Sankīrtan
Letter, Sreela Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj
Highest bhakti is sankīrtan, i.e., to speak about the glories of the Name, Form, Attributes and Pastimes of Sri Krishna and His personal associates. Wherever we stay, we are to regularly perform śravan-kīrtan (hearing and speaking), if we seriously want progress in bhakti.
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Question : Please explain to us how GOKUL is functioning at present and how it should function in the future as per your vision and desire. Should we legally register our own group here in our country or should we join the existing global one (and how)? Our desire also is, if you could send some of your sannyāsī, brahmachāri or householder god-brothers or disciples to hold programs here if you personally cannot come because of your health difficulties, to give us the necessary inspiration and strength to go on with the service of Sri Guru-Vaishnav-Bhagavān. I have been invited by disciples of Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Mahārāj to speak on public vaiṣṇava-program. As I feel myself incompetent for this task I am asking for your advice in this matter. I can speak nice flowery theoretical words to get mundane name and fame, but my realisation and actual service to Sri Krishna is very weak and I don't want to bring bad name on vaiṣṇava religion.
Śrīla Gurudev : GOKUL is the abbreviation of 'Global Organisation of Krishna Chaitanya's Universal Love'. The word 'Universal' denotes that it is for all. But as per worldly legal rules, it is better if you register it in. Members will be devotees of the Gauḍīya school of thought.
When I consulted with the specialist doctor about my going outside India, he instructed me that the summer season would not be congenial to me in India, so I should go abroad with the condition that I should confine myself in one place and avoid undertaking tour-programs in different places. Devotees will come to me from different places. For the choice of the place, you are to consult with all devotees of Europe and England, especially,-------- and ---------------- . For sending of preaching party, sannyāsī, brahmachāri or household devotees, I shall have to consult with devotees and sannyāsīs and can intimate you accordingly.
In regard to your last question, a bona fide devotee's life is dedicated fully for the service of Sri Krishna and Krishna-bhakta. Highest bhakti is sankīrtan, i.e., to speak about the glories of the Name, Form, Attributes and Pastimes of Sri Krishna and His personal associates. Wherever we stay, we are to regularly perform śravan-kīrtan (hearing and speaking), if we seriously want progress in bhakti. Our life is not meant for delivering speeches but it should be dedicated for the service of Krishna and His devotees. Śravan- kīrtan is like water. If water is not poured at the root of the tree, it will not be nourished. After taking mantra, you are to give water to it, i.e., hearing about Krishna and speaking about Krishna. With that end in view, you can go and recapitulate what you have heard from gurudev, vaiṣṇavas and authentic scriptures.
May All-Merciful Sri Guru-Gaurāṅga Rādhā-Krishna bless you all and bestow you strength to serve them. My love to you all.
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya
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