From Damaghosa Prabhu, Wed 10 March 2010:
Hare Krishna to All Pranams Glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is is three short things from Prabhupada which clearly explain the most basic aspect of devotional service-namely HOW to approach God. His answers are clear to the clear headed-one has to offer all to Guru FIRST, Not to God first–which is wrongly being done all over the world these days in certain “temples” of Radha-Krishna. Even Jesus Christ has said “only thru me can the father be reached”–I guess some have forgotten even this general guru principle instruction as well.
Hare Krishna
Damaghosa das
â–º710215SB.GOR Lectures
Prabhupada: Not a special plate. The process is that whatever we offer
to the Deity, that is offered to guru. And guru offers to his guru. In
this way goes to Krishna. We don’t directly offer Radha-Krishna. No. We
have no right. Neither He accepts in that way. The pictures of the
acaryas, why there are? Actually, one has to offer the plate to his
guru, and he’ll offer his guru, he offers his guru, his guru. In this
way it will go to Krishna. That is the process. You cannot directly
approach Krishna or other subordinates to Krishna. That is not possible.
————–
(The Original Guru-Nityananda Prabhu)
730905BG.LON Lectures
… please Radharani…” Radharani is presented, the original pleasure
potency, always absorbed in thought of Krishna. So anyone who comes
before Radharani to serve Krishna, oh, She becomes so pleased, “Oh, here is a devotee of Krishna.” She immediately recommends, “Krishna, oh, here is a devotee. He is better than Me.” This is Radharani. I may be a, not devotee. I may be most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krishna through Radharani, then my business is successful. Therefore we should worship Radharani first. That is our business. Instead of offering directly one flower to Krishna, you just put it in the hands of
Radharani: “My mother Radharani, Jagan-mata, if you kindly take this
flower and offer it to Krishna.” “Oh,” Radharani says, “Oh, you have
brought a flower?” Krishna said, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me
bhaktya prayacchati, but don’t offer Krishna directly. Just offer
through Radharani. It will be very much appreciated by Radharani.
(this is the system to approach God–not directly, but THRU His devotees, starting with Guru)
———————–
(Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)
â–º740528SB.ROM Lectures
So this is the parampara system. As you receive knowledge step by
step… Narayana, Krishna, instructed Vyasadeva. Brahma, Brahma
instructed Narada. Narada instructed Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva instructed
his disciple Madhvacarya. In this way we have to go through also, in
the same way. First of all, offer respect to the spiritual master, as
he has done to Sukadeva Gosvami. Tam vyasa-sunum upayami gurum
muninam. So then his spiritual master, then his … then his
spiritual master, then his spiritual master, his spiritual master, his
spiritual master–ultimately Krishna. This is the process. Don’t try to
approach Krishna directly, jump over. That is useless. As you receive
knowledge through the steps, parampara system, similarly, we should
approach Krishna through these step.
——————–
710818SB.LON Lectures
Revati-nandana: So sometimes the spiritual master
is far, far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to
Hamburg temple. He thinks, “How will the spiritual master be pleased?”
Prabhupada: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you
by his words. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present,
but I am associating with him by his words.
Revati-nandana: And Krishna knows that; therefore we make advancement.
He is sitting in our heart. He knows what we’re doing. So He sees,
“He’s serving My pure devotee,” immediately there is advancement.
Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual master…, Krishna is not limited. It is not
material. You can associate with Krishna and the spiritual master in any
circumstance……
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