা বিবিক্তানন্দী - Preacher vs. Living in Solitude
- দশম-অধস্তন আচার্য্যবৃন্দ - The 10th Generation Acāryas
- Vinode Vaibhava Sarasvatī
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Message of Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur.
Recent Posts
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- » How do we attain devotional service to Krsna?