A Good Receiver

by His Divine Grace Shrila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Deva Goswami Maharaj

Actually we are discussing in this meeting, so many devotees are seated here and we are discussing something about the pastimes of Krishna and which way we can proceed there, this is the topic of our discussion.

First we must make ourselves ready as a good receiver then we can proceed. First it is necessary to make ourselves into a good receiver. Actually Shrila Guru Maharaja told me, I asked that question to Guru Maharaja, in the Scripture it is written that raga marga (spontaneous devotion) is a very rare thing and within vidhi marga (regulated devotion) we will not get the inspiration of raga marga anyway. But Krishna lila when it was revealed in this material world, at that time so many real searchers they were attracted by that lila and they followed the process that Kaviraj Goswami gave in Chaitanya-Charitamrita: Who will take the mood of devotion of the Braja vasis and who has too much attraction and too much hankering, they can join within that process.

But here there is some difficulty for us, we are materialists. What we will try to follow that will go in sahajyaism and that is like garbage. Then which way can we follow that? Guru Maharaja said, "Yes it is true." Then, under guidance of a spiritual master who is himself liberated and too much service full to Radha-Krishna, under their guidance if we will try to proceed then we can go to our destination, but before that it is necessary to keep faith.

We must be faithful. And the association of the raga marga devotee will give some directives and direction to us. We must follow that. Through that we can make ourselves very clean. Our attachment will increase through their association. That is called bhajanakriya. Gradually all anartha, all undesirable impurities will go out from us. Because we are always suffering from kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed) etc., within that jurisdiction we cannot do anything good for us or for others. Especially in the kama, the lust. Krishna lila is full of lust and if you want to enter there you must first, you must become free from lust.

That is only possible if you get a taste under guidance of a good spiritual master. Your bhajanakriya will increase under his guidance. Your anartha will disappear; your nishtha, firmness will increase - and more and more increase. Taste will be inconceivably increased in Krishna lila. Then automatically the lust, what is called in this material world kama, it will disappear. And you will be clean and can join with your clean form in Radha-Krishna's pastimes.

This type of topic and discussion is going on today with the devotees. Anyhow it is a clue, Guru Maharaja has given us up to ruchi. If super taste we will get, we not will fall down anyway; but up to that, there is the possibility to fall down from that divine level. There are so many levels but up to ruchi there is the possibility to fall down in this material world. That means mundanity. First it is necessary to remove our mundanity then the transcendental service mood will come, what is called pure devotion to Krishna. That will appear from the top to bottom of my body. And my time, my all existence, my all activity eagerly will be engaged for the service to Lord Krishna. Then there is no space for any mundane activity. What can I say more? Jai Shri Guru Maharaj. Jai Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Near Rome, Italy

August 22, 1999