A Life of Sacrifice

So what really is expected when one takes to Krishna consciousness? I venture that one may look at the life of the highest devotees, and make judgment from there;

Srila Prabhupada; enjoyed unlimited clarity and vision, such that he was never unsure of his position or duty, and could with authority and empowered by Godhead, Sri Krsna, act such as to help many millions of people. As a result, now his disciples are in their turn striving to free the world from spiritual tyrrannies and deliver them shuddha Nam, mercy of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai.

In the end, as his grip weakened with the CIA moving in around him, the GSM, Srila Prabhupada was martyrred. We were ostracized by the compartmentalized TP's receiving take-over orders from above, so now we the disciples have also been attacked with intent to kill

Would it not be so much easier to find a nice temple and sit and chant Hare Krishna and eat prasadam and be happy? Yes, it would. However, those who wish to achieve the mercy obtainable by serving Srila Prabhupada under such conditions in the world, have different marching orders. There is no thing in the universes mundane or spiritual more valuable than taking on anxiety as necessary to serve the desires of the Lord. This sacrifice is unobtainable in Goloka or the Vaikunthas, but only to those willing to fully dedicate their life and soul, as is their correct understanding as initiates, to serving Srila Prabhupada's mission.

Hare Krishna maha mantra Sankirtana jagya does not require a degree nor even musical talent. It can be performed whether ill or well, male or female, black or white, day or night, wrong or right. There are no hard and fast rules. it is the most auspicious activity , because it delivers the nectar for which we are anxious.

Sankirtan purifies the karmas even of those who hear it but do not want to hear it! Hare Krsna Nama purifies the atmosphere on gross and subtle platforms. It engages the soul in direct heart-felt communications with Godhead on behalf of all humans, and even all animals and birds, fishes, and plants etc.

So devotees ask, how can we help? How can we ourselves find nectar? The answer is simple; chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and spread it widely in a bonafide way.

This chanting out loud may be done simply; while walking past plants, thus benefiting them. However, we generally target humans, so street sankirtan or even internet sankirtan goes on; all these are sankirtan, and any who engages in them and tries to spread the sharing of the words of the spiritual master, to chant Hare Krsna and serve only Krsna, they are benefitted, and others as well, with the result of spiritual advancement, and in due course blossoming of full spiritual happiness for all. Those who take the risks and serve despite all resistances will certainly get Srila Prabhupada's full mercy always and forever.

BY HIS DIVINE GRACE A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA

My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of 16 rounds every day. The next business is your editing. And if you find extra time then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities. But outdoor kirtana, your editing work, and chanting of 16 rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked. But the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped.

(Letter to Rayarama, 17 May 1969)

Srila Prabhupada Lecture
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.15

“Advancement means… But we don’t change our Vedic knowledge. We do not say, “Now, Kṛṣṇa, five thousand years ago, said like this. Now we are advanced. We change this line.” Of course, others are doing. In the scriptures… Just like the Christians, they are changing the words. But you cannot do that. Then where is the authority? If you change the word of the scripture, then where is the authority of the scripture? Just like in lawbooks, there is some law made already. Whimsically you cannot, I mean to say, erase the words and put something that “It should be changed like this.” That will not be accepted. Law, if there is change… Actually, there is no change. There cannot be change. Real law means there is no change. Just like day and night, it is coming. The fortnight, the dark period and the light period, it is coming for millions and millions and time immemorial. The same law is going, going on. You cannot change. So as soon as you change, that means it is imperfect. You change.
So Vedic laws are not like that. You cannot change. Five thousand years ago Kṛṣṇa said, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: [Bg. 18.66] “You give up all other religious principles. Simply surrender unto Me.” We are preaching the same thing. No change. No change. There is no possibility of change. Then how Kṛṣṇa is authority? So change means imperfect knowledge."

Replies

Tamohara dasa ADMIN. May 3, 2012 3:04

BY HIS DIVINE GRACE A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA

My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of 16 rounds every day. The next business is your editing. And if you find extra time then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities. But outdoor kirtana, your editing work, and chanting of 16 rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked. But the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped.

(Letter to Rayarama, 17 May 1969)

Srila Prabhupada Lecture
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.15

“Advancement means… But we don’t change our Vedic knowledge. We do not say, “Now, Kṛṣṇa, five thousand years ago, said like this. Now we are advanced. We change this line.” Of course, others are doing. In the scriptures… Just like the Christians, they are changing the words. But you cannot do that. Then where is the authority? If you change the word of the scripture, then where is the authority of the scripture? Just like in lawbooks, there is some law made already. Whimsically you cannot, I mean to say, erase the words and put something that “It should be changed like this.” That will not be accepted. Law, if there is change… Actually, there is no change. There cannot be change. Real law means there is no change. Just like day and night, it is coming. The fortnight, the dark period and the light period, it is coming for millions and millions and time immemorial. The same law is going, going on. You cannot change. So as soon as you change, that means it is imperfect. You change.
So Vedic laws are not like that. You cannot change. Five thousand years ago Kṛṣṇa said, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: [Bg. 18.66] “You give up all other religious principles. Simply surrender unto Me.” We are preaching the same thing. No change. No change. There is no possibility of change. Then how Kṛṣṇa is authority? So change means imperfect knowledge."
Tamohara dasa ADMIN. May 3, 2012 3:43

Srila Bhaktisidhanta Saraswati says that it is a very miserly thing to worship the jiva. Your life is guaranteed to be short and tough. Cultivate Krsna consciousness and finish this business, NOW, before its too late and you again get caught up in Maya's dramas.

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