286 Teachings of Lord Chaitanya

existence, Ramananda Roy replied that separation from a pure devotee
is the most painful existence in human society. In other words, where there
is no known devotee of the Lord, society becomes painful, and association
also becomes painful. In the Srimad Bhagwatam, Third Canto, 30th Chapter,
it is stated that if somebody tries to become happy simply in association with
society, friendship, and love—without Krishna Consciousness—he is in the
most distressed condition, bereft of the association of a pure devotee.

Lord Chaitanya then inquired from Sri Ramananda Roy: “Out of so
many so-called liberated souls, who is actually liberated?”

Ramananda replied that the person who is completely saturated with devo-
tional love of Radha and Krishna is to be considered the best of all liberated
persons. In the Srimad Bhagwatam, Fifth Canto, it is stated that the association
of a pure devotee is more desirable than life itself, and in separation from the
association of the. devotee, not even a second is passed happily. Similarly,
it is stated in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Sixth Canto, 14th Chapter: a devotee of
Narayan is so rare that you can find only one out of millions and millions.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inquired from Sri Ramananda Roy: “There are
many songs; which song do you think the best of all?”

Ramananda replied that any song which describes the Pastimes of Sri
Radha and Krishna is the best song. The conditioned soul is such that everyone
is captivated by sex life; all the material fiction—dramas and novels—are des-
criptions of love between a man and woman. As people have so much attrac-
tion for this literature, Krishna therefore appeared on this material world and
displayed His transcendental loving affairs with the Gopis, and there is an im-
mense literature dealing with the transactions between the Gopis and Krishna.
Anyone who takes shelter of this story of Radha and Krishna enjoys actual
happiness. In the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, 33rd Chapter, it is said
that the Lord, in order to show His actual life, displayed His Pastimes at Vrin-
daban; and any intelligent person who tries to understand the Pastimes of
Radha and Krishna is the most fortunate. And that sort of song and story is
the highest in the world.

Lord Chaitanya then inquired from Sri Ramananda Roy, “What is the
most profitable thing in this world, the essence of all auspicious events?”

Ramananda Roy replied that there is nothing so profitable as the association
of pure devotees.

Lord Chaitanya inquired: “What do you recommend a person think
of?”

Ramananda Roy replied that one should always think of the Pastimes
of Krishna. This is Krishna Consciousness. Krishna has multiple activities,
