Throughout the Srimad Bhagavatam, Vaisnava sanga is emphasised as a most critical aspect of devotional life.
Association with saintly personalities infuses our spiritual life with enthusiasm to serve and the desire to advance spiritually.
There is nothing higher than the association of advanced devotees who simply want to serve Krishna.
Jananivas prabhu, the most senior pujari and a very humble person, is an example of a sadhu that we hear from the scriptures.
His body is fully engaged in the service of the Lord, his mind is attached to Krishna only, and his only desire is to please his masters, Radha Madhava.
In such an old age and fragile body, he travels the world, spreading the mercy of Lord Gouranga.
He is often called “a blessing machine”. Carrying the shoes of Lord Nityananda from one place to another, he is giving blessings to devotees and, by his example, inspiring everyone to become serious in their sadhana and service.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, whilst he is staying at Bhaktivedanta Manor, I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with prabhu.
Going on parikramas around the temple, offering him a maha garland during the morning temple programs, assisting him with any menial services required and going to the programs with him are my ways of grabbing mercy.
My favourite time is in the evening when we gather in his room and read from Krishna’s book whilst drinking hot milk. Sometimes he would share his reflections or comment on what we just read. At other times, he would share the pastimes of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
After the reading, around 8:30 p.m., the sun has already set, and it is very dark.
Jananivas prabhu then takes his torch and walks with all of us from his room back to the temple so we don’t walk in the dark.
During this time, whilst walking behind him, I recite “oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya” prayers, reminding myself- “I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge.”
Ref. VedaBase => SB 9.9.45- Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is therefore called kṛṣṇa-bhāvanāmṛta-saṅgha, the association of persons who are simply satisfied in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa.
Ananta Gopal das
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