Overlords are meant not to lord it over others, but to lead others over to the Lord
Whenever we get any leadership position, we gain the power to control others. And our ego may impel us to misuse that power to dominate [...]
Gita 07.21 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya So let us look at the [...]
Gita 09.28 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan And Krishna will describe in [...]
Don’t let our desire to use something for Krishna become greater than our desire for Krishna
Don’t let our desire to use something for Krishna become greater than our desire for Krishna Suppose we are driving to meet someone dear to [...]
The test of success in bhakti is taste for bhakti
The test of success in bhakti is taste for bhakti When we practice bhakti, we may wonder, “How do I know if I am progressing [...]
In bhakti we don’t just make the offering – we are ourselves the offering
In bhakti we don’t just make the offering - we are ourselves the offering To connect personally with anyone, we usually offer them something with [...]
Even if we can’t succeed in Krishna consciousness we can fail in Krishna consciousness – not fail out of Krishna consciousness
Even if we can’t succeed in Krishna consciousness we can fail in Krishna consciousness – not fail out of Krishna consciousness When we practice bhakti [...]
The bhakti cure works for sure, for it connects us with the all-pure
The bhakti cure works for sure for it connects us with the all-pure When we are sick and are taking some treatment, we may doubt [...]
Humility is the pathway to Krishna not the password to position in a power structure
Humility is the pathway to Krishna not the password to position in a power structure Some people are humble and submissive in front of their [...]
Maya is not just illusion – it is also the agency that brings about illusion
The word “Maya” is common in yogic philosophy. Though often translated as illusion, Maya is also the agency that brings about illusion. The Bhagavad-gita (07.14) [...]
Devotion makes the head clear and the heart pure
Devotion is essentially the disposition of our heart to love and serve Krishna. And from that devotional desire, all auspiciousness emerges, as the Bhagavad-gita indicates [...]
Don’t relax the treatment just because the symptoms have disappeared
When germs of a deadly disease such as tuberculosis infect us and give rise to manifest symptoms of sickness, we take treatment immediately and diligently. [...]
The heart is a nursery, not a factory
Some critics of bhakti, on seeing how devotees look similar, accuse that the bhakti movement mass-produces cultural clones, as does a factory. However, such a [...]
Essential intention is more important than incidental action
To err is human. Whenever we attempt anything worthwhile, we usually go through failures before attaining success. Even children taking their first steps slip and [...]
Be special above the ordinary, not among the ordinary
We all want to be special. Materialistic culture directs our longing for specialness towards material things. It makes us believe that we will stand out [...]
The heart of knowledge is the knowledge of the heart
Towards the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.64), Krishna announces that he will share the most confidential knowledge (sarva guhyatama). Confidential knowledge (guhya) refers to the [...]
Devotion’s simplicity is the refuge for the empty-handed, not the subterfuge for the close-fisted
The empty-handed refers to those who have very little material resources. So, when they come to Krishna, they come with next to nothing. Yet Krishna [...]
Express devotion by endeavoring for excellence in service
Devotion is a state of the heart – a state of spontaneous inner attraction to Krishna. Yet that state manifests as outer action too, for [...]
Devotion frees us from living life inside a shell
The Bhagavad-gita (02.58) uses the example of tortoise safe inside its shell to recommend that we keep ourselves spiritually safe by withdrawing our senses from [...]
Worry not about falling into illusion – worry about staying in devotion
Serious seekers often worry, “Will I fall back into the illusions of material existence?” Yes, if we keep worrying about falling into illusion. No, if [...]
Devotion centers not on renouncing the material, but on reclaiming the spiritual
Some people ask, “Do I have to renounce everything material to gain devotion?” No – the essence of devotion is reclaiming the spiritual, not renouncing [...]