When I think that I’m veering from the strict no-nonsense, single pointed endeavor to be exclusively fixed upon the highest spiritual goal, namely becoming a manjari of Smt. Vrinda devi, I become very concerned and I begin to pray,
“O my dearest Srila Prabhupada, who has taken me by the hand to the lotus feet of Sri Nitai, who picked me up from a cave in the Ozarks (name of the mountains in the state of Missouri in the U.S.) and gave me the training and influence to become a pure devotee of Radhika Madhava (Kisora Kisori). Then you showed me by Your sweet, but seriously, on purpose example of the sober understanding the need to be a devotee. Srila Prabhupada, You then left giving us homework assignments, to further our devotion with the essential information in Your books.
Somehow, Your message and the message of Gauranga and the whole Gaudiya Sampradaya is to develop love and pure devotion to Priya Priyatamas highest most blissfull pastimes of Their love affairs in the Kunjas of Sri Vraja Dhama has been put to the side. But this home-work is for all of us. To understand that You simply left the toilet room and are waiting for us in the living room where the party is.”
That our real service to Srila Prabhupada is our eternal service under Him in His and our eternal forms engaging in our eternal Seva of assisting the Gopis in making tasteful arrangements for Radhika Madhava’s eternal pastimes. It’s not the pretentious service of building big temples, having a nice religious society. That’s there too, but it’s not the end–all, nor the priority.
These are our engagements while we cultivate pure hearing, chanting and remembering constantly the names, forms, qualities and pastimes of Vraja Lila. Pure meaning that these processes of Bhakti done in consciousness to only satisfy our Lover and Beloved, not for purification, or knowledge, nor for any lesser or mundane motivation. Serving Srila Prabhupada as our Sakhi Guru is our eternal occupation.
“You haven’t left, You’re just merely waiting for us on the other side.”
Our business is to serve Priya Priyatam under You as Manjaris with Bhavollasa Rati. It seems so clear that this is what our duty is to finish our business and to get out. Our physical service is temporary and only practice for real, loving devotional service, which is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge. We serve the mission but in a detached mood, knowing by hearing, chanting, remembering constantly nama, rupa, guna, lila, the scriptures of our Rasika Acarayas.
Their instructions, Mahaprabhu’s instructions, Sri Krishna’s instructions (Bhagavad-gita 18- 65-66)! Give up every thing and become a pure Madhurya Manjari devotee for pleasing Srila Prabhupada, Gaura Nitai, the Guru Manjari Sampradaya and the Lotus feet of Sri Sri Priya Priyatam!
This is a section of the book “For Their Pleasure”.
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