Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.19

Pradyumna: Translation: "My dear sons of demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṅa, is the original Supersoul, the father of all living entities. Consequently there are no impediments to pleasing Him or worshiping Him under any conditions, whether one be a child or an old man. The relationship between the living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always a fact, and therefore there is no difficulty in pleasing the Lord." [SB 7.6.19]

Prabhupāda: Read the purport also.

Pradyumna: Purport: "One may ask, one is certainly very attached to family life, but if one gives up family life to be attached to the service of the Lord, one must undergo the same endeavor and trouble. Therefore, what is the benefit of taking the trouble to engage in the service of the Lord?" This is not a valid objection. The Lord asserts in Bhagavad-gītā [14.4]:

sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya mūrtayaḥ sambhavanti yāḥ tāsāṁ brahma mahad yonir ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā

" 'It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kuntī, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.'

The Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṅa, is the seed-giving father of all living entities because the living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord [mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ [15.7]. As there is no difficulty in establishing the intimate relationship between a father and son, there is no difficulty in reestablishing the natural, intimate relationship between Nārāyaṅa and the living entities. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt [Bg 2.40]:

[In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.]

if one performs even very slight devotional service, Nārāyaṅa is always ready to save one from the greatest danger. The definite example is Ajāmila. Ajāmila separated himself from the Supreme Personality of Godhead by performing many sinful activities and was condemned by Yamarāja to be very severely punished. But because at the time of death he chanted the name of Nārāyaṅa, although he was calling not for the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṅa but for his son named Nārāyaṅa, he was saved from the hands of Yamarāja. Therefore, pleasing Nārāyaṅa does not require as much endeavor as pleasing one's family, community and nation. We have seen important political leaders killed for a slight discrepancy in their behavior. Therefore pleasing one's society, family, community and nation is extremely difficult. Pleasing Nārāyaṅa, however, is not at all difficult; it is very easy.

"One's duty is to revive one's relationship with Nārāyaṅa. A slight endeavor in this direction will make the attempt successful, whereas one will never be successful in pleasing his so-called family, society and nation, even if one endeavors to sacrifice his life. The simple endeavor involved in the devotional service of śravaṅaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṅoḥ [SB 7.5.23],

[Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṅu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)—these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṅa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.]

hearing and chanting the holy name of the Lord, can make one successful in pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has therefore bestowed His blessings by saying, paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṅa-saṅkīrtanam: "All glories to Śrī Kṛṣṅa saṅkīrtana!" If one wants to derive the actual benefit from this human form, he must take to the chanting of the holy name of the Lord."

Prabhupāda:

na hy acyutaṁ prīṅayato bahv-āyāso 'surātmajāḥ ātmatvāt sarva-bhūtānāṁ siddhatvād iha sarvataḥ [SB 7.6.19]

To become a devotee of the Supreme Lord is not unnatural. It is very easy, natural thing. By nature we are attached to Kṛṣṅa, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Somehow or other, circumstantially, we are separated... Not separated, because here it is stated ātmatvāt: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is, although we are thinking we are different from Him, He is within our hearts. Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe arjuna [Bg 18.61].

[The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.]

He is so friendly that although we are averse—we do not like even the word of God—God is so kind that He is sitting within my heart, īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānām. He's simply looking forward for the opportunity when I, the living entity, shall look towards Him. He's always anxious.

So little endeavor is sufficient to begin our business with Him. Little endeavor. And that endeavor begins by hearing about Him. We are holding classes in different parts of the world just to give people chance for little endeavor—not very much, very hard work, no. Little endeavor. What is that? "Please come here and hear about Kṛṣṅa." Then the business begins immediately. Śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅaḥ puṅya-śravaṅa-kīrtana [SB 1.2.17].

[Śrī Kṛṣṅa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.]

Because Kṛṣṅa is very much anxious: "When this conditioned soul will look towards Me? He's now looking towards māyā, the other side, the dark side, and when he'll look towards the light?" The Vedic injunction is, tamasi mā jyotir gama: "Do not look forward to the darkness, but look forward to the light." If you look forward to the light, then there is no darkness. We have given our motto in the Back to Godhead that "Kṛṣṅa is the sun and māyā is nescience. Where there is Kṛṣṅa there is no māyā." If you look forward towards the sun, there is no darkness. But if you keep sun back side, you'll find your shadow very long. So the beginning is very easy. Just like the children, they are also hearing about Kṛṣṅa. Don't think it is going in vain. Because they are hearing, it will have some effect. They are human child. Even the mosquitoes or small germs who are within this boundary of temple, because they are hearing Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra, it will never go in vain. It is so nice.

So here it is said..., Prahlāda Mahārāja says, ātmatvāt sarva-bhūtānām. He is the Supersoul, sarva-bhūtānām, everyone. So as soon as He sees, Kṛṣṅa sees—He is within my heart—that I am little inclined, svalpam apy asya dharmasya... That inclination, little inclination, we can give immediately effect to if we simply hear about Kṛṣṅa. Śravaṅam. That is the beginning.

śravaṅaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṅoḥ smaraṅaṁ pāda-sevanam arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyam ātma-nivedanam [SB 7.5.23]

[Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṅu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)—these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṅa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.]

So śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅaḥ puṅya-śravaṅa-kīrtanam [SB 1.2.17]. Even if we do not understand what is being spoken about Kṛṣṅa, still, simply by hearing, one becomes pious. Puṅya-śravaṅa-kīrtana. Kīrtana, one is speaking or chanting, another is hearing. Both of them are benefited, becomes pious. In this way, we cannot understand Kṛṣṅa unless we are sinless. So there is no need of separate attempt to become sinless. If we simply hear, then we... Puṅya-śravaṅa-kīrtana. Puṅya means piety. Simply by hearing, you become pious. Then you become interested, naturally. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.4.15].

[In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṅa consciousness.]

Somehow or other, if one becomes a little fit for: "Oh, here is Kṛṣṅa consciousness movement. What they are doing, let me see," that is called śraddhā. If the śraddhā is little increased, then one will like to associate with the devotees. Adau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-sangaḥ. In this way, when he is accustomed, then he will like to become one of the devotees, offers himself to be initiated.

Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ. These are one after another. Ādau śraddhā tato sādhu-saṅgaḥ atha bhajana-kriyā. Bhajana-kriyā, the beginning is chanting Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra. This is bhajana-kriyā. And if it is done properly, then anartha-nivṛtti syāt: then he becomes free from all unwanted things, anartha. There is no need... Just like intoxication—there is no need. But if the bhajana-kriyā, Hare Kṛṣṅa maha-mantra chanting, goes on, naturally it will be stopped. Then niṣṭha. Tato niṣṭha tato ruci tataḥ asaktiḥ. Asaktiḥ, attachment. In this way we can make advanced. The beginning is śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅa. As soon as Kṛṣṅa sees, ātmatvāt sarva bhūtānām, little attempt is there, immediately He helps. Buddhi-yogaṁ dadāmi taṁ yena mām upayānti te [Bg 10.10]:

[To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.]

Kṛṣṅa helps, "Yes, you come here, sit down, you do this." In this way, yena mām upayānti te. Kṛṣṅa helps to the direction as he can achieve the lotus feet, shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa. Hṛdy antaḥ-stho hy abhadrāṅi vidhunoti [SB 1.2.17].

[Śrī Kṛṣṅa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.]

We have got so many dirty things within our hearts, and as soon as we are a little inclined to hear about Kṛṣṅa, He removes the dirty things, then we become more and more enthused. In this way, nityaṁ bhāgavata sevayā. Naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu [SB 1.2.18].

[By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.]

Not that cent per cent we are cleansed, but even a little percentage cleansed, naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā. Nityam, daily, there must be bhāgavata-sevā. Everything is sevayā. Prasāda-seva, bhāgavata-sevā. Because sevā means service. Just like maha-prasāda, not eating. The exact term is sevā. Kṛṣṅa has sent the maha-prasāda. So by taking it, it is sevā, it is service to Kṛṣṅa. Kṛṣṅa likes it that you take the prasādam; therefore it is sevā. In this way, increasing sevā.

So if we can... Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.234].

[No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṅa through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him.]

The sevā, the service, begins from the tongue, service. Not with the hand but with the tongue. If you simply chant Hare Kṛṣṅa, this is sevā, and if you take prasādam, then your business begins immediately. Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. And if you simply continue this sevā, then Kṛṣṅa will reveal Himself, and gradually He will give you intelligence how you can make advance to go back to home, back to Godhead.

Na hy acyutaṁ prīṅayato. Acyutam, Kṛṣṅa is acyuta. Acyuta means who never falls down, or never withdraws his promise. That is acyuta. Just like we promise something, but sometimes we do not keep. This is material world. But Kṛṣṅa is not like that. Kṛṣṅa says... His name is Acyuta, means never fall down. Just like Arjuna asked Kṛṣṅa, rathaṁ sthāpaya me 'cyuta [Bg 1.21].

[Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see who is present here, who is desirous of fighting, and with whom I must contend in this great battle attempt.]

He's ordering Kṛṣṅa to drive the chariot. He knew that "Kṛṣṅa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is my duty to serve Him, but He has agreed to become my chariot driver, so now I have to order Him. He has agreed to become my chariot..." Therefore he is reminding, "Kṛṣṅa, do not take it otherwise because I am ordering You. You are not to be ordered, but You order everyone. Now I am ordering You, but You are acyuta, You are never fallible. You never withdraw Your word." So Kṛṣṅa also carried his order. He's so nice friend of Arjuna that He promised, "I shall become your chariot driver." And the master is ordering. Therefore he used this word, acyuta.

So Acyuta, Kṛṣṅa, never falls from His word, from His promise. And He promises, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṅaśyati [Bg 9.31].

[He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.]

If you become His devotee, rest assured you will never be vanquished. Kṛṣṅa is always protective. So such... We are loitering in this material world without any protection. Kadāham aikāntika kiñkaraḥ praharṣayiṣyāmi sānatha-jīvitam [Stotra-ratna 43]. There is a verse by Yamunacārya, kadāham aikāntika nitya kiñkaraḥ. Just now I forget the first line. He's praying, "My dear Lord, I am loitering in this material world without any guardian. So when the time will come that I shall be jolly always, that 'There is my guardian, Kṛṣṅa'?" Kadāham aikāntika nitya kiñkaraḥ praharṣayiṣyāmi. Anātha. Everyone is in this material world, anātha. Anātha means without any protection. The... We are thinking, "My family, my wife, my children, my society men, my nation will give me protection." No. Nobody can give you protection. It is false hope. Just like the birds, when they fly in the sky, everyone has to take his own care. Nobody can help anybody. One can help only in Kṛṣṅa consciousness, not in the material ways. Nobody can help. Because... This is called destiny. I have given that example that in our country, Mahatma Gandhi, he was a big man, he was in the meeting. But in your country also, President Kennedy. So nobody could help him when he was killed.

So this is the position. What is destined, it must happen. Nobody can help us. That's a fact. Therefore our real business is: do not be bothered about things which are destined. Let us take advantage of this human form of life, tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido [SB 1.5.18], to endeavor for making Kṛṣṅa consciousness fulfilled. And that is not very difficult. Prahlāda Mahārāja: this is natural, simply little attempt. First of all surrender. Kāmādīnāṁ katidhā kati na pālitā durṅideśa [Cc Madhya 22.16, Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 3.2.25]. We are servants of our kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, kāmādīnā. Kāma means lusty desires. We are now servant of our senses. Although we are declaring, "I am master," nobody is master; he is servant. Constitutionally, we are servants. So instead of becoming servant of Kṛṣṅa we have become servant of our senses. Kāmādīnāṁ katidhā kati na pālitā durṅideśa. And our senses ordering to do something which is not to be done at all. But still we have to do. Lusty desires are so strong, I do not want to do it, but it is forcing. In this way, we are being forced to serve the senses.

So one who is in Kṛṣṅa consciousness, he understands that "I have become servant of my senses. Unfortunately, these senses are not satisfied. I am still servant. So there is no profit. So why not become Kṛṣṅa's servant?" This is good intelligence. Simply change the position. Instead of becoming servant of the senses, agree to become servant of Kṛṣṅa. That's all. Therefore it is not at all difficult. Nācyutaṁ prīṅayato. You have to simply approach Kṛṣṅa, "My Lord, I am servant, but I could not please anyone. Neither anyone is pleased upon me." This is material service. You serve the whole life your so-called friends, family, countrymen... We have got the experience that Mahatma Gandhi, he served whole life. Still, he was killed by his countrymen. So you may go on giving service in the material world, but nobody will be satisfied. Nobody will be satisfied. So this service is useless. Turn to the service of Kṛṣṅa immediately. It is not very difficult. Servant... We are practiced to serve. We are not master. We have been practiced. By nature, we are servant. So turn this service to Kṛṣṅa. It is not difficult. If I am trained up to become a faithful servant, just become a faithful servant of Kṛṣṅa, then your business is complete. Na hi acyutaṁ prīṅayato bahu-āyāsaḥ. Much endeavor. There is no question of learning, much endeavor. We are already accustomed to give service. Simply turn it towards Kṛṣṅa and your life is successful.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. [end]