Pradyumna: "Practice means employing our senses in some particular type of work. Therefore devotional service in practice means utilizing our different sensory organs in service to Krsna. Some of the senses are meant for acquiring knowledge, and some are meant for executing the conclusions of our thinking, feeling and willing. So practice means employing both the mind and the senses in practical devotional service. This practice is not for developing something artificial. For example, a child learns or practices to walk. This walking is not unnatural. The walking capacity is there originally in the child, and simply by a little practice, he walks very nicely. Similarly, devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the natural instinct of every living entity. Even the uncivilized men like the aborigines offer their respectful obeisances to something wonderful exhibited by nature's law, and they appreciate that behind some wonderful exhibition or action there is something supreme. So this consciousness, though lying dormant in those who are materially contaminated, is found in every living entity. And, when purified, this is called Krsna consciousness."
Prabhupada: So even in the minds of the jungle people, there is obedience to the Supreme. As soon as there is some thunderbolt strike, so they offer obeisances. As soon as they see a big sea, ocean, they offer obeisances. Offering obeisances to the great, that is natural. That is the gradual appreciation of the potency or energy of the Supreme Lord. Because whatever we see, whatever there is, they're nothing but different manifestations of the energy of the Supreme Lord. Parasya brahmanah saktih. We can appreciate the potencies, the energies of the Supreme Lord, anywhere. As I explained yesterday, the potency is there in the seed. As Krsna says, bijo 'ham sarva-bhutanam [Bg 7.10]. A big banyan tree is concentrated within a small seed, smaller than the mustard seed. There is the potency of a very big tree.
There is a story, it is very instructive story, that Narada Muni was passing to go to Vaikuntha, and on the way one very learned scholar, brahmana, met him, and he inquired from Narada Muni where he was going. Narada Muni said that "I am going to see Narayana, my Lord." So the brahmana asked him, "Oh, you are going to meet Narayana. Will you kindly inquire for me when my..., when I shall be liberated." Narada Muni said, "Yes, I shall inquire." Similarly, on the way, he met one cobbler. He also inquired Narada Muni where he was going, and he said, will you kindly inquire from Lord Narayana when he would be liberated? So when Narada Muni met Narayana, so he inquired -- because he's saintly person; he promised -- that "Such and such brahmana inquired like this, and the, and a cobbler also inquired like this." So Narayana said, "The, this cobbler will be liberated in this life, and that brahmana will take some time, some many births."
So Narada Muni became astonished that he, he was a learned scholar and brahmana, and he would take so much time, and the cobbler would be liberated in this life. "Oh, what is the reason, Sir?" So Narayana gave him one needle, and He requested him that "When they inquire what Narayana was doing, you can say that Narayana was pulling one elephant through the h*** of the needle, this side and that side," in this way. So when he came back, the brahmana said, "Sir, you are... I offer my respectful obeisances unto you and Narayana. We cannot believe this, that through the needle or through the h*** of a needle, a elephant is being passed, this side and that side." And when it was informed to the cobbler, he began to cry. He said, "Oh, my Narayana is so powerful that He can do everything." He believed immediately that "Yes, for Narayana it is possible to pull the elephant through the h*** of the needle, this side and that." So Narada Muni inquired, "How do you believe this? The other person, the brahmana, he's learned person. He did not believe. How do you believe it? What is your conviction?" He said, "Sir, I believe in this way, because I am sitting under this tree. This is a banyan tree. And so many," what is called, "figs are falling down. And each fig there are thousands of small seeds, and in each seed there is a banyan tree. So if Narayana can keep thousands of banyan trees within this fig fruit, how it is not possible for Him to pull an elephant through the h*** of a needle?"
So this is called faith. The faith is not blind. There is proof. He, the cobbler was not blindly believing that Narayana was pulling an elephant through the h*** of an needle, but he sees practically the potency, the power of the Lord, bijo 'ham sarva-bhutanam [Bg 7.10], how He keeps all the potencies of the banyan tree within the seed. So otherwise there is no meaning, "all-powerful." He can do whatever He likes. Inconceivable. Srila Jiva Gosvami therefore explains that unless we believe (in the) inconceivable potency of the Lord, then we cannot understand that activities... Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate, svabhaviki-jnana-bala-kriya ca [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. We cannot judge how things are happening, but we have to believe. Therefore Vedic knowledge is so important. We cannot make research. We cannot judge. Simply if we take the Vedic truths... Just like we have several times explained, the Vedas accept the cow dung pure, whereas the stool of other animal is impure. So we have to accept like that. So Veda-vani. Veda-vani means you cannot deny it. You cannot argue on it. You have to accept as it is. Therefore learned scholar, when he speaks something, he gives evidence from the Vedas, sruti, sruti-pramana. That is the best evidence. Go on.
Pradyumna: "There are certain prescribed methods for employing our senses and mind in such a way that our dormant consciousness for loving Krsna will be invoked, as much as the child, with a little practice, can begin to walk."
Prabhupada: The Gosvamis, or in the Pancaratra system, in the sastras, the regulative principles are so made that, if we practice it, gradually our dormant Krsna consciousness will be awakened. Therefore these prescribed rules and regulations, as it is given in the sastras and confirmed by the acaryas... Narottama dasa Thakura says, tandera carana-sevi. We have to follow the footprints of the acaryas. Acarya means parampara. One acarya is following the previous acarya. An acarya does not manufacture anything, something novel. He follows the previous acarya. And therefore he, he's acarya. And one who follows... Acaryavan puruso veda. Acarya upasanam. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said. So we have to accept the principles laid down by the acaryas. Tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa.
rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti
kabe hama bujhaba sri-yugala-piriti
Narottama dasa Thakura. These are, Narottama dasa Thakura's versions are accepted as Vedic versions, sruti-pramana. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says that the statements of Narottama dasa Thakura are as good as Vedic evidences. Therefore we quote from Narottama dasa Thakura often. Not, not only Narottama dasa Thakura -- Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and the six Gosvamis, they are authorities. So we have no difficulty. Tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. That's all. Let us follow the footprints of the acaryas, Gosvamis, and live together as sincere, serious devotees. Then our life is successful. It is not very difficult. Bhakta-sane vasa. Tandera carane. We should live together as devotee and follow the footprints of the acaryas. Don't manufacture concoction. Then it will be spoiled. Simply try to follow. They'll protect. They'll give protection. Because Krsna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66]. So if we take shelter of the acaryas, that means we take shelter of Krsna. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. If the acarya, guru, is satisfied, then we must know certainly that Krsna is satisfied. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. Acaryam mam vijaniyat [SB 11.17.27]. So this is the principle, and the acaryas give us direction. It is not very difficult. Simply we have to be, become very serious and sincere. Then everything is all right. Go on.
Pradyumna: "One who has no basic walking capacity cannot walk by practice. Similarly, Krsna consciousness cannot be aroused simply by practice."
Prabhupada: Artificially practiced, Krsna consciousness is not possible. There is Krsna consciousness: nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti 'sadhya' kabhu naya. It is not by the practice, but following certain methods... Just like sex impulse is there already in everyone's heart. When there is opportunity, it becomes awakened. It is not that artificially a dull stone can be awakened in sex impulse. No. In a human being, or animal, a living being, there is sex impulse, but it becomes awakened in favorable circumstances. Similarly, if we keep ourself in favorable circumstances, that means bhakta-sane vasa, living with pure devotees, without any material desires, then the Vrndavana... Living in Vrndavana -- what is the meaning of living...? Because bhakta-sane vasa. Here, whatever comes, he comes for the purpose of developing devotional attitude. Not for any... Here nobody comes for making business or making money. If anyone comes, he makes offense, dhama-aparadha. Dhama-aparadha. It is called... There are many kinds of dhama-aparadha, nama-aparadhas, seva-aparadha. There are aparadhas, offenses. That will be described in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. So here, in Vrndavana-dhama, nobody should make any business. Nobody should try to satisfy his senses in Vrndavana-dhama. Then his living in Vrndavana-dhama will be profitable. Of course, anyone living in Vrndavana-dhama, he is fortunate because the dhama itself has its own power. But anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Similarly, if we live in the dhama in anukula way, favorable way, then our achievement of ultimate success is very easy. If we commit offenses, it will be delayed. But still, anyone, some way or other, who is living in Vrndavana, sticking to the dust of Vrndavana, he is certainly benefited. Go on.
Pradyumna: "Actually, there is no such practice. When we wish to develop our innate capacity for devotional service there are certain processes which, by our accepting and executing them, will cause that dormant capacity to be invoked. Such practice is called sadhana-bhakti."
Prabhupada: Hmm. The practice, following the rules and regulations of sastra and acarya, direction of the spiritual master, that is called sadhana-bhakti. That, every, anyone can do, provided he's serious. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sanga atha bhajana-kriya [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. This bhajana-kriya means sadhana-bhakti. So if our bhajana-kriya is proper and in the line, then anartha-nivrttih syat, then all the anarthas, unwanted things, bad habits, that will be immediately vanquished. After anartha-nivrttih, tato nistha tato ruci athasaktis tato bhavah. If this way, we shall increase our attitude of devotional service, ultimately getting shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
Pradyumna: "Every living entity under the spell of material energy is held to be in an abnormal condition of madness. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said, 'Generally, the conditioned soul is mad because he is always engaged in activities which are the causes of bondage and suffering.' Spirit soul in its original condition is joyful, blissful, eternal and full of knowledge."
Prabhupada: Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma [SB 5.5.4]. These materialistic persons, they are mad. Mad.
pisaci paile jana mati-cchanna haya
maya-grasta jivera se dasa upajaya
We, those who are materialistic persons, we are mad after sense gratification. Exactly like a person who is ghostly haunted, he speaks all sorts of nonsense, similarly, in our material condition we speak simply all nonsense. Unless we engage our tongue in the talking of krsna-katha... Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. Unless we engage our tongue in describing about the glories of Vaikuntha -- Vaikuntha means the Supreme Personality of Godhead -- then we shall be talking politics and other nonsense, and waste our time. Just like the frog. The frog is crowing. That means jihvasati dardurikeva. In the Bhagavata it is said that we have got tongue, but if we don't use the tongue for Krsna-seva... Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. Our devotional service begins from the tongue. People will be... "How service begins from the tongue?" Yes. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam sphuraty adhah. So the tongue is very good instrument for developing devotional service. If we don't use this tongue in devotional service, then it is compared with the tongue of the frog. Jihva dardurikeva. Why? Why? "My tongue is so nice. Why it is compared with the tongue of a frog?" Now, because the frog, crowing, (imitates frog sound:) "caw a kronh, caw ka kronh," that means inviting the snake. The snake cannot see where is the frog, but by hearing the sound, crowing sound, the snake can understand, "Here is my food." So his crowing sound will be stopped as soon it is swallowed up by the snake. Similarly, we have got this tongue, human body. It is not the cat's tongue or dog's tongue or tiger's tongue or hog's tongue. It is the human being tongue. So this should be engaged for Krsna's service by chanting Hare Krsna. Hare Krsna, Hare... This is... The tongue is being used. And tasting Krsna-prasadam. If we simply, if you do not read any sastra, if you simply chant Hare Krsna mantra, the tongue is... And simply we do not eat anything which is not offered to Krsna. If we take this vow, that "My tongue should be used only for Krsna..., by chanting Hare Krsna mantra... And chanting, chanting, when I become hungry, I take some little prasadam..."
Actually, that was the original process of paramahamsas, Gosvamis. They used to... Krsna-kirtana-gana-nartana-parau. Their tongue was always used for Krsna-kirtana.
krsna-kirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priya-priyakarau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-krpa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
So the Gosvamis used to spend their time by using... Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa... Namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura, he was using his tongue: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. That's all. Very simple thing. But it is difficult also. So gradually... We should not imitate, but follow the footprints of great saintly persons, acaryas. Then gradually, we shall be practiced. Tadera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. This society, Krsna consciousness society, is made just to create some devotees so that people, by the association of the devotees and following the footprints of the Gosvamis, they'll be automatically elevated to the transcendental platform. This is the meaning of Krsna consciousness society. It is not a joint mess, that "You bring something, I bring something, and let us cook together, and eat and sleep." It is not that society. We should always be engaged. Always we shall use our tongue.
So tandera carana-sevi-bhakta... It is very important passage given by Narottama dasa Thakura. Tandera carana-sevi... Our business should be how to execute the orders of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Gosvamis, the Sad-Gosvami, Caitanya Mahaprabhu... Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,
prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe more nama
He wanted that human beings, those who have taken birth as a human being in India, they should take the cause, the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and spread all over the world. Janma sarthaka kari' karo paropakara. The India is made for doing good to others. India is not meant for exploiting others. That is not India's mission. From the very beginning, from long, long distant place, people used to come here to learn spiritual advancement of life. It is said that Lord Jesus Christ also came here, and he lived here for twelve years. Similarly, many Chinese scholars and transcendentalists used to come. So India is a land of knowledge and culture, especially spiritual knowledge, since very, very long time. So especially those who are born in India, they should take advantage of the privilege. Unfortunately, they are criticizing the foreigners, those who have taken it. They're suspecting. It is very, very regrettable fact. But anyway, that is the way, that is the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that those who are intelligent persons, intelligent Indians, they should take advantage of the gifts of the great sages and saintly persons, make their life successful and preach the cult all over the world. That is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our Krsna consciousness movement is meant for that purpose. Go on.
Pradyumna: "Only by his implication in material activities has he become miserable, temporary and full of ignorance. This is due to vikarma. Vikarma means actions which should not be done. Therefore we must practice sadhana-bhakti, which means to offer mangala-aratrika (Deity worship) in the morning, to refrain from certain material activities, to offer obeisances to the spiritual master and to follow many other rules and regulations which will be discussed here one after another. These practices will help one to become cured of madness. As a man's mental disease is cured by the directions of a psychiatrist, so this sadhana-bhakti cures the conditioned soul of his madness under the spell of maya, material illusion."
Prabhupada: So, as they are mentioned, the first principle is that every devotee must try to rise early in the morning. That is first business. This practice should be done first. No one should sleep more than six hours. Or, if you want to, sleep more... But you must rise in early in the morning. At four o'clock, attend the aratrika, mangala-aratrika. Mangala-aratrika means auspicious beginning of your day. If you stand before mangala-aratrika... In Vrndavana you see now, every temple, as soon as there is four o'clock, the ding-dong bell immediately begins. People can rise early in the morning, take bath in the Yamuna and visit the Deities in the temple. There is no necessity of passing M.A. examination, taking B.A. degree for devotional service. Simply you have to follow the regulative principles. Then automatically you'll become spiritualized. Very simple method. Vrndavana is specially meant for that purpose. Why people come to Vrndavana? To take the advantage. Here the atmosphere is surcharged with devotional service. We should take advantage of it. This is called sadhana-bhakti. Sadhana. Sadhana-bhakti means we have to practice it. And it does not require much education. It does not depend on your riches, that you have to become a very rich man to follow the regulative principles, rise early in the morning. Anyone can rise ea... It is simply a practice. You can take bath in the Yamuna. It is simply practice. You can visit the temples early in the morning. It is simply practice. So this is called sadhana-bhakti, practicing. Go on.
The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972
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