REFLECTIONS

The following quotes from Srila Prabhupada and HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur represent for me the essence or complete surrender leading to the development of love of GOD. Unalloyed devotion. Please read them slowly, taking in all the words.

"When a person becomes attracted by Krsna and is in full Krsna consciousness, he does not care for any worldly duties, even though very urgent. Krsna consciousness is so powerful that it gives everyone relief from all material activities. Srila Rupa Gosvami has written a very nice verse wherein one gopi advises another, 

"My dear friend, if you desire to enjoy the company of material society, friendship and love, then please do not go to see this smiling boy Govinda, who is standing on the bank of the Yamuna and playing His flute, His lips brightened by the beams of the full moonlight." 

Srila Rupa Gosvami indirectly instructs that one who has been captivated by the beautiful smiling face of Krsna has lost all attraction for material enjoyments. This is the test of advancement in Krsna consciousness: a person advancing in Krsna consciousness must lose interest in material activities and personal sense gratification." (Krishna Book Chap.29)

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This is why I say – you should leave aside all other conceptions that may exist in this world and devote some of your time to listening to the words of Śrī Caitanyadeva. If you spend time listening to His extraordinary philosophical conceptions, which make all other philosophies seem insignificant, then that form of adoration of God (bhagavad-upāsana), which is the path of real peace, will surely appear, and it will lead us to a state in which we are inclined, for example, to nurture the Supreme Lord as our own son. Our moods only become meaningful when we are able to completely dedicate them unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. 


The five transcendental relationships – namely śānta (dispassionate love of God), dāsya (love of God in the mood of a servant), sakhya (love of God in the mood of a friend), vātsalya (love of God in the mood of a parent) and mādhurya (transcendental amour) – exist in all completeness within the Supreme Lord, but we will be unable to gain transcendental knowledge of the Lord if we engage our moods in the worldly counterparts of these five instead of dedicating them to the Supreme Lord Himself.  (HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati thakur, from Śrīla Prabhupādera Upadeśāmṛta)

One step at a time, walking towards Radha Krishna's service and love,

your servant, gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanu-dasah