Guest guest Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 12. How should we live at home? "Proper association with exalted, swanlike personalities destroys our qualification for falling into the dark well of material life. If we associate with liberated souls, we will be qualified to become spiritual householders. Those who do not associate with bhägavatas to discuss the Bhägavata, knowing the two to be nondifferent, will never find fortune in household life. It is good for devotees to live at home, because it allows them to peacefully worship Lord Hari. Such peace, however, is not available to those who are too attached to household life, who are gross materialists. It is important to enter family life resolved to serve Kåñëa. This resolution is far superior to practicing false, monkey renunciation. False renunciation will not help one attain the ultimate goal of life. One should enter family life only if it is favorable for the execution of devotional service to Hari. If family life is unfavorable, it is a dark well and should be rejected. If one becomes detached from family life just to display his expertise in false renunciation, he will not benefit. Immature renunciants soon fall down. Association with the Lord's devotees destroys materialism. Those who enter family life only to satisfy worldly morality will become absorbed in materialism. Just as the Lord's devotee must accept the renounced order, he is also required to enter household life. Family life is favorable for devotees, because when a devotee enters family life, he enters a temple. For a devotee, there is no difference between entering household life and entering renounced life. However, household life is unfavorable for nondevotees. There is a huge difference between attached materialists entering household life and the household life of a devotee. Because a devotee enters family life only to favorably cultivate Kåñëa consciousness, he should remain aloof from bad association and idle talk. He should faithfully execute the limbs of bhakti-his hearing and chanting-with enthusiasm, confidence, and patience. A householder devotee must serve Hari, guru, and the Vaiñëavas, chant the Lord's holy name, associate with devotees, and hear hari-kathä. If all his endeavors are aimed at satisfying Kåñëa, he will attain good fortune." >From Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Amrta Vani, an upcoming book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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