Texts 252-253] The Glories of Haridasa Thakura 337

adau Sraddha tatah sadhu-sango ‘tha bhajana-kriya
tato ‘nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha rucis tatah

“In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will
bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually ele-
vated. In the next stage, one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master,
and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional
service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual
master, one becomes freed from all material attachments, attains steadiness in
self-realization and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of
Godhead, Sri Krsna.” (B.r.s. 1.4.15) If one is actually executing devotional service,
then anarthas, the unwanted things associated with material enjoyment, will auto-
matically disappear.

TEXTS 252-253
HUSA Hq, — cStara ela |
CBLATA BAAN I-SSA- lA 1 Ve
FFG GE CEM, DIS FWA CHT |
Fay Gricahe’ Srl SA CATS reo Il

mahda-bhagavata tumi, —tomara darsane
tomara krsna-nama-kirtana-sravane

citta Suddha haila, cahe krsna-nadma laite
krsna-nadma upadesi’ krpa kara mote

SYNONYMS

mahda-bhagavata—the foremost devotee; tumi—you; tomara darsane—by
seeing you; tomara—your; krsna-nama—of the holy name of Krsna; kirtana—
chanting; sravane—by hearing; citta—consciousness; suddha haila—became
purified; cahe—wants; krsna-nama laite—to chant the holy name of Lord Krsna;
krsna-néma upadesi’—instructing about chanting the Hare Krsna mahd-mantra;
krpa kara—show mercy; mote—unto me.

TRANSLATION

‘My dear sir, you are the foremost devotee. Simply seeing you and hearing
you chant the holy name of Krsna has purified my consciousness. Now | want
to chant the holy name of the Lord. Please be kind to me by instructing me
about the ecstasy of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
