Conclusion of Teachings to Sanatan Goswami 145
intelligent and engages himself in Krishna Consciousness, then Krishna in
reciprocation gives him the intelligence by which he can be promoted to the
Abode of the Supreme Lord.

The Lord said to Sanatan Goswami that the association of good devotees,
engagement in the transcendental service of the Lord, understanding Srimad
Bhagwatam, and chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, as well as residing in
a place like Vrindaban or Mathura—these five things are very important for
elevating oneself to the transcendental plane. Not to speak of attaining all the
five—if one becomes expert in one of them, then he also is, without fail,
elevated to the stage of love of Godhead. But anyone who is actually intelligent
should give up all other desires and engage himself in the transcendental service
of Krishna. The influence of devotional service is such that a person so engaged
gives up all material desires and becomes fully attached to taking center unto
Krishna, being moved by the transcendental qualities of the Lord. That is the
beauty of the Lord to His devotee.

Another meaning of Atma is “nature.” Atmarama means that everyone
is enjoying the particular nature he has acquired. But the ultimate nature,
or the perpetual, eternal nature of the living entity is to serve the Supreme
Lord. Anyone who attains to the perfection of understanding his real nature—
of eternally being the servitor of the Lord—gives up his designative (material,
or bodily) conception of life. That is real knowledge. Those who are in pursuit
of knowledge and get the opportunity of associating with a pure devotee also
become engaged in devotional service of the Lord. Sages like the four Kumaras,
as well as the fools and the birds, can be engaged in the transcendental service
of the Lord. Being favored by Krishna’s causeless mercy, everyone can be
elevated to the standard of Krishna Consciousness.

One becomes attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krishna and begins
his devotional service. It is stated in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto,
Fifteenth Chapter, in glorifying the land of Vrindaban: “This land, Vrajab-
humi, is glorified by the touching of Your Sole. By the touching of Your
Fingers, the creepers also glorify You. By Your looking on the hills and the
rivers and the lower animals, they are all glorified. And, so far as the Gopis
are concerned, they, being embraced by Your transcendental Arms, are also
glorified.” The Gopis glorified Vrindaban in the following words: “My
dear friends, all these inhabitants of our Vrajabhumi, including the birds,
beasts and trees, everyone, while seeing Lord Krishna going to the pasturing
ground with His friends, accompanied by Valadeva and singing on Their
flutes—all are glorified.”
