Learn How to Take Instructions

The most important talent that an aspiring devotee must develop is the ability to properly take instructions. Often the neophyte devotee is instructed to do something but only hears the instruction half way, thus failing to properly execute what he has been told to do. And then even when he is corrected for his mistake he foolishly thinks that he is being wrongly corrected. This tendency to not be able to properly take instructions is due to false pride. Therefore we must always remember, as Lord Caitanya is teaching us, to always considers ourselves lower than the straw in the street and to always be more tolerant than a tree. In this mood we will be able to take instructions properly and advance steadily on the pathway of pure devotion.

Disciples Carefully Hear Srila Prabhupada's Instructions

Video For the Day: Engage Everything in Krishna's Service

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: Wrong to Pray to God for Your Bread?

Dear Gurudeva,

I have learned that we can pray Krishna for bread so we can feed our body to progress in Krishna Consciousness, that we can pray Krishna for home so we can have a place to practice Krishna Consciousness, that we can pray to Krishna for a job so we can support Krishna Consciousness projects etc, and that we can pray for good health so we can serve Krishna in various ways such as book distribution, Harinam, Ratha Yatra (which requires great fitness), etc.

But as per your answer of your email Sat 2 April 2016, we should not ask for bread etc. So where I am wrong?

Do neophyte devotees like me pray to Krishna like above while advanced devotees pray for Kingdom of God or pure devotional service. If so shall I try preying like advanced devotees so that I can get there one day?

Please enlighten me.

Your aspiring servant

Prashant

Answer: Do You Want Love of God or Love of Bread?

I don't know who has taught you such things. This is not love of God. This is love of bread.

When you were a small child did you ever have to ask your parents if they would feed you, if they would allow you to live in their house, or if they would supply you with your material needs? You did not need to ask for these things because out of loving affection for you your parents naturally supplied you with your needs. If you had asked for these things, it would have shown your lack of trust in your parents.

So why are you so much lacking in trust of God that you have to ask Him for these things? Therefore the spiritual master teaches you that you should only ask for devotional service. Just as the intelligent child asks the parents what service he can do for them, the Krishna conscious person asks Krishna what service he can do for Krishna. He does not ask Krishna to serve him. Rather his only prayer is how he can serve Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari