Sadhusangastaka- 3.25.26- Result of association

SB 3.25.26: Thus consciously engaged in devotional service in the association of devotees, a person gains distaste for sense gratification, both in this world and in the next, by constantly thinking about the activities of the Lord. This process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the easiest process of mystic power; when one is actually situated on that path of devotional service, he is able to control the mind.

This is the fruit of carefully performed devotional service under the guidance of nice sadhus.
means- consctanly thinkign abt the pastimes of the Lord, constant meditation and contemplation
end- material attraction is gone that so called happiness and distress is gone - no more anarthas- no more frustrations blocking the mercy of Krishna in our lives and there are symptoms - one can control the mind- two aspects- sankalpa and vikalpa- accepting and rejecting  become fixed able to do it properly in KC

Conditiponed ten dency - fruitive very strong, wishing to control and enjoy - experiencing dualities - all this is teh ineraction of the elements with the mind-we are completely distinct from the 24 elemnts and one who is fixed in self relaization does not identify with that stuff - withdraw consiousnes form there and place it in Krishna.

Stregth to do that comes from devotionl service - away from material existence towards KRishna- this is possible when you have mental control.

Mind is binary processor - 1 or zero - accepting rejecting- rejecting sense gratification - even heavenly planets in favor of Krishna's senses - we contemplate his pastimes, creation, etc- krishna sees dormant living entities in Maha vishnu - wnat to do something - so he keeps them busy and to rectify their consciousness

rjubhir- yogamargaya - easy process of yoga -

Sadhusangastaka: The glories of Pure Devotional Service:Text 20

The healthy natural posn of well being of the jiva- until we get there some illusion will act one us, the happiness will be incomplete.
"Devotional service is so powerful that by one's service attitude everything is revealed"
Text 19: speaks abt the stage of perfection - very high - for that stage DS is completely necessary

Text 20- is how does DS begin. This topic has been eleevated to such an elevated posn - how do you even begin it- by the association by one who has it - through that contact it is awakened.

SB 3.25.20: Every learned man knows very well that attachment for the material is the greatest entanglement of the spirit soul. But that same attachment, when applied to the self-realized devotees, opens the door of liberation.


Through association and faith one can achieve that- impossible becomes possible- Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami says one who has faith in Lord CM even one who is blind can see stars in the sky, the lame can climb can climb a mountain and a fool can understand the conclusion of the Vedas.


Moksa dvaram apavrtam how - through mahat seva - rendering service to the great souls - in the purport SB refers to that verse Rshabaha Dev to Bharat Maharajaa nd his 99 brothers and the contrast to this association with unholy principle can lead to degradation to hell.


Final para of purport- sadhu and mahatma can be used interchangeably. The great souls take the posn of taking shelter of KRishna and letting go of otehr shelters. For every Vedic stmt for every injunction there is a provision - e.g tolerate duality so what do you do- invest consciousness in that which is not dual. Where is the mind supposed to be invested - Krishna.


What is teh result of a sadhu?
Opens the door to liberation - how- the sadhu will teach how to become a devotee, a worshipper and sincere servitor of the Lord.


2 things mentioned by SP:


1) Sadhu will give us instruction - not for material things, but how to cut the know of contamination of material attachment
2) How to engage ourselves in Devotionals ervice


Devahuti tells Kapila Dev that he is the axe- axe is the instruction - she has to apply the instruction - the strength to do it comes with the instruction - one whose faith is strong understands it-capacity for mission impossible becomes possible through faithful application of the instruction - if faith is not strong- then what you can apply you bapply sincerely and gradually faith and strength will increase and you can apply more and more- that is the realization of a faithful follower.


Going back to how SP treats this:


Principle: Consciousness is the platform of attachment - wherever we place our consciousness thats where our attachment will go- 


Attachment is innate for the soul - in the purified stage - attachment to KRishna if not pure you will be attached to somethign else- why is it hard- because we are attached to something else


SP said it takes les than a moment to become KC
in that 2 things have to be given up - tendency for speculation and tendency for fruitive results because we are attached to those two things it takes longer


Through association and serving sadhus consciousness can eb transferred.


Key message at the beginning of the ashtaka verses: Consciousness is the platform of attachment.


Middle sadhu SP speaks about- who is  a sadhu?
Sadhu in BG described as one who unflinchingly engaged in Devotional service - even if one is not following the strict rules of devotional service if one has unflinching faith in Krishna he is a sadhu - a strict follower- the tides come and go - and then there might be Tsunami  or a huge tidal wave- it doesnt stop it keeps going and going and floods everything- some material circumstance overcomes the devotee- circumstantial fall down - one who has tendency of smoking associates with one who smokes he starts smoking to- this is accidental fall down- but then when he realizes he immediately gives it up and becomes situated in his unflinching faith


we must be very careful what circumstances we allow ourselves to be exposed to- we say no because we are strict followers - we allow circumstances to overwhelm us- but then to follow int he spirit of sadhur eve sa mantavyah - we immediately come back to dry land and follow the process of devotionals service sincerely


All perfection just sadhu sanga- means hear and serve - then dense darkness of illusion is removed by the light by transcendental association.


On this verse VCT makes the comment- cause of bhakti is association with devotees- doors for liberation starting with salokya, samipya, sarsti , sarupya- excluding sayujya the door for liberation (Vaishnav) is open for those who associate with devotees- however such liberation is an unsought result for a pure devotee- going back to 3.25.13- these fruits of bhakti are not the reason to pursue bhakti- they are secondary- not the purpose for taking up bhakti


Text 23- connects with 20 - 2 types of attachment of these two types- one results in material misery  the other results in ultimate liberation- Text 13- nihksreyasaya- continuous thought of Krishna- constitutional posn is restored- Xcendental happiness- other so called happiness is insignificant. e.g firefly when the light of Xcendental knowledge is illumined what is the value of speculative knowledge, beauty etc- just like we do not notice the firefly during the daytime.


When there is Xcendental happiness material happiness is insignificant.


Applying the principle of bhakti works- therefore one of the principles SP taught us- those who touch fire for cooking must be Brahmanas as much as those who touch the deities- princple - concsiousness should eb clean- specially with Radha Krishna Deities - that which is prepared by those persons or offered by those persons - the effect is different.


Sadhu sanga gives instructions - he will not pick up and put us on a higher place- that comes by application and the strength to apply comes from faith.


Real friendship is where you are helping to elevate one another and hanging out is not.


I want to compromise just to be accepted- somehow I want to give them Krishna- give them a higher taste- atleast let me be happy who i am - internally we should not change. If they want to do something else - (they may not like itif i do not do it) we say happily we will not do it - when they see we are happy in not doing it- they will be attracted- they sasy "Whats happening" whats your secret- and you tell them something they can hear - and you are consistent like that - they may not read KRishna Conscious books- you will be protected and you help them take another step- your role is not to look down at them or become like them ytour role is in whatever helps them- extend something that helps them take one step- accept who you are in front of friends- BVT cordial dealings is nice- what is not to be done is can you give me advise about my family etc- we do not got here-

Sadhusangastakam - Verses 3.25.23 -24- How to recognize a sadhu - Part2

The perfection of Devotional service is made possible by association of devotees. Then we learned what are the characteristics of a sadhu - having that understanding one can recognize one - pay attention and cultivate and let that person become an object of your affection.

A sadhu does the thankless task of impressing upon others the importance of devotional service.- meet with so many opposing elements

One can have difficulties and risk in DS but devotees tolerate that inconvenience and danger because they are in service to the Lord - tolerant merciful- expand that message to so many others - human and animal society.

sadhava- one who abides by the principles must be a devotee of a lord

Text 22- staunch devotional service and renounced for the welfare of others. - test renunciation -e energy, resources, self everything employed in the service of the Lord.

SB 3.25.23: Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sādhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.


FRom 3.2.3-6 -How should we associate with a sadhu and what is teh consequence-
Krsna had just finished speaking uddhava gita - and it was the same day that krsna had left- uddhava his life and soul was gone and vidura comes and he says - just seeing you reminds of krsna , baalaraama and all the people of dwarka


From 3.2.6 : given to Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī by Lord Śrī Caitanya: "The living entities all over the universes are enjoying the effects of the respective fruitive results of their own work, life after life. Out of all of them, some may be influenced by the association of pure devotees and thus get the chance to execute devotional service by attainment of taste. This taste is the seed of devotional service, and one who is fortunate enough to have received such a seed is advised to sow it in the core of his heart.

The topic is sadhu sanga- sadhu like a tree and lotus feet of the Lord are like a tre- just like a creeper grows by attaching itself to a tree- the sadhu is like a tree gives support and water to grow for the creeper and the tree is attached to lotus feet of the Lord and therefore the creeper of our DS will grow.This is how sadhu sanga works.

Activity of grlofying through hearing and chanting- is the bhagavt form- from that all forms of service come through- "Ordinary conditioned souls, being forgetful of the activities of the Lord, are always full of anxieties and material tribulations. On the other hand, since the devotees always engage in the topics of the Lord, they are forgetful of the miseries of material existence."

root of any misery is forgetfulness of Krishna- we have  a bad bargain- this body material exience is a bad bargain we got a bopdy and now we are stuck with it- make the best use of a bad bargain use it in service to Krishna - along with bad bargain tolerate the miseries come along with it. Move one - to that which is sadhu guided - real misery is we forgot krishna - we are going on forgetting him that is misery- our reral happiness is separated from us

Why is the association of devotees so valuable?

1) One who is a a sadhu-devotee- they have unflinching mood of service in all circumstances - independent of circumstance - humble service to Krishna- because of this humble mood Krishna manifests in their heart- he is attracted to them - he is ever present in their consciousness and a when a devotee speaks devotee opens their heart- Uddhava just hearing Krishna's name - he became intensely absorbed- he was there with Krishna - but he wanted to serve Vidura and he spoke his heart to him - through sound vibration consciousness is transmitted. Potential of the association where trasnmitter and reciever are both tuned - teh potential of that is consciousness is transferred not just dos and donts - and int he process of receiving that sound vibration one gets even a glimpse of Krishna that is o powerful , meaningful and full of light- darkness is dispelled

What is that exp when glimpse of KRishna is recd through sound vibration?

That is the taste from 3.2.6 - something that encourages us to go further in devotional service. Krishna give a glimpse of Him- that is so powerful it keeps us goin- our chantign is like that until sudddha naama it is nam-abhasa- reflection of the Holy Name and that is so poweful it is retaining our KC- and in the assoc of a sadhu one who had that quality described by Kapilas Dev Krishna is there in teh heart- it is the Shyama Sundara form not 4 armed

the principle of sadhu- sanga is association that xfers from the heart of the sadhu to our heart if we are attending to taht association properly-

Anotehr poetic image given about the heart fo the devotee- is like crystal it takes on the color of that its surrounding - crystal shines - thus heart of the devotee shines radiantly- if there is a desire in the heart of a devotee ot connect with Krishna in the association of sadhu the covering diminshes and teh awakened state of love for KRishna is attained- ikt is more than hanging out- attach ourself with teh sadhu in a mood of service primarily hearing

sadhu wants to help everyone free them from material condition - through method of hearing- enlivening to the heart of ths sadhu to see people hearing sincerely.

Take it through the ear and the magic of hearing.

Kapila Dev's instruction is not just hanging it out it is attaching onself to the adhu through service.

Let the mind become attached from Text 23- naitān mad-gata-cetasaḥ thoughts are filled by thoughts of Krishna  chracteristic of a sadhu - their mind and heart are absorbed in Krishna - we become attached to that association through hearing and applying then material disease is gone.

SB 3.25.24: O My mother, O virtuous lady, these are the qualities of great devotees who are free from all attachment. You must seek attachment to such holy men, for this counteracts the pernicious effects of material attachment.

bad bargain- we got misery while looking for happiness- cant get released by complaining about it- message of the sadhu is to cut the affinity for material attachment and bring to spiritual attraction.

This verse is the answer to Devahuti's initial question.

From the purport -

We have to rise above the modes of nature, 2 nd chapter BG be Xcendental to the modes of natures- which pollutes our consciousness, what do you do- cannot find anything pure in this world - how do we find anything pure in this contaminated world- bring you consciousness to that which is supremely pure- how? through sadhu sanga- a pure devotee is free from modes of nature and it is our duty to seek out

We must become a sadhu - become a benefit to the world- how? by taking these instructions to heart.

Those who are sadhus- do not feel the contamination of the material world - as we surrender to the Lord he reciprocates accordingly- therefore be a kitten 

sadhu cuts with words - message of SB-- cuts bondage of attachment to fruitive activity and its results.Prahlada's perfection - protected from so many difficulties by constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord - VCT's commentary- the fault of material association is destroyed by sadhu sanga

We must become attached to the instructions as receive and follow then catching the glimpse of Krishna in those instructions and carrying it in our hearts

Association tranffers contents from one person's heart to anotehr person's heart - surround our heart by sound vibration of saintly persons then that heart also becomes cleansed and filled with Krishna Consicousness
Association with advanced devotees is essential for those who want to advance in Krishna Consciousness - those who are free from illusion , false prestige and false association are elegible to center the kingdomn of God- So we need to cultivate underdtaning of that which is eternal and by that sadhu sanga- material dualities and lust and bewliderment of material circumstances is removed and thus we become eligible tro enter the kingdom of God.

in contaminated state we are immersed in modes of material nature- how do you get out of the contact? What are you supposed to do?

You cant do something and you cant do nothing - you cant counteract by further material activity? BG message is the process of sacrifice - take this tendency and use it in service- dovetail- karma yoga- then the elevation in Bhakti from the present circumstances to attachment to Krishna- how to free from modes of materila nature?

Association of sadhus-associate with devotees-by KC we will not feel the contamination of being in this places. - Sadhu sanga is a foundational prcnciple of spirtual life and give up the material association. By sadhus words attachment to material existence can be cut.


Deliberate and circumstantial fall down - as soon as the circumstance os removed teh beceome situated properly - then we regard that person as a sadhu- they were covered because of the overwhelming circumstance they became covered but after the circumstance is removed they continue bhajatae mam ananya bhak- should i listen to my mind or follow Krishna's opinion.

Sadhusangastaka - 3.25.21-22 - How to recognize a sadhu Part1

Text 20- all that is being described can be obtained through devotional service in the association of devotees.
Attachment should be self realized devotees- sadhu who has the following qualifications- one who has unflinching faith in Krishna. engages in devotional service, strict follower
while in association of devotees one should serve - then  the dorr/gateway to liberation opens

What are the gifts from the sadhu?
SAdhu thoughts absorbed in Radha Krishna and Their pastimes - they teach you how to be attached tot he Supreme Lord, a worshiper, servitor of the Lord how to become attached to the Lord.

How to associate with a sadhu?
By hearing from them - and after that you associate by following their instructions - instructions not to improve material conditions but how to cut the knot of material attachment and how to elevate ourselves to the platform of Devotional service -

Summary of Text 20- Path of liberation begins with sadhu sanga.

VCT saysNext 4 verses describe the secondary characteristics of a devotee
Primary quality of the devotee- swarupaa lakshana - other qualitites follow- one you find that one quality then KRishna decorates His devotee with otehr qualities- the primary characteristic- attachement to Krishna- Krsna eka saranama-

Devahuti used a term to describe Kapila Deva- the most worthy object of surrender - from having taken full shelter of Krishna then other natural qualities appear - by associating with teh Supreme Pure we exhibit His qualities

SB 3.25.21: The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.


Karunika- merciful - one of the most outstanding qualities other than the quality of surrender to Krishna - devotees are not concerned about their own welfare- they are concerned about the welfare of others - e.g HJaridas Thakur , Prahlada Maharaj- one of his first prayers wass aksing forgiveness for his father.

When being compassionate hrdships will come- therefore titiksiva - tolerant , eg SP tolerated so many difficulties for all the people- he appreciated so much his devotees who sacrificed everything - In PS's appreciation for Bhakti Tirth Swami as a PRinceton student graduate gave up a very prominsing career just to become a servant of Prabhupada - as a black man enerting the communist countries- to give colleges SB sets often risking his life

There is great risk - in acting in a selfless manner for uncivilized people of this world. But the devotee will do that- because their attachment to the SPG and aliginign themselves tot he will of the SPg through and teh disciplic succession is very strong.

suhrda - best friend well wishing friend - in the heart it is Krishna and outside it is Vaishanav who holds know enmity towards anyone always well wishing towards everyone- 6 Goswamis were dhira to both in Vrindavan- loved by everyone - very friendly to everyone it was their nature -

santah - sadhi is calm  and he quiety and peacefully follows the principles of scripture - and a devotee of the Lord(sadhava)- in VCT's commentary he identifies sadhava as straightforward - the opposite is duplicitous,say one thing do one thing

Real qualities are not created by circumstances- they are not circumstantial - they are substantial - they remain in all circumstances because it is based on the qualities of the soul- principle quality of the soul is Krishna eke saranam

Such a sadhu engages in staunch devotional service..

SB 3.25.22: Such a sādhu engages in staunch devotional service to the Lord without deviation. For the sake of the Lord he renounces all other connections, such as family relationships and friendly acquaintances within the world.

renounced order of life- sanyasi and grahastha who has dedicated everything to the service to the Supreme Lord

You can be a grhastha and fully dedicated to the Personality of Godhead - eg BVT with ten children and Govt service, Jayadeva Goswami, Vyasadeva- even Kunti Devi is makign such a prayer- cut the material portion I have of the Pandavas and the VRsnis - same is being said here- material affinity is absent for a grahastha sadhu - a sadhu has to be one situated in his characteristic- it doesnt have be a man, saffron where.

The Sanskrit ananyena bhāvena - undivided devotiona following that bhaktiḿ kurvanti ye dṛḍhām very fixed in their devotion - practicing voluntary austerity- incressing rounds on ekadasi day- etc some kind of vrata where you are increasing spiritual and decreasing material involvements just in principle- satying very regulated- increases determination and will gradually increase the desire to quanitiatively and qualitatively improve - that is teh char of a sadhu. 

When there is detachment from worldly obligation to fulfill attachment for spiritual duties  - when you become a genuine devotee- all obligations to forefathers, parents, etc are fulfilled- living a responsible life is a full time job- all the debts are taken care of - Canakya Pandit saya three things ahev to be attendted immd - fire , disease and death- do not let it linger - fulfill it completely- become properly situated as a devotee - they may not be taking care of this detail that detail - but they are fixed in their DS.

All otehr principles are meant to bring you tot his one principle - surrender to Krishna.

Kapil Dev is a saktyaevsha avatar- an empowered incarnation of the Lord -

Qualities of Cdental intelligence can retain two opposing wualities ate teh same time-

Craing very strongly at teh same time detached- detachme ntprinciple is everythign is in Krishna's hand - I am a servant not controller or enjoyeer- as a servant- I care becaue Krishna care- I also have caring capacity but I am not the controller so I serve in a very caring way- at the same time KRishna is the decider of all things and it may take some time and ultimately everythign is in KRishna's hand - I may want to teh outcome to eb such and such but i should not it is in Krishna's hand - e.g SP cared for people whom he did not know- but ntohign was happening- he did not lose his enthu- and he continued- for a long time nothing happenedn he continued caring for KRishna's happiness and even when somethign happened he continued caring he did nto get attached

2 litmus tests or measures- over a period of time is the DS stauch, tivra bhakti - not fading , always always

When there is some inconvenience or some obstacle or somebdoy is rude or harsh how do they respond to that - to teh obstacle, difficulty, to the reversal of nature - do they remain dhira in those circumstances.Is DS generated by circumstance or is it coming from the heart