Also in the Nectar of Devotion, I found it to be said 58 times to associate with pure devotees, or advanced devotees. So where are they at? They are in the books. Srila Prabhupada says in His books to read the literatures of the previous Acaryas,
”It is necessary, therefore, for the serious students of Srimad-Bhagavatam to follow the notes and comments of the great acaryas like Jiva Gosvami and Visvanatha Cakravarti.”
(Nectar of Devotion 3.4.28, purport)
“Srila Rupa Gosvami and his assistants, under the instructions of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, have all written various literatures for the guidance of prospective devotees, and anyone who is very serious about raising himself to the standard of a pure devotee of the Lord must take advantage of those literatures.”
(3.7.39 purport)
“Sri Sanatana Gosvami Prabhu, the teacher of the science of devotional service, wrote several books, of which the Brhad-bhagavatamrta is very famous; anyone who wants to know about the subject matter of devotees, devotional service and Krishna must read this book”.
The purport goes on to mention:
“Srila Rupa Gosvami is described as the bhakti-rasacarya, or one who knows the essence of devotional service. His famous book Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu is the science of devotional service, and by reading this book one can understand the meaning of devotional service. Another of his famous books is the Ujjvala-nilamani. In this book he elaborately explains the loving affairs and transcendental activities of Lord Krishna and Radharani.”
(Caitanya Caritamrita Adi lila 5.203 purport)
And in the Krishna Book, we find:
“Those in the most exalted position of devotional service and ecstasy can live with Krishna always by remembering His pastimes. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has given us a transcendental literary work entitled Krishna-bhavanamrta, which is full with Krishna’s pastimes. Exalted devotees can remain absorbed in Krishna-thought by reading such books. Any book of Krishna-lila, even this book, Krishna, or our Teachings of Lord Caitanya, is actually solace for devotees feeling separation from Krishna.”
(Chapter 46)
“There are many books giving proper guidance for achieving Lord Krishna and the following are mentioned: Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja’s Sri Govinda-lilamrta, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti’s Sri Krishna-bhavanamrta and Sankalpa-kalpadruma, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sri Gauranga-smarana-mangala. (11.15.26, purport)
Actually going to Vrindavana involves taking shelter of the six Gosvamis by reading the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Vidagdha-madhava, Lalita-madhava and the other books that they have given. In this way one can understand the transcendental loving affairs between Radha and Krishna.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Adi lila 8.31,pur.)
The association with the Pure devotees in person will manifest as the bhava develops in the heart. And this will come as the prayers intensify for the Prayojana, the Goal!
This is a section of the book “For Their Pleasure”.
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