Questions and Answers in Spiritual Life !!!

What is the secret of success ?

This is the way to advance in spiritual science. One must accept the words of a Guru, to clear the path for spiritual advancement. This is the secret of success. However, one's guide must be a Guru who is actually an unalloyed devotee strictly following the instructions of the previous Acharya without deviation. Whatever the Guru says must be accepted by the disciple. Only then is success certain. This is Vedic system. (Caitanya Carithaamritha, Madhya Leela, 10.17)

How does a pure devotee see tribulations in life ?
A pure devotee of the Lord accepts tribulations as favors from the Lord. Since the Lord is absolute, there is no mundane difference between the two. (Between tribulations and favours). ….(Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.9.17)


What is the glory of devotional service ?

God is great, but devotional service is greater than God because it attracts Him. People who are not in devotional service can never understand what great value there is in rendering service to the Lord. ( Swami Prabhupda Page No.32 in the book Bhakti).

How rare is the 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 any material desire, he still cannot achieve devotional service. And aspiring by oneself alone to achieve devotional service is also not very hopeful, because Krishna does not agree to award devotional service to merely anyone. Krishna can easily offer a person material happiness or even liberation, but He does not agree very easily to award a person engagement in His devotional service. Devotional service can in fact be attained only through the mercy of a pure devotee. ( Swami Prabhupda Page No.26 in the book Bhakti).

How can we enter into devotional service ?

Devotional service is dependent on the mercy of Krishna and His devotees. Unless we surrender to the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to come to the platform of pure devotional service. By his own efforts a bee cannot taste the honey within a bottle. The bottle must be opened by a superior. If the bee simply licks the outside of the bottle, thinking "Now I am tasting honey," then he is in illusion. Similarly, no one can enter into devotional service unless the door is opened by a devotee. . ( Swami Prabhupda Page No.27 in the book Bhakti).

Why should we glorify the devotees before Krishna ?

Radha-Krishna. Radha¢s name is first. Why ? Nobody can be better devotee than Radharani. As soon as Radha¢s name is there, Krishna is more pleased. That is the way. If we glorify the devotees, the character of the devotees, before the Lord, He is more pleased than to glorify Himself, He directly. ( Swami Prabhupda in his satsang on 24^th March, 1969).

Can our fate be changed ?

Fate can be changed by Krishna Consciousness. Krishna says, " I shall give you protection from all the resultant action of your sinful life." That is fate changed. When you surrender to Krishna , He takes charge of squaring up all your sinful activities and their reaction. Surrender to Krishna ; then your fate is changed. ( Swami Prabhupda in his satsang on 28^th November, 1975).

What is the attitude of a pure devotee ?

A pure devotee always thinks himself as not-devotee. If one thinks he is big devotee, that is not good -- thinking that he is first degree. We should not be puffed up. A devotee avoids it -- remaining always in the second degree. Krishna has given everyone something extraordinary, and to serve Krishna with one¢s extraordinary talent means successful life. . ( Swami Prabhupda in his letter to Sukadeva, 17^th March, 1973.)

How a Vaishnava should be ?

When a touchstone touches iron, it turns the iron to gold. Parvata Muni called Narada Muni a touchstone because by his touch the hunter, who was the lowest among men, became an elevated and perfect Vaisnava. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is, that is, by seeing how many Vaisnavas he has made during his life. A Vaisnava should be a touchstone so that he can convert others to Vaisnavism by his preaching, even though people may be fallen like the hunter. (Chaitanya Charithaamrutha, Madhya Leela, 24.277).

Please Chant:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
And make your life sublime !!!