If we decide to become serious about becoming Krishna conscious, we will have to find the way to get free from the clutches of maya, the illusory energy. It is not at all an easy thing to do because we have been held tightly in maya's grip for countless lifetimes.
The secret of how to free ourselves from maya's influence is to engage in the service of the great devotees. This is absolutely essential because without worshiping the lotus feet of a great devotee, we cannot be freed from maya's influence. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura therefore says, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: "Who has been freed from maya's clutches without serving the lotus feet of a Vaisnava?"
That maya and her influence is difficult to overcome is confirmed as follows in the Bhagavad-gita (7.14):
daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome."
The only way we can surpass the great influence of maya is to become a devotee. We don't really have any choice. We can never conquer over the influence of the material energy by our own strength. This is not possible. And the easy way to become a devotee is to associate with devotees. There is great, great spiritual power in the association of the saintly devotees of the Lord. This is confirmed in the Caitanya-caritamrita as follows:
"sadhu-sanga", "sadhu-sanga" sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
"It is declared in all the scriptures that by even one moment's association with a devotee of the Lord one can achieve all spiritual perfection." --CC Madhya 22.54
It is indeed amazing that even by the slight association of a devotee, one can be freed from the clutches of maya. Who can estimate the great value of a devotee's association? It is so essential. Without the mercy of the pure devotee, one cannot get freedom by any means. Certainly a pure devotee's association is necessary in order to obtain the loving service of the Lord. One cannot be freed from maya's clutches without sadhu-sanga, the benediction of a great devotee.
This point is further confirmed by Prahlada Maharaja in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.32) as follows:
naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim
sprsaty anarthapagamo yad arthah
mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam
niskincananam na vrnita yavat
"One cannot become the Lord's pure devotee without taking the dust of a great devotee on his head (pada-rajo-'bhisekam). A pure devotee is niskincana; he has no material desire to enjoy the material world. One has to take shelter of such a pure devotee in order to attain his qualities. The pure devotee is always free from the clutches of maya and her influence."
ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for purpose of giving the entire world the opportunity to associate with sadhus and to thus perfect their lives. Kindly take advantage of this great opportunity and free yourself completely from the clutches of maya.
We are here to help you every step of the way!
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