(5/8) Live as a Devotee

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Sri Ekachakra Dham, last evening class
18 February 2019, part 5
Translated from Bengali

It is not a problem to live as a householder, but it is a problem if we become so engrossed (if we become so deeply entangled in material bondage) that we cannot even spare time for God. That is why all these festivals are arranged – so that you can give some time to God. At least, thousands of people come here once a year to hear about Nitai's glories and pastimes and to serve and worship Nitai. Most of you are staying not so far from here – you should come from time to time, not only once a year. Many of you do that: you come regularly, stay at the temple and serve the Lord during one–two days.

Actually, you must not come here to sweep the dust – if you can take the dust of this holy place on your heads, you will get the greatest benefit. But how many people can understand this? People come, have fun, walk around, see the festivals, buy souvenirs and go away. When it is the time of Durga, Kali or Saraswati puja, people go for an outing to see the deities of Durga, Kali or Saraswati, and many think that coming here, to Ekachakra, is the same – they come to see Nitai's Deity just as they go to other places to see Durga's or Kali's deities. If we chant kirtan and you all just go back to your homes, that is of no use to us. But if we can chant kirtan and keep telling and telling people about Nitai's glories and bring at least one person to this line, then that will be our gain.

So many people in this world have taken initiation, but how many of them engage themselves in Nitai's kirtan (how many live remembering and chanting Nitai's glories)? I have made small kirtan books specially for you. You cannot afford to buy the big kirtan guide for eighty rupees, all right, then buy the small one – it costs only twenty rupees. Everybody can afford it. You can chant kirtans at home: 'Nitai-pada-kamala', 'Parama karuna pahu dui jana', 'Akrodha paramananda Nityananda Raya', and so on. You can also buy Sri Nityananda Mahimamrita – you will find all kirtans of Nityananda Prabhu there. But all the other kirtans are not there, so buy the small kirtan books and you will find all kirtans there: kirtans of Nityananda Prabhu, Gauranga Mahaprabhu and others.

Chant kirtans every morning and evening instead of sitting and gossiping or sitting outside at tea stalls. You know, in the mornings, many women like to go to their neighbours' houses – all ladies get together and sit and gossip, telling each other about their daughters-in-law and all kinds of family affairs. Do you think Nityananda Prabhu would like it that you sit and gossip about others, sit and talk about who did what, sit and criticise others? He never likes this. Genuine sadhus and devotees never behave like that – they do not waste time on useless things; they always think about the Lord. So, those who have taken initiation (who have come to this path), must also not waste time. Always engage yourselves in the service of Nityananda Prabhu, in the service of the Lord. You must offer bhog to the Lord, you must feed others at your home – they are Nityananda Prabhu's servitors, so you must give them prasad. This is how devotees' days go by – they do not have time on nonsense things. But as soon as we stop chanting Nitai's Holy Name, all other, nonsense things will enter our minds and hearts. As soon as we start talking about anything else except Nityananda Prabhu, all kinds of nonsense will enter us. Always remember this. That is why bad association must always be rejected. We must not associate with those who are averse to Lord Krishna – we must even see the faces of those who are averse to Nityananda Prabhu. We must not talk to or have anything to do with those who are averse to Nityananda Prabhu, who have turned away from Him.

So, always remember that you must never talk nonsense (prajalpa – idle, meaningless talks). Never. No prajalpa at all. This is something that must be given up. It is written at the end of our calendars what is favourable to devotion and what must be completely rejected.

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Language: Bengali

READ OTHER PARTS:

1) Capture Nityananda Prabhu's Heart
2) Hope of the Hopeless
3) Purifying Shelter
4) Do Not Imitate
5) Live as a Devotee
6) Obstacles to Spiritual Life
7) Pillars of Spiritual Life
8) Dedication without Offences