Year 1

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

❝When Śrī Vārṣabhānavī-devī (Śrīmatī Rādhikā, the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu) accepts someone as one of Her own – as a rūpānuga, or one of the followers of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī – then, only, is the full mercy of Kṛṣṇa accessible to him. He can only attain this fortune if he can become the kiṅkara of śrī guru, who is himself the best of the followers of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī.❞ ...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

We shall be enabled to realize our lasting good if only we place ourselves wholly under the protective guidance of Śrīla Vyāsadeva....

by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada

Some people attempt to become heroes through action, some strive to fulfil other desires, others strive to cultivate realization of brahma and yet others try to achieve oneness with God...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

● Is it necessary to be in the association of saintly persons (sādhu-saṅga) at all times?
● How is one delivered from the cycle of material existence (saṁsāra)?
● Should one accept disciples?...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

In the very beginning of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, in its middle and at its end, we have been repeatedly advised about the efficacy of śrī nāma-saṅkīrtana....

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

❝Within this world, only those who attend to Śrī Bhagavān’s holy name (nāma), His abode (dhāma) and His desires (kāma) are truly worthy of adoration. No being can extricate himself from misunderstanding, which arises from māyā, without serving śrī nāma. The result of serving śrī nāma is that one will be freed from all forms of prejudice and will become settled in serving Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s desires (kāma).❞ ...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

❝An external exhibition of humility is not the quality of lowliness that makes one humbler than the blade of grass. A mere show of humility is nothing but insincerity, or hypocrisy. Calling out in a manner that our subordinate will respond to does not reach Godhead.❞...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

❝Since we cannot rely on even the duration of a breath, for it may be our last, we should utilize even this moment for attaining our true well-being. For this end, we should not listen to anyone of this world who might give us contrary advice.❞...

• How can one attain perfection within a single lifetime?
• By what means can one know Śrī Bhagavān?
• What is the most severe nāma-aparādha, or offence to the holy name?...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

How will we attain service to Śrī Bhagavān? • How will we understand the subject matter of Vaiṣṇava philosophy? • Is the gift of Śrīman Mahāprabhu the highest benefaction? • How will I know that I have gained sambandha-jñāna?

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

“It is incumbent upon me to submissively accept whatever arrangements śrī gurudeva makes for my well-being.” This is truly the attitude of a real disciple. Without it, inauspiciousness is inevitable. Real disciples are those who constantly serve the Supreme Lord under the guidance of the spiritual master, without becoming enjoyers – that is, without trying to use their senses to enjoy the sense objects. ...

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

Who is a true guru? It is he who is constantly engaged in the service of Śrī Hari. And who is the truly learned man? It is he who, in the words of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is well conversant with actual knowledge of the jīva’s bondage and his deliverance from it (C.f. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 11.19.41). ...