Sadhya, the goal of life, and sadhana, the process by which one can approach
Ekadasi. The devotees took Srila Prabhupada out to a natural waterfall along the river for his walk. Appreciating the tranquil atmosphere created by the sound of water flowing and falling, he said that this was the kind of secluded, natural spot required for doing yoga. One cannot practice yoga in the midst of a big city as is common nowadays.
Srila Prabhupada initiated several new devotees this morning and the verse from his class on Caitanya-caritamrita was just appropriate: "Actually I do not know how to inquire about the goal of life and the process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me, please explain all these truths."
Prabhupada explained the process of accepting a guru and outlined the disciple's proper mentality in order for the relationship to be fruitful. "Sanatana Gosvami is submitting very humbly. So tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena. First of all pranipata, then pariprasna, questioning. Don't waste your time by questioning some spiritual master or somebody unless you have pranipata. You must be ready to accept the answer which he gives, then make inquiry. If you think that, 'I have to test his answer, because I am more learned or more advanced than him,' then don't go there, don't propose or inquire anything. Sanatana Gosvami, he is completely surrendering. He said that 'I am blank, I do not know actually how to inquire You. So kindly You speak everything, what is the subject matter of inquiry and what is the answer of such inquiry. I am completely blank slate, I am simply submitting to You.' Sadhya, the goal of life, and sadhana, the process by which one can approach. In this way, we can make advancement in our spiritual education, and we must carry out the order of the spiritual master.
"First of all, select who will be your spiritual master. You must know the preliminary law. Just like if you want to purchase gold, at least you must know where gold is available. If you are so foolish that you go to a butcher shop and ask him to supply diamond or gold, then you'll be cheated. You must know at least where to go and purchase gold or diamond, these are valuable things. So that requires little intelligence and sincerity. If one is actually serious about understanding the goal of life, spiritual knowledge, then Krishna is situated in everyone's heart. He understands how this person is sincerely seeking. Then He'll give direction that 'You do this.' He is giving direction in every respect. We want to do so many things. So Krishna is giving us facility. But when one becomes actually very much eager to understand Krishna, God, He is very glad to give instruction, that 'You go to such and such person and you submissively inquire. By the mercy of guru, by the mercy of Krishna, one can make advancement in spiritual understanding. So one must be sincere. Then every direction is there."
Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 3 by Hari Sauri Dasa
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