Tuesday, February 2, 2021 [Mayapura, West Bengal, Bharata Bhumi time]
Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami avirbhava tithi [appearance day of Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami]
Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja tirobhava tithi [disappearance day of Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja]
Srila Prabhupada describes the glories of Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami and Sri Ramacandra Kavirajacompiled by Damaghosa dasa and Yasoda nandan dasa

Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out – “As you say that “by reading Bible,” when you read Bible that means you are following
  the spiritual master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ.
So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?”

Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out:   The pure devotee is always transcendental,

is not an ordinary man, and does not suffer, and is not contaminated

Srila Prabhupada Speak Out: The potency of Macmillan edition“We present it exactly as it is; without any additions or subtractions. That is perfect in every way and
therefore it is actually having a tremendous effect all over the world. “

“You mentioned in your letter that you had read many other Bhagavad-gitas before you read mine and that none of them revealed as much to you as Bhagavad Gita As It is. The reason is because we do no change the actual meaning of the Gita at all.

Many other commentators due to poor fund of knowledge tamper with the lines of Bhagavad gita and twist the meaning for their personal motives, but we do not do like that. We present it exactly as it is; without any additions or subtractions. That is perfect in every way and therefore it is actually having a tremendous effect all over the world. The original words of Lord Krishna have unrivalled potency and anyone who is fortunate enough to hear those words and tries to apply them to his life becomes perfect.” Srila Prabhupada Letter to Mr. Dennany. March 14, 1975

SPIRITUAL MASTER AS REPRESENTATIVE OF NITYANANDA PRABHU
compiled by Isana dasa

Nityānanda Prabhu is the immediate expansion of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Baladeva–tattva. Baladeva means who gives strength for spiritual advancement……….. So without Baladeva’s or Nityānanda’s grace, one cannot make advancement.

āra kabe nitāi–cānda karuṇā karibe
saṁsāra vāsanā mora kabe tuccha ha’be

This is the grace of Nityānanda Prabhu. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura explains, āra kabe nitāi–cānda, karuṇā karibe. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura is aspiring for the day when NityānandaPrabhu will be pleased upon him. Just like Jagāi–Mādhāi was delivered by the mercy of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, so we have to pray Nityānanda Prabhu. He’s very merciful. He’s so kind, Baladeva, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme Lord. ………This is the process……….The spiritual master… Nityānanda Prabhu is the spiritual master. Or spiritual master is the replica, representation, of Nityānanda Prabhu. So when Nityānanda Prabhu is pleased, then we become detached from this material attraction. Lecture CC Adi-lila 7..4 March 4, 1974

SPIRITUAL MASTER AS EXTERNAL MANIFESTATION

OF THE LORD IN THE HEART

  Tene brahma hṛdā. Brahmā was alone. He could not see Kṛṣṇa eye to eye, but īśvaraḥ sarva–bhūtānāṁ hṛd–deśe arjuna tiṣṭhati [Bg. 18.61]. Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s heart, so He taught him from within. Kṛṣṇa’s name is Caitya–guru, “guru, spiritual master from within.” So Kṛṣṇa is trying to help us from within, and He manifests again externally also as spiritual master, directly teaching. So, from within, from without, He is trying to help us. Kṛṣṇa is so kind. From within and without. Sb 1.1.1; 8.6.71 LONDON 

Sage Prabuddha continued to speak to the King as follows: “My dear King, a disciple has to accept the spiritual master not only as spiritual master, but also as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the supersoul. In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God because he is the external manifestation of Kṛṣṇa.” NOD chapter 7

Regarding accepting initiation from the spiritual master, in the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 17th Chapter, 22nd verse, it is stated by Lord Kṛṣṇa: “My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative but as My very self. He must never be considered on the same level with an ordinary human being. One should never be envious of the spiritual master, as one may be envious of an ordinary man. The spiritual master should always be seen as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by serving the spiritual master, one is able to serve all the demigods.” NOD chapter 7

………

Like the sun, Your Goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone. As such, you are as good as the all-pervasive Supersoul. Please, therefore, find out the deficiency in me, despite my being absorbed in transcendence under disciplinary regulations and vows. SB 1.5.7

yadyapi āmāra guru—caitanyera dāsa

tathāpi jāniye āmi tāṅhāra prakāśa

yadyapi—even though; āmāra—my; guru—spiritual master; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dāsa—the servitor; tathāpi—still; jāniye—know; āmi—I; tāṅhāra—of the Lord; prakāśa—direct manifestation.

Translation

Although I know that my spiritual master is a servitor of Śrī Caitanya, I know Him also as a plenary manifestation of the Lord.

Purport

Every living entity is essentially a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the spiritual master is also His servant. Still, the spiritual master is a direct manifestation of the Lord. With this conviction, a disciple can advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The spiritual master is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa because he is a manifestation of Kṛṣṇa.

Lord Nityānanda, who is Balarāma Himself, the first direct manifestation or expansion of Kṛṣṇa, is the original spiritual master. He helps Lord Kṛṣṇa in His pastimes, and He is a servant of the Lord.

Every living entity is eternally a servant of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya; therefore, the spiritual master cannot be other than a servant of Lord Caitanya. The spiritual master’s eternal occupation is to expand the service of the Lord by training disciples in a service attitude. A spiritual master never poses as the Supreme Lord Himself; he is considered a representative of the Lord. The revealed scriptures prohibit one’s pretending to be God, but a bona fide spiritual master is a most faithful and confidential servant of the Lord and therefore deserves as much respect as Kṛṣṇa.

Caitanya Caritamrta (1975 edition) Ādi 1.44:

july 5 1975 Chicago
Devotee (2): We are giving these books to so many common men. Then the books will attract them to perhaps chanting and following the regulative principles.
Prabhupāda: Yes, if they read. Even if they touch. That is the difference between this book and ordinary book. Even they touch and they read one line and says, “Oh, it is very nice,” he makes a step forward. If he simply says this word, “Oh, it is very nice,” that is sufficient to bring him. Therefore I am trying to push. He has paid some money. He will then say, “What these nonsense have written. Let me see.” (laughter) And if he sees and says, “Oh, it is very nice,” then the beginning is immediately. Therefore we are trying to push. At least let him say, “It is very nice.” The Kartikeya’s mother, the practical experience… The Kartikeya, when he used to go to see his mother, the mother was going to dance, ball dance, and she would not speak: “All right, sit down. I am coming.” She used to go out. The same mother gradually, in the association of her son, became Kṛṣṇa conscious. So at the time of death she asked Kartikeya, “Is your Kṛṣṇa here?” and she died immediately. This is the effect. So anta-kāle, she remembered Kṛṣṇa, so her life was successful. She inquired like this, “Is your Kṛṣṇa here?” And immediately died. So she got the benefit of her son’s Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You can ask Kartikeya also. She said that.

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June 18-19 1975 Honolulu

Harikeśa: Morning walk, June 18th.

Prabhupāda: ...their own food, it takes working eight hours for three months. So three months, if they work hard-hard means eight hours, not more than—then the whole year’s provision is there.

Siddha-svarūpa: Yes. Simply they have to harvest, time, maybe two hours a day. Farming or being in the countryside also seems to be, in itself working in the countryside rather than in a factory, seems to be more conducive for thinking, even while they’re working.

Prabhupāda: No, it is a fact. This factory working is most demonic. It is not required at all. For the interest of a few persons this device has been invented. Therefore the Communist movement is there. And the China has found the Communistic movement in Russia is defective because although it is Communistic, the whole idea of exploitation by the powerful is there.

Siddha-svarūpa: Yes, that is their argument actually.

Prabhupāda: Yes. And that is the fact. And Chinese Communism will be perfect if they take little instruction from us. We are also Communist, Kṛṣṇa Communist. We want that everyone should be happy. The Communistic philosophy is also like that. They want to see everyone happy. But they have made a materialistic center. That will not help. People are attracted to these bad habits of materialistic civilization. The most important is that sex and intoxication and meat-eating and gambling. So their attraction has to be changed. Otherwise, although these Chinese, they are pushing in the village, that village also will be a brothel. They must have some attraction. So where is that attraction?Just like the hippies. They do not like this civilization, but the attraction for the sex and intoxication they could not give up. So they remain the nasty again in a different way. The process should be mayy āsakta-manaḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. That attraction. Mayy āsakta. “The attraction which you…, should be changed to Me.” This yoga should be practiced. Then it will be all right. The same example: if you keep the dogs as dog, there is no possibility of making a peaceful dog society. That is not possible. You have to change their doggish quality. Then there will be peace. How you can expect peaceful society amongst the dogs?Some Conclusions– Personally, we have done this  here and are still doing it. We grow as much food out in the gardens as possible, harvest it in the fall, store it inside, and then reap the benefits  for a year for only 3 months work outside-which by the way he mentions  is not the demonic work of the karmis who work in factories, or working for somebody else.Where else can you get this ratio of work to food? 3 months work for 12 months food? And its nice work out in the fresh air, sunshine, working your body as God intended us to do instead of pushing buttons and  doing everything  or as much as possible , electronically ???Some will get it but unfortunately, most will not.

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das

The following is a very instructive conversation between Lord Caitanya and Sarva Bhauma Battacarya, whom He, Lord Gauranga, was trying to convince of the errors of his mental speculative ways.

Madhya 6.109–” ‘In almost all cases, whatever learned brāhmaṇas speak becomes accepted; nothing is impossible for one who takes shelter of My illusory energy and speaks under her influence.’ “

PURPORT-In this verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.22.4), the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains that His illusory energy can perform the impossible; such is the power of the illusory energy. In many cases philosophical speculators have covered the real truth and have boldly set forth false theories. In ancient times philosophers like Kapila, Gautama, Jaimini, Kaṇāda and similar brāhmaṇas propounded useless philosophical theories, and in modern days so-called scientists are setting forth many false theories about the creation, backed up by seemingly logical arguments. This is all due to the influence of the Supreme Lord’s illusory energy. The illusory energy, therefore, sometimes appears correct because it is emanating from the Supreme Correct. To avoid the very bewildering illusory influence, one must accept the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as they are. Only then can one escape the influence of the illusory energy.

Madhya 6.132–“You do not explain the direct meaning of the Brahma-sūtras. Indeed, it appears that your business is to cover their real meaning.”

PURPORT-This is typical of all Māyāvādīs or atheists who interpret the meaning of Vedic literature in their own imaginative way. The real purpose of such foolish people is to impose the impersonalist conclusion on all Vedic literature. The Māyāvādī atheists also interpret the Bhagavad-gītā. In every verse of Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā it is clearly stated that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In every verse Vyāsadeva says, śrī-bhagavān uvāca, “the Supreme Personality of Godhead said,” or “the Blessed Lord said.” It is clearly stated that the Blessed Lord is the Supreme Person, but Māyāvādī atheists still try to prove that the Absolute Truth is impersonal. In order to present their false, imaginary meanings, they must adopt so much word jugglery and grammatical interpretation that they finally become ludicrous. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remarked that no one should hear the Māyāvādī commentaries or purports to any Vedic literature.

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Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out – “IF ONE GETS A BONAFIDE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND ACTSACCORDING TO HIS DIRECTION, THEN HIS PERFECTION OF LIFE IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS GUARANTEED. “

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः ।बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥५७॥
cetasā sarva-karmāṇimayi sannyasya mat-paraḥbuddhi-yogam upāśrityamac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava
cetasā—by intelligence; sarva-karmāni—all kinds of activities; mayi—unto Me; sannyasya—giving up; mat-paraḥ—My protection; buddhi-yogam—devotional activities; upāśritya—taking shelter of; mat-cittaḥ—consciousness; satatam—twenty-four hours a day; bhava—just become.
Translation
In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.
Purport
When one acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he does not act as the master of the world. Just like a servant, one should act fully under the direction of the Supreme Lord. A servant has no individual independence. He acts only on the order of the master. A servant acting on behalf of the supreme master has no affection for profit and loss. He simply discharges his duty faithfully in terms of the order of the Lord. Now, one may argue that Arjuna was acting under the personal direction of Kṛṣṇa, but, when Kṛṣṇa is not present, how should one act? If one acts according to the direction of Kṛṣṇa in this book, as well as under the guidance of the representative of Kṛṣṇa, then the result will be the same. The Sanskrit word mat-paraḥ is very important in this verse. It indicates that one has no goal in life save and except acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness just to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. And, while working in that way, one should think of Kṛṣṇa only: “I have been appointed to discharge this particular duty by Kṛṣṇa.” While acting in such a way, one naturally has to think of Kṛṣṇa. This is perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One should, however, note that, after doing something whimsically, he should not offer the result to the Supreme Lord. That sort of duty is not in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One should act according to the order of Krṣna. This is a very important point. That order of Kṛṣṇa comes through disciplic succession from the bona fide spiritual master. Therefore the spiritual master’s order should be taken as the prime duty of life. If one gets a bona fide spiritual master and acts according to his direction, then his perfection of life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is guaranteed.Bhagavad gita as it is (1972 edition) 18.57: