krishna/articles/2010/051

What follows is is three short things from Prabhupada which clearly explain the most basic aspect of devotional service-namely HOW to approach God. His answers are clear to the clear headed-one has to offer all to Guru FIRST, Not to God first--which is wrongly being done all over the world these days in certain "temples" of RadhaKrsna. Even Jesus Christ has said "only thru me can the father be reached"--I guess some have forgotten even this general guru principle instruction as well.

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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►710215SB.GOR Lectures

Prabhupada: Not a special plate. The process is that whatever we offer to the Deity, that is offered to guru. And guru offers to his guru. In this way goes to Krsna. We don't directly offer Radha-Krsna. No. We have no right. Neither He accepts in that way. The pictures of the acaryas, why there are? Actually, one has to offer the plate to his guru, and he'll offer his guru, he offers his guru, his guru. In this way it will go to Krsna. That is the process. You cannot directly approach Krsna or other subordinates to Krsna. That is not possible.

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(The Original Guru-Nityananda Prabhu)

730905BG.LON Lectures

... please Radharani..." Radharani is presented, the original pleasure potency, always absorbed in thought of Krsna. So anyone who comes before Radharani to serve Krsna, oh, She becomes so pleased, "Oh, here is a devotee of Krsna." She immediately recommends, "Krsna, oh, here is a devotee. He is better than Me." This is Radharani. I may be a, not devotee. I may be most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krsna through Radharani, then my business is successful. Therefore we should worship Radharani first. That is our business. Instead of offering directly one flower to Krsna, you just put it in the hands of Radharani: "My mother Radharani, Jagan-mata, if you kindly take this flower and offer it to Krsna." "Oh," Radharani says, "Oh, you have brought a flower?" Krsna said, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati, but don't offer Krsna directly. Just offer through Radharani. It will be very much appreciated by Radharani.

(this is the system to approach God--not directly, but THRU His devotees, starting with Guru)

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(Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)

►740528SB.ROM Lectures

So this is the parampara system. As you receive knowledge step by step... Narayana, Krsna, instructed Vyasadeva. Brahma, Brahma instructed Narada. Narada instructed Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva instructed his disciple Madhvacarya. In this way we have to go through also, in the same way. First of all, offer respect to the spiritual master, as he has done to Sukadeva Gosvami. Tam vyasa-sunum upayami gurum muninam. So then his spiritual master, then his ... then his spiritual master, then his spiritual master, his spiritual master, his spiritual master--ultimately Krsna. This is the process. Don't try to approach Krsna directly, jump over. That is useless. As you receive knowledge through the steps, parampara system, similarly, we should approach Krsna through these step.

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710818SB.LON Lectures

Revati-nandana: So sometimes the spiritual master is far, far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg temple. He thinks, "How will the spiritual master be pleased?"

Prabhupada: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.

Revati-nandana: And Krsna knows that; therefore we make advancement. He is sitting in our heart. He knows what we're doing. So He sees, "He's serving My pure devotee," immediately there is advancement.

Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual master..., Krsna is not limited. It is not material. You can associate with Krsna and the spiritual master in any circumstance......