20 Oct 2023 morning – The Measure of Sadhana is Faith (English translation) – Auckland, New Zealand | Srila BV Vana Maharaja
tvdegurudev
In sadhu-sanga (in the company of the sadhu) and, listening to harikatha, little by little, sraddha (faith) will manifest itself.
Through knowledge of the scriptures (siddhanta) we come to know God.
Haridasa Thakura said: “Even if my body is cut into a thousand pieces, I will not abandon Harinama.”
Faith in the words of the Guru and the sastras (the light of knowledge), dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Spiritual knowledge is like a jewel that shines in all directions.
Three types of Vaisnavas: kanistha-adhikari, madhyama-adhikari and uttama-adhikari.
Kanistha-adhikari, worships the Deities, but has no knowledge of the scriptures, so he does not give adequate respect to Guru and Vaisnavas.
It is necessary to learn the rules and regulations (vaidhi-marga).
Anyone who does not follow the rules makes their spiritual practice a disturbance to society.
The faith of the kanistha-adhikari in worshiping Thakuraji is not firm.
The kanistha-adhikari devotee is not ordinary, for he has faith in the Guru’s word that the Deity is sat-cit-ananda-vigraha.
If you think, I am a Vaisnava, you will go to hell. The Vaisnava is the servant of Visnu. Some don’t want to be servants, they want to be served.
Suddha-vaisnava does not accept respect, he gives respect. Example: Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvami Maharaja.
Madhyama-adhikari has four characteristics: prema for Isvara, friendship for the Vaisnavas, mercy towards those who are inferior, faith in Bhagavan and ignoring the opposers.
Uttama-bhagavata looks at all living entities and sees the same mood that he possesses in the worship of his Adorable Deity.
Spiritual life happens according to faith in your sadhana, and everything is arranged.
