10
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta
[Madhya-līlā, Ch. 23]
TRANSLATION
“‘In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.’
TEXT 16
সত্যং প্রসঙ্গান্নম বীধদংবিদে।
ভবস্তি হ্রকর্ণরসায়না: কথা: ।
তজ্জোষণাদাখপবর্গবন্ধনি
শ্রদ্ধা রতির্ভক্তিরহ্নক্রমিয়তি ॥ ১৬ ॥
satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
SYNONYMS
satām —of the devotees;  prasaṅgāt —by the intimate association;  mama —of Me;  vīrya-saṁvidaḥ —talks full of spiritual potency;  bhavanti —appear;  hṛt —to the heart;  karṇa —and to the ears;  rasa-āyanāḥ —a source of sweetness;  kathāḥ —talks;  tat —of them;  joṣaṇāt —from proper cultivation;  āśu —quickly;  apavarga —of liberation;  vartmani —on the path;  śraddhā —faith;  ratiḥ —attraction;  bhaktiḥ —love;  anukramiṣyati —will follow one after another.
TRANSLATION
“‘The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens to him, and gradually he attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion.’
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25).