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Śrī Nāma-sevā in Śrī Dhāma
The holy name (śrī nāma) of Śrī Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual dimension) has descended to this earth, and it is in śrī dhāma that śrī nāma has been deposited. The performance of nāma-sevā does not bestow kṛṣṇa-kāma-sevā, service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s desires, which is the true and ultimate objective, upon one who disconnects oneself from śrī dhāma.
Nāma-bhajana and the Mercy of Śrī Hari, Guru & Vaiṣṇavas
You must put all manner of worldly tasks aside and chant one lakh daily, perform pūjā and arcana of the deity, study various sacred texts, and go to the maṭha to take advantage of hearing śrī hari-kathā. This is the special purpose of Kṛṣṇa’s saṁsāra, Bhagavān’s saṁsāra. Many believe that one lakh (lakṣa) of nāma means setting one’s lakṣya (focus) and chanting. But that is a one-sided notion. Chanting a fixed amount of śrī nāma means chanting with a steady heart, crying and weeping anxiously. One must complete one’s fixed number of rounds in that manner [with absorption].
In the way of Sarasvat Gauḍīya Guru-paramparā the jewel Ācārya– Śrī Śrīla Bhakti Vedānta Vāmana Gosvāmī Mahārāja
A genuine Guru-sevak is surely respectable to me, no doubt in it, because we can discover all the transcendental Qualities of Sri Gurudeva in him—all in applied form. The order of the spiritual master must be obeyed without consideration or hesitation.’
Observing Ūrja-vrata
It is good that you go to Vṛndāvana and other dhāmas every year during the month of Dāmodara to observe Ūrja-vrata. To observe Kārtika-vrata at home is to be rather constrained. “Tīrthe kārtikaṁ kuryāt – one should observe Kārtika in a holy place.” According to this statement of scripture, there is special recommendation to go to a dhāma or tīrtha to observe Dāmodara-vrata.
Krsna and Sudama
They were wet from the rain and were shivering. They contracted such bodily pain and distress in the service of guru. Sandipani Muni embraced them, “You are sat-sisya. This body is very dear to everyone. No one wants to give distress to the body, but you both took such bodily distress and unhappiness for me. “
Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭakam and Cāturmāsya-vrata
During the month of Kārtika, if one performs pūjā (worship) to please Śrī Rādhikā, Dāmodara Śrī Hari becomes pleased, because Ūrjeśvarī Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the presiding deity of this month. The possessor of all potencies, Dāmodara Śrī Kṛṣṇa, does not accept worship without His svarūpa-śakti (intrinsic potency), otherwise known as hlādinī-śakti. Likewise, Śrī Rādhā-devī, that antaraṅga (intimate) or parā-śakti (supreme energy) rejects everything in the absence of Her prāṇanātha (the Lord of Her life).
A short sketch of the life history of His Divine Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Gosvami Maharaja
A short sketch of the life history of His Divine Grace, my spiritual master Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Gosvami Maharaja – Prabhupada-varya, by Shri Shyam Das Babaji Maharaja
Duties of a Married Man
If married men think: ‘I must not give any of my money, which I consider reserved for Krishna, to the poor and deprived”, then they are really showing symptoms of wretchedness, cruelty and lack of compassion for others. They should not consider that giving charity to the poor is a fruitful activity. This kind of mentality shall make their hearts hard and they will suffer of greed. As a result of this they shall not want to spend their money, not even on the devotional service to the Supreme Lord, which is the ultimate goal in life. This will invite offenses in the service.
The Importance of Observing Cāturmāsya-vrata
Cāturmāsya-vrata must certainly be followed by people of all four varṇas and āśramas. Because the rules for this ancient vrata prescribed in scripture are considered difficult, the inclination to follow them is gradually disappearing from the heart of a society that is fond of merriment and leisure.
64 Quotes from Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
1. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions in Sikastakam, “param vijayate Sri-Krishna -Sankirtanam” is the only motto of the Gaudiya math.
2. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer. Everyone and everything else is the object of his enjoyment.