We all live in the hope to improve our current situation. People with material ambitions are working hard to have big houses, expensive cars and go on nice holidays. Students are studying hard with the hope that a diploma will give them an opportunity to get a good job.
Pure bhaktas also live in hope, hope to enter Vraja, and be able to see the divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna. These great souls are ready to sacrifice the comforts of life, give up their families, and completely renounce their previous identity with the hope to reach their goal, eternal service to the Divine Couple.
Everyone can become pure bhakta if he follows the pure process. There are four pillars upon which human society rests. These pillars are mercy, truthfulness, austerity, and cleanliness. Everyone appreciates these qualities. By following the four regulative principles of no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex, we support these pillars and free ourselves from miseries and from causing pain to others. Along with chanting Hare Krishna, following these principles form the basis of Krishna conscious practice.
A sign of serious sadhaka is that he strictly follows four regulative principles and is very careful about how he deals with other Vaisnavas.
Caitanya Caritamrita describes great devotee Kalidasa who was known for always trying to eat remnants of mahaprasada from Vaisnavas . He would personally cook for devotees and offer them a big feast and then beg for their remnants of maha prasad. If devotees would not offer remnants then he would hide and wait for them to finish eating and once they threw away leaf dishes Kalidasa would take leaves and lick up the remnants.
Because of his devotion, he got special mercy from Lord Caitanya who would allow him to drink water that has washed the lord’s feet and he would personally order Govinda to give maha remnants to Kalidasa.
Kalidasa practiced spiritual life internally and was never trying to show others how advanced he was. He would never preach to others or try to instruct devotees. He practiced spiritual life sincerely and always offered respect to all Vaisnavas. He simply followed the process of Krishna consciousness as given by Acaryas and in due course of time he received the mercy of the Lord.
We should never imitate great personalities but we can follow in their footsteps and sincerely practice spiritual life.
Only then we can live in hope that one day we will receive mercy from the Lord.
Ananta Gopal das
12 September 2020
Bhakti Wisdom 
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