Fight with Determination

Becoming Krishna consciousness means that we have to do battle on a daily basis with the material energy. In order to be successful in this struggle we must fight with great determination. We have the six material senses including the mind that must be conquered. If we can subdue our senses by keeping them always engaged in Krishna's service, we will emerge victorious as conquerors over the material energy and will able to enter into the sublime atmosphere of the spiritual world.

How do we keep them engaged in Krishna's service? This process begins with the tongue. If we can utilize our tongues as far as possible only for glorifying the Lord and partaking of vegetarian foodstuffs that are offered to Him with love and devotion (prasadam), we gradually will become highly advanced in Krishna consciousness and always taste the sweetest pleasure. This principle is confirmed by Srila Rupa Goswami:

ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi
na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ
sevonmukhe hi jihvādau
svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ

"Material senses cannot appreciate Krishna's holy name, form, qualities and pastimes. When a conditioned soul is awakened to Krishna consciousness and renders service by using his tongue to chant the Lord's holy name and taste the remnants of the Lord's food, the tongue is purified, and one gradually comes to understand who Krishna really is."
--Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.234)

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Surrender?

The last line of a recent Thought for the Day message is, "Just to surrender to Krishna."

What does it mean literally to surrender? What is the procedure to surrender? How will I know that I am surrendered?

How does the spiritually advanced person who is surrendered -- walk, talk, sit, behave etc? How do I differentiate between a surrendered and non surrendered person.

What do I have to do physically or mentally or emotionally to surrender to Krishna?

Your servant.

Prafull

PS. I enjoy your email everyday and learn lot of things. Thanks for that, taking so much time to email.

Answer: Follow Guru's Instructions

We surrender to Krishna by putting ourselves fully under the orders of Krishna's representative, the bona fide spiritual master. The spiritual master will let you know whether you are surrendered or not.

The fully surrendered soul is free from anxiety and full of compassion desiring to give Krishna consciousness to everyone. He accepts whatever instructions he receives from his spiritual master as his very life and soul.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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