Bhakti Wisdom

As years go on my responsibilities at the temple are constantly increasing. Gone are the days when I was simple pujari doing the worship and using the rest of my time for study and sadhana .

Managing people, sorting issues, dealing with politics, resolving conflicts are just some of the services that I end up doing.

I often ask myself: why am I doing all this? I could have a much simpler life if I wanted. I don’t need all this trouble in my life.

I take my inspiration from Srila Prabhupada and his faithful followers. 

Srila Prabhupad was always very pleased when devotees took extra responsibilities to serve Krishna. Once one senior sannasi complained to Srila Prabhupad that because of so many responsibilities he doesn’t have time to think about Krishna . Srila Prabhupad explained that undergoing all sorts of inconveniences to serve the mission of Lord Caitanya is the mood of our sampradaya. Srila Prabhupada could have stayed in Vrindavan for the rest of his life but he decided to take responsibility to help serve the mission of his spiritual master.

Without taking responsibility and constantly increasing our commitment in devotional life there is very little chance for spiritual advancement. Simply by chanting and reading we will not be able to make much advancement, not at our stage. 

Practical devotional service is extremely important for sadhakas to keep them fully absorbed and this is the best process to make spiritual progress and establish our relationship with Krishna.

Simply by performing devotional service we can receive all necessary knowledge to reach Goloka Vrindavan. All knowledge required will be revealed in the heart if we sincerely endeavor to serve without any other motive.

Find your service and give yourself fully to that without holding back. Once you experience results of your surrender you will naturally want more and this is how your commitment will constantly increase.

Ananta Gopal Das

30.9.2020