The worst appeared to be over with Srila Prabhupada's troublesome infection. After a quiet day, Prabhupada left for an evening speaking engagement at Paddington Town Hall, not far from the original Sydney temple on Oxford Street. Torrential rain thundered down on the roof of the car as Prabhupada's party manoeuvred through the flooded streets of Paddington. A devotee apologised about the rain, but Prabhupada felt no inconvenience. "What's wrong with the rain? It is sent by Krsna."
Due perhaps to the inclement weather, the pale-green, musty-smelling hall was far from full when Srila Prabhupada commenced his lecture. But, as he had mentioned only the previous day in his letter to Satsvarupa, he was prepared to speak under any circumstances. Whether the hall was packed to capacity or virtually empty, Srila Prabhupada felt the urgent need to boldly present Krsna consciousness to the people of Australia.
The varied crowd that made up the audience -- a mix of young people and older, conservative types -- listened attentively. Prabhupada had decided to speak on Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad-gita, verse 1. The theme of the class: How to develop one's love for God.
Prabhupada began by introducing his audience to Bhagavad-gita -- "the most widely read book of knowledge throughout the whole world". His lecture was long and scholarly, stressing the dependency of the living beings on God.
"We cannot say that we don't care for God. That we cannot say. We are so dependent upon God's mercy. Just like this evening, when we were coming to this hall, there was heavy rain. So this heavy rain -- I'm coming from India and other parts there is drought, there is no rainfall. They are suffering for want of rainfall. But in Australia, especially in Sydney, I see there is good rainfall. So, how the distinction can be adjusted? Some places there is no rainfall, but here you have got sufficient rainfall at the present moment. It is God's mercy. You cannot do it. Where there is shortage of rainfall, they cannot bring in rainfall by their scientific advancement of knowledge. This is not possible. You have to depend on God, on the mercy of God.
"What is this rainfall? This rainfall is an arrangement of taking water from the seas and spreading it all over the surface of the land. But you cannot do it. The sea water you can spread by pumping or by some other means, but that will not serve your purpose. The sea water must be distilled. It must be made into sweetness, then such rainfall will give you some effect in producing agricultural products and so many things. So in every way we are dependent upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Towards the end of the class, Prabhupada gave a clear, step-by-step analysis of the eight stages to love of God: "The beginning of attachment for Krsna is a little faith. With a little faith one will accept that this is a nice movement. When one thinks: 'What are these Hare Krsna people doing? What is Krsna consciousness? Let us go see', one has a little faith. In Sanskrit this faith is called sraddha.
"This is the first stage. So you have to increase this sraddha. How? If you want to increase your faith, associate with devotees. In order to learn anything you must associate with those who know that subject. If you want to learn business, you associate with other businessmen in business clubs or organisations. Similarly, if you want to increase your love for Krsna or God, you must associate with persons who are interested in this -- devotees. The devotees have no other interest than Krsna.
"The word 'sadhu' means 'devotee', lover of Krsna. One who has unflinching faith in Krsna, one who is cent per cent engaged in Krsna's service, is called a sadhu. Sadhu does not mean someone in a particular dress, or one who has a long beard. Sadhu means a devotee, a perfect devotee of Krsna.
"It is recommended to associate with devotees who have completely dedicated their lives for Krsna's service. This is called sadhu-sanga. And when you associate with devotees, you learn how to become a devotee.
"The next stage after associating with the devotees is called bhajana-kriya: one becomes anxious how to execute devotional service properly. When the temple president recommends a person who is seriously interested in Krsna consciousness, after six months of associating with the devotees, the spiritual master agrees to initiate him, but under some conditions. There are four pillars of sinful life: illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. In order to qualify for initiation one must be free from all of these. This is the next stage of development: anartha-nivrttih syat. The boys and girls you see sitting here automatically gave up these sinful activities when they adopted Krsna consciousness. By association with Krsna it has become very practical and easy to do.
"As soon as one becomes free from all sinful activities, he becomes firmly convinced of God consciousness. This is the next stage called tato nistha. The stage after that is called tato rucih: you taste the pleasure of Krsna consciousness. It is so nice. Then tatha-asaktih, you develop attachment to Krsna, and your mind becomes completely attracted by Krsna. And the next stage is tato bhavo, intense love for Krsna.
"These are the different stages of developing love for God, or love for Krsna. It is not very difficult. Anyone can develop their love for God in this way. How is it difficult? These European and American boys were not accustomed to such a life, but because Krsna consciousness is present in everyone's heart, simply by a little practise it develops. So we request you to make your human life successful by practising Krsna consciousness."
Prabhupada summed up the essential method of coming to the highest perfectional stage: chanting the holy names of God.
"So, because Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted these 16 names, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, therefore we also follow the footprints of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are also chanting the same Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and we shall request you also. There is no expenditure; there is no loss on your part. If there is gain, why don't you try it. That is our request. Chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This is the process for increasing your attachment for God, Krsna."
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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