ancient_paztriot Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 Hayagriva dasa: Aquinas felt that the monastic vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience give a direct path to God, but he did not think that these austerities were meant for the masses of men. He looked on life as a pilgrimage through the world of the senses to the spiritual world of God, from imperfection to perfecdtion, and the monastic vows are meant to help us on this path. Srila Prabhupada: Yes, according to the Vedic instructions, we must take to the path of tapasya, voluntary self-denial. Tapasa brahmacaryena. Tapasya, or austerity, begins with brahmacarya, celibacy. We must first learn to control the sex urge. That is the beginning of tapasya. We must control the senses and the mind, then we should give everything that we have to the Lord’s service. By following the path of truth and remaining clean, we can practice yoga. In this way, it is possible to advance toward the spiritual kingdom. All of this can be realized, however, by engaging in devotional service. If we become devotees of Krsna, we automatically attain the benefits of austerities without having to make a separate effort. By one stroke, devotional service, we can acquire the benefits of all the other processes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudhaya Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 is an austerity as well, tongue--stomach--genitals, starts with speech. Nityananda ki jai! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 From Twenty-six Qualities of a Vaisnava:<blockquote>Devotee: “What does it mean that the devotee sometimes speaks and sometimes is silent?” Srila Prabhupada: “It means he is not obliged.”</blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancient_paztriot Posted May 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 What grateful soul is there who would not render his loving service to such a great master as the Personality of Godhead? The Lord can be easily pleased by spotless devotees who resort exclusively to Him for protection, though the unrighteous man finds it difficult to propitiate Him. PURPORT Every living entity, especially persons in the human race, must feel grateful for the benedictions offered by the grace of the Supreme Lord. Anyone, therefore, with a simple heart of gratefulness must be Krsna conscious and offer devotional service to the Lord. Those who are actually thieves and rogues do not recognize or acknowledge the benedictions offered to them by the Supreme Lord, and they cannot render Him devotional service. Ungrateful persons are those who do not understand how much benefit they are deriving by the arrangement of the Lord. They enjoy the sunshine and moonshine, and they get water free of charge, yet they do not feel grateful, but simply go on enjoying these gifts of the Lord. Therefore, they must be called thieves and rogues. Is the result of spiritual instruction faith or doubt? And what effect do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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