WEEK 9
THE DEVOTEES (Verse to learn Bg 2.14)

(1) Devotees...
*always think about, discuss and glorify Krsna (Bg 10.9+p 1st para)
*are not philosophically naive sentimentalists (Bg 10.11+p 1st & 2nd
 paras)
*the best devotee is one who serves Krsna in full knowledge (Bg 7.17p
 18+p)
*a devotee must make sure that he clearly understands and accepts Krsna's
 position as God if he wants to be fixed in sincere devotional service and
 advance back to Godhead (Bg 9.12+p, 1st 2 sentences/Bg 10.7+p 1st & 3rd
 paras/Bg 10.8+p)
*a mahatma described (Bg 9.13+p, 14+p)
*and three other kinds of worshipers (Bg 9.15+p)
*although engaged very busily in all kinds of activities and sometimes
 undergoing great difficulty a devotee is guaranteed entrance into Krsna's
 abode
*a devotee wants to go to the higher spiritual planet, disregarding
 everything else (Bg 11.55p 3rd para/Bg 15.6p 1st and 3rd paras)
*although he just wants to serve and please Krsna unconditionally (Bg
 11.55p end of 4th para/Bg 12.6-7p 2nd para)
*a devotee is fearless (Bg 10.4p 5th para)
*and develops all good qualities (Bg 10.4-5p 11th para/Bg 12.18-19p,
 end/Bg 13.8-12p 1st para/PQPA page 64)
*the transcendental qualifications of a pure devotee described (Bg
 12.13-19+p's)
*how a devotee has all the symptoms of one situated on the transcendental
 platform (Bg 18.51-53, 54p 2nd para)
*Krsna belongs to the devotee and the devotee belongs to Krsna (PQPA page
 39)
*Krsna's appreciation of His devotees (Bg 9.33+p, 2nd para)
*Krsna is so friendly to His devotee that the devotee is always free from
 all anxiety except to increase his service to please the Lord (Bg 18.58p)
*Krsna reciprocates with the mood of approach of His devotees (Bg 2.10p/Bg
 4.11+p)
*How Krsna likes to reciprocate the service of His devotees (Bg 1.22p 1st
 para)
*How Krsna takes care of His devotees (Bg 9.22+p/Bg 10.10+p 3rd para)
*even though He remains forever impartial (Bg 9.29+p)
*5 different ways devotees relate to Lord Krsna (Bg Intro page 5 or 4
 Mac/Bg 8.14p last para)
*Krsna is the reservoir of all relationships (Bg 11.14+p)
*We all eternally have a particular relationship with Him (Bg Intro page
 5) called Svarupa-siddhi, or the perfection of one's constitutional
 position

(2) Types of Devotees

*three levels of advancement described (Iso 6+p 1st 3 paras)
*three kinds of devotees in relationship to faith (Bg 9.3p 2nd para/NOI
 page 55)
*and in relation to the Holy Name (NOI page 54-57)
*and in relation to preaching (NOI text 5 page 48-51, 57)
*and in relation to a devotee's vision (PQPA page 55-56)

(3) Association of Devotees

*Direct perception of spiritual advancement comes as a result of
 associating with devotees (Bg 9.2p 7th para)
*the value of associating with devotees (PQPA page 40-46)
*one of the spiritual master's prime instructions (PQPA page 98)
*association is the most important factor, therefore Srila Prabhupada
 created ISKCON (PQPA page 103)
*in the association of devotees one practically learns how to surrender to
 Krsna and give up one's false independence:-
  "...so this Krsna Consciousness Society is especially meant to give
  people the opportunity to associate with devotees... One cannot be
  independent and at the same time become a devotee, because all devotional
  activities are based on surrender. So, in the association of devotees, we
  learn this important item--how to surrender--but if we keep our
  independence and try to become devotees, that is not possible...To
  associate with me you are always welcome but not with your independence.
  That will not help me or you" (Letter to a disciple 1972)

(4) Krsna Consciousness is a Natural Process

*a false renunciate is a pretender (Bg 3.6+p)
*repression cannot accomplish anything (Bg 3.33+p)
*a devotee automatically loses his taste for pale things (Bg 2.59+p)
*love of Krsna is lying dormant within everyone's heart (CC Madhya 22,107)
*one does not artificially lose one's individuality but one surrenders
 one's individuality (PQPA pages 61-62)

(5) ISKCON and It's Structure

Iskcon is based on the Bhagavad-Gita (Bg Preface 1st & 2nd paras)
*and is established to facilitate 6 kinds of loving exchanges between
 devotees (NOI 4 pages 40-41,43)
In order to manage a world wide society considerable organisation is
required. Srila Rupa Goswami, a great acarya in our disciplic succession
and a direct disciple of Lord Caitanya stated:
 "One is said to be situated in the fully renounced order of life in
 accordance with Krsna Consciousness when one is without attachment for
 sense enjoyment, accepting only what is necessary for the upkeep of the
 body and one simply engages in these services connected with Krsna. On the
 other hand, one who renounces things that could be used in the service of
 Krsna, under the pretext that such things are material does not practice
 complete renunciation." (Bg 6.10p 3rd para)
This concept of "utility is the principle" is an intrinsic part of both
our philosophy and mission of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the
world. It is also mentioned in the Vedic literature that one should
"remove a thorn with a thorn"--the very things which cause the conditioned
soul's entanglement in the material world can be used to free him. Srila
Prabhupada taught us how to use a multiplicity of modern technology,
business, architecture, computers, communication systems etc. in the
service of Lord Krsna and we have found that these things far from hinder
our own spiritual development and ability to spread Krsna consciousness,
but are extremely helpful.

In 1971 Srila Prabhupada formed the Governing Body Commission (G.B.C.) as
a body of 12 senior disciples to manage the affairs of his growing
society. This was in continuity with the desire and order of Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, his own spiritual master. In fact just before
departing from this mortal world Srila Bhaktisiddhanta requested that his
disciples all work co-operatively together under a Governing Body
Commission, which they failed to do, with the result that their spiritual
master's entire mission became a failure. Srila Prabhupada wanted to
preach in the West, together with his Godbrothers, but none of them showed
any interest, nor even gave him any help. Therefore he was forced by Lord
Krsna's desire, to preach alone, and set up his mission single-handedly.
As soon as the opportunity arose, however, Srila Prabhupada, always
meditating with fixed concentration on the order of his guru, established
a Governing Body Commission for Iskcon, and then proceeded to train it's
members very thoroughly over the years. He finally declared in his will
that the G.B.C. be the "ultimate managing authority of the entire
International Society for Krsna Consciousness" so that even the
newly-appointed gurus be directed by the combined will of the G.B.C.
members, which represents Srila Prabhupada's ultimate decision-making
capacity. In this way a unified world-wide society could continue to
flourish, providing that all the members co-operate together--in fact Srila
Prabhupada declared: "Your love for me will be tested by how much you
co-operate together after I pass away". You can study all this history in
the Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta and also the book called "Hare Krsna, Hare
Krsna" pages 82-84.

At the annual 1984 meetings in Mayapur, West Bengal (the birth place of
Lord Caitanya) the G.B.C. resolved that there should also be a horizontal
structure in our society as well as the present vertical structure of the
G.B.C, gurus, zonal secretaries, regional secretaries, temple presidents,
department heads, temple commanders etc. As the Society has continued to
expand there has been an increasing amount of speciallization in various
fields such as:
 (1) Agriculture
 (2) Architecture and Construction
 (3) Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
 (4) College preaching
 (5) Deities
 (6) Education
 (7) Festivals
 (8) Finance
 (9) Folk
(10) Introductory Course for New Devotees
(11) Legal
(12) Public Affairs
(13) Sankirtan
(14) Audiovisual
(15) Standards

and so now is a similar manner in which the G.B.C. are linked together by
regular meetings and loving Vaisnava exchanges, the members of the various
departments are in regular communication. This will obviously increase
everyone's efficiency and further strengthen the world wide unity and
development of ISKCON, so that Krsna Consciousness may be spread to every
town and village even more effectively.

(6) Parents and Family

Krsna Consciousness is very much a "family affair" in the sense that
Srimati Radharani (Hare) and Lord Krsna are the eternal Mother and Father
for all of us--"pitaham asya jagato mata dhata pitamah" "I am the father,
the mother, the maintainer and provider of everyone in the universe" (Bg
9.17)
We have all, therefore, strayed away from our real parents and accepted
illusory, temporary situations as reality. (This understanding is also
explained in the Bible).

Although we are eternal we have become foolishly attached to false
designations such as "my country", "my family", "my religion" etc. The
soul is passing through different bodies and species. Sometimes we have a
cat for a mother, sometimes a giraffe, a snake or a peacock, sometimes a
human being. Sometimes we are a mother and sometimes a father, and
sometimes our present mother or father will become our child in the future
or any other kind of relationship. All this is going on like musical
chairs, although the materialists are blind to the actual situation. Only
when we finally arrive at Lord Krsna's lotus feet will we finally achieve
a proper resting place and will everything else fall into proper
perspective.

Human life is different from animal life in the sense that human beings
have the ability to inquire into the nature of the absolute, and also the
ability to abide by the laws of God. Therefore  human parenthood has a
different purpose than animal parenthood. Human beings are not meant to
reproduce simply to "carry on the species" (which will always happen
anyway) but to end one's confinement in that particular species, or in
other words to free one from having to be once more incarcerated in a
material body.

 "One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth
 and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a
 mother or a worshipable demigod." (SB 5.5.18)

People today generally have children as by-product of sex-life and even if
the child is "wanted" from conception, they have no knowledge of what it
is to be a proper parent. Therefore we find young people are becoming more
and more mistrustful and disrespectful to parents, teachers, leaders etc.
because they have a strong sense that these people are not qualified to
care for them properly. In Krsna Consciousness however, the children
respect their parents, teacher and leaders very much due to their spotless
character as can easily be seen in our community.

Having clearly understood all these points, a devotee is not a fanatic who
completely rejects his parents as "maya". No, a devotee is compassionate
and gentle, knowing how and when to preach to help elevate everyone,
including his parents. We have been in this material world for millions
and millions of births, and finally, in this life, in this particular body
we have been able to take proper advantage. Our parents are obviously,
even unknowingly, something to do with this, and therefore they are very
respectable indeed (see S.P.Lilamrta vol 6 page 225-226 for how a devotee
is respectful to his parents).

They may be attached to this body, but if we use our body in the service
of the Lord and thus spiritualize it, then their attachment will also
become spiritualized, as is mentioned by Mother Devahuti: "Every learned
man knows very well that attachment fo the material is the greatest
entanglement of the spirit soul. But that same attachment, when applied to
the self-realized devotees opens the door of liberation." (SB 3.25.20)

We should not do anything, therefore, too abruptly, and roughly sever that
attachment, but rather gradually try to help them become attached to us
spiritually and to Krsna. Coming to Krsna Consciousness means to realise,
that we did not really "love" anyone before, in the proper sense of the
term, and now, as we awaken our real love for Krsna, we naturally love all
His parts and parcels, our parents included. So it's not that we love our
parents any less now, but actually much more because we care for the real
person, the soul, and we also care for everyone else more and more. Our
love has only increased.

There is a natural bond of affection between parent and child and so
devotees should keep in regular touch with parents by letter, telephone,
and visits, and remember them on birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc.
We should not be afraid to chat a little bit with them about their own
mundane affairs. At least in the beginning it's quite enough preaching for
them to accept the fact that now we are getting up early to pray, we've
shaved our heads and become vegetarians - without even saying anything our
very presence reminds them of Krsna and they often feel quite embarrassed
to smoke, eat meat, etc. in front of their devotee-child. We can bide our
time in preaching to them, because, after all, they are stuck with us, and
us with them, for a very long time to come!

Sometimes parents happen to be unreasonably inimical which makes for
difficulties for them and for their child. A devotee should be tolerant
and not take their illogical criticism too seriously, just like you don't
take the comments of an intoxicated person too seriously. Generally, such
parents calm down and begin to like Krsna Consciousness very much after a
year or so. In the initial stages try to avoid situations that will cause
them to blaspheme and don't commit the ninth offence against the Holy Name
(see Nectar of Devotion) causing them to be more blasphemous still.

In the beginning the most important thing is for you to become fixed up
and strong in spiritual life without unnecessary distractions, and
therefore it's recommended that for three months one should stay in the
temple and follow the Introductory Course. Rather than visiting relatives
during this time it's best to keep in touch by telephone or letter. They
are also most welcome to visit you at the temple. If you suddenly turned
up on the doorstep with a shaved head, robes, and bead bag, after a couple
of weeks, it's obviously a great shock to them and hard for them to adjust
to. Therefore the more gradual approach is preferred. If you just let your
parents know that you are trying this out for a while to see if you like
it before making any final decisions or commitments, much unnecessary
worry and grief can be prevented.

A mother of a devotee called Mrs Rose Forscythe has started an association
called "Friends of Krsna" for devotees parents, and, if your parents would
like, she would be pleased to correspond with them. See also "Hare Krsna,
Hare Krsna" pages 88-93. See also statements of parents in notes of week
12.

Krsna Consciousness, being absolutely complete includes the best interests
of everyone especially one's parents and other family members who are also
all delivered from material life (B.G. 1.41p). (In other places it is
similarly described how a devotee purifies and liberates family members
(S.B. 1.12.17p-SB 7.10.18&19+p's). In fact a son who is a devotee is
called "putra" because he can deliver (tra) his parents from a hell called
"put" (a devotee daughter is called a putri)--in the past people would
sometimes have children and train them in religious life with this purpose
in mind. It is not difficult to understand how people benefit by their
child becoming a devotee--if I am the trusted servant of a good-hearted
millionaire, what to speak of Lord Krsna, he will obviously make sure my
nearest and dearest ones are provided for. Or even if I win the pools, all
the family benefits, what to speak of the transcendental value of Krsna
Consciousness. Also, if a tree in the forest becomes especially fragrant
then the whole area is pervaded by it's aroma, so one pure devotee in a
family purifies all it's members. Therefore it is clear that in actuality
a devotee serves the interest of his family more dexterously than others.
(SB 1.19.35p).

(7) Distress and the Devotee

A devotee tolerates all dualities thus becoming free from all anxiety for
gain or loss (Bg 2.45p last para)

A devotee is never disturbed by any kind of trying circumstances (SP
Lilamrta Vol 3 page 75)

Distress is only temporary and should be tolerated without being disturbed
(Bg 2.14&15 p's)

*Tolerance is defined as being practiced to bear insult and dishonour from
 others (Bg 13.8-12p 4th para)
*One should be detached and equiposed in happiness and distress (Bg
 13.8-12p 11th para)
*a devotee is so practiced that he is not disturbed by any outward
 disturbances (Bg 12.15p)
*a devoteee thinks that his suffering should actually be greater because
 of his past sinful activities and so he is undisturbed (Bg 12.13-14p/Bg
 2.56p/SB 1.17.18p)
*Suffering will be there as long as we are in the material world so we
 have to tolerate it, even welcome it, and not be disturbed or let our
 devotional service be interrupted, understanding that Krsna will always
 protect us, minimising the reactions to our past sinful activities (T. of
 QK pages 43-51)
*Disturbances are a test by Maya to see if our intention is to serve Krsna
 or disturb Him (T of QK pages 8-9)
*Suffering is an attack by Maya

*A devotee tolerates difficulties without becoming disturbed, angry or
 deviated from his service (Bg 2.14p)
*A devotee is callous to all incidental occurences such as accidents,
 disease, scarcity and bereavement, which never deviate him from his duty
 (Bg 6.23+p, last para)
*A devotee accepts all miseries as the mercy of the Lord, considering
 himself to be worthy of more distress (Bg 2.56+p)
*one who receives the mercy of the Lord becomes free from the influence of
 the three fold miseries (which are caused by: (1) natural disturbances
 (the influence of the demigods) (2) one's own body and mind (3) other
 living beings (Bg 2.64+p)

(8) Health

Of all priorities regarding health, we regard our spiritual health as the
most important. The soul is undeniably more important than the body.
However it is often found that spiritual health denotes intellectual,
mental and physical health as a natural sequence. A devotee's tendency for
illness is reduced in this way (PQPA page 53)

The following are seven ways which enable a person to maintain good
health.

(1) Cleanliness  If you are scrupulously clean in body, mind, clothes and
 living space, dirt and disease will tend to stay far away.
(2) Regulation  The body is a highly complex machine and so one's sleep,
 diet, recreation, exercise etc. should be sensible and regulated.
(3) Eating  Some people "live to eat", but devotees "eat to live". They
 like to eat a simple, balanced diet which is in the mode of goodness (see
 Bg 17.8-10)

Devotees eat "prasada" which is beneficial spiritually because it has been
offered to Lord Krsna; mentally, because it has been cooked with love and
devotion and then offered to the Lord; and physically, because wholesome,
natural ingredients are used. Artificial colourings, preservatives,
chemical and tinned or frozen foods are avoided. Lord Krsna, playing the
part of a cowherd boy, likes many types of milk sweets etc. and so, often
His devotees like to eat such homemade sweets. By working hard afterwards
they soon burn up the extra energy. Usually devotees eat fairly simply,
but on festival days they sometimes consume huge feasts, which, if
understood properly are highly transcendental, spiritual events.
Sometimes people mistakenly think that devotees eat the processed white
rice, found in the West. In actuality we principally eat "basmati" rice
which is a whole-rice and one of India's finest. It is highly nutritious,
especially when combined with beans such as dahl. It also has an advantage
over brown rice since it is very fine and easy to digest. (You can read
BTG Vol 15 No. 1-2 "Diet for a Spiritual Planet" for more information)

*As a general rule it is best to avoid eating grains after 6:00 pm, so
 that one can rise easily the next morning. Also it is best not to drink
 yoghurt or eat preparations containing yoghurt after 4:00 pm because it
 has a tendency to disturb one's sound sleep.
*It is also best to be feeling hungry before eating because this means the
 fire of digestion is working properly. If you don't have much appetite eat
 less!

(4) Drinking--for the healthy, regular functioning of all the bodily
organs and the correct expulsion of waste matter and poisons, your body
needs a considerable intake of liquid, preferably water. It is therefore
recommended to drink a few glasses of water daily. One should not drink
anything one hour or less before eating the main meal of the day, and for
2 hours afterwards, as this drastically affects one's digestive ability.
Undigested food causes pain, gas and illness.

(5) Exercise--There is no lack of this in our Krsna Consciousness movement
as you have probably experienced! If one does need some special exercise
to help keep fit, sometimes devotees practice a little hatha yoga.

(6) Dressing correctly--Although we know we are not the body, we should
nevertheless look after it, because good health is so useful to us. As the
body belongs to Lord Krsna it should be well looked after just like
anything else belonging to Him. Therefore, make sure you keep warm and dry
when the weather is cold and wet. Especially the feet should be kept
warm-wear socks when standing or walking on cold floors. After lively
kirtans or other exercise when you perspire, put warm clothes on to go out
in the cold.

(7) Peace of Mind--Worry, anxiety, insomnia etc. cause all kinds of
illness, but devotees who thoroughly understand the "peace formula" (see
Week 11) are free from these problems. Being anxious to help others become
Krsna conscious is completely different from mundane anxiety about
material things and this anxiety actually brings the greatest
satisfaction.

*A devotee tries to take care of his health as far as possible (PQPA pages
 60-61)
*If you do feel unwell please don't hesitate to mention it to one of the
 bhakta leaders.

Footnote: Srila Prabhupada always used to be concerned about his
disciple's health. He would always sign his letters "hoping this finds you
in good health" and would often personally advise devotees about
individual health problems as can be seen in the following portion of one
such letter, specifically advising a sick boy in 1967: "My first concern
is that you are not eating well. It is a case of great anxiety. Please
don't eat dahl and spices. Simply boiled vegetables, rice and a few
chapatis. Take butter separately and eat only as much as you require for
taste. Drink milk twice, morning and evening. Don't eat at night. Eat some
fruits in the evening. Use some digestive pill after each principle meal.
I think soda-mint tablets will help. Be careful about your health first.
This information is not only for you, but for all my noble sons and
daughters. I am an old man, I may live or die, it doesn't matter. But you
must live for a long time to push on this Krsna Consciousness movement. So
far as my health is concerned, you should know that it is a broken old
house. You cannot expect it to be as good as yours. So my future hope is
for all of you good spiritual children..."

(9) A Fallen Devotee

*is not disqualified by an inadvertent, temporary falldown (Bg 9.30+p)
*and must quickly pick himself up and carry on (Bg 9.31+p)
*Krsna consciousnee means declaring war against the illusory energy, so a
 temporary setback is not completely surprising (Bg 6.37+p)
*What happens to a fallen transcendentalist? (Bg 6.37,38+p's)
*Two destinations:-(Bg 6.41-43+p's, 44,45+p)
*How an aspiring devotee may fall down (Bg 2.62,63)
*...because of lack of sincerity and faith (Bg 9.3+p)
*but why fall down? "Just go on practicing... " (Srila Prabhupada in New
 Vrindavan 1976) (See Quote 1 on next page)
*an accidental falldown, due to previous habit may be excused but a
 willful falldown is not excused (PQPA pages 81-82)
*"sinful" means that one promises to follow the regulative principles and
 then one breaks them (PQPA page 81)
*apparent "loose character" of a devotee explained (ISO 17p 8th and 9th
 paras)
*the Lord helps a devotee from within if he makes a mistake (ISO 18p
 5th & 6th paras)
*a fallen devotee does not loose everything, contrary to the idea that "a
 miss is as good as a mile" (Bg 2.40+p/Bg 6.40+p, 1st para)

How to Avoid Falling down from the Spiritual Platform

*understanding Mr. Lust (Bg 3.37-40+p's)
*how to conquer him (Bg 3.37+p, 41-43+p's)
*lust, anger and greed should be given up (Bg 16.21,22+p's)
*understanding the temporary nature of sense gratification (Bg 5.22+p)
*...by tolerating the urges of the senses (Bg 5.23+p)
*...by surmounting the weakness of the heart (Bg 15.20p last para)
*...by acting in Krsna Consciousness (Bg 18.58+p)
*...by not being proud and foolishly criticising a Vaisnava (NOI Text 6
 page 59-65)
*...by chanting Hare Krsna constantly (Bg 9.31p end)
*...by having some genuine affection for the guru and knowing "for my
 sinful activities my spiritual master will be inconvenienced" (PQPA page
 59)

Quotes:

Quote 1: "Just go on practicing and you will become perfect. But why make
a farce, why accept initiation unless you intend to practice?" A devotee
asked if the determination to practice developed gradually, Prabhupada
roared like a lion "Why gradually? You have already made a promise before
the spiritual master, before the Deity, before the fire, before the
Vaisnavas--why make such a promise unless you intend to keep it? That is a
gentleman's determination" When someone began to ask about fall down,
Prabhupada quickly interrupted and said "Why fall down? You have promised
to follow these principles so why fall down?" (Srila Prabhupada--New
Vrindaban 1976)

Quote 2: "Don't wait for another life thinking that I have got so much
devotional service to my credit, now again go out and enjoy the material
world. No, finish this business immediately in this life. Do not wait.
Fully become detached from this material enjoyment. Simply become engaged
in Krsna's service and your life will become successful. Thank you very
much." (lecture on SB 7.6.17-18)

Quote 3: "basically religion means to follow the orders of the Lord. Krsna
is the supreme law maker and religion means to be obedient to those laws
just as a "good" citizen can only be that person who implicitly follows
all the laws of the state, therefore a religious man is one who follows
all the laws of God. (LON '73-53B)

Quote 4: "...if one is active in Krsna consciousness he cannot have any
enemies. Since his only engagement is to induce others to surrender to
Krsna, or God, how can he have enemies? If one advocates the Hindu
religion, the Muslim religion, the Christian religion, this religion or
that religion, there will be conflicts. History shows that the followers
of religious systems without a clear conception of God have fought with
one another. There are many instances of this in human history, but
systems of religion that do not concentrate on service to the Supreme are
temporary and cannot last long because they are full of envy. There are
many activities directed against such religiouos systems, and therefore
one must give up the idea of "your belief" and "my belief". Everyone
should believe in God and surrender unto Him. That's Bhagavata-dharma."
(See also SB 1.1.2+p)


