Reading newspapers and hearing about Krsna

[Guest guest]

Reading newspapers means to clutter the mind with volumes of useless

information. The same time could be used to acquire knowledge of the

spiritual world by reading transcendental literature.

 

As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam:

 

When people properly glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply

hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses

away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a

powerful wind drives away the clouds.

 

Words that do not describe the transcendental Personality of Godhead but

instead deal with temporary matters are simply false and useless. Only those

words that manifest the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord are

actually truthful, auspicious and pious.

 

Those words describing the glories of the all-famous Personality of Godhead

are attractive, relishable and ever fresh. Indeed, such words are a

perpetual festival for the mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.

 

Those words that do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can

sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered to be like

unto a place of pilgrimage for crows, and are never resorted to by those

situated in transcendental knowledge. The pure and saintly devotees take

interest only in topics glorifying the infallible Supreme Lord.

 

On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the

transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes and so on of the

unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words

directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this

world's misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even

though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men

who are thoroughly honest.

 

Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity,

does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What,

then, is the use of even the most properly performed fruitive activities,

which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature,

if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?

 

The great endeavor one undergoes in executing the ordinary social and

religious duties of the varnasrama system, in performing austerities, and in

hearing from the Vedas culminates only in the achievement of mundane fame

and opulence. But by respecting and attentively hearing the recitation of

the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord, the husband of the goddess

of fortune, one can remember His lotus feet.

 

Remembrance of Lord Krsna's lotus feet destroys everything inauspicious and

awards the greatest good fortune. It purifies the heart and bestows devotion

for the Supreme Soul, along with knowledge enriched with realization and

renunciation.

 

SB 12.12. 49-56