Letter 48 - A true inclination to serve,...

A true inclination to serve is the real fortune of the living entity

श्री श्री गुरु-गौराङ्गौ जयतः

śrī śrī guru-gaurāṅgau jayataḥ

Śrī Devānanda Gauḍīya Maṭha Tegharipara, Navadvīpa (Nadia) 11/7/1978

Snehāspadāsu—

Mā Umā! I just received the letter you sent yesterday. Regarding——Dīdī’s request, which you informed me of in your letter, it is not possible for me to fulfil all of that. I can lecture on Bhāgavata in her home, but I will not take prasāda there. The reason is that once, prior to this, I accepted lunch prasāda in your home and it caused much fuss. I have never seen a rule stating that if I take prasāda in someone’s home, that householder will have to invite all the residents of the maṭha. From that day forth I decided to never accept prasāda at any gṛhastha’s home in Chunchura. This being the situation, I will not be able to partake of vaiṣṇava-sevā at——Dīdī’s house. Earlier I was also invited to a festival at——Prabhu’s house, but I told them that I would not be able to attend. I am not independent. In my special designation, my independence is dependent on others. If one manages to become a sevaka, it is natural to be attracted by the beauty of others’ service. While it is true that the sevya (the recipient of service) is attracted by a sincere propensity to serve, the sevya still has occasion to assess the sevā with judgment and discretion. Service that is no more than a one-act drama or an attempt to garner prestige certainly does not count as actual service. Vaiṣṇava scriptures

advise granting eligibility to the unworthy and fallen and facilitating their becoming exalted. Guru and Vaiṣṇavas are supremely merciful. With this conviction, you will surely get the chance for their darśana. Their causeless compassion is the sole provision and resource for us on the path of sādhana and bhajana. Human beings can never attain auspiciousness by materialistic arrogance, egotism, and bravado. Only simple and sincere individuals attain well-being and experience the awakening of a true inclination to serve. This alone is the living entity’s real fortune.

I will reach Chunchura by the 5th of Śrāvaṇa. I will tell and hear everything in person. I hope that you are all well. Please accept my affectionate blessings. My body is really not well. Iti—

Your eternal well-wisher,
Śrī Bhaktivedānta Vāmana