Guest guest Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 SB 3.29.17 The pure devotee should execute devotional service by giving the greatest respect to the spiritual master and the ācāryas. He should be compassionate to the poor and make friendship with persons who are his equals, but all his activities should be executed under regulation and with control of the senses. How can 1 make friendship with persons who are his equals? And how do you relise if someone is equal to you and has the same same understanding as you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murali_Mohan_das Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Good question. Unfortunately, I can only speculate... Based on the first part of the sentence which advises us to be "compassionate to the poor", one might assume that our "equals" are those with similar socio-economic situations. Another possibility is that "equals" means persons in the same varna and ashram as ourselves. Grihastas will tend to associate with grihastas, brahmacaris with brahmacaris, etc. While the Vaishnavas are certainly advised to discuss Krishna and reveal their minds to each other, one really can't say if another person has the same level of realization as he/she does, can one? SB 3.29.17 The pure devotee should execute devotional service by giving the greatest respect to the spiritual master and the ācāryas. He should be compassionate to the poor and make friendship with persons who are his equals, but all his activities should be executed under regulation and with control of the senses. How can 1 make friendship with persons who are his equals? And how do you relise if someone is equal to you and has the same same understanding as you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murali_Mohan_das Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 While the sadhu-sanga of our "peers" is certainly beneficial, when it comes to facilitating our own spiritual advancement, we want to associate with folks who are *more* advanced than we are, don't we? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 All devotees have some degree of surrender - that's what makes them devotees. So at any given time, any devotee can present the ultimate to you. Vaisnavas, even little vaisnavas can be touchstones of the miraculous. How else are we here, my friends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says that I am the Supersoul everywhere. So Krishna is so kind that He is always with us as Friend; if we can learn to treat Him with our friendly love and affection the reciprocation is permanent, there is no need to search for friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murali_Mohan_das Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 There is no need to search for friends, and yet, the Sweet Lord is apparently leaving the place of perfection (actually, He is bringing it with Him) to come to this place of suffering in order to play with his friends. Astounding! Even Krishna is hankering to taste the nectar tasted by His friends (servants). That is why he is coming as Mahaprabhu. So, yes. No need to search for friends. We are all "atmarama" (self-satisfied) and are hearing clearly the whisperings of Paramatma? No? In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says that I am the Supersoul everywhere. So Krishna is so kind that He is always with us as Friend; if we can learn to treat Him with our friendly love and affection the reciprocation is permanent, there is no need to search for friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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