Once a disciple was standing next to Srila Prabhupada at check-in at Amsterdam airport. As a beautiful girl walked past, the disciple found himself following her with his gaze. After a few moments, he realised what he did and looked away in embarrassment. As he looked down, he saw that Srila Prabhupada, who had seen the whole episode, was intently looking at him with wide eyes. The disciple was further embarrassed.
Srila Prabhupada said, "Beautiful, isn't she?"
The disciple did not know how to respond and could only manage to nod his head.
Srila Prabhupada lovingly concluded, "If you think the creation is beautiful, then imagine how beautiful the creator is?"
(Source: H.G. Gauranga prabhu - House Program @ Mehul's
East London, 16/02/2006)
East London, 16/02/2006)
Something we can all relate to...
Devotees can pray to the Lord: “My Lord, I know that young girls have natural affection for young boys, and that young boys have natural affection for young girls. I am praying at Your lotus feet that my mind may become attracted unto You in the same spontaneous way.”
This is a material example, but the devotee is praying that he may develop a similar spontaneous attachment for the Supreme Lord, free from any desire for profit and without any other cause. This natural attraction for the Lord is the perfectional stage of self-realization.
(Source: Srila Prabhupada - Nector of Devotion,
Chapter 9, from Padma Purana)
Chapter 9, from Padma Purana)
So whats missing? (i.e. just covered, not lost)
The basic principle of the living condition is that we have a general propensity to love someone. No one can live without loving someone else. This propensity is present in every living being. But there is no information where to repose the loving propensity so that everyone can become happy. That missing point is Krsna, and The Nectar of Devotion teaches us how to stimulate our original love for Krsna and how to be situated in that position where we can enjoy our blissful life.
(Source: Srila Prabhupada - Nector of Devotion, Preface)
Where is the love? (i.e. how to find it?)
Srila Prabhupada stressed the use of the mind and the heart in our chanting:
1. Mind (thinking of the meaning) – Srila Prabhupada said that while chanting we should think “O my Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service!"
2. Heart (proper mood) – He said “The chanting is exactly like genuine crying by the child for his mother.”
(Source: H.H. Dhanurdhara Swami - Online Journal)
