Swami B.R. Sridhar

Ramananda Raya then said, jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva: “It is a very difficult thing to cross the charm of knowledge.” We think, “I want to understand everything first, and then I shall act.” Calculation and an underlying suspicion is there. Before we act, we want to know everything fully; only then will we risk our capital. The ego, the “I” is very strong, and he wants to have an account of his loss and gain. He thinks, “I am the master. The key is in my hand, I want to test everything, I want to know it all. I know what is good for me.” So, we think ourselves masters, not servants, and from the position of a master we make our inquiry.

We have left all social concerns and so many other shackles. For what? For the Absolute Truth. And wherever I shall find that, I must bow down my head. And if a great soul shows us, “This is the path to where you will find your thirst quenched. The line is in this zigzag way”, we must accept that for our own interest. We are worshippers not of form, but of substance. If the current of spiritual substance comes another way, but I think that I must try to go this way to reach my goal, it is only jealousy, blind tenacity, to stick to the physical thing. We must free ourselves from this material contamination and try to understand the value of spiritual truth. We should always be prepared for that. We must follow what is necessary, for our own interest.

According to the preacher’s intensity and purity of realization, their preaching of hari-katha may be of many types. The mahā-bhagavata, madhyama-bhagavata, kaniṣṭha-bhagavata may talk about Hari, but there is a great difference in the deepness of their conception and commitment.

His loving devotion to Sri Krishna, his dedication to Sri Gaura-Nityananda’s marvellous Pastimes, His self-manifest faith in the devotional siddhanta of the best of the Rupanugas—Srila Bhakti Vinod and Srila Saraswati Thakur, His joy in the sadhu’s association, his mad endeavours to serve Sri Guru, his unconquerable conviction to serve, his lightning bolt-like firmness towards the wicked, his flower-like gentleness towards the good-natured, his sincere behaviour, his impeccable moral life, his melted-hearted compassion for the unfortunate, his natural courage, his eloquence in the assemblies of sadhus—this great soul’s unlimited qualities, having assembled within his supramundane character, are brightening and blessing this world, the field of his campaign.

Through Krishna consciousness we have connected with the highest object of life, the highest fulfillment of life—what price are we ready to pay for that? It is inconceivable. Whatever little demands may be expected from us, we must accept with a smiling face, considering the highest goal. If we are really confident, if we have faith in our bright future, then we can gladly pay what little price nature wants to take from us.

In spite of daily hearing the warning bells of the thunderous declarations from Sri Gaudiya Matha and witnessing all kinds of endeavors by the matha residents to instill and nurture within our hapless sick minds the seeds of nectarean hari-katha, and endeavoring to establish a loving connection with God – still there is a gulf of difference between that which we are knowingly rejecting in favor of some other illusory charm!

amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ We should take resort to kīrtan always, but Mahāprabhu recommends that our attitude should be such: tṛṇād api sunīcha, taror api sahiṣṇu, amānī mānada. It is generally upwards, all towards high. Our attitude will be humble,...

By Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaja, from the article “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear to Tread” There are many things below, but the charm and reasonableness of the higher plane, that is enough to convince a person to come this side, and these high Lilas should be left...

Transcribed from an informal talk at Nabadwip Sri Caitanya Sarasvata Matha on 13th March, 1981. "Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, preached exclusively this Madhurya-rasa, but with great precaution. What is not that thing, he used perhaps 90% of...