Another significant adage to your developing bhajana, is to know what these Mantras mean. Here it is said “this servant”. Even though we are not at the level of pure devotional service yet, we should think that one day we will be. Just like one who is in school studying to be a doctor. Although he may not be a certified doctor now, but because he’s in school, he will become one, so you can already call him a doctor. So in this way we can think of ourselves as one. Like a diamond in the rough.
In the Nectar of Instruction, Text three, which give a list of six things that are favorable for pure devotional service;
1) to be enthusiastic,
2) Endeavoring with confidence,
3) being patient,
4) acting according to regulative principles [such as Sravanam, Kirtanam, Smaranam-hearing, chanting or glorifying and remembering],
5) avoiding non-devotees this can be applied to anyone who is not Krishna conscious, not talking about Krishna, but rather talking trash nonsense talk, off purpose to the goal of life. Who is not like-minded. And
6), to follow in the footsteps of the previous Acaryas.
What is that? Being conscious of their consciousness of Radha Gopinatha! Who are detached to sense objects, who are always engaged in sravanam, kirtanam, smaranam in nama, rupa guna, lila.
The Purport to the sloka found in seventh canto, fifth chapter, twenty-third verse of the Bhagavatam,
“One should accept this opportunity to return home, back to Godhead, very enthusiastically. Without enthusiasm, one cannot be successful. Even in the material world one has to be very enthusiastic in his particular field of activity in order to become successful. A student, businessman, artist or anyone else who wants success in his line must be enthusiastic. Similarly, one has to be very enthusiastic in devotional service.”
Enthusiasm means action, but action for whom? The answer is that one should always act for Krishna— Krishnarthakhila-cesta
(Bhakti-rasamrta- sindhu).
Endeavor executed with intelligence in Krishna consciousness is called utsaha, or enthusiasm. The devotees find the correct means by which everything can be utilized in the service of the Lord (nirbandhah Krishna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate). The execution of devotional service is not a matter of idle meditation but practical action in the foreground of spiritual life.
This is a section of the book “For Their Pleasure”.
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