the worst distress: separation from a devotee

[Guest guest]

‘duhkha-madhye kona duhkha haya gurutara?'

‘krsna-bhakta-viraha vina duhkha nahi dekhi para'

 

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Of all kinds of distress, what is the most

painful?"

Sri Ramananda Raya replied, "Apart from separation from the devotee of

Krsna, I know of no unbearable unhappiness."

 

PURPORT

Concerning this, the Lord states in the Vedic literature:

mam anaradhya duhkhartah kutumbasakta-manasah

sat-sanga-rahito martyo vrddha-seva-paricyutah

"A person who does not worship Me, who is unduly attached to family and who

does not stick to devotional service must be considered a most unhappy

person. Similarly, one who does not associate with Vaisnavas, or who does

not render service to his superior, is also a most unhappy person."

 

There is also the following statement in the Brhad-bhagavatamrta (1.5.44):

sva-jivanadhikam prarthyam sri-visnu-jana-sangatah

vicchedena ksanam catra na sukhamsam labhamahe

"Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living

entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we

are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness."

 

 

Cc Madhya 8.249 text and purport