We are neither politicians nor social workers; neither are we economists. We have dedicated our lives to the attainment of the Supreme Goal of life, and we have no doubts about our decision. We have firm faith that one cannot be happy without worshipping the Supreme Lord—it is as sure as death. It is foolishness to think that any living entity can be happy without serving Sri Bhagavan, who is the very Form of transcendental bliss. We do not oppose those who claim that they will become happy without worshipping Bhagavan, although we would like to see how they can attain that happiness and bliss. In actuality, intelligent human beings are born only to engage in the worship of the Supreme Lord.

In the Second Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, there are stories of conditioned souls attached to wife, son, wealth, etc., increasing their bondage to the illusory energy, maya. However, out of such persons, those who want to be free of this bondage of maya should hear, chant and remember the transcendental pastimes and qualities of Bhagavan Sri Hari, as the essence of all the regulations and prohibitions in the scriptures is to always remember Kṛṣna and never forget Him. In the Caitanya-caritamṛta, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, explaining the subject matter of abhidheya (devotional practice), tells Srila Sanatana Gosvami, “There are many limbs of regulated devotional service (sadhana-bhakti). I shall explain the essence of all of them to you.” Sriman Mahaprabhu said that the foremost limb of bhakti is taking shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master. After that, in order, come kṛṣna-dikṣa-sikṣa (receiving initiation and instruction about Kṛṣna), serving the spiritual master, and so on. We will briefly discuss these limbs of bhakti here:

(1) Taking shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master: One gets an opportunity to associate with sadhus (pure devotees of the Lord) after performing numerous pious deeds over countless births. As one hears hari-katha from the lips of sadhus, one develops firm faith in Sri Hari. At that time, one becomes qualified to practice ananya-bhakti (unalloyed devotional service) to the Supreme Lord and in order to learn about bhakti, takes shelter of the lotus feet of the bona fide spiritual master. After taking shelter of the spiritual master or, in other words, after becoming his student, one learns about pure devotion from one’s spiritual master.

(2) Taking initiation (dikṣa): Dikṣa means receiving transcendental knowledge. This knowledge is self-evident, perfect knowledge.

(3) Serving one’s spiritual master with faith: Do not consider the spiritual master to be an ordinary human being like yourself. Sri Kṛṣna Himself descends into this universe as the spiritual master in order to teach us how to serve Him. Thus, the scriptures refer to the spiritual master as the representative of all the demigods. You should consider him to be your most affectionate guardian and never disobey his instructions.

(4) Inquiring about sad-dharma: One should learn from one’s spiritual master about sad-dharma or the true religion of the soul. If one does not understand something then one should humbly inquire about it.

(5) Following the path laid down by sadhus: One should follow the path laid down by the sadhus. Do not follow the conditioned souls of this world. The sadhaka must lead his life in the same way that the great devotees live their lives.

(6) Renouncing all sense enjoyment for Kṛṣna’s satisfaction: One should renounce all objects of sense enjoyment for the satisfaction of Sri Kṛṣna, our object of worship. One should renounce anything that cannot be offered to Bhagavan or that Bhagavan does not like. Those who desire their actual benefit should refrain from gambling and other vices. You can see the result of gambling in the Mahabharata, wherein the Lord has instructed us, through the medium of His friend Yudhiṣṭhira, about how a person can be deprived of his strength, fame, wealth, etc., by indulging in gambling. Secondly, one should give up alcohol, opium, cannabis, cigarettes and other intoxicants. Thirdly, one must completely refrain from illicit sex. One should not look at women lustfully other than one’s own wife. Fourthly, the sadhaka who desires his own well-being should not commit violence to any living beings. Some sadhakas desire to worship Sri Bhagavan but at the same time consume fish, eggs, meat and other dirty things. Such people must completely give up eating all such substances. You may not listen to us but at least give up all of these for the satisfaction of your object of worship.

(7) Residing at the Holy Dhama: Although the Supreme Lord is everywhere, one should still reside at places where the Lord had His pastimes (such as Vṛndavana, Navadvipa, Jagannatha Puri, etc.), where the Lord’s Deity is eternally served and worshipped, or where the Lord’s devotees live.

(8) Accepting only as much material facility as is required to sustain one’s life: Householder devotees should earn and accumulate only as many material things as are required for their household life. They should not be so entangled in material affairs that they have no time for bhajana. If you are always hankering after material things, then you will not be able to engage in bhajana. However, if you earn less than your requirements, then the demands of your family will not be met; your child will ask for something or your wife will trouble you for some household items. These troubles will disturb you and you will not be able to perform bhajana. Thus, one should accept only those material things which are a bare necessity for one’s life. This means that one should not earn more or less than one’s needs.

(9) Fasting on Ekadasi: This tithi (lunar day) is also known as Hari-vasara, Hari-priya or Viṣnu-priya. Those who desire their actual benefit should definitely observe this day of upavasa (fasting). Upa means “near” and vasa means “residing.” So the meaning of upavasa is “residing near the Supreme Lord.” On this day one should refrain from all kinds of sinful activities and with all good qualities, worship Sri Bhagavan. Bhagavan is very pleased by observance of this Viṣnu-priya tithi. That is why devotees of all Vaiṣnava sampradayas observe this tithi with great respect.

(10) Worshipping Vaiṣnavas, brahmanas, cows, tulasi and amla trees: The sadhaka should honour and worship Vaiṣnavas, brahmanas, cows, tulasi (holy basil), amla (gooseberry) and pipala (banyan) trees. In the Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that by remembering them and offering respects to them, all of one’s sins are washed away:

asvattha-tulasi-dhatri-
go-bhūmi-sura-vaiṣnavah
pūjitah pranata dhyatah
kṣapayanti nṛnam agham
(Skanda Purana)

(11) Avoiding offences against devotional service and the Holy Name: Sadhakas desiring hari-bhakti should pay particular attention to the ten offences against the Holy Name and the thirty-two offences against devotional service. One will not progress if one engages in bhajana while committing offences.

(12) Abandoning the association of non-devotees: There are those who do not believe in the Supreme Lord or accept Lord Viṣnu as their object of worship. They do not believe in His existence, and claim that the Absolute Truth is formless or attributeless. There are others who are attached to material or sensual enjoyment—all of these are non-devotees. If you want to progress in bhajana then you should give up their association.

(13) Not accepting many disciples: If you accept many disciples then you will not have time to instruct or reform them all. Thus, do not accept many disciples.

(14) Refraining from reading and reciting many books, and making novel interpretations of scripture: Many people are accustomed to reading any and all literature that they come across. They begin reading one book but do not finish it before beginning another, and another, and so on. In this way, they read many books—but only partially. Because of this, they are unable to understand the purport of the scriptures and stray away from the Supreme Goal of life. One should also refrain from explaining a lot of scriptures.

(15) Remaining equipoised in loss or gain: One should not become unbalanced either in loss or gain. Otherwise, your attention will become diverted and your bhajana will be obstructed.

(16) Not being overwhelmed by emotions such as lamentation: You should not grieve excessively if someone in your home or a relative of yours dies. One who has come into this world is sure to leave. One who is born is sure to die:

jatasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur
dhruvam janma mṛtasya ca
tasmad apariharye ’rthe
na tvam socitum arhasi
(Bhagavad-gita 2.27)

(17) Not criticising other demigods or other scriptures: Worship Sri Bhagavan but do not criticise other demigods or other scriptures. Worship of Sri Kṛṣna does not mean that you can speak foul of Indra, Durga, Siva, Brahma, etc. Of course, all demigods are not equal but it is not right to speak badly about them. One should respect them all according to their respective statuses. Understanding all demigods to be servitors of Sri Kṛṣna and offering them respect, one should engage in remembering Sri Kṛṣna, one’s own worshipable Deity. A living being will worship a demigod of the mode of nature (goodness, passion or ignorance) which he possesses himself. He will have as much faith and one-pointedness in that deity as per his degree of eligibility. Thus, one should not manifest any kind of disrespect in relation to such a person’s object of worship. By the mercy of those demigods, as such persons progress in their worship, their hearts will eventually become nirguna (free of all material qualities) and they will also begin the unalloyed devotional service of nirguna Sri Hari.

Similarly, one should not criticise other scriptures. Although the study of devotional scriptures is our only path to success, those who are fruitive workers (karmis) and who have eligibility for karma (fruitive work) will only study the scriptures related to karma while others who are seekers of knowledge (jṣanis) and who have eligibility for jṣana (knowledge) will only study those scriptures that pertain to jṣana. Similarly, those who are yogis will study the scriptures related to yoga. However, those who desire pure devotion to the Supreme Lord should study only the authentic devotional scriptures and refrain from criticising any other scripture.

(18) Not listening to blasphemy of Viṣnu and Vaiṣnavas: One should never hear any critical words spoken about Lord Viṣnu or Vaiṣnavas. If somebody is speaking in this way before you then you should not quarrel with them but quietly leave that place. Uttering or listening to such blasphemy is a great offence and will certainly lead to the downfall of the sadhaka.

(19) Not listening to mundane talks: One should not listen to the anti-devotional talks of this world, particularly discussions relating to the affairs between men and women, etc. Such discussions are detrimental to one’s devotional progress.

(20) Not disturbing any living being with one’s deeds, mind or words: One should not trouble any living being with one’s body, mind or words.

While describing the limbs of sadhana-bhakti, Sriman Mahaprabhu explained that the sadhaka should hear about the Name, Form, Qualities and Pastimes of Sri Bhagavan from the lips of the pure devotee or the spiritual master. After that, he should repeat whatever he has heard to others and thus remember Sri Bhagavan. One should worship and offer prayers to the Lord, and serve the Lord thinking oneself to be His servant (dasa-bhava) or His friend (sakhya-bhava). Your wealth, body, mind, senses and you yourself (the jivatma) all belong to the Supreme Lord. Therefore, all these things should be offered unto the Lotus Feet of the Lord. One should sing and dance before the Lord for His pleasure. One should humbly reveal one’s innermost feelings before the Lord. One should pay prostrated obeisances (dandavat-pranamas) to the Lord. One should get up to welcome the spiritual master or the Deity of the Supreme Lord when They come before you. Whenever the Deity, spiritual master or an exalted devotee leave, one should go after Them for some distance. One should visit the holy places of the Supreme Lord. One should circumambulate the Deity, Giriraja Govardhana, etc. One should recite hymns for the pleasure of the Lord. One should chant the Holy Names and mantras of the Supreme Lord, and, together with other devotees, perform congregational chanting of the Lord’s Name, Qualities, Pastimes, etc. One should accept the Lord’s remnants such as incense, garlands, sandal paste, etc. and honour the Lord’s prasada. One should have darsana of the aratis and festivals of the Lord. One should have darsana of the Deity with devotion. One should offer to Sri Bhagavan, the spiritual master, the sadhu or the brahmana things that are useful for the service of Sri Kṛṣna or that are very dear to oneself. One should serve tulasi, the Vaiṣnava, the dhama (holy place) and the bhagavata (book Bhagavata and devotee bhagavata). One should perform whatever activities are pleasing to the Lord. One should always anticipate the Lord’s mercy. In addition, one should celebrate Janmaṣṭami and other festivals in the company of devotees, take absolute shelter of the Lord with one’s mind, words and body, and observe Karttika-vrata, etc. Altogether, these make up the sixty-four limbs of sadhana-bhakti.

After explaining all of this to Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Sriman Mahaprabhu said that of the sixty-four limbs of devotional service, sadhu-saṅga (association of devotees), nama-saṅkirtana (congregational chanting of the Holy Names), bhagavata-sravana (listening to Srimad-Bhagavatam), mathura-vasa (residing in Mathura) and sri-mūrtira sraddhaya sevana (serving the Deity with faith) are the five topmost limbs. Observance of all five limbs or even a little measure of one of the five limbs will awaken kṛṣna-prema—transcendental Divine Love for Kṛṣna—in the heart of the living entity:

sadhu-saṅga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana
mathura-vasa, sri-mūrtira sraddhaya sevana
sakala-sadhana-sreṣṭha ei paṣca aṅga
kṛṣna-prema janmaya ei paṅcera alpa saṅga
(Caitanya-caritamṛta, Madhya 22.128-129)