BHAVA-GRAHI JANARDANA: THE SUPREME LORD, ACCEPTS BHAVA, THE ATTITUDE OF SERVICE

   PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR VERY GOOD SERVICE, AND DO NOT FEEL ANY FEELING OF USELESSNESS. It is true that Krishna has given some the opportunity to serve Him by nice writing, some by good business ability, some by nice cooking, and so on, but these various services are all accepted equally by Krishna. ON THE TRANSCENDENTAL PLANE, ONE SERVICE IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF HIGHER OR LOWER. We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased. I hope you are both well.

SB 3.6.33 P       Creation of the Universal Form

   IT IS ACTUALLY BETTER TO BE A SUDRA THAN TO BE A BRAHMANA AND NOT DEVELOP THE SERVICE ATTITUDE, BECAUSE THAT ATTITUDE ALONE SATISFIES THE LORD. Every living being–even if he be a brahmana by qualification–must take to the transcendental service of the Lord. Both Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam support that this service attitude is the perfection of the living entity. A brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra can perfect his occupational duties only by rendering service unto the Lord. A brahmana is supposed to know this fact due to his perfection in Vedic wisdom. The other sections are supposed to follow the direction of the brahmana Vaisnava (one who is a brahmana by qualification and a Vaisnava by action). That will make the entire society perfect in regard to the order of its social construction. A disordered society cannot satisfy either the members of the society or the Lord. Even if one is not a perfect brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra but takes to the service of the Lord, not caring for the perfection of his social position, he becomes a perfect human being simply by developing the attitude of service to the Supreme Lord.

SB 4.30.28 P      The Activities of the Pracetas

   The form of the Lord known as arca-vigraha is an expansion of His unlimited potencies. When the Lord is gradually satisfied with the service of a devotee, in due course of time He accepts the devotee as one of His many unalloyed servants. By nature, the Lord is very compassionate; therefore the service of neophyte devotees is accepted by the Lord. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (9.26):

                    patram puspam phalam toyam

                    yo me bhaktya prayacchati

                     tad aham bhakty-upahrtam

                       asnami prayatatmanah

   “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” The devotee offers eatables in the form of vegetables, fruits, leaves and water to the arca-vigraha. The Lord, being bhakta-vatsala, compassionate upon His devotees, accepts these offerings. ATHEISTS MAY THINK THAT THE DEVOTEES ARE ENGAGED IN IDOL WORSHIP, BUT THE FACT IS DIFFERENT. JANARDANA, THE SUPREME LORD, ACCEPTS BHAVA, THE ATTITUDE OF SERVICE. THE NEOPHYTE DEVOTEE ENGAGED IN THE WORSHIP OF THE LORD MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF SUCH WORSHIP, BUT THE SUPREME LORD, BEING BHAKTA-VATSALA, ACCEPTS HIS DEVOTEE AND IN DUE COURSE OF TIME TAKES HIM HOME.

   In this connection there is a story about a brahmana who was offering sweet rice to the Lord within his mind. The brahmana had no money nor any means of worshiping the Deity, but within his mind he arranged everything nicely. He had gold pots to bring water from the sacred rivers to wash the Deity, and he offered the Deity very sumptuous food, including sweet rice. Once, before he offered the sweet rice, he thought that it was too hot, and he thought, “Oh, let me test it. My, it is very hot.” When he put his finger in the sweet rice to test it, his finger was burned and his meditation broken. Although he was offering food to the Lord within his mind, the Lord accepted it nonetheless. Consequently, the Lord in Vaikuntha immediately sent a chariot to bring the brahmana back home, back to Godhead. Thus it is the duty of every sincere devotee to accept the arca-vigraha at home or in the temple and worship the form of the Lord as advised in authorized scriptures and directed by the spiritual master.

Madhya 3.6  Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’ s Stay at the House of Advaita Acarya

   In connection with this verse, which is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.23.57), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that of the sixty-four items required for rendering devotional service, acceptance of the symbolic marks of sannyasa is a regulative principle. If one accepts the sannyasa order, his main business is to devote his life completely to the service of Mukunda, Krsna. IF ONE DOES NOT COMPLETELY DEVOTE HIS MIND AND BODY TO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, HE DOES NOT ACTUALLY BECOME A SANNYASI. IT IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF CHANGING DRESS. In Bhagavad-gita (6.1) it is also stated, anasritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah. sa sannyasi ca yogi ca: one who works devotedly for the satisfaction of Krsna is a sannyasi. THE DRESS IS NOT SANNYASA, BUT THE ATTITUDE OF SERVICE TO KRSNA IS.

KB 58              Five Queens Married by Krsna

   When Satya, the daughter of King Nagnajit, understood that Krsna Himself had come to marry her, she was very much pleased that the husband of the goddess of fortune had so kindly come there to accept her. She had cherished the idea of marrying Krsna for a long time and was following the principles of austerities in order to obtain her desired husband. She then began to think, “If I have performed any pious activities to the best of my capacity and if I have sincerely thought all along to have Krsna as my husband, then Krsna may be pleased to fulfill my long-cherished desire.” She began to offer prayers to Krsna mentally, thinking, “I do not know how the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be pleased upon me. He is the master and Lord of everyone. Even the goddess of fortune, whose place is next to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Lord Siva, Lord Brahma and many other demigods of different planets always offer their respectful obeisances unto the Lord. The Lord also sometimes descends on this earth in different incarnations in order to fulfill the desire of His devotees. He is so exalted and great that I do not know how to satisfy Him.” She thought that the Supreme Personality of Godhead could be pleased only out of His own causeless mercy upon the devotee; otherwise, there was no other means to please Him. LORD CAITANYA, IN THE SAME WAY, PRAYED IN HIS SIKSASTAKA VERSES, “MY LORD, I AM YOUR ETERNAL SERVANT. SOMEHOW OR OTHER I HAVE FALLEN INTO THIS MATERIAL EXISTENCE. IF YOU KINDLY PICK ME UP AND FIX ME AS AN ATOM OF DUST AT YOUR LOTUS FEET, IT WILL BE A GREAT FAVOR TO YOUR ETERNAL SERVANT.” THE LORD CAN BE PLEASED ONLY BY A HUMBLE ATTITUDE IN THE SERVICE SPIRIT. The more we render service unto the Lord under the direction of the spiritual master, the more we make advancement on the path of approaching the Lord. We cannot demand any grace or mercy from the Lord because of our service rendered to Him. HE MAY ACCEPT OR NOT ACCEPT OUR SERVICE, BUT THE ONLY MEANS TO SATISFY THE LORD IS THROUGH THE SERVICE ATTITUDE, AND NOTHING ELSE.

PQPA 3                 The Real Goal of life

Srila Prabhupada: You’ll understand everything of God–how God is inside, how God is outside, how God is working. Everything will be revealed. BY THIS ATTITUDE OF SERVICE, GOD WILL REVEAL HIMSELF. You cannot understand God by your endeavor. Only if God reveals Himself. For instance, when the sun is out of your sight at night, you cannot see it by your torchlight, or any light. But in the morning you can see the sun automatically. without any torchlight. Similarly, you have to create a situation–you have to put yourself in a situation–in which God will be revealed. It is not that by some method you can ask God, “Please come. I will see You.” No, God is not your order carrier.

SSR 8                  Attaining Perfection

   Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends pure devotional service. There should be no desire to fulfill one’s own material desires, there should be no attempt to understand Krsna by experimental philosophy, and there should be no fruitive activities to derive material benefits from Krsna. The only desire should be to serve Him favorably, as He desires. If Krsna wants something, then we should do it. Suppose I were to ask a disciple, “My dear student, please give me a glass of water.” It is then his duty to give me a glass of water. IF HE THINKS, “PRABHUPADA WANTS A GLASS OF WATER, BUT WHY NOT GIVE HIM SOMETHING BETTER? WHY NOT A GLASS OF HOT MILK?” THAT IS NOT SERVICE. IN HIS CONSIDERATION, HOT MILK IS VERY PALATABLE AND IS BETTER THAN WATER, YET BECAUSE I HAVE ASKED FOR WATER, HE HAS TO GIVE ME WATER, NOT MILK. THAT IS FAVORABLE SERVICE. ONE HAS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT KRSNA WANTS. When there is that intimate relationship, then one can serve Krsna most favorably. And as long as there is not that intimate relationship, one must take information of what Krsna wants through the transparent medium of the spiritual master.

740324mw.bom              Conversations

Prabhupada: So the position is constitutionally I am servant, but at the present moment, being conditioned by the material nature, I am giving service to my senses. Hare Krsna. But if I give service to the master of the senses, Hrsikesa… Because senses, they are not independent. They are also dependent. Suppose I am now moving my hands, but if the master of my hand, Krsna, paralyzes it, no more moving. Neither I can renovate the moving capacity of my hand. Therefore I am not master. Although I am claiming I am master of my hand, master of my leg, but actually I am not. The master is different. Therefore Krsna’s another name is Hrsikesa, master of the senses. Therefore the service should be transferred. HRSIKENA HRSIKESA-SEVANAM BHAKTIR UCYATE. WE HAVE ENGAGED OUR SENSES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES, BUT WHEN WE ENGAGE OUR SENSES FOR THE SERVICE OF THE MASTER OF THE SENSES, THAT IS CALLED BHAKTI. Bhakti is also service, but it is not service to the senses, but it is service to the master of the senses. This is bhakti. So constitutionally I am servant. I cannot become master. I have to serve. So if I don’t serve the master of the senses, then I will have to serve the senses. This is our position.

750327rc.may              Conversations

Prabhupada: Then why you are giving free service? Anyone, all of my disciples, they are qualified. Their service is worth more than any thousands of… Yes. So why you are maintaining Karandhara? All of them, they are giving free service. But they are all worthy to take salary, two thousand, three thousand, five thousand…

Atreya Rsi: Karandhara is only, what he’s getting is only enough for his maintenance.

Prabhupada: That’s all right.

Atreya Rsi: We are being maintained.

Prabhupada: No, no. Maintenance… Here, everyone can earn money and maintain him, but here this expense should be sacrifice. The essential is service.

Hamsaduta: It’s his service…

Prabhupada: Service, yes.

Hamsaduta: It was started for that reason.

Prabhupada: IF WE TAKE PAYMENT, THAT IS NOT SERVICE. THAT IS BUSINESS. THAT IS BUSINESS.

760325mw.del              Conversations

Guru dasa: So if we see people in the world as potential devotees, we should also serve them so they can become good devotees.

Prabhupada: THAT IS NOT SERVICE. THAT IS MERCY. ONE WHO IS POTENTIAL DEVOTEE, TO SHOW HIM MERCY, DEVELOP HIM TO BECOME A DEVOTEE, THAT IS MERCY. THAT IS NOT SERVICE. SERVICE CAN BE RENDERED TO THE HIGHER PERSON. AND TO THE LOWER PERSON YOU CAN SHOW YOUR MERCY.

SB 8.23.2 P  The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

   WHEN VAMANADEVA APPEARED BEFORE BALI MAHARAJA, BALI MAHARAJA IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO OFFER HIM RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF SUKRACARYA AND OTHER DEMONIAC ASSOCIATES. THE LORD IS SO MERCIFUL, HOWEVER, THAT ALTHOUGH BALI MAHARAJA DID NOT ACTUALLY OFFER OBEISANCES BUT ONLY ENDEAVORED TO DO SO WITHIN HIS MIND, THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD BLESSED HIM WITH MORE MERCY THAN EVEN THE DEMIGODS COULD EVER EXPECT. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (2.40), svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: “Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IS KNOWN AS BHAVA-GRAHI JANARDANA BECAUSE HE TAKES ONLY THE ESSENCE OF A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE. IF A DEVOTEE SINCERELY SURRENDERS, THE LORD, AS THE SUPERSOUL IN EVERYONE’S HEART, IMMEDIATELY UNDERSTANDS THIS. THUS EVEN THOUGH, EXTERNALLY, A DEVOTEE MAY NOT RENDER FULL SERVICE, IF HE IS INTERNALLY SINCERE AND SERIOUS THE LORD WELCOMES HIS SERVICE NONETHELESS. THUS THE LORD IS KNOWN AS BHAVA-GRAHI JANARDANA BECAUSE HE TAKES THE ESSENCE OF ONE’S DEVOTIONAL MENTALITY.

681206BG.LA                  Lectures

Prabhupada: Yes. And have meeting. On Love Feast day, supply them Krsna prasadam. Invite some prominent gentlemen to preside over, to become our chief guest. And in this way make propaganda. And put signboards all through the street with electric light, make the gardens very nicely. This is service. Now you have got the chance to serve. Do it. Here is a chance. We are… Whether a man understands Krsna philosophy or not, we don’t care for it. Of course, if he understands, it is a great pleasure for us, but we are working on behalf of Krsna, on behalf of Lord Caitanya. That should be our philosophy. DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE WHOLE DAY YOU WORK, YOU GOT NO COLLECTION, AND NOBODY WAS INTERESTED IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS. NO. DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED. YOU HAVE WORKED SINCERELY THE WHOLE DAY, THAT IS YOUR CREDIT. THAT’S ALL. THAT’S YOUR CREDIT. KRSNA WILL SEE, BHAVA-GRAHI-JANARDANA. KRSNA WANTS TO SEE THAT HOW MUCH YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR VALUABLE LIFE AND ENERGY FOR KRSNA. THAT’S ALL. DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED THAT MANY MEN ARE NOT COMING HERE OR WE ARE VERY POORLY PUSHING ON. NEVER MIND. Whatever Krsna has given us, chance, let us utilize it. Now here is a chance, Krsna has given us. We were searching after a place. Now I think you have got the best place. Better than that storefront or better than that Mel… What is called?

Devotees: Melrose.

Prabhupada: Melrose Avenue upstairs. It is very nice. So you organize it and let us see what Krsna does. There is no question of disappointment. Yes?

69-05-25.Man          Letter: Mandali Bhadra

   I am writing to Ananda also, and you may kindly hand over to him the letter enclosed herewith. Ananda has good experience, and you also have seen how we worship the Deities in the temple and offer prasadam, so you may kindly follow in the same way. But in everything we do devotion and sincerity are the real things. THERE IS A WORD IN SANSKRIT; BHAVA GRAHI JANARDANA: THIS MEANS THE LORD ACCEPTS SERVICE IN DEVOTIONAL EMOTION. IF WE ARE SINCERE IN OFFERING SOMETHING TO THE LORD IN DEVOTIONAL LOVE, HE WILL ACCEPT IT. THE PROCEDURE MAY NOT BE VERY RIGHT, BUT THE DESIRE BEING SINCERE, HE ACCEPTS OUR OFFERING. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita that He accepts foodstuffs from devotees because they are offered to Him in complete love and affection. That is required.

740217mw.bom              Conversations

Dr. Patel: No man can become like an Aurobindo again. Very great man. A politician, a saint, and what not. And a great rushi. He is a rushi. I consider him as a rushi.

Prabhupada: Who?

Dr. Patel: Aurobindo.

Prabhupada: Rushi?

Dr. Patel: A modern rushi.

Prabhupada: What is that rushi?

Dr. Patel: Rushi…

Prabhupada: Oh, rsi, yes.

Dr. Patel: You call it “rsi” and we call it “rushi.” that is the difference in pronunciation.

Prabhupada: Just like the Oriyas. they call “Krushna.”

Dr. Patel: “Krushna,” yes. They cannot even say Krsna.

Prabhupada: They cannot say, “Krsna;” they say, “Krushna.”

Dr. Patel: We call, “Kreshna.” We call “Kreshna,” you call, “Krsna,” they call, “Krushna.” These are different… We call, “rushi.”

Prabhupada: YES. BHAVA-GRAHI JANARDANA. BUT KRSNA CAN UNDERSTAND WHO IS ASKING FOR HIM. (laughter)

Adi 1.35               The Spiritual Masters

    The SERVICE of the spiritual master IS ESSENTIAL. IF THERE IS NO CHANCE TO SERVE THE SPIRITUAL MASTER DIRECTLY, A DEVOTEE SHOULD SERVE HIM BY REMEMBERING HIS INSTRUCTIONS. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPIRITUAL MASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SPIRITUAL MASTER HIMSELF. IN HIS ABSENCE, THEREFORE, HIS WORDS OF DIRECTION SHOULD BE THE PRIDE OF THE DISCIPLE.

681129BG.LA                  Lectures

Prabhupada: YES. THIS IS THE SIGN, CHARACTERISTICS OR SYMPTOMS OF A PERSON WHO IS GOING TO BE LIBERATED IN THIS LIFE. HE HAS TO DO HIS DUTY. SO FAR WE ARE CONCERNED, WE HAVE ACCEPTED KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS DUTY, SO WE HAVE TO EXECUTE OUR DUTIES FAITHFULLY AND SERIOUSLY. THEN IT IS SURE KRSNA WILL GIVE US THE DESIRED RESULT. A nice example is given. Just like a girl is married to a boy. Generally, girls desire a child. So if she, after the marriage, if she immediately wants a child, that is not possible. But because she is married, and if she serves faithfully her husband, her husband is pleased and there is love, in due course of time, there will be child. Why there is hesitation? There will be child. Similarly, we have taken to Krsna consciousness. If we discharge our duties faithfully, then in due course of time, Krsna will give the desired result. Don’t be hesitant. Don’t be doubtful. It is sure. Krsna says that tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya. Anyone who is in Krsna consciousness perfectly, for him, after leaving this body, he’s coming to Me. This is His assurance. So we haven’t got any doubt, Krsna has assured. So let us do our duty perfectly, as far as possible. We cannot execute anything perfectly in presence of Krsna because He is infinite, we are finite. Our energy, our talent, everything is finite. BUT IF WE TRY OUR BEST, THEN BHAVA-GRAHI-JANARDANA. KRSNA SEES ONLY HOW MUCH SINCERE I AM, HOW MUCH SINCERELY I’M EXECUTING THE DUTIES ENTRUSTED UPON ME. THAT’S ALL. Otherwise it is not in our power to serve Krsna perfectly. That is not… Because we are very teeny. BUT BE ASSURED THAT THE DESIRED RESULT WILL COME IF WE ACT SINCERELY TO THE POINT. YES.