(5/7) Living in Mathura

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Basirhat, evening, 28 January 2020, part 5
Translated from Bengali

We pray for the right, or qualification, to serve. Everyone must serve according to their right. Do not try to do something if you do not have the right to do it. Srila Narottam Das Thakur sang, "Vrndavane chabutara tahe mora mano-ghera—my entire mind dwells within the courtyard of Vrindavan," but have we got this kind of qualification?

We sing these verses, but have we become qualified to sing them? We know very well where our mind goes and dwells. You go to Vrindavan and do the churasi crore, eighty-four crores, of Vrindavan parikrama, but as you walk scorched by the sun, what do you think about the whole day? "I wonder if a goat has eaten my lau (bottle gourd)." Then, is there any use going to Vrindavan? Staying in Vrindavan and pretending to be staying in Vrindavan is not the same. Living in Mathura is not making a pretence of living there. If you have service mood, then it is good. We come to Vrindavan for service. Otherwise, your body is in a holy dham, but your mind, heart, and soul are all scattered everywhere else—you cannot stay in a holy dham like this. First, it is necessary to live in Mathura (Mathura-vasa), then comes service to the Deities with faith.

One time, I saw some video. Somebody was doing arati in London with one hand and taking photos and selfies with the other hand! On top of that, they sent those photos to me! How do they worship Deities like this? They think, "Look, how your pujari is doing puja! I have become a great pujari of the Lord! I have got the right to worship the Lord!" That is why it is said that one does not become a Vaishnav just by wearing tilaks and neckbeads. No doubt, it is necessary to dress as Vaishnavs, but it is more important to have Vaishnav qualities in your heart. It is necessary to love the Lord with your heart and soul. You must call out to the Lord with your heart and soul.

It is necessary to submit your mind, heart, and soul to the Lord. That is why I always tell you about surrender, again and again...

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READ OTHER PARTS:

1) Lord's Liberal Mercy
2) Deepest Distraught and Desire
3) Can We Ever Do It?
4) Find Evidence
5) Living in Mathura
6) Make Your Heart Pure
7) Run Behind Genuine Krishna Consciousness