In this devotional lecture, Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami expounds on the essential role of determination (adhyavasāna) on the spiritual path, emphasizing that without firm resolve one cannot succeed in bhakti. He links determination with austerity (tapas) and the practice of chanting the Holy Name, urging daily reading of the Bhagavad‑Gītā and Srimad‑Bhāgavatam with proper emotion. The talk weaves scriptural references (e.g., Krishna’s four factors, the stories of Dhruva, Prahlāda, and Jiva) with contemporary anecdotes, illustrating how modern devotees can apply these principles. A Q&A segment addresses practical concerns such as whether receiving a salary for temple service compromises devotion, concluding that disciplined service is acceptable if one remains vigilant. Throughout, the speaker’s tone is instructional and enthusiastic, aiming to inspire listeners to adopt disciplined, heartfelt devotional practices.
Chapters
Hi everyone. Fourth Canto, Chapter 8, Text 14. Okay, it's in my room. Give me the word meaning from here.— So, what he gave me, I'm a hero. My dad, he's a sports Kakara guy. He's a rock star. He's a popular guy. So, what he gave me, I'm hero. My dad, he's a It ain't Joe that you're watching. Kaha. Man, my God. Man, you better get out of here. Man, get out of here now. You don't know who I am. Brahman, you must be thinking. After all, he was a civil king. We had a chance here. Great, great missionary. Yes. Who? Who? God. Oh, you are an idiot. I must go and look for God. Āpoṇigai na ādamuni. Ādamuni ko ātmānivin prabhākasya. Ādamuni sometimes called God. Why he called God? Why? Why? Because he always representing Kṛṣṇa, as I said. He always called God. This is not the age to look for God. I say, "What's that, man?" He said, "I'm looking for God." I said, "You must be Japanese." He said, "I'm Indian, man." I said, "Well, you must be a Buddhist." He said, "I'm a Christian." I said, "Oh, I'm a Leo now. I'm a Leo now." He's very determined. This is Baba. You want to come? I can't, my mother cannot shut the home. Look at her. You know, this poor girl. And so then the other bhakti was convinced. He's genuine. The other bhakti never left. He obeys him. So obeys Kriyananda Swami Shivamurti. Obeys every guest. He has no care in the world. She went back with him. She was in Antak, meet here. They say she will get a beach vacation also, or whatever. It remains sweet. So she went back with him, gone. I spoke.— to me. So, Kṛṣṇa says in Bhāgavad-gītā, "Kṛṣṇa comes to me with the four factors." What are they? He was trying to write for me. So, Bhagavan said, "Don't go to the demigods. Come directly to me." We were the same age. Yes, no. Really, you understand? 3 important points. Krishna is supreme. Krishna is the enjoyer. And Krishna is best friend. I will do it. Krishna is supreme. Krishna is enjoyer. Krishna is supreme. Krishna is Bhagavan's name. So beyond doubt, the Veda is an emphasize that Krishna is the Supreme Lord. So, is it tancheye? Rugi puresa. Bhagavan apartheyo. Is it bacha? Māke karmeyo sādhya. He is experiencing extreme pain. Please release me from situation. So, English is a nice thing to equip. Therefore, we should use it in service to Lord.— at least they're coming to me. But sarvaśeṣu, who comes to me as a result of knowledge? Determination is one of the essential features when you are on the devotional path. Determination. Without determination, you can't succeed on the spiritual path. Body say, "Māni me ve." Again, "Māni no." I mean, "I ain't even that much, eh." You feel this. "This is that pride, kārthe, eh." "Amma, eh, paasen de li me." "Ninga pe thaa." "I ain't this, this, the other, that." So those are all, say, they will, will, will Sivaji Radhakrishnan. No Sunday, no holiday, he is in the library. Now he has passed Part 1, he is waiting for Part 2. But he is determined, "I should be a great IAS." So he sacrifices everything. He doesn't even talk to his parents. He is so busy studying. So determined. Determination. To receive Pragyan, we need determination to succeed on the spiritual path. When you embark on the spiritual path, there will be many obstacles, and the senses are pulling. "Kuih pika ten sidi aye, ale makiko leijo." Whatever may happen, I'm not going to give up the path of yoga, worship of God. He understands what I'm about. So, Nana Wunni deka, deka, this boy is determined. So, Nana Wunni lewa le. Ego mancha leya. Kosa mancha? All the words. English. Lunch break was dinner. But who am I? For eating was in Swedish. Bhagavad Gītā, a Lokṣudha. The Lord is a Lokṣudha. What does a Lokṣudha mean? What does it mean? If you practice austerity, you can understand the Lord. If you don't practice austerity, then can you understand the Lord? No. So, Lord Rishideva, speaking on the same theme, he feels kind of say, There is real happiness and false happiness. Amluṣa vāilē te ho. Amluṣa, yaṇṭhaṇ paṇkaliṣpaṇashe ho. Uṣaṅkṣyakīyaṇḍuplikāto vāilē te ho. Uṣaṅkṣyakīyaṇḍuplikāto vāilē te ho. I'm finding important reason. I'm going to think about that. Yes, sleep is slavery. Yes, exactly. Kaisar Pernay, but he had a son-in-law, Ganoh, very good general, so he, he said, 'Put him between our chaps.' So Ganoh said, 'Very good.' One day there was a son-in-law of the British Kaisar, he had a lot of money, and he bought a shooting machine, which is a little gun, and he said, 'Hey, I see this So, Sahaja Sadhana, in a given way, in our day-to-day life, we also endeavor to obtain what is real, isn't it? Because the next one is Agarabh. Me. Technological. Diamond shop. Diamond dealer. My mother, you know, sexually was obsessed with my opponent, also my enemy, and obsessed with her own father. So, is it to me? But why is he going to judge an atheist? Shobhit Gandhiji will say, you should therefore completely apply yourself in the devotional service of the Lord. Am I clear about that? Shobhit Gandhiji. So Swami, we can't chant 20, we can't chant 60 rounds. So Swami, he said, okay, you can do 32 rounds. But then 32 will drag you. Then it's difficult. Whoever, you cannot keep Krishna is supreme, Krishna is supreme, and not follow what Krishna said is a great habit, my dear. That's why he gave a Abhidharma Charmana, a technique, that you may have factory work hard, have a lot of wealth, but you will push off. But check with me. Puis je suis allé à Sydney à débuter, en faisant une éclate. Mais je crois que c'est mal de le dire, mais quand je reviens parfois dire que c'était— quand quelqu'un a dit «prasad RAVALA », il est déjà parti, je connais sa langue, aussi il tourne bien les mots. Je me suis regardé, I'm just saying, in Irish way. You don't know how busy I am. This is the electricity or the— This is a little break. Make sure it's a break. Interval. We can serve you popcorn. We have a good generator. How long does it usually take? 'Zuruwa, mango meise ki aache ye zumein. Mango meise ki aache ye zumein.' My cousin Niklas said, 'Tut hi shishu ki koj mein, aamushi, hee aap kaapko gaya.' I was looking for broken glass, but never happened. I don't want anything. Then father said, The Lord said, "Jiva, to please me you underwent so many austerities. Please ask any benediction you want. I can give you the most opulent planet also." What did Jiva say? "My dear Lord, if at all you want to give me any benediction, please give me the benediction that I will always associate with His Vāstu Devotees." Lucci has yet to arrange a celebrity. I see a chance in the card here. Hey, Park Geun-hye, be a grappler! Should Pakistan win, I will give you a school supply. With Haile Gele, former Soviet Union man, 1971 man, Charlie Gele. Who's that man? Charles Zorro. And the communist regime there, the government did not want religion and they didn't want to understand English. So again, the Americans had to help. So Anand Shanti was having a meeting. So Anand Shanti, he got— My guru, he teach yoga. He's a national yoga teacher. Yoga teacher is called me. So, team, they work properly. So, I'm so proud of you. You did good. Take care of yourself. Take care of yourself. Krishna, you say Krishna. Prasad, for my sake you underwent so many difficulties. Ask me for any benediction, you will do that. I am ready to bestow it. And Prasad said, my dear Lord, If you want to give me a benediction, please give me the benediction that all my material desires will be crushed. Maha Yaro chut chitiya nahi. Rebe chitiya, aapke hasko lekse, aapko kitna bade ho bhagyas hai. So, this cheating may be as a part of discrimination. A small ant, when he sees that her life is in danger, he runs away. So, he cannot I speak Albanian. And when we have a language tour, we go, "Oh, you got the MBT, it's much easier." We go for it. I didn't really get that place for living. So I passed the result for work, for example, in the Puja. This program, they won't call it a program. They say, "Man, the language is a bit social." I said, "Easy, I will go for social." That's it, I'll pass the test. and he will give presents. Papa, she doesn't have money or the time to achieve a great domain, but he is capable of praying. So Abba Nana, the grace of the Lord, he will appreciate him. He will cheer him up, start the attack. All the battles are made. Papa, he can't pass it, but he is capable. So, in the community, so we We should read the Bhagavad Gītā every day. After we have come back to our cell, we should not read it with terror. We should read it with love. We should never be terrified. Lord Bhagavad Gītā is for the devotees. Each one should have regular company. You read one shloka of Bhagavad Gītā with a proper emotion. One shloka of Bhagavad Gītā English. So, chanting, reading the scriptures are enough for cleansing our heart and engaging in the path of pure devotion. And God has those. So we should endeavor, and then Krishna guarantees. Anyone who chants 16 hours every day and follow the four regulations will definitely go back to Godhead without fail. Without fail. So, put your life in the words of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and become very simple. Please chant and be happy. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Any questions, comments? Yeah, I'll repeat this once again. How can a disciple know that? I'm coming to that. If a disciple knows what is the desire of the guru, that the name is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the warrior-priest, As it is now, we develop humanity with respect for all life forms, then which Mahatma you be, it's automatic. It's really hard to be. This is what he's working on. And, you know, this means, and I'm going to help with this, probably Sri Prasad RAVAL says, 3 categories of devotee. The best is, he knows the mind of the spiritual master. He knows the instruction. Therefore, even without saying, he do his japa very nicely. He read every day. Second category of disciple is, he's told, Prabhu! You must improve yourself. And we say, do this, you will get the hammer. In through the right ear, out through the left ear. Obey Shri Mataji, and I'm telling you, you will not— What grade you want to be in? Say more. Yeah, is that more sense? Huh? What gift? Maharajji is saying that these here in Bhagavatam, Dhruva Maharaj, Prahlada Maharaj, Vritrasura, they didn't ask Kṛṣṇa for any material benedictions. But we are not in that pure stage, we are maybe 10%, 20% pure. So what is it? When you are driving a car on the highway, the destination may be half a mile away, but if you are on the right highway, then you will reach there. he was lying in a bed of arrows, and Krishna personally came to be on his bedside. And Krishna told him this, you asked from him, you asked him the duties of members of the society. The Lord wanted to show my devotee, if he is different person, a sound in mind, and he basically left his body while meditating on the lotus. Now if I ask you, how many of you would like to die, leave your body, and sit with the Buddha? Vishenya's present, would you? Everyone says yes. The Buddha said you can get the same benefit The best way of God, while meditating on the Lord, is by the time you are leaving your body, by chanting the Holy Name. If you are chanting the Holy Name while leaving this body, then you will get the same benefit. So, Bhakti Yoga, Hare Kṛṣṇa is most effective. can develop by executing Mafuyu. This is Mahāvijjaya. Vijjāyā. What is the best austerity? You said we should do austerity. Very simple austerity to control the tongue. If we control the tongue, we will chant and eat Krishna prasada. And if we're chanting and we're done properly, then the belly and genital organs are in very good shape. So Krishna says, the tongue, the belly, the genital are all the a straight line. So you control the tongue, the brain will be controlled. Yeah, with the book, time you go to work, watch your wake up, let go. Yeah. Cinema was happening in the Indian Peninsula. A lady, who is very highly positioned, long, long ago in this theatre, and experienced satisfaction of Santristana, that is about prayer, of chanting guru, was herself to Mose Hardev. Okay, one more question. Yeah. Yes. Thank you. Is the Gīyāṣṭha or Bhagavan Bhakti walking in the temple with Salarī or pure Zerbal? May you please repeat your question? Is when we perform, we want to perform bhakti in temple, and if the temple gives us a salary, is it true bhakti or not? Gives a salary? Salary, monthly salary. Yeah, if you take, if you do full-time service and temple gives a salary, is it okay? Yes. You need you're in danger of the relaxation. So sometimes you won't be disciplined and take up other things. That's okay. So we just wanted to reemphasize, I said nothing. You got this nice center. Why they call this? And the effort was in a Bhagavad Gītā program. And— And we hope to develop this into a very nice preaching facility. I was only 7 years old. In India they say, "Dhoka is like an Oscar, they tease on his age, makar ke." Their lifespan is only 30 years. So, especially in old men, we get speech and eventually we have been swallowed up. Within. So thank you very much. Also yesterday night, Ramakrishna introduced me to the beautiful devotee who helped. Very serviceable, isn't it? And very grateful to everyone who helped. Very grateful. I'm sure they found you devotees in the whole world will like to come here. We make a nice Hare Krishna retreat and you will meet them. Nice. Okay, okay. I have to leave it today evening.
