Giriraj Swami spoke on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila,22.83:
krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga’
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga
“The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krishna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Krishna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.” (Cc Madhya 22.83)
“Sacinandana Swami made the point that if we are in a humble mood, we will see our godbrothers and godsisters—people similar to ourselves—as being more advanced than we are and that that would fulfill the condition that one should associate with devotees more advanced than oneself (sadhu sanga sato vare). And he gave the example of the two of us. Superficially we appear to be equals, but he is thinking, ‘Oh, Giriraj Swami is more advanced than I am; I can learn from him,’ and Giriraj Swami is thinking—and this part is true—’Sacinandana Swami is more advanced than I am and I can learn from him.’ And in this mood we are getting the benefit of sadhu-sanga.”
Kirtan, Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 22.83, Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016
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