Associations with devotees-the Effects
SB purport–The significant point in Dhruva Mahārāja’s statement is that he wanted the association of pure devotees. Transcendental devotional service cannot be complete and cannot be relishable without the association of devotees. We have therefore established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Anyone who is trying to be aloof from this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is living in a great hallucination, for this is not possible. From this statement by Dhruva Mahārāja it is clear that unless one is associated with devotees, his devotional service does not mature; it does not become distinct from material activities.
SB 3.25.20 purport-…Mahātmā is a synonym of sādhu. It is said that service to a mahātmā, or elevated devotee of the Lord, is dvāram āhur vimukteḥ, the royal road of liberation. Mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimuktes tamo-dvāraṁ yoṣitāṁ saṅgi-saṅgam (Bhāg. 5.5.2). Rendering service to the materialists has the opposite effect. If anyone offers service to a gross materialist, or a person engaged only in sense enjoyment, then by association with such a person the door to hell is opened. … If we want to associate with a sādhu, we cannot expect him to give us instructions on how to improve our material condition, but he will give us instructions on how to cut the knot of the contamination of material attraction and how to elevate ourselves in devotional service. That is the result of associating with a sādhu.
March 28 1966 NY lecture-
This is called sato vṛtti, sat-saṅga. Sat-saṅga means association with good persons who are engaged, if not cent percent, at least engaged, certain portion of his life for spiritual realization.
So these six things are required for making progress in spiritual life. Similarly, there are six other things also which will degrade us from the spiritual life.
Madhya 11.10 purport-
Śrī Cāṇakya Paṇḍita in his moral instructions has stated: tyaja durjana-saṁsargaṁ bhaja sādhu-samāgamam. This means that one has to abandon the association of materialistic people and associate with spiritually advanced people. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better than a venomous serpent. Everyone knows that a snake is dangerous and poisonous, and when its hood is decorated with jewels, it is no less poisonous or dangerous. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better than a snake decorated with jewels. One should therefore be careful in dealing with such materialists, just as one would be careful in dealing with a bejeweled serpent.
SB 3.9.9 purport-
The whole trouble of the living entity in material existence is that he has an independent conception of life. He is always dependent on the rules of the Supreme Lord, in both the conditioned and liberated states, but by the influence of the external energy the conditioned soul thinks himself independent of the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. His constitutional position is to dovetail himself with the desire of the supreme will, but as long as he does not do so, he is sure to drag on in the shackles of material bondage.
Oct 22 1971 letter to Rayaram
Devotees means who are following the regulative principles. One cannot be independent and at the same time become a devotee because all devotional activities are based on surrender. So in the association of devotees we learn this important item—how to surrender, but if we keep our independence and try to become devotees, that is not possible.
You write to say that you cannot feel any taste for temple life or Deity worship. This means you are keeping the same temperament you entertained before leaving our society. Our process is to accept both the lines of bhagavata marga and pancaratriki marga. Perhaps you might have seen the picture of the Gaudiya mission. On one side there is the bhagavata book and on the other side a picture of Laksmi Narayana for Deity worship. You cannot make any progress in devotional service unless simultaneously you follow both the lines.
SB 3.16.8 purport-
The conclusion is that if one can feed a brāhmaṇa or Vaiṣṇava, it is better than performing hundreds of thousands of sacrifices. In this age, therefore, it is recommended that harer nāma [Adi 17.21]—chanting the holy name of God—and pleasing the Vaiṣṇava are the only means to elevate oneself to spiritual life.
SB 5.13.17 purport-
Sometimes a foolish person becomes disgusted with bad association and comes to the association of devotees and brāhmaṇas and takes initiation from a spiritual master. As advised by the spiritual master, he tries to follow the regulative principles, but due to misfortune he cannot follow the instructions of the spiritual master. He therefore gives up the company of devotees and goes to associate with simian people who are simply interested in sex and intoxication. Those who are so-called spiritualists are compared to monkeys. Outwardly, monkeys sometimes resemble sādhus because they live naked in the forest and pick fruits, but their only desire is to keep many female monkeys and enjoy sex life. Sometimes so-called spiritualists seeking a spiritual life come to associate with Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees, but they cannot execute the regulative principles or follow the path of spiritual life. Consequently they leave the association of devotees and go to associate with sense gratifiers, who are compared to monkeys. Again they revive their sex and intoxication, and looking at one another’s faces, they are thus satisfied. In this way they pass their lives up to the point of death.
Oct 19 1972 NOD classes-
By following the rules and regulations, sato vṛtteḥ, always trying to be honest and sādhu-saṅga… [Cc. Madhya 22.83]. The sādhu-saṅga is very important. Therefore we have created this internal society, International Society so that actually it is happening. People are coming to our society, in our centers, and after one week, automatically he takes a bag and beads and shaves himself. Automatically. Sādhu-saṅga is very… Association of sādhu. Solitary bhajana, executing devotional service in a solitary place, is not possible for the neophyte devotees. It is meant for the advanced devotees. If, from the very beginning, without executing the regulative principles, if one wants to execute devotional service in a solitary place, it will be simply disturbing, and he must fall down. There are so many examples, even in this Vṛndāvana. So we should not imitate. We must, vidhi-mārga. The regulative principles must be followed. Then when you are mature, then we can sit down in a solitary place. Otherwise it is not possible. Then. Yo
Sept 20 19068 letter-
Our relationship is eternal. But if somebody lags behind, so in spite of our eternal relationship one may not meet other at the destination. Just like a flock of birds—although very intimately related, everyone of them has to fly in the sky by individual strength. If one is less strong, the other cannot keep him in the sky. That is the law of nature. So long everyone of us is strong in Krishna Consciousness, there is no doubt, you can fly in the spiritual sky and meet together without failure.Therefore, individual strength is most important. And that individual strength is achieved in the association of devotees also. So you can make your own judgment.
Madhya 19.157 purport-
The living entity is a social animal, and if one gives up the society of pure devotees, he must associate with nondevotees (asat-saṅga). By contacting nondevotees and engaging in nondevotional activities, a so-called mature devotee will fall victim to the mad elephant offense. Whatever growth has taken place is quickly uprooted by such an offense. One should therefore be very careful to defend the creeper by fencing it in-that is, by following the regulative principles and associating with pure devotees.
If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions and the regulative principles governing chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee.By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost.
Sept 24 1976 Vrndavana class
So when we have faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa: “Yes, Kṛṣṇa says sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam [Bg. 18.66]. Yes, I shall do,” then śraddhā begins. Otherwise, there is no śraddhā. That is the beginning of śraddhā. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. If you have got faith in these words of Kṛṣṇa, that “Yes, whatever Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇam… [Bg. 18.66], accept it,” then śraddhā begins. Otherwise there is no śraddhā. Ordinary śraddhā is…, they are going this temple or another Kālī’s temple or Durgā’s temple. They say that “Everyone is all right.” Yata mata tata patha: “Whatever you like.” That is not śraddhā; that is whims. And śraddhā means when you firmly believe on the words of Kṛṣṇa, that Kṛṣṇa said, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja [Bg. 18.66]. Therefore Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī said, śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya [Cc. Madhya 22.62]. Kṛṣṇa said that “Give up everything, I shall give you…” “Yes, it is fact. Why shall I bother with…” That is śraddhā. Viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya. Sudṛḍha means very firm faith. Not flickering faith.
When you have got this kind of śraddhā, naturally, the next stage will be “How to keep my śraddhā, firm faith in Kṛṣṇa?” Then you have to mix with devotees who are keeping constantly in Kṛṣṇa’s service. Therefore this temple is required, that devotees will always be engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service, and those who have got śraddhā, they will come and see how the devotees are engaged, how they have sacrificed their life only for serving Kṛṣṇa. That is sādhu-saṅga
Dec 7 1973 LA
This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is nothing, just to train people how to think of Kṛṣṇa and how to become devotee of Kṛṣṇa. That’s all. So you may become devotee… But you will become devotee. If you think of Kṛṣṇa, naturally you will become devotee. So… But think of Kṛṣṇa, is it very difficult task? Very simple, very easy, even a child can do it. Here is Kṛṣṇa. You can think of. So you go on thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, you will be attached. You will be attached. You will be attached. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. And thinking of Kṛṣṇa in association of the devotees. Not alone, then you will go to hell. Alone will not do. Association is so strong that anyone who is coming to our association, we…, not that we are everyone teaching, but by association, he wants to become devotee. By association, automatically. So the association is so powerful.
With devotee association hearing about Krsna very pleasing and satisfying
SB 3.25.25–In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.
PURPORT-The process of advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service is described here. The first point is that one must seek the association of persons who are Kṛṣṇa conscious and who engage in devotional service. Without such association one cannot make advancement. Simply by theoretical knowledge or study one cannot make any appreciable advancement. One must give up the association of materialistic persons and seek the association of devotees because without the association of devotees one cannot understand the activities of the Lord.
So what happens if we chant -without devotee association?
Madhya 19.157 By contacting nondevotees and engaging in nondevotional
activities, a so-called mature devotee will fall victim to the mad elephant offense.
Whatever growth has taken place is quickly uprooted by such an offense. One
should therefore be very careful to defend the creeper by fencing it
in-that is, by following the regulative principles and associating
with pure devotees…. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s
instructions and the regulative principles governing chanting and
hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee.
By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down By associating with
nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost.
Dec 7 1973 LA- Perfection is serving Krsna with devotees, not alone
But think of Kṛṣṇa, is it very difficult task? Very simple, very easy, even a child can do it. Here is Kṛṣṇa. You can think of. So you go on thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, you will be attached. You will be attached. You will be attached. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. And thinking of Kṛṣṇa in association of the devotees. Not alone, then you will go to hell. Alone will not do. Association is so strong that anyone who is coming to our association, we…, not that we are everyone teaching, but by association, he wants to become devotee. By association, automatically. So the association is so powerful. Therefore Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says,he is praying, “My dear Lord, this is my ambition, birth after birth.” What is that? “That to be engaged in the service of the ācārya guru, and in the association of devotees. This is perfection.” Janame janame haya ei: “This is my desire. I don’t want to stop my birth, but simply I want that I may take birth—it doesn’t matter—but bhakta-sane vāsa, let me live with the devotees.” That is the…Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says,he says that “If I forget You and take by birth as Lord Brahmā, I don’t want it. I don’t want it.” What is the use of taking a birth like Brahmā? “But I shall like to take my birth as even a small insignificant insect, where a devotee is there.” This is the ambition of devotee. . So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that “I will not prefer a birth like Brahmā if I forget You. But I will prefer to become an insect if I remain with Your devotee.” Because if one remains with a devotee, he will not forget Kṛṣṇa. That is the advantage
April 28 1969 —The Power of Liberation comes by the association of devotees
Mahat-sevāṁ dvāram. If you accept this way of life, then your spiritual life will be open. Mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ [SB 5.5.2].
Vimukteḥ means… Vimukti. Mukti means liberation, and, adding the word, vi… Vi means specifically liberation. …So mahat-sevāṁ dvāram, if you associate with great souls… Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to produce some great souls. If people get opportunity to associate with great souls, then automatically his path of liberation will be open. Mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ [SB 5.5.2]. And tamo-dvāraṁ yoṣitāṁ saṅgi-saṅgam. And if you associate with persons who are simply interested in sense gratification, then you must know that your door for going into the darkest region of ignorance is open. Two doors: one door to the path of liberation, and one door to the path of darkest region of ignorance.
Dec 14 1972 Ahmedabad
Therefore this association is required. Sādhu-saṅga [Cc. Madhya 22.54]. Sādhu-saṅga is very powerful thing. Therefore we have opened this society. Society means if you come to the society, and if the society is nice, then automatically you learn, you become attached. Just like if we mix, intermingle with drunkard society, gradually we become drunkards. Similarly, if we intermingle with the sādhus, with the devotees, then automatically we become devotee. Saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ. Therefore sādhu-saṅga is very important.
satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
[SB 3.25.25]
These are the shastric injunction. So as far as possible, we should… Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ is very important. Nowadays it is very difficult to find out sādhu-saṅga. Therefore we are trying to spread this society’s movement so people may take advantage of sādhu-saṅga, and thus automatically, very easily, things may be successful. (end)
Summary of benefits of devotee Association
1.Gives us eagerness for God
2.Helps us give up independent mentality
3.Cuts the knot of ahankara, fruitive works
4.Gives us strength for devotion…..and many more..
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
