Pradyumna: (reading) "4) Pure devotional service is rarely achieved. 5) Those in pure devotional service..."
Prabhupada: Page number? Page number?
Pradyumna: Page 2. "Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation. 6) Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Krsna is all attractive, but pure devotional service attracts even Him. This means that pure devotional service is even transcendentally stronger than Krsna Himself, because it is Krsna's internal potency."
Prabhupada: So six advantages. These are the immediate result of taking to Krsna consciousness. Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. There is a song of Bhaktivinoda Thakura: manasa deha geha yo kichu mora, arpilun tuya pade nanda-kisora. The purport of this song is when we surrender to Krsna, pranair arthair dhiya vaca, then we get relief from all kinds of anxieties. This is very simple to understand. Everyone is, in the material world, here, everyone is full of anxieties. That is the nature of material existence. One after another, problems. So if somebody says, assures, that "You just depend on me. I take charge of all your problems," how much relief you will feel. Just imagine. So an ordinary man, if some ordinary human being says (to) a friend that "Don't worry. I shall take charge of your all affairs. Don't worry," so we may doubt an ordinary man, because we know the capacity of an ordinary man. But when Krsna says that "I take charge of you," then how much relief you should feel. Krsna is not ordinary man. Krsna is all-powerful, the Supreme Personalty of Godhead. He's Yogesvara. He's the Absolute Truth. So when He assures that "I take charge of you...," aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66], gives assurance that "I shall get you liberated, delivered, from the reaction of all sinful activities..."
We suffer due to our sinful activities. That is the general meaning of suffering. For pious activities we enjoy. But in this material world, either we enjoy or suffer, the common factor is suffering. Suppose if for my pious activities I get good birth, janmaisvarya-sruta-sri [SB 1.8.26]. By pious activities, we get birth in good family, janma; aisvarya, we get sufficient riches, wealthy family, wealthy parents; janmaisvarya-sruta, good education; and sri, beauty. These are the result of pious activities. But to take birth in the family of a king or very rich man, the sufferings of taking birth is the same. As the poor man suffers within the womb of his mother, similarly the rich man also suffers within the womb of his mother. The sufferings of taking birth is equal to the poor man and rich man. There is no difference. When there is disease, fever, it is not it is less painful to the rich man and very painful to the poor man. The pain is the same. So actually, so long there is material existence, the so-called suffering and enjoying, they're on the same level. There is no difference. But if we take to Krsna consciousness, as Krsna assures, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66], "I shall get you relieved, released from all kinds of sinful activities." That is real auspiciousness. Means when Krsna takes charge, He gradually educates the devotee buddhi-yogam, in devotion service, so that he may go back home, back to Godhead, Krsna. That is real auspicity. In the material world, so-called auspicity, to become very rich, to become very educated, to become very beautiful, high parentage, they are also, in material consideration, they are auspicity, undoubtedly. But they are also adulterated with so many sufferings, threefold miseries: adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika. So actually such position is not auspicity. Real auspicity is go back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore it is said, pure devotional service... Pure devotional service means without any material motive. Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam [Brs. 1.1.11].
So pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness. All-auspiciousness means go back to home, back to Godhead. So if we stick to pure devotional service, follow the rules and regulations, chant sixteen rounds, be engaged always in the service of the Lord, then ultimate gain is that tyaktva deham punar naiti mam eti kaunteya. (reads:) "Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure." Transcendental pleasure and material pleasure, there is difference. Material pleasure means sense gratification, and transcendental pleasure means satisfaction of Krsna. A devotee is satisfied seeing Krsna is pleased. That is their satisfaction -- through Krsna. Material pleasure means direct sense perception, and spiritual pleasure means by, through Krsna. If Krsna is satisfied, then the devotee is satisfied. Just like a tree, the leaves and twigs become satisfied through the root of the tree. So Krsna is the root. Krsna is the origin of everything. Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate [Bg. 10.8]. So transcendental pleasure mean feeling of pleasure through Krsna. Just like the gopis and Krsna. Gopis, when they saw Krsna is pleased, they became happy, and Krsna, when He saw that the gopis are happy, He become happier. Again the gopis sees that Krsna is happier, they, again they become more happy. In this way, there is competition of happiness. The gopis sees Krsna happier; they feel happiness, and Krsna sees gopis happier; Krsna feels happiness. This word is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta: dui lagi hura huri (?). This is spiritual competition.
So: "Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure." In the material pleasure, if I see you happy, I am unhappy; If I see you unhappy, I become happy. This is nature. I may say otherwise, but material nature is, if one is put into difficulty, then I become very happy, and if I am happy, others become envious. This is material pleasure. Whereas spiritual pleasure means that when one sees Krsna is happy, a devotee's happy, the other devotee becomes happier. That is spiritual pleasure. In the spiritual world there is competition, but when one is advanced, the competitor become happy: "Oh, he's so advanced. I could not do so." There is no enviousness. In the material world, if one is advanced, other, who is not advanced, he's envious. This is the difference between spiritual pleasure and material pleasure. It is not difficult to understand. Material pleasure means if you are happy, I become unhappy; if you are unhappy, then I become happy. This is material pleasure. And spiritual pleasure means by seeing your happiness, I become happy. By seeing... But there is no distress in the spiritual world. Simply by seeing the happiness of other devotee, another devotee becomes happier.
"Pure devotional service is rarely achieved." That is the criterion. Pure devotional has got so many advantages, but it is very difficult. It is very difficult. Na janma-koti-sukrtibhih na labhyate. Pure devotional service, even after endeavoring, endeavoring for millions and millions of births, it is very difficult to achieve. Pure devotional service can be achieved only through the mercy of a pure devotee. Otherwise, it is not possible.
mahiyasam pada-rajo 'bhisekam
niskincananam na vrnita yavat
naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim
sprsata, sprsata...
[SB 7.5.32]
What is that? The purpose is that unless one takes the dust of the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to become a pure devotee. Mahiyasam pada-rajah, mahiyasam, great personality, great devotee. Pada-rajah means the dust of the lotus feet; abhisekam, taking to the, on the head. Mahiyasam pada-rajo 'bhisekam niskincananam. Mahiyasam, great personality means niskincana. Bhagavad-bhakta is niskincana. He has no more material obligation. That is Bhagavad-bhakta. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, niskin..., niskin..., bhagavad, niskincanasya bhagavad bhajanon mukhasya. Bhagavad-bhajanomukha means niskincana, no material obligation, no material duty. Nayam rni na kinkara rajan sarvatmana ye saranam saranyam gato mukundam. Anyone who has completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, saranam saranyam gato mukundam parihrtya kartam, giving up all other duties, tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer [SB 1.5.17], if one takes shelter of Krsna's lotus feet, giving up all other duties... There are so many duties. You have got duty towards your family, towards your kinsmen, towards your country, towards the animals, other living entities, your obligation to the demigods, great saintly persons, rsis. We are reading Vedas, but it is given by Vyasadeva, so we are indebted to him. Similarly, many other sastras we read. So we are indebted. Devarsi, rsi, devata, the demigods. We are taking sunshine. We are obliged to sun-god. We are taking moonshine. We are obliged to moonshine, uh, moon-god, the air-god, Varuna. Everyone, they are helping us. We cannot do without this. You cannot live without water. You cannot live without light. You cannot live without heat. So who is supplying? Of course, Krsna is supplying, but we cannot see Krsna directly. They are being supplied by different demigods. Therefore deva-yajna is recommended. Deva-yajna means, ultimately, to satisfy Krsna. So these are the processes. But if one takes to Krsna consciousness, he has no more obligation to all these devatas. Devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam [SB 11.5.41]. We have got so many obligations, but if you take to Krsna consciousness, everyone will be pleased, and you haven't got to oblige them by your service to them. Otherwise, you are bound to give them obeisances for their beneficial contribution.
So devotional service is rarely achieved. Rarely achieved means if you achieve, then you become free from all obligation. Na janma-kotibhih sukrtibhih. Tatra laulyam eka-mulyam na labhyate yad janmabhih sukrtibhih. Krsna consciousness can be achieved simply by your intense desire that "This life I shall try to achieve favor of Krsna." Krsna will help you. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam, buddhi-yogam dadami tam [Bg. 10.10]. If you are actually seriously engaged in Krsna consciousness, then Krsna gives us intelligence how to approach Him. So pure devotional service is rarely achieved. But by chance, guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151], if we somehow or other come in contact with bona fide guru and Krsna... Krsna is already there. We are already in touch. And if we are serious, then by grace of Krsna, we get niskincana, a devotee, and by his grace we achieve to the platform of devotional service. Otherwise it is very difficult. Not by executing karma, jnana, yoga. No. Bhaktya mam abhijanati [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-dharman parityajya mam ekam... [Bg. 18.66]. That is the beginning of pure devotional service. No other engagement. Simply Krsna. That is pure devotional service. But that is very difficult to achieve. People will not accept the simple thing. You give them big, big formulas, yoga system, astanga-yoga, they'll like it: "It is something." Just like in homeopathic medicine, because it has no taste, there is no trouble to drink, people do not believe in it. But if you give them some very bitter, pungent medicine, "Oh, it is something." Similarly, if you give the simple process, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us, harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Cc. Adi 17.21], they'll not take it very seriously. "Oh, simply by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, one will be liberated, and he'll go back...? Oh, this is exaggeration." They will say. But if you give them some difficult job, that "You press your nose in this way, you make your head downwards, and you exercise in this way, do...," they'll think, "Yes, it is something." So things are very easy, and one can achieve very easily, but they are reluctant to take the easiest process given by Krsna, given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Krsna is giving the easiest process, that "You surrender unto Me. I give you all possible help." We are not prepared to do that. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that "You simply chant Hare Krsna. You'll achieve the highest perfection." Not we are prepared. Therefore it is said, "Pure devotional service is rarely achieved." People will not accept the simple thing. They want to make something very difficult, then it is all right.
"Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation." Yes. Muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman. A devotee does not care for mukti. Mukti... Why they will care for mukti? As soon as he's a pure devotee, Mukti is on his leg. Why he should try for mukti? Bilvamangala Thakura says, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman. There is no need of separate endeavor for getting liberation. It is already there. Muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman dharmartha-kama-moksa samaya-pratiksah [SB 4.8.41].
Devotee: It's broken.
Prabhupada: (aside:) Eh? So don't try it. It is working?
Syamasundara: The fixture is broken. (conversation about light or something in background)
Prabhupada: Yes. So "Pure devotional service is the only means to attract..." "Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation." Mukti. Prabodhananda Sarasvati... Kaivalyam. Mukti's another name is kaivalya. "Everything is one. One, knowledge." That's all. So Prabodhananda Sarasvati says, kaivalyam narakayate. This conception of liberation, that "I have become one with the Supreme," it is, to a devotee, just like hell. Kaivalyam narakayate. They do not give very much value to such conception, to become one with the Supreme. Or liberation, mukti. And the, this is moksa-kami, those who are aspiring after... Nirbheda-brahmanu-sandhana, without any difference with the Supreme Brahman. That is called mukti, liberation. And tridasa-pur akasa-puspayate. And the karmis, they're aspiring after heavenly planets, tri-dasa-pur. Tri-dasa means thirty. So there are more than thirty millions of demigods in different planetary systems. They are called heavenly planets. So they are akasa-puspa. Akasa-puspa means a flower does not grow in the sky; it is something imaginary, phantasmagoria. Tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate. So karmis are interested in the akasa-puspa, heavenly planet. And the jnanis are interested in mukti. Karmi, jnani... And yogis are interested how to control the senses.
So tri... Prabodhananda Sarasvati Maharaja says that durdanta indriya-kala-sarpa-patali-protkhata-damstrayate. The senses are our enemies. That's all right. We also admit. The yogis try to control the senses and mind because they think of the senses just like serpent. Serpent, little touch by the lip, I mean, the tongue, immediately it causes death. So it is very dangerous. But Prabodhananda Sarasvati says that "We are not afraid of these serpents because protkhata damstrayate, the serpent is so long dangerous as long as it has got the poison teeth." Poison teeth. Protkhata-damstrayate. So if you take away the poison teeth, then, however big serpent it may be, nobody will be afraid. In the Bengali it is said, visnai kulapana cakra (?). If a serpent is known that his poison teeth has been taken away, so his big hood, hans phamsa (?), nobody will be afraid, one who knows that he has no poison teeth. A child may be afraid, but anyone knows... So for a devotee, the senses are there, but it is not like serpent. The dangerous point of sense, for sense gratification, that is taken away. That poison teeth is taken away. So therefore a devotee's not afraid of the senses. They can easily handle the senses because the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, which means the poison teeth of the serpent of sense is taken away. Durdanta indriya-kala-sarpa-patali protkhata-damstrayate.
So pure devotional service rare... In this way, the point is that pure devotee does not give very much value to so-called liberation. Because so-called liberation, so-called... It is in this sense that we have seen many so-called liberated persons, muk..., vimukta-maninah. They considered that... Vimukta-maninah. Now, you'll be pleased to hear that one of the Mayavadi sannyasis in India, very well known, his disciples came to me to invite me because they are now seeing that their Mayavada philosophy has not been so much effective as devotional service. Practically. So they are now taking gradually to devotional service. They are trying to read Bhagavata, although they are habituated to malinterpret. But they have no other. They have finished their job. Now they are gradually coming to bhakti-marga. That is natural. If one is actually sincere, after suffering the distress of impersonalism, gradually they'll come to surrender to the person. Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. So when one becomes devotee, jnanis, they give too much value to liberation, moksa, nirbheda-brahmanusandhana. But yogis, they give too much value for controlling the senses. Karmis, they give too much value to, to the acts of promotion to the heavenly planets. But for a devotee these things are very teeny. They don't care for these things. Neither for the karmis, or for the jnanis, or for the yogis. They are... Yam labdhva caparam manyate nadhikam tatah. A bhakta who has come to Krsna consciousness, pure devotional service, he has no more any desire for the resultant action of karmis, jnanis, and yogis. He's so fixed up. There are many examples. Just like Dhruva Maharaja, when he was offered "Anything you want," he wanted... Actually he wanted the kingdom of his father. But when he actually became fixed up in devotional service, he said, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "I have no more to ask anything material benediction, varam. No, I don't want." So Krsna consciousness is so nice that automatically one feels fulfillment of all desires. Therefore what they'll desire for liberation, for mukti? It is most insignificant thing.
The next is: "Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna." You cannot attract Krsna. Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with full opulences. So you cannot attract Krsna by your richness, by your reputation, by your education, by your beauty or by your strength or renunciation. No. You cannot attract Krsna by all these things, because He's already full. You cannot attract by anything, any opulence, Krsna, because He's atmarama. But if you offer something to Krsna, it is for your benefit. The example is given: just like the original person is decorated, in the mirror the reflection of the person is also decorated. Similarly, if you decorate the Deity gorgeously, you will feel happy. Krsna has many devotees, or many things for being decorated. But if you, in the temple, if you offer Krsna all nice things, all nice flowers, all nice dress, all nice food, everything, everything, all nice, then you will feel happy. That is your interest. Therefore pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Attract Krsna... Krsna will be happy in this way, that you are doing so much for Krsna. Krsna has everything, but your devotional service, that sincerity of purpose, will attract. My Guru Maharaja used to say that "Do not try to see Krsna. Render your service in such a nice way that let Krsna see you." When Krsna sees you, then your mission is perfect. We cannot see... Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]]. We cannot perceive Krsna by our senses, but when our senses are engaged in satisfying Krsna, then Krsna sees us. Svayam eva sphuraty adhah. And when Krsna sees us, then our life is successful. And how Krsna can see us? Simply by our devotional service. Otherwise, you cannot satisfy Krsna by opulence, by education, by scholarship, by beauty, riches. No. These things Krsna has all perfectly. He's full with all these opulences. Bhaktya mam abhijanati [Bg. 18.55]. If you want to attract Krsna, then be engaged in pure devotional service.
Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 3, 1972
The Nectar of Devotion
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Vrndavana, November 4, 1972
Pradyumna: (reading): ...from page number two. " 'Relief from Material Distress.' In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that one should surrender unto Him, giving up all other engagements. The Lord also gives His word there that He will protect such surrendered souls from the reaction of all sinful activities. Srila Rupa Gosvami says that the distresses from sinful activities are due both to the sins themselves and to sins committed in our past lives."
Prabhupada: Now, "Relief from Material Distress." There are two kinds of activities, pious activities and impious activities. Generally we understand by performing impious activities, we suffer, and by performing pious activities, we enjoy. But actually, in the material world there is no enjoyment. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami explains that dvaite bhadrabhadra sakali samana. In the material world, in the world of dualities, either we think "This is pious" or either we think "This is impious," they are practically on the same platform. We take it as pleasure. Just like several times I have explained, people here in this material world, they are working very hard all day and night. And, when they gain some material profit, after working so hard, they think that "This is profit. This is happiness." Actually, where is the happiness? If one is working very hard, where is the happiness? So this is called illusion. In the sastra it is said, "Generally, people in this material world, they are in..., in the rajo-guna." Therefore hard-working activities, they take it as pleasure
.The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1972
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