NIRANJANA SWAMI ON DEVOTEE CARE

At Trai dasa's (ACBSP) home in the mountains near Bologna, Italy

(Note: This an audio transcript so "+++" means there are few words that are inaudible.)

"We are trying to avoid the phenomemnon that expansion of Krsna consciousness means many people are coming but many people are also leaving." – Niranjana Swami

Ramacandra dasa ( RNS), from Villa Vrindavana, Italy:
What can you do besides hearing and chanting to care for devotees?

Niranjana Swami:
It is definitely a faith. It's a primary responsibility for anybody who's preaching Krsna consciousness. Preaching means hearing and chanting. But we have to protect the faith of the devotee. Bhaktivinoda Thakura gives the example. He speaks about sraddha, faith, in Tattva Viveka. He says, "Appearance of faith is like a birth of a new-born baby girl. When baby girl is born the parents are very careful to protect their +++ from hunger, from thirst, from heat and cold +++ dangerous features. And also, they give nourishment to the baby.
Therefore, he says, the awakening of the faith in the heart of a living entity is like a birth of a new-born baby girl. Once the faith is awakened, it needs to be protected. Protected from karma, jnana, mystic yoga perfections. Srila Rupa Gosvami says, bhukti-mukti-sprha yavat pisaci hrdi vartate. Bhukti and mukti are like two witches that haunt one like a ghost. As long as these two witches are within your heart then one will never be able to taste +++ of devotional service.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura used that analogy +++ of birth of a new baby girl in connection to faith. What we can do to help others +++ protect their faith in devotional service. As he said, faith is the most valuable currency. When you protect that faith and nourish, like a baby girl, +++ protect from dangerous elements but alsoo need to be nourished. Nourishment in sanskrit is pusti.
When we nourish sombody's faith that's the way to show our care for them. Nourishing their faith in devotional service and protect them from dangerous features of bhukti and mukti. And when somebod gets care in this way, they can undergo any difficulties. They can accept austerity. They can accept inconvenience. All +++ care is automatically fulfilled by caring for their faith.
It doesn't mean that we don't care for their bodies also. We also can do that too. +++ we have to be indifferent to their suffering. Vaisnava is never indifferent to other's suffering. But it's +++ how to protect their faith. That's how you can show care for others.

Akrura dasa:
How do you induce people to become counselors?

Niranjana Swami:
By caring for them.

Akrura dasa:
How long does it take?

Niranjana Swami:
It depends on the person.

Akrura dasa:
Many devotees say they are not qualified to be a spiritual guide.

Niranjana Swami:
Yes, that's true. Therefore, they are not forced to do it. Nobody is forced. It has to be voluntary. One is supposed to want to do it for the right reasons. +++ no personal benefit for being a counselor. So they have to do it for the right reasons.

Akrura dasa:
What do you mean there is no benefit?

Niranjana Swami:
Material benefit. Theya are not starting a separate preaching center. They are not extracting resources from the people they are taking care of. So there is no personal material benefit. Benefit is a satisfaction they get from caring for others. And the mercy that comes down for doing that confidential service. Tamal Krsna Maharaja told me in 1978. I was in the temple in Manhattan in Ney York City. We had about 40 devotees at the temple.
I was in charge of all the new devotees and guests. That was my responsibility. Some times there were as many as 30-40 people that I had to help. Tamal Krsna Maharaja said that Prabhupada told him that if you take care of Krsna's devotees Krsna takes care of you.
So you read the book ("Taking Care Of Krsna's Devotees")?

Akrura dasa:
Oh, yes. It's a gem.

Niranjana Swami:
This year devotees are waitng for the number two. Either volume two or revised edition.

Akrura dasa:
Many devotees say they would like to be a caregiver or a counselor, but they don't have time. They have so many things to do. How do you respond to that?

Niranjana Swami:
+++ Right in this present moment, I was asked to help in Hungary. They are just staring their (devotee care) system there. Last week we had a meeting with devotees who live outside and we discussed that threadbare.
It can go either way. Sometimes they have a good reason why they cannot. That's why they shouldn't be pushed. Sometimes there is no proper utilization of time. And sometimes people are not really convinced +++ And if they are the'll find the time +++ They'll set their priorities +++ They'll find time. What I experienced, devotees who really get absorbed in it, especially the grhasthas who are working and maintain their family, that what it really comes down to, it's recreation +++

Akrura dasa:
Many are afraid it will be a burden.

Niranjana Swami:
It is like that, but when they get mercy starts flowing, it's a higher taste.

Akrura dasa:
How many counselors you have in Ukraine?

Niranjana Swami:
160. Not all of them are +++ Some of them are "in training".

Akrura dasa:
Thank you.

 

 

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