“Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura shows us extraordinary determination. We see that even in the life of such a great devotee, empowered with Gaura shakti, still the material world is no rose garden — although we long for it to be so. We hope, in our neophyte mentality, that by our performing bhakti Krishna will make the material world nice. It seems an appropriate trade, yes? As Srila Prabhupada explains in the seventh canto in relation to when Lord Nrsimhadeva offered Prahlada Maharaja benedictions, the desire for the fulfillment of one’s lusty desires in exchange for one’s devotional service is quite common. So, we can take that to heart. What would we have done facing the obstacles that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura faced? We might have just accused Krishna, ‘Why have You let this happen to me? What is this? I have taken up the process of bhakti, and now look.'” — Devamrita Swami
Jul 192013