Transcript Verses 18 - Vedic University

Srimad Bhagavtam
1.2.18-1.1.21
Invocation prayers
Recap of last week
SB 1.2.18-1.2.21
Session Summary
Smile
References
SB 1.2.4
narayanam namaskrtyam
naram caiva narottamam
devim sarasvatim vyasam
tato jayam udirayet
Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means
of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the
Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-Narayana Rsi,
the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvati, the
goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author.
SB 1.2.18
nasta-prayesy abhadresu
nityaḿ bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by
rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is
troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and
loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised
with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.
Recap
Srila Visvanath Cakraborty Thakura lists fourteen stages of spiritual life. Five
stages
1) Satam Kripa – Mercy of Devotees. It is the first step.
2) Mahat-Seva – Service of devotees
3) Sraddha – Faith
4) Gurupadasrayah – Seeking shelter of a guru
5) Bhajanesu Sprha – Eagerness to worship
So after serving devotees what is next?
Krishna reciprocates and acts within the devotees in such a way that the devotee
may easily go back to Godhead.
Recap
Krishna is Suhrt, our dearmost friend, well wisher and benefactor. He removes abhadrani
or anarthas, inauspiciousness from our hearts. Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
defines the six anarthas
1) Utsaha-Mayi – Enthusiasm indicating pride
2) Ghana-Tarala – Moving unsteadily between diligence and negligence.
3) Vyudha-Vikalpa – Flickering determination.
4) Visaya-Sangara – Ongoing Struggle with sense pleasure
5) Niyamaksama – Inability to improve devotional practices.
6) Taranga-Rangini – Delighting in material facilities that bhakti produces.
What occurs after we become eager to hear, which begins the clearing of the
material desires from the heart?
[SB 1.2.18]
nasta-prayesv abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering
of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart
is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the
Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs,
is established as an irrevocable fact.
Key points

By hearing Srimad Bhagavatam and serving devotees, all inauspiciousness (abhadresu) is
completely (pradyeshu) destroyed (nasta).
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
So nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. Not all cleansed, but praya, say,
seventy-five cleansed. At that time, you become fixed-up in devotional service, naisthiki. There
are different stages of devotional service. That I have explained several times. First of all,
sraddha, sadhu-sanga, bhajana-kriya, anartha-nivrttih syat. When anartha-nivrttih syat, all
unwanted things are finished, at that time, nistha, firm faith. So bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. So, so long there are dirty things, our faith and devotion in Krsna is
not very fixed up, sometimes we deviate, we go away. But then nasta-prayesu, when seventyfive percent of the dirty things are cleansed, then our faith in God becomes fixed up.
Bhagavaty uttama-sloke.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.18, August 21, 1972, Los Angeles
Key points
Nityam Bhagavata Sevya – Remember Bhagavatam at all times. Serve
Bhagavatas at all times.
 Devotee Bhagavata is as good a the book Bhagavata because the
devotee Bhagavata leads his life in terms of the book Bhagavata. So
they are both identical. Bhagavata is a direct representative of
Krishna, of Bhagavan, the supreme personality of Godhead. So by
pleasing a devotee Bhagavata, one can receive the benefit of the book
Bhagavata. E.g Narada muni.
 Message of Bhagavatam has to be received from the devotee
Bhagavata.

The remedy of eliminating all
inauspicious things within the
heart which are considered to
be obstacles in the path of self
realization is the association of
Bhagavatas, namely the book
Bhagavata and the devotee
Bhagavata.
Srila Prabhpada Uvaca
So bhagavaty uttama-sloke bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. That fixed up bhakti is required, not oscillating:
sometimes this side, sometimes that side. So this can be possible, fixed up devotional service, by nityam
bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18], regularly worshiping the bhagavata-grantha and the devotee bhagavata.
Because without hearing about God authentically, how we can fix up? So we should hear, srnvatam svakathah krsnah. Sva-kathah krsnah [SB 1.2.17]. Krsna's word is given by Krsna. Just like Bhagavad-gita.
Sva-kathah means "His own words." So this is bhagavata. And sva-kathah, Srimad-Bhagavatam is also
sva-kathah. The Puranas also, sva-kathah. Because all these books are given by Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is
incarnation of Krsna. So that is also sva-kathah. So we have to hear about Krsna which is given by
Krsna. Bhagavad-gita is given by Krsna, and Bhagavata and other Puranas and Vedic literature given by
Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa. And the method is taught by Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So therefore,
everything is Krsna's. Krsna directly, Krsna as Vyasadeva; Krsna as Caitanya Mahaprabhu devotee.
So we have to follow this. Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda, sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhaktavrnda. Krsna is teaching how to approach Krsna. That is bona fide. We cannot take any other method.
This is the authorized method.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.18, August 21, 1972, Los Angeles
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Prabhupada: So here it is said bhagavata-sevaya, not bhagavan-sevaya. Bhagavan is Krsna, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, and bhagavata means in relation with Bhagavan, who has got
relationship with Bhagavan. So here it is recommended bhagavata-sevaya, not bhagavan-sevaya. The
idea is that you cannot approach Bhagavan, God, directly. That is not possible. First of all, you. have
to serve bhagavata, the devotee bhagavata.
 So the question was, "Which worship is best?" So Lord Siva replied, aradhananam sarvesam visnor
aradhanam param: "My dear Parvati, of all methods of worship, Visnu worship is the topmost."
There are many demigods' worship, even Lord Siva's worship, but Lord Siva says, "Visnu worship is
the best." Then he says again, tasmat parataram devi. "My dear Devi, better than that Visnu worship
is tadiyanam samarcanam." Tadiya. Tadiya means those who are in relationship with Visnu, tadiya.
Just like His devotee, tadiya. Tulasi-vrksa. Tulasi is tadiya. Or temple tadiya. Preaching tadiya.
Tadiyanam samarcanam. This is bhagavata. So Lord Siva recommends that "Of all methods of
worship, Visnu worship is the best, and better than Visnu worship is to worship His devotee or
things in relationship with Him."
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.18, August 21, 1972, Los Angeles

The next 3 stages spiritual development
6) Bhaktih – Bhakti. All good qualities automatically appear in a Bhakta and no separate endeavor is needed.
The cultivation of activities that are meant exclusively for the pleasure of Sri Krsna, or in other words the
uninterrupted flow of service to Sri Krsna, performed through all endeavors' of the body, mind and speech,
and through the expression of various spiritual sentiments (bhavas), which is not covered by jnana (knowledge
aimed at impersonal liberation) and karma (reward-seeking activity), and which is devoid of all desires other
than the aspiration to bring happiness to Sri Krsna, is called uttama-bhakti, pure devotional service.“ (Sri
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11)]
In brief, the meaning of the verse is this: Pure bhakti is the continuous, unbroken cultivation of all activities of the
body, mind, words, and spiritual feelings which are meant exclusively for the benefit of Sri Krsna, which are
completely free from all other desires, and which is not covered by karma (fruitive activities), jnana
(knowledge), yoga, and other things.
"By glorifying the process of Bhakti directly...one is also glorifying the object of devotion, or one is glorifying
Krsna directly. Because bhakti is manifest by the internal potency of Krsna, and the internal potency is nondifferent from the Lord, so the Lord is being glorified."
-- Srila Romapada Swami, 3/13/00 IITD, Bhag. 1.8.33-41
The next 3 stages spiritual development
7) Anarthapagamam – Disappearance of obstacles. Anarthas are Unwanted and dirty things that are
hindrances in our path of bhakti.
Remember to Hate the sin not the sinner. Obstacles are to be conquered.
According to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the Sakatasura demon represents the load carrying mentality. By
that he means we have old habits, bad habits, from this life and previous lives, and we carry that bad
habit mentality with us lifetime after lifetime, moment to moment. Krsna kicks aside that mentality by
His lotus feet. Also, Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the lethargy and dullness of living entities. If we
take shelter of Krsna, and Krsna shows His special kindness, this obstacle on the path of spiritual life
becomes removed by Krsna.
Sakatasura represents bad habits. It required so many stout cowherd men to put the cart together and pile
up all the utensils, but a mere touch of Krsna's lotus feet smashed the cart to pieces and scattered all the
utensils. Similarly, we've been carrying the burden of our bad habits for many lives. With our own
efforts we can not do anything, but by Krsna's mercy our bad habits can be destroyed in a moment. We
feel the load of stuff and don't know what we would do without it. When moving on the path to Krsna,
Krsna relieves us of that sense that we have to carry this heavy load of our bad habits.
-- Adapted from a lecture by Srila Romapada Swami
The next 3 stages spiritual development
8) Tatha Nistha – then Steadiness is acheived.
"When a person develops sraddha (faith), he can think about a subject and understand it,
wheareas one cannot do so without sraddha. Indeed only a person with sraddha can reflect on
anything." -Chandogya Upanishad (7.19.1)
Faith is the unflinching confidence that upon attaining one thing --- Krsna-bhakti --- one is
provided with all other desirable achievements. Absolute faith, unflinching faith, rests in
Krsna-bhakti only. Faith in any other result or any other process will be unavoidably transient
and ultimately disappointing. Attaining this faith rests upon guru-kripa, which includes very
careful guidance and training.
Faith brings intelligence and realization, which fix the mind in undeviating determination. The
medium of cultivation of faith is service -- humble and devoted service. This is KC'ness!
A strong faith that by Krsna consciousness one will be elevated to the highest perfection of life is
called vyavasayatmika intelligence.
Srila Prabhpada Uvaca
So that is required. Tato nistha rucis tatah, athasaktis tato bhavah, sadhakanam ayam premnah
pradurbhave bhavet kramah. Anartha, when the... The same thing is described by Rupa
Gosvami. As it is said here, nasta-prayesu abhadresu. These abhadra, these anartha... Anarthanivrttih syat. Bhakti, when, if one takes seriously to bhakti path, then the test is that he has
given up all nonsense unwanted things. Not that he's a bhakta, and still smoking. He's not a
bhakta. He's not a bhakta. That is the test. So these things are to be noted very carefully, and to
try to associate with devotee. Tandera carana-sebi-bhakta-sane bas. Try to serve the superior
acaryas, Gosvamis. Ei chay gosai janr mui tanr das. Make a conviction, firm determination, that
"We shall follow only the, the path chalked out by the Six Gosvamis. We shall not deviate."
With this determination, if you can go on, everything is clear, and there is no difficulty to
become liberated or become a devotee of Krsna.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.18, October 29, 1972, Vrndavana
So what occurs after a devotee reaches Nistha, steadiness?
[SB 1.2.19]
tada rajas-tamo-bhavah
kama-lobhadayas ca ye
ceta etair anaviddham
sthitam sattve prasidati
As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the
heart, the effects of nature's modes of passion and
ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear
from the heart. Then the devotee is established in
goodness, and he becomes completely happy.
Key points
Normal constitutional position is brahma bhutta or atma-annandi (State of self
satisfaction)
 Devotional Service is not inactivity, but unalloyed activity of the soul.
 Educated non-devotee is dangerous but a devotee is neither foolish nor
passionate.
 A devotee is always qualified by the good qualities of the God.
 In the depth of Krishna Consciousness in which all material desires are
destroyed, the heart plunges in pure goodness (Sudda-Tattva).

Key points
It is difficult to advance under the grip of passion and ignorance.
Passion (Rajas)
Distraction
(Vikespa)
Ignorance (Tamas)
More Negative
Qualities(Adayah)
Anger, Greed,
Envy, Illision.
Sleepiness (laya)
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Because everything is within the heart. We become greedy, we become lusty on account
of distortion of the heart disease, kama. Tada hrdi lobha-kamau apahinoti(?). That is
a heart disease. This kama and lobha is a heart disease. Actually, you don't require
this, but it is a kind of disease. "More and more and more and more and more."
Never satisfied. So we have to cure this disease. And this process, simple process,
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given: ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. To cure
the heart disease of lusty desires and greediness is chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. These are the shastric injunction, and spoken
by personalities like Lord Caitanya and other acaryas.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.19 September 27, 1974, Calcutta
Key points
A vaishnava is already a Brahman. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma [Bg. 18.54].
Devotional
Service.
Prasidati (Fully
Satisfied)
Prasannatma
(Happy)
Mode of
Goodness (Sattva
Guna)
Brahma-Bhuta
Stage
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
But to understand Krsna it will require Krsna's mercy. Without Krsna's mercy... So how you get Krsna's
mercy?
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te [Bg. 10.10]
One can understand Krsna by being constantly engaged in His service. Tesam satata-yuktanam. Not
that weekly once go to the church. No. Twenty-four hours, satata-yuktanam, engaged in Krsna's
service. That is Krsna consciousness movement. We are teaching people how to become twenty-four
hours engaged in Krsna's service. This is our business. We don't allow karma, jnana, yoga. No.
Simply. And that is krsna-bhakti. Jnana-karmady-anavrtam [Madhya 19.167]. There is no question of
jnana and karma. That is not pure bhakti. Pure bhakti means anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmadyanavrtam, anukulyena krsnanusilanam [BRS 1.1.11], simply to serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna
becomes pleased. This is bhakti. This is pure devotion.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.19 September 27, 1974, Calcutta
The next 2 stages spiritual development
9) Ruci – Taste. A heart no pierced by sense objects develops a distaste (Aruchya) for
sense objects.
"Attaining steadiness, devotees perform their devotional activities and take association
with more care. By this, the anarthas are further reduced and steadiness turns to joy
in the Lord's service. This is called ruci (taste). This is the sixth step. With ruci for
Krsna well established, everything else material becomes tasteless.
10)
Atha Asakti – Firm Attachment.
Attachment is only for Krishna, services for Krishna and instructions of the spiritual
master. When a service is done with attachment then we are very careful in
doing it. Material attachment leads to one’s downfall.
Summary – 1.2.19
When (tada) the effects of passion and ignorance (rajas-tamobhavah)—lust,greed, and so on (Kama-lobhadayas ca ye)– no
longer affect us (Ceta eta etir anaviddham), we will become
situated in goodness (Sthitam sattve) and feel fully happy
(Prasidati)
What does a progressive soul experience after asakti?
[SB 1.2.20 ]
evam prasanna-manaso
bhagavad-bhakti-yogatah
bhagavat-tattva-vijnanam
mukta-sangasya jayate
Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose
mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the
Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of
Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association.
Key points

Scientific knowledge of Krishna is only known through devotional service
(Bhakti yoga)

When a qualified Brahamna factually becomes a vaishnava, in the enlivened
stage of liberation he can know what is actually the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.
Brahmana v/s Vaishnava
A Brahmana is one who is firmly situated in the mode of goodness, above the influence of the
modes of passion and ignorance. The character traits of a brahmana are described in the
Bhagavad-Gita (18.42): peacefulness, austerity, simplicity, sense control, cleanliness, honesty,
religiousness - these are the qualities of a brahmana. Literally, brahmana means one who
knows or has realized Brahman. But a brahmana is also under the influence of modes of
nature, since goodness is also one of the material modes
A Vaishnava on the other hand, is imbued with devotion to the Supreme Lord, which is situated
beyond the dutiful platform of religiousness. And by virtue of his devotion to the Personality
of Godhead, a pure vaishnava actually transcends the modes of material nature; by direct
service to the Supreme Lord he is situated beyond the four social orders. An unalloyed
Vaishnava has all the qualifications of a brahmana, yet such a Vaishnava is more than a
brahmana.
The next 4 stages spiritual development
11) Ratih – Fondness.
12) Prema – Devotional love.
The quickest way to achieve prema is to stay in the company of those who know its value.
The association of first-class pure Vaisnavas has the power to evoke prema in an aspirant's
heart
Sadhana-bhakti performed in Krsna's holy dhama is especially conducive to the awakening of
prema.
Prema is not achievable by other methods, such as karma and jnana. Devotees should
therefore disregard those methods and simply busy themselves with the devotional service
of hearing, chanting, remembering, and so on.
Sri Brhat-Bhagavatamrta, Narada Muni explains to Gopa Kumar how to achieve Goloka
Vrndavan, the original spiritual planet in the spiritual sky. Narada's teaching is that to
achieve this most exalted goal two primary qualities are required: matured stages of prema
(love) and dainya (utter humility). One without the other is not even possible; they go
together. Genuine humility enhances ones eagerness to be situated in one's relationship
with Krishna, and vice versa.
The next 4 stages spiritual development
13) Atha Darsanam – Vision, audience. It means to get vision of the Lord and an
audience with the Lord. This can only come after Prema.
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti
We cannot see Krishna without our mundane eyes. We need our eyes tinged with love to see
Krishna, seek Krishna.
14) Harer Madhuryanubhava – Direct experience of Hari’s sweetness. Final Stage.
Summary 1.2.20
By engaging in devotional service one becomes enlivened (PrasannaManasah) and liberated from the association (mutka-sangasya) with
lust and other vices. In this way pure, positive (Suddha-Sattva)
knowlegde (vijnanyam) is manifest (jayate), whereby the Lord
appears in and outside of the heart (without the process of
meditation)
[SB 1.2.21 ]
bhidyate hrdaya-granthis
chidyante sarva-samsayah
ksiyante casya karmani
drsta evatmanisvare
Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all
misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive
actions is terminated when one sees the self as
master.
Key points

krsna surya-sama, maya andhakara,
yahan krsna tahan nahi mayara adhikara
Perfect knowledge is called Parampara or deductive knowledge coming down
from the authority of a submissive aural receiver who is bona fide by service
and surrender.
 Challenge to the supreme and to know him at the same time is not possible.
Mood of surrender is required.
 Seeing the Lord increases our eagerness to serve him. That eagerness
powerfully overrules our feeling of being disqualified for this service.

Key points



Due to enlightenment of transcendental knowledge a devotee is able to
distinguish between spirit and matter. Because of this the knot of spirit and
matter (knot in the heart-hrdaya-granthih) untied by the Lord. This is the
knot of Ahankara or false pride.
Once this knot is loosened all doubts are cleared and one sees his master and
engages himself fully in transcendental loving service of the Lord.
When a soul sees the infallible Supreme personality of Godhead it is called
liberation. Though the soul may reside in the world of birth and death he will
see his original form directly. The soul’s misidentification with external
material body is destroyed.
Srila Prabhpada Uvaca
Just like there is a proverb. The vulture goes very high, three miles, four miles high. It is very difficult for us to
fly, single-handed. But the aim is, "Where is a dead body?" He's looking forward, "Where is a dead body?"
The aim is, not very good. He's looking after some dead corpse to eat. That is his business. But he has
gone very high, four miles high. Similarly, all these so-called rascal scientists, their aim is how to stuck-up
in this knot of material existence, and they are trying to become so many things. You see? Hrdaya-granthi.
Real attachment is here. Just like the hog; the real attachment is the stool. But he's getting very fat, "Oh, I
am so happy." You see? So this is going on. Nature is very clever. Just to make you attached to stool, she
gives you certain body, type of body, hog. You become very pleased: "Oh, I am so happy. I am living in
heaven." Sometimes actually Indra, the king of heaven, he was cursed to become a hog, and he was, he
became hog. He had so many kiddies, wife, and living in filthy place, eating stool. So Brahma came that for
his absence, the management in the heavenly kingdom is not going nice. So he came: "Indra, now please
come with me." "Where shall I go to, sir?" "Heaven." "What is that? I cannot go. I have got responsibility.
I have got my wife, my children, and I am happy here. I do not know what is heaven.“
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.21, August 24, 1972, Los Angeles
Srila Prabhpada Uvaca
krishna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih
kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mulyam ekalam
janma-koti-sukritair na labhyate
So by Krsna consciousness movement, if people take to it seriously and become
advanced... The same process, srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah [SB 1.2.17], simply
hearing about Krsna, as we are doing. Then, gradually, we come to the platform of
goodness, and the lower modes of material nature, namely ignorance and passion,
cannot disturb us. We become situated in goodness. And then, gradually, this stage
comes, evam prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti yogatah [SB 1.2.20]. You become
engladdened, you become joyful, by discharging devotional service. And the knots,
you will be no more interested with this rascal life of material existence. Bhidyate
hrdaya-granthih.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.21, August 24, 1972, Los Angeles
Crucial instruction
Pure devotional service in Krishna
Consciousness cannot be had even by
pious activity in hundreds and
thousands of lives. It can be attained
only by paying one price—that is
intense greed to obtain it. If it is
available somewhere one must
purchase it without delay. (Ramananda
Raya in Cc. Madhya 8.70)







Session Summary
By hearing Srimad Bhagavatam and serving devotees, all inauspiciousness
(abhadresu) is completely (pradyeshu) destroyed (nasta).
By pleasing a devotee Bhagavata, one can receive the benefit of the book
Bhagavata
bhagavata-sevaya, not bhagavan-sevaya
Sva-kathah krsnah-Katha by Krishna should only be heard and read
By devotional service all good qualities automatically appear in a Bhakta and
no separate endeavor is needed.
Devotional Service is not inactivity, but unalloyed activity of the soul.
To cure the heart disease of lusty desires and greediness is chanting Hare
Krsna maha-mantra





Session Summary
A vaishnava is already a Brahaman.
Scientific knowledge of Krishna is only known through devotional service
(Bhakti yoga)
Two primary qualities - matured stages of prema (love) and dainya (utter
humility).
krsna surya-sama, maya andhakara,
yahan krsna tahan nahi mayara adhikara
Liberation is to identify one as the original form directly.
Session Summary (14 Stages of Spiritual Development)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Satam Kripa – The mercy of devotees (Narada Muni – Dhruva and the hunter)
Mahat-Seva - Service to Devotees (Narada Muni to the sages)
Sraddha – Faith (Prahalada Maharaj)
Gurupadaasrayah – Seeking shelter of the guru’s feet (Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Swami)
Bhajanesu Sprha – Eagerness to worship Krishna (Raghunandan)
Bhaktih – Bhakti
Anarthapagamah – Disappearance of obstacles (our own temple building)
Tatha Nistha – Then Steadiness (Ambrish Maharaj)
Ruci – Taste (Prahalada Maharaj)
Atha Asakti – Then firm attachment (Arjuna)
Ratih – Fondness
Prema – Devotional Love
Atha Darshanam – Then vision, audience (Dhruva maharaj)
Harer Madhuryanubhava – Direct experience of Hari’s Sweetness. (Prahalada Maharaj, Gopis,
Sabri)

Preliminary faith (sraddha) is nurtured through the association of saintly persons (sadhu-sanga) to the
point at which one takes to the practices of devotion (bhajana kriya), and then with increased faith one
tries to remove obstacles in the path of devotion (anartha-nvritti). When faith becomes very firm and
fixed (nista), then one gets deeper taste (ruci) and ecstasy (bhava) in spiritual life and at last achieves the
final stage of full blown prema.
Sadhu Sanga
(Assocaiion of
Saintly persons)
Ruci (Deeper
taste)
Bhava (Esctasy)
Bhajan Kriya
(Devotional
Practice)
Faith (Sraddha)
Nista (Firm and
Fixed)
Prema
(Love)
Anartha Nivritti
(Removing of
obstacles)
Smile
Don’t be this….
References

Srimad Bhagavatam – His divine grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami

Unveiling his Lotus Feet by H.G. Bhurijana Das

Iskcon desire Tree
Definition of Pure Bhakti
Comics

www.RomapadaSwami.com
Instructions of the week, Devotional service
Instructions of the week, Obstacles
Meditation 82: Role of faith in devotional service
Instructions of the week, Enthusiasm: Life of Faith
Mediation, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Meditation 195
Inquiries of the absolute, Digest 31A
Meditation 94

www.Prabhupadavani.org (all lecture dates recorded in the quotes)
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare
Chant and be happy.
Serve and associate with the devotees
Love and respect all (even your spouse)
You are encouraged to applause now.
I will not mind or feel offended.
Questions?
All questions and inquiries will be answered in
due course of time by complete faith in the
next set of speakers. Patience is a virtue and
you can start to practice it now 