Lessons From Guru: Srila Prabhupada, Our Impetus to Serve

Krsnanandini-devi dasi

 In the Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu (The Ocean of the Nectar of Devotion), Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada has delineated five main items as being impetuses for devotional service to Krsna:

1. Krsna's causeless mercy

2. The dust of His lotus feet

3. Krsna prasadam

4. Sri Krsna's wonderful, divine qualities arnd characteristics

5. Association with His devotees

Just one moment's association with a pure devotee is sufficient to cause spiritual advancement in this life and the next. Imagine how fortunate are those persons who personally served and associated with Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the universal guru who appeared on this earth in 1896 and disappeared in 1977!!! Yet for those who are sincere and serious, Srila Prabhupada is very much available and accessible through his books, tapes and his disciples who have with great dedication taken upon the cause of our beloved gurudeva.

"He reasons ill who say Vaisnavas die,

When thou art living yet in sound,

Vaisnavas die to live, and living,

Spread the Holy Name around." (Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura)

The spiritual master's potency exists in his instructions (vani) even greater than in his physical presence (vapu). Bhaktivedanta means one who is realized in bhakti (devotion to Krsna) and knowledge (vedanta). Let us all try to follow Srila Prabhupada's instructions and be a part of his grand mission to distribute pure love of Krsna (the Supreme Personality of Godhead). In this way, we will have potent association with Srila Prabhupada and great impetus to advance in devotional service to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.