greatest?

[Guest guest]

Prabhupada: (to Patel) You are santa-bhakta.

Dr. Patel: Am I?

Prabhupada: Santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, and madhurya.

Dr. Patel: Madhurya-bhakta is the best. Like gopis. But that is very

difficult to be.

Prabhupada: No, best, it is just one's conception, you see? Otherwise, all

are best. All are best. But santa-bhaktas do not take Krsna very intimately.

Dr. Patel: (laughs) You are... You take me below the belt.

Prabhupada: Yes, santa-bhakta means the bhakta who appreciates the greatness

of the Supreme, but does not take Krsna as very intimate. That is

santa-bhakta.

Dr. Patel: How can, ah, can you imagine God without taking Him very

intimately? These are two, I mean...

Prabhupada: No, no. Just like... Intimately... Just like I can give this

example, that you have got a great regard for me, but not as intimately as

my other disciples.

Dr. Patel: Ah, that is possible. Because I am, I have not put on the order

clothes.

Prabhupada: This example is, I think, proper.

Dr. Patel: (laughs)

Prabhupada: They have sacrificed their life for me.

Dr. Patel: That's right.

Prabhupada: But you have got regard for me, but you cannot sacrifice your

life for me.

Dr. Patel: You are trying to tempt me, sir, but I don't think it will be for

that. I will not be turned away. I've got my duty to do toward my family.

(laughing)

Prabhupada: No, no. This is, this is the stage of santa-bhakta. I am

explaining santa-bhakta.

Dr. Patel: I can understand you. You... (laughs)

Prabhupada: No, no, it is according to sastra, santa. There are the

different types of mellows, variety mellows. (aside:) Hare Krsna. santa,

dasya, sakhya... I do not say that you become my disciple. I don't say that.

Dr. Patel: I am your disciple in all respects. I should not put on your,

these clothes and come and do all the...

Prabhupada: No, no, no. That is not our program. That is not our program. We

do not ask anyone to change his cloth, never. I never ask them to change his

cloth, or change his position. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's philosophy.

Dr. Patel: That's right. We, we always... We always consider a guru in the

form of God. God comes to you in the form of a guru.

Prabhupada: That is... That we also accept.

Dr. Patel: And that is the way I was... I mean, I love you, treat you as

such and worship you.

Prabhupada: Yes.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- February 17, 1974, Bombay