It is imperative to beg for mercy • For a servant, there is no break from service • Service is better rendered internally • Śrī Hari, guru, and Vaiṣṇavas surely accept our offerings
śrī śrī guru-gaurāṅgau jayataḥ
Śrī Gaura-Govinda Maṭha,
Gosai Road, Dinhata (Koch Bihar)
12/8/1971
Snehāspadāsu—
Mā Umā, I understand that you were greatly overjoyed to receive my letter and read the ramblings of a mad person. In doing so, you have praised your own good fortune, and at the same time, your natural humility has been revealed. If a sādhaka or sādhikā takes full shelter of the feet of a genuine guru and duly engages in bhajana of Śrī Hari, no disqualification of theirs can create obstruction on the path of their sādhana. Certainly, it is very true that in addition to performing sādhana, it is imperative to beg for mercy. This is the only way one attains perfection in sādhana. Only the eternal, pure, primeval, and transcendental soul is capable of attaining the transcendental object of bhajana. This is only possible, however, by bhūta-śuddhi (purification of the physical elements) and bhāva-saṁśuddhi (purification of mood and intent). Objects of similar composition naturally mix. That is why, by performing sādhana, the unborn eternal soul can attain proximity to Śrī Bhagavān, who is Adhokṣaja (beyond the reach of the senses), and become absorbed in the bliss of service. …
Now it has been five months that I have been preaching outside of Navadvīpa, during which I have had nothing that can be called rest. But then, for a servant, there is no such thing as a break from service. In the field of service, there is neither concession nor commission; service is the only fruit of service. Even supreme, liberated personalities continue to worship Śrī Bhagavān and are preoccupied with service. Hence, under no circumstance can the sevaka or sevikā take a holiday or break from service. But taking shelter of Śrī Bhagavān’s beautiful lotus feet, which are the abodes of fearlessness, immortality, and freedom from sorrow, is true rest, and that is what the Vaiṣṇava mahājanas have prayed for: “aśoka-abhaya, amṛta-ādhāra, tomāra caraṇa-dvaya, tāhāte ekhana, viśrāma labhiyā, chāḓinu bhavera bhaya[1] – I have now found solace at Your feet, which are free from sorrow and fear, being the foundations of immortality; thus I have given up all fear of worldly existence.” …
I am trying to pacify you because I understand the reason you are experiencing regrets in your heart. Did you not offer summer fruits like mangoes and lychees to your deities during this time? If you are offering these items, then the fruit of direct service is yours. Therefore, it is not right for you to be sad that you cannot offer things in service. Śrī Hari, guru, and Vaiṣṇavas certainly accept what is offered to them. It is on the basis of this faith that the scriptures have ordained the conventions of deity worship. It is therefore proven that I have accepted [offerings] both tangibly and intangibly. Just as one can properly behold the Lord’s beautiful form through the ears, so too the service and worship of Śrī Hari and guru is better executed when performed internally. When the yajña-patnīs expressed their desire to stay in close proximity to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, He told them: “Rather than staying close to Me, you should cultivate your absorption in My names, form, qualities, and pastimes from a distance. Therein lies the greatest auspiciousness for you.” In this instance, the mood of separation is superior to that of meeting. This is what Śrī Bhagavān wanted to convey to the wives of the brāhmaṇas.
Those who have direct darśana often risk a misunderstanding. The proverb “Too much familiarity breeds contempt” is proof of that. Though proximity to śrī guru and Vaiṣṇavas has not been forbidden because of this, the statement “vando muĩ sāvadhāna-mate—I worship śrī gurudeva with utmost caution” is a matter to be carefully pondered. So, it is necessary to carefully consider whether pratyakṣa (direct) or parokṣa (indirect) darśana is more beneficial. The words of sādhu, guru, and śāstra provide the best evidence in this matter. Their discernments are applicable to everyone at all times. By indirect service, you have achieved the same result as performing direct service. Of this, there is no doubt. Do not let your mind be disturbed over this. I hope you have been able to grasp what I am trying to say. Iti—
Your eternal well-wisher,
Śrī Bhaktivedānta Vāmana
[1] Śaraṇāgati, Ātma-nivedana (2) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
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