Sambandha

[Paramhamsa Vani]

Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

Our Param Gurudev, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, used to stress this so much to His disciples: You must do your practice with Sambanda. There is a natural progression of Sambanda (knowledge and faith in who we are, what this world is, who Krishna is, and what our relationship with Him is), Abhideya (spiritual practice), and Prayojana (the ultimate goal).  If you are doing spiritual practice thinking, 'I am of this world, I am for my son, my wife, my father,' then any fruits that come from your practice will only increase your material ego. If we want to make progress, then we must do our practice with the proper Sambanda, 'I am of Krishna, this world is the external potency of Krishna, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He attracts all and pleases all. My relation with Him is as an eternal servant.'

You can do so much practice—come to arati, engage in kirtan, do circumambultation of the mandir, hear from sadhus, but if you do them thinking, 'I am of this world, then the fruit of your practice will go to your material ego.'

If we want to progress, we must all day remember Mahaprabhu's instructions to Sanatan Goswami. We are of Krishna, remember Him, never forget Him, do Hari Kirtan. Engage all your senses, your body, and especially your mind in Krishna's service. This should always be on our mind.

---Jagad-guru His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj