Krishna is Never Obtainable
Directly!
HERE ENDS YOUR Spiritual Quest |
As aspiring devotees, we are all very eager to receive the mercy of the Lord and to obtain this mercy there is one absolute necessity and that is to obtain the blessings of the dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, chaadiya vaishnava seva nistaara peyeche keba: unless one serves a Vaishnava, he cannot be delivered. Srimad Bhagavatam in 2.3.23 makes it very clear
jivan chavo bhaagavataanghri-renum
na jaatu martyo 'bhilabheta yas tu
"The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord's pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body."
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport, "There is a common saying that one should first love the dog of the beloved before one shows any loving sentiments for the beloved. The stage of pure devotion is attained by sincerely serving a pure devotee of the Lord. The first condition of devotional service to the Lord is therefore to be a servant of a pure devotee. In other words, Lord Sri Krishna is the property of His pure unconditional devotees, and as such only the devotees can deliver Krishna to another devotee; Krishna is never obtainable directly. Lord Caitanya therefore designated Himself as gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor daasa-daasaanudaasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80], or "the most obedient servant of the servants of the Lord, who maintains the gopi damsels at Vrndavana." A pure devotee therefore never approaches the Lord directly, but tries to please the servant of the Lord's servants, and thus the Lord becomes pleased and only then can the devotee relish the taste of the tulasi leaves stuck to His lotus feet. The conclusion is, therefore, that one should be more serious about seeking the mercy of the devotee than that of the Lord directly, and by one's doing so (by the good will of the devotee) the natural attraction for the service of the Lord will be revived."
There is a story in the life of the great devotee Kanchipurna that nicely illustrates this principle. Kanchipurna was one of the five disciples initiated by Srila Yamunacharya. Although born in a shudra family, Kanchipurna was famous throughout South India as a great Vaishnava. He resided in the city of Kanchipuram, where he daily offered the service of fanning the famous deity of Lord Vishnu known as Sri Varadaraj Swami. Kanchipurna's simplicity and devotion endeared him to Lord Varadaraj, so much so that the two of them began having daily conversations. Some of the local people found out about this and individuals began approaching Kanchipurna, requesting him to convey questions on their behalf to the Lord. Varadaraj Swami would reply and then Kanchipurna would relate the answer back to the questioner. One day someone asked if they would go to Vaikuntha at the end of their life. Lord Varadaraj confirmed that after leaving his present body, that devotee would go to Vaikuntha. The desire arose in Kanchipurna's heart to know if he were going to go to Vaikuntha after his present life. However, he was too shy to ask about himself. The Lord knew the heart of his dear devotee, and a few days later, Varadaraj Swami asked Kanchipurna, "Is there anything that you want to ask me?" "No, no. I have no question", replied Kanchipurna. The Lord then insisted, "Kanchipurna, is there nothing that you want to ask me?" Finally, Kanchipurna revealed his heart. "My dear Lord, when will I go to Vaikuntha?"
Varadaraj Swami cast a loving glance on his devotee, and said, "Kanchipurna, you are my dear servant. I love you, but you will not go to Vaikuntha after this life. Although you have served me with great devotion, you have never served my devotee. Unless someone serves one of my devotees they cannot enter into my abode." Hearing the Lord's words, Kanchipurna stood there for a moment, and then, without saying a word, he suddenly put the fan down on the altar and left. Kanchipurna went searching for a devotee whom he could serve. Being famous all over South India, it was not easy for Kanchipurna to find a devotee willing to accept his service. Although he tried and tried, no one would allow him to serve. Rather, everyone he approached said, "No! No! No! You are a great devotee. Lord Varadaraj personally talks to you! I cannot allow you to serve me. I'll go to hell!" Finally, Kanchipurna took off his saffron cloth. Donning some white dress, he went to the home of one of his godbrothers disguised as a cowherd man. For six months he rendered service to that devotees' cows, always being careful to hide his face. But one day that god-brother found out his identity and refused to accept further service. Kanchipurna then returned to the temple of Lord Varadaraj. Seeing his dear devotee entering the temple, the Lord smiled upon him and said, "Kanchipurna, for six months you did menial service for one of my devotees. Now at the end of this life you can come to my abode."
The Lord has reserved the right to only allow those persons entrance into his abode who have served His dear devotees. In Antya lila 6.97 of his Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur quotes from the Varaha Purana
siddhir bhavati vaa neti samshayo 'cyuta sevinaam
nihsamsayas tu tad bhakti paricaryaa rataatmanaam
"One may doubt whether the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will attain perfection, but there is absolutely no doubt that those who are attached to serving his devotees will attain perfection."
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev,
Vaijayanti mala devi dasi,
Abu dhabi.
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