On Obtaining Krishna-Prema 

Prabhupada taught love of God according to the teachings of Lord Caitanya.  This means Krishna-prema, the conjugal love of Radha and Krishna. 

We have often heard the phrase “love of Godhead.”  How far this love of Godhead can actually be developed can be learned from the Vaisnava philosophy.  Theoretical knowledge of love of God can be found in many places and in many scriptures, but what that love of Godhead actually is and how it is developed can be found in Vaisnava literature.  It is the unique and highest development of love of God that is given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  – (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Introduction) 

By following Prabhupada, I have learned that love of God is not attained cheaply.  One may claim, “I love God,” but it is not so easy.  Prabhupada said that the beginning symptom is obedience to God’s laws.  Even if we follow the laws, though, we may be attached to material desires.  We have to qualify before we can experience love of God. 

One who attains Krishna-prema feels happiness at every moment.  He is not distracted by the upheavals of the material world.  He is always hankering to be in Krishna’s association.  “O Govinda … I am feeling the whole world as vacant without You.”  These feelings can only come in a genuine way when one becomes purified by service to the pure devotees of the Lord. 

Prabhupada has given us a realistic appraisal of the work we have to do.  He assures us that we can make the necessary progress, but he does not hide the fact that we have to do a lot of cleaning within the heart.  The day will come when by chanting Hare Krishna, we will experience symptoms of love of God. 

Quoting Rupa Gosvami, Srila Prabhupada says that it may take many lifetimes to obtain the price of Krishna-prema: intense desire.  Prabhupada compared бхакти to a mango.  In the beginning stage it is unripe, and when perfected, it is a delicious, ripened mango.  However, even in the beginning, we are students on the path of pure бхакти.  As soon as we start, we receive the rewards of the bhakti-marga – the ability to give up illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling.  We want to thank you, Srila Prabhupada, therefore, for being a lover of God.  May our “thank you” not be a casual remark, but a gratitude expressed of Prabhupada and made true in our lives in every way.