Swami BB Vishnu: Writings

Our Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya moves in mysterious ways, not easily understandable. This is described by Śrīla Rūpa Goswami as moving like a snake, in a crooked manner, often with hidden purpose. To the trained eye of devotion it is obvious. Although He exists solely for Himself and His own pleasure, His actions are ultimately for our benefit. 

In Caitanya lila, Srimati Radharani has also manifested Herself as Gadadhara Pandit, thus the nature, the lila and especially the mood of service of Gadadhara Pandita in relation to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu mirrors in many ways that of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krsna in Gokula.

A transcendental confluence of guidance & shelter under our affectionate guardians— Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupāda, Śrīla B. R. Śrīdhara Mahārāja, and Śrīla B. P. Purī Mahārāja. Each of these great souls has contributed unparalleled instructions, unlimitedly and indescribably, with great benefit to all members of our mission.

Pure devotional service requires that we offer our body, mind and ātma (soul) for the Lord to use however he wishes or needs. This necessitates being unattached to our service and whether or not it is successful. Our duty is to execute the service faithfully with full enthusiasm and consideration while not being attached to the results nor desiring to receive anything in return.

Kartika in the Vraja-dhama is a very special time for its residents, drawing out their deep devotion and excitement in anticipation of the daily offerings of lamps and the special darshans of its Deities.

Some devotees think that the strict discipline of the orthodox Vaishnava tradition is not meant for this modern permissive society — surely times have changed and we need to embrace a more liberal attitude. But it is just this desire for liberality, permissiveness which has run amok with the rampant expansion of Kali-yuga.

Śrīla Prabhupāda has written that, “Satisfaction of the self realized spiritual master is the secret of success in spiritual life.” In essence, this refers to service that is known to be what the spiritual master desires, wherever and whenever it is performed.

We are very far from the Infinite, yet the simple process of chanting His Holy Name, which is non-different from the Lord Himself, allows us to touch His essence, to experience a closeness with Him and His wonderful pastimes.

Devotional life or Bhakti-yoga is a science which follows very exact guidelines — which are both very easy to follow and at the same time difficult for many, because their feet may be firmly rooted in material desires and sinful activities. Yet the Holy Name chanted purely will pull them out of the muck and propel them into an eternal life of sat, cit and ananda — an eternal life full of knowledge and great pleasure.

We have to earn our position in Vaikuntha by a life or even lifetimes of devotion, purifying ourselves through volumes of service.

Sripada Narasingha Maharaja once mentioned that everything that Srila Sridhara Deva Gosvami Maharaja spoke was like a sutra. There was so much essential substance in each word.