“We are giving Krishna consciousness—that is loving, real loving. We are giving [people] eternal life, eternal bliss. Unless we love them, why we are taking so much trouble? The preacher must love the people. Otherwise, why he is taking? He can do it for himself at home. Why he is taking so much trouble? Why at eighty years old I have come here if I do not love? So, who can love better than a preacher?”
—Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Perth, May 17, 1975
Today, February 14, 
, I was struck when Srila Prabhupada, at the conclusion of his class on Sri Isopanisad, spoke about love—the love that Krishna wants and the love that will satisfy us:
“Any religion—it doesn’t matter whether Hindu religion, Muslim religion, Christian religion—if you are developing love of God, then you are perfect in your religion. . . .
And what kind of love? Ahaituki: without any cause. ‘O Lord, I love You, God, because You supply me so many nice things. You are order-supplier.’ No, not that sort of love. Without any exchange. That is taught by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, that ‘Whatever You do . . .’ Aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam. ‘Either You trample me under Your feet or You embrace me—what You like. You make me brokenhearted by my not seeing You—that doesn’t matter. Still You are my worshipable Lord.’ That is love. . . . That sort of love Krishna wants. Therefore He was so much fond of the gopis. In the gopis’ love there was no question of business propaganda: ‘Give me this, then I love You.’ No. That is pure love. . . . If you want to love God, there is nothing throughout the whole world which can check you. Simply you have to develop your eagerness: ‘Krishna, I want You.’ That’s all. Then there is no question of checking. In any condition you’ll increase your love, increase your love. . . . If you can develop your love for God, or Krishna, without being checked, without any cause, then you will feel fully satisfied.”
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Sri Prahlada Dasa: Today is the holy appearance day of our grandfather or great grandfather spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada. On Giriraj Maharaja’s instruction I will try to speak something of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s history and something about my realization of his contribution and mood, and pray for the mercy of the Vaishnavas that that realization will be in line with his actual teachings.
The appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati is most significant. His father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, was a great spiritual reformer. Gaudiya Vaishnavism at that stage in history had become marginalized and in many ways perverted. Not across the board but in different areas, the mature teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu were not being practiced or taught as they are. Therefore Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted to reestablish Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission within this world. He made his own personal endeavors to write vast amounts of literature and establish the nama-hatta, the marketplace for the holy name, reestablishing, organizing sangas for association for Vaishnavas. He also prayed for help, for assistance in that great task. Bhaktivinoda Thakura had a vision to spread Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement to the Western world, and he prayed to Krishna for help in that mission. It is understood that the appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was the fulfillment of that prayer. Continue reading »
