devotee life made easier if we live with them or around them….
The book–Sri Bhaktyaloka by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
Below are some words taken from this important work of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur regarding Association.
Those matahmas who wish to attain perfection in Devotional service should carefully give up sanga in the form of association and attachment, otherwise this sanga will gradually ruin everything.
Real Acarya can transgress all material law–SP
quotes compiled by Yasoda nandan das
\”…But in devotion, there is no karma-bandha. As Kṛṣṇa is free from all reaction, similarly Kṛṣṇa’s devotee who wants to satisfy Kṛṣṇa only, he is also free from all reaction. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27].
\”The ācārya is as good as I am,\” Kṛṣṇa says. Nāva-manyeta karhicit, \”Never neglect him.\” Na martya-buddhyāsūyeta, \”Never be envious of the ācārya, thinking him as anything of this material world.\” Ācāryaṁmāṁ vijānīyān [SB 11.17.27].
Therefore, ācārya’s position is as good as Kṛṣṇa. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair **. Ācārya is always cautious that he may not be subject to criticism. But who criticizes ācārya, he becomes immediately offender. Because he is playing the part of ācārya, he plays as far as possible. But sometimes for preaching work, he might have to do something which is not consistent. But if he is criticized, then that man who criticizes, he becomes... Of course, he must be ācārya, not a bogus. Ordinary man cannot transgress the laws, but Kṛṣṇa and His representative, ācārya, might be sometimes seen that he has transgressed. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says,ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān [SB 11.17.27]
Want to go back to Godhead? Here is one way explained by SP
A very interesting story among some devotees
Hare Krsna-
Srila Prabhupada explains the proper method to offer bhoga and arati
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Srila Prabhupada explains how the KC movement can grow- naturally
impersonal vs personal realization of the Lord explained by SP
Vedic Tradition-Srila Prabhupada started his own and this is bona fide
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Purport-The prescribed rules, as stated here by Narada Muni, are that one should accept the mantra through a bona fide spiritual master and hear the mantra in the right ear. Not only should one chant or murmur the mantra, but in front of him he must have the Deity, or physical form of the Lord. Of course, when the Lord appears it is no longer a physical form…..The method of worship–chanting the mantra and preparing the forms of the Lord–is not stereotyped, nor is it exactly the same everywhere. lt. is specifically mentioned in this verse that one should take consideration of the time, place and available conveniences. Our Krsna consciousness movement is going on throughout the entire world, and we also install Deities in different centers. Sometimes our Indian friends, puffed up with concocted notions, criticise, “This has not been done. That has not been done.” But they forget this instruction of Narada Muni to one of the greatest Vaisnavas, Dhruva Maharaja. One has to consider the particular time, country and conveniences. What is convenient in India may not be convenient in the Western countries. Those who are not actually in the line of acaryas, or who personally have no knowledge of how to act in the role of acarya, necessarily criticise the activities of the ISKCON movement in countries outside of India. The fact is that such critics cannot do anything personally to spread Krsna consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and allowing all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to sastra. Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas. (S.B. 4.8.54.)
Those who have any regard for me should give this respect and position to Govinda Maharaj as my successor. As much as you have faith in my sincerity, then with all sincerity I believe that he has got the capacity of rendering service in this way. With this I transfer these beads and from now he will initiate on my behalf as Rtvik. The Rtvik system is already involved both here and also in the foreign land. The Rtvik is the representative.So if you want to take from me, and you take by his hands,then it will be as well and as good as taking from me.