Can You Taste the Nectar?

The nectar of devotion is an ocean of bliss. Can you taste the nectar? All you have to do is dive in. Don't sit passively on the shore as a spectator. Take up the practices of bhakti. Chant the Hare Krishna mantra on a daily basis. Offer all of your food to Krishna before eating (no meat, fish, or eggs allowed). Give up consciousness-lowering activities such as illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. For transcendental synergy associate as much as possible with those persons who are on the pathway of Krishna consciousness. Adopt these guidelines and be amazed as you experience your bhakti (devotion) growing by leaps and bounds. You'll be tasting the sweetest nectar every day. And it will just keep getting sweeter and sweeter.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Nectar or Poison in the Beginning?

Some people say that Krishna consciousness is poison in the beginning and unlimited nectar at the end; while some say Krishna consciousness is ever-increasing nectar from the very beginning. Which is right?

As to my experience, Krishna consciousness is nectar because to some extent I can taste it and feel peaceful, and in the meantime it is austerity because the nectar I taste is not enough to attract my heart, so I have to forcibly fix my mind on Krishna, this is somewhat painful. I have to have strong faith to carry me thru the difficult times. What to do about this?

Your eternal servant,

Yechen Zhang

Answer: Ever-Increasing Nectar

Krishna consciousness is ever-increasing nectar from the very beginning. Apparently someone is getting Krishna consciousness confused with happiness in the mode of goodness, which is described in the Bhagavad-gita.

Happiness in the mode of goodness is the kind of happiness which is poison in the beginning and nectar at the end, not Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is different. It is sweet from day one as soon as you seriously take it up. Krishna conscious happiness is completely beyond the modes of material nature. It is situated on the pure transcendental platform.

For a neophyte devotee, however, often his practice will be in the mode of goodness instead of completely on the transcendental platform. Therefore he will sometimes experience difficulties in his practice of Krishna consciousness.

If you are still having trouble in your practice, it is because you are not yet purely on the transcendental platform beyond the modes of material nature. You have not yet become spontaneously attracted to Krishna. Don't worry. This is normal for a beginner. You simply must continue with your practice of chanting at least 16 rounds daily and following the four regulative principles, even if it sometimes feels like an austerity. Stick to this process just like a patient who faithfully takes his medicine as prescribed by his doctor, even though it may taste bitter.

In this way, if you will dutifully follow the spiritual master's instructions, you will gradually reach that stage of spontaneous attraction to Krishna. Then the allurements of the material nature will fade away into insignificance. If you will continue bringing your mind back to thoughts of the Lord, even if by force, gradually that day will come when you are spontaneously absorbed in Krishna consciousness 24 hours a day just as a young man is spontaneously attracted to beautiful girls.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari