Text 24] = Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras 917

slaughter of animals. A devotee is the friend not only of human society
but of all living entities, for he sees all living entities as sons of the Su-
preme Personality of Godhead. He does not claim himself to be the only
son of God and allow all others to be killed, thinking that they have no
soul. This kind of philosophy is never advocated by a pure devotee of the
Lord. Suhrdah sarva-dehinam: a true devotee is the friend of all living
entities. Krsna claims in Bhagavad-gita to be the father of all species of
living entities; consequently the devotee of Krsna is always a friend of all.
This is called ahimsa. Such nonviolence can be practiced only when we
follow in the footsteps of great acaryas. Therefore, according to our
Vaisnava philosophy, we have to follow the great acaryas of the four
sampradayas or disciplic successions.

Trying to advance in spiritual life outside the disciplic succession is
simply ludicrous. It is said, therefore: acaryavan puruso veda (Chand.
Up. 6.14.2). One who follows the disciplic succession of acaryas knows
things as they are. Tad-vijfianartham sa gurum evabhigacchet (Mund. Up.
1.2.12). In order to understand the transcendental science, one must
approach the bona fide spiritual master. The word smrtya is very impor-
tant in spiritual life. Smrtya means remembering Krsna always. Life should
be molded in such a way that one cannot remain alone without thinking
of Krsna. We should live in Krsna so that while eating, sleeping, walking
and working we remain only in Krsna. Our Krsna consciousness society
recommends that we arrange our living so that we can remember Krsna.
In our ISKCON society the devotees, while engaged in making Spiritual
Sky incense, are also hearing about the glories of Krsna or His devotees.
The sastra recommends: smartavyah satatam visnuh. Lord Visnu should be
remembered always, constantly. Vismartavyo na jatucit: Visnu should
never be forgotten. That is the spiritual way of life. Smrtya. This
remembrance of the Lord can be continued if we hear about Him con-
stantly. It is therefore recommended in this verse: mukundacaritagrya-
sidhund. Sidhu means nectar. To hear about Krsna from Srimad-
Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or similar authentic literature is to live in
Krsna consciousness. Such concentration in Krsna consciousness can be
achieved by persons who are strictly following the rules and regulative
principles. We have recommended in our Krsna consciousness movement
that a devotee chant sixteen rounds on beads daily and follow the
regulative principles. That will help the devotee to spiritually advance in
life.

It is also stated in this verse that by controlling the senses one can
become a svami or gosvamt. One who is therefore enjoying this super-
