Reciting Notable prayers According to great learned scholars, the whole Bhagavad-gītā contains many authorized prayers, especially in the eleventh chapter, where Arjuna prays to the universal form of the Lord. Similarly, in the Gautamīya-tantra all the … Read More
RENDERING SERVICE TO DEVOTEES In the Padma Purāṇa, there is a nice statement praising the service of the Vaiṣṇavas, or devotees. In that scripture Lord Śiva tells Pārvatī, “My dear Pārvatī, there are different methods of … Read More
RESIDING IN MATHURĀ In the Varāha Purāṇa there is a statement praising the residential quarters of Mathurā. Lord Varāha tells the men of earth, “Any person who becomes attracted to places other than Mathurā will certainly … Read More
CHAPTER TWELVE Further Aspects of Transcendental Service HEARING THE REVEALED SCRIPTURES According to Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, any book that gives enlightenment in the matter of advancing in devotional service is considered to be revealed scripture. Śrīla … Read More
BEING A SURRENDERED SOUL In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa there is the following statement about self-surrender: “My dear Lord, a person who has surrendered himself unto You, who is in firm conviction that he is Yours, and who … Read More
PERFORMING ALL ENDEAVORS FOR KṚṢṆA In the Nārada Pañcarātra there is a statement of how one can act in all spheres of life for the satisfaction of the Lord. It is stated there that a person … Read More
OFFERING A FAVORITE ARTICLE In the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, eleventh chapter, verse 41, Lord Kṛṣṇa tells Uddhava, “My dear friend, if someone offers Me the best thing in his possession, or anything which is very … Read More
OFFERING A FAVORITE ARTICLE In the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, eleventh chapter, verse 41, Lord Kṛṣṇa tells Uddhava, “My dear friend, if someone offers Me the best thing in his possession, or anything which is very … Read More
SURRENDERING EVERYTHING TO THE LORD Regarding complete self-surrender, there is a nice description in the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, twenty-ninth chapter, verse 34, where the Lord says, “A person who has completely surrendered unto Me and … Read More
DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IN FRIENDSHIP Devotional service in friendship can be divided into two categories: the first is to act as the confidential servant of the Lord, and the other is to act as the well-wisher of … Read More
CHAPTER ELEVEN Aspects of Transcendental Service: SERVITORSHIP In the opinion of the karmīs (fruitive workers), offering the results of karma is called servitorship. But according to Vaiṣṇava ācāryas like Rūpa Gosvāmī, servitorship means constant engagement in … Read More
MEDITATION To meditate means to engage the mind in thinking of the form of the Lord, the qualities of the Lord, the activities of the Lord and the service of the Lord. Meditation does not mean … Read More
MEDITATION To meditate means to engage the mind in thinking of the form of the Lord, the qualities of the Lord, the activities of the Lord and the service of the Lord. Meditation does not mean … Read More
REMEMBRANCE Some way or other, if someone establishes in his mind his continuous relationship with Kṛṣṇa, this relationship is called remembrance. About this remembrance there is a nice statement in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa, where it is … Read More
EXPECTING THE LORD’S MERCY In the Tenth Canto, fourteenth chapter, verse 8, it is said, “My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on … Read More
CHAPTER TEN Techniques of Hearing and Remembering HEARING The beginning of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service is hearing, in Sanskrit called śravaṇam. All people should be given the chance to come and join devotional parties so … Read More
OBSERVING ĀRATI AND CELEBRATIONS OF THE LORD In the Skanda Purāṇa there is the following description of the result of seeing ārati (worship) of the Deity: “If someone sees the face of the Lord while ārati … Read More
SEEING THE DEITY In the Varāha Purāṇa there is a statement praising the seeing of the Deity of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the temple. A devotee says there, “My dear Vasundharā, any person who goes to Vṛndāvana … Read More
TOUCHING THE DEITY In the Viṣṇu-dharmottara there is a statement about touching the lotus feet of the Lord. It is said, “Only a person who is initiated as a Vaiṣṇava and is executing devotional service in … Read More
