SERVING THE SPIRITUAL MASTER WITH FAITH AND CONFIDENCE Regarding accepting initiation from the spiritual master, in the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, seventeenth chapter, verse 27, it is stated by Lord Kṛṣṇa, “My dear Uddhava, the spiritual … Read More
ACCEPTING INITIATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIM 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 … Read More
CHAPTER SEVEN Evidence Regarding Devotional Principles ACCEPTING THE SHELTER OF A BONA FIDE SPIRITUAL MASTER In the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, third chapter, verse 21, Prabuddha tells Mahārāja Nimi, “My dear King, please know for certain … Read More
CHAPTER SIX How to Discharge Devotional Service Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī states that his elder brother (Sanātana Gosvāmī) has compiled Hari-bhakti-vilāsa for the guidance of the Vaiṣṇavas and therein has mentioned many rules and regulations to be … Read More
CHAPTER SIX How to Discharge Devotional Service Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī states that his elder brother (Sanātana Gosvāmī) has compiled Hari-bhakti-vilāsa for the guidance of the Vaiṣṇavas and therein has mentioned many rules and regulations to be … Read More
Chapter 5 The Purity of Devotional Service All of the previous instructions imparted by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in his broad statements can be summarized thus: As long as one is materially inclined or desirous of merging … Read More
Chapter 4 Devotional Service Surpasses All Liberation How much a devotee is seriously attached to the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be understood from the statement of Mahārāja Pṛthu (Ādi-rāja), which is … Read More
Chapter 3 Eligibility of the Candidate for Accepting Devotional Service On account of his association with mahātmās, or great souls one hundred percent engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, one may attain a little … Read More
Chapter 2 The First Stages of Devotion The three categories of devotional service which Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī describes in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu are listed as devotional service in practice, devotional service in ecstasy and devotional service in pure … Read More
Attracting Krishna Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has stated that devotional service attracts even Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa attracts everyone, but devotional service attracts Kṛṣṇa. The symbol of devotional service in the highest degree is Rādhārāṇī. Kṛṣṇa is called Madana-mohana, … Read More
The happiness of becoming one with the supreme Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says that if brahmānanda, or the happiness of becoming one with the Supreme, is multiplied one trillionfold, it still cannot compare to an atomic fraction … Read More
The rareness of pure devotional service In the preliminary phase of spiritual life there are different kinds of austerities, penances and similar processes for attaining self-realization. However, even if an executor of these processes is without … Read More
Happiness in Krishna consciousness Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has analyzed the different sources of happiness. He has divided happiness into three categories, which are (1) happiness derived from material enjoyment, (2) happiness derived by identifying oneself with … Read More
Krishna consciousness is all-auspicious Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has given a definition of auspiciousness. He says that actual auspiciousness means welfare activities for all the people of the world. At the present moment groups of people are … Read More
Relief from material distress In Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord says that one should surrender unto Him, giving up all other engagements. The Lord also gives His word there that He will protect surrendered souls from the reactions … Read More
Chapter 1 Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Third Canto, twenty-ninth chapter, verses 12 and 13, Śrīla Kapiladeva, while instructing His mother, has given the following characteristics of pure devotional service: “My dear mother, those … Read More
Introduction Invoking auspiciousness: Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, the reservoir of all rasas, or relationships, which are called neutrality (passive adoration), servitorship, friendship, parenthood, conjugal love, comedy, … Read More
Preface The Nectar of Devotion is a summary study of Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, which was written in Sanskrit by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda. He was the chief of the six Gosvāmīs, who were the direct disciples of Lord … Read More
To the six Gosvamis of Vrindavana nānā-śāstra-vicāraṇaika-nipuṇau sad-dharma-saṁsthāpakau lokānāṁ hita-kāriṇau tri-bhuvane mānyau śaraṇyākarau rādhā-kṛṣṇa-padāravinda-bhajanānandena mattālikau vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau “I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvāmīs, namely, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī … Read More
WHy no AdvAncement? Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja One may ask, “I have been hearing and chanting for many years. I have been carrying out the order of sādhus, gurus, vaiṣṇavas for many years. Why … Read More
