"This is the test by which one can tell whether he is advancing in devotional service. One must be detached from material enjoyment. Such detachment means that Maya has actually given the conditioned soul liberation from illusory enjoyment." (SB 11.2.42 quoted in TLC)
We ordinarily understand 'maya' as illusion, but the spiritual master reveals its more confidential meaning as also 'mercy'. (SB 1.13.25)
Thus Srila Prabhupada gave shelter to those who joined by establishing:
1) SAMBANDHA - their relationship as servants of Krishna;
2) ABHIDHEYA - their materially conditioned senses engaged in pure devotional service;
3) PRAYOJANA - the resultant transformation of material consciousness into Krishna consciousness, leading them back home back to Godhead.
The actual essence of all the esoteric knowledge of the vast body of Vedic literature has been rendered in a simple term by Srila Rupa Goswami as 'yukta vairagya'. Srila Prabhupada's system is strictly in that line - 'Utility is the Principle'. His books teach this as follows:
Bhagavad-gita As It Is - yukta vairagya in Upanisadic form.
Srimad Bhagavatam - yukta vairagya in Puranic and Vedantic form.
Nectar of Devotion - yukta vairagya in Pancaratric form (rules).
Chaitanya Caritamrta - yukta vairagya in Final Perfection (prema).
Sri Chaitanya gives paramount importance to five out of sixty-four principles of devotional service:
a) Associating with devotees - Sadhu sanga
b) Chanting the Holy Names - Nama kirtana
c) Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam - Bhagavad sravana
d) Living in a Holy Place - Mathura vasa
e) Worshiping the Deity - Sri murtira sraddhaya sevana
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