Once the definition of bhakti is understood, one starts to look for things that might be pleasing to Krishna. One finds examples of saints chanting 64 rounds a day and starts to do so as well. One reads about the benefits of parikrama or meditating on lilas and begins to do these things. However, after some time, if one is sincere, one finds out this has brought him no success.

The secret is that one has to go through guru. If one tries to decide independently what is anukulya for Krishna one is destined to fail. Only guru who is Krishna's close servant can navigate one to Him. In raganuga, before the spontaneity comes, one has to cooperate with one's guru - only when one follows one's guru's advice will one understand what it means to do anukulya and will advance accordingly.

An important point to consider here is that bhakti is the antaranga sakti of the Lord and as such it cannot be manufactured by some mechanical actions. It can only be given by those who have it, i.e. His associates. By performing favourable service as taught by one's Guru, nitya-siddhas will be pleased and through their mercy bhakti will appear in one's heart manifesting itself in the form of stronger and stronger liking for service.

Our Guruji places emphasis on seva in the form of physical activity, giving examples of gopis, Pandavas or Vidur who didn't have time to do a lot of smaran or japa, yet were considered topmost devotees. He is engaged in go-seva, or cow seva, and that's what he wants his disciples to do as well. The reason is obvious - Krishna Himself serves the cows and they are very very dear to Him.

We, Maharajji's disciples, are very fortunate indeed, because by serving cows we can please our Guruji as well as Krishna. However, serving them doesn't mean we have to be with them all the time. We can have our jobs in the West and see to it that they are properly taken care of by supplying means for their food, shelter etc. Bhakti is consciousness, so it doesn't matter where one is - what matters is one's mood. 

Having said all this, we believe wholeheartedly that this wonderful blending of Gaudiya philosophy and its application in real life will make a fundamental difference in every sincere seeker's life. 

 

Mandir

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