Vaisnavism-real and apparent

[Guest guest]

By HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

 

excerpt:

 

"Vaishnava Thakur, the ocean of kindness, I take shelter at thy lotus-feet.

Have mercy on me, your humble servant, and purify me with the cool shade of

your holy feet. Check my proneness to pollute myself by (1) using offensive

and hurtful language to others, (2) floating adrift with various frivolous

and despicable passions, (3) using harsh words, (4) coveting palatable

things, (5) giving loose to my appetite, (6) hankering after lasciviousness;

- rid my grovelling self of the six evils of (1) putting by things in

excess, (2) going against devotion by adhering to that which is forbidden

and abhoring that which is favourable, (3) indulging in useless idle

gossips, (4) retarding devotional progress and accelerating the contrary,

(5) keeping company with the non-devotees and remaining aloof from the

devotees, (6) floating with changeable views and transfuse into me the six

virtues of (1) eagerness for walking in devotional ordinances, (2) firm

conviction and sincere faith, (3) patience and perseverance in devotion, (4)

adherence to the favourable enjoinments and abhorrence for prohibitions in

devotion, (5) forsaking the company of the effeminate tied to a woman's

apron-strings and the impious, (6) following the footsteps of the righteous

men. I have been waiting for your company, bereft of which I am totally

powerless to sing the name of the Supreme Lord (Krishna); so be kind enough

to instil in me reverence and enrich me with the wealth of the Lord's

(Krishna's) name as Krishna is yours and you can give Him to me - a beggar,

bereft of all worldly wealth and following you chanting 'Krishna',

'Krishna'.

 

Vaishnavas are the wealth of this world. They who serve the Supreme Lord

under his (Vaishnava's) guidance, walk in the commandments of the Lord and

follow His observances, the rest live and die in vain. The best ornament of

our head should be the dust of their feet, the best food, the remnants of

their dish and the best drink, the water that washes their holy feet - these

and only these can renew devotional love in us. Who but a Vaishnava will

save our blinded selves from being led by the blind and from the onsets of

ever-increasing insatiable lusts, anger, covetousness, illusion and egotism?

We are groping in the dark labyrinth of this world and know not whither lies

our way."