In this class given in Boston on 12th July 2001, Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja speaks about the different types of guru and how one may have many gurus but only one mantra-guru. He then poses and answers the question, “What is the highest aspiration of a pure Vaiṣṇava?” and explains how that a connection to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is made through guru, Vaiṣṇava, Nityānanda Prabhu and Mahāprabhu. He goes on to elaborate on the nature of kṛṣṇa-līlā and how that is compared to nectar while gaura-līlā is nectar overflowing with magnanimity and how ultimately gaura-līlā is more beneficial for us.
Mahārāja then goes on to explain the one thing that would improve the Krsna Consciouness movement and says how we should deepen our understanding of the ordinary things in devotional life. He describes the mood of a Vaiṣṇava and how clamouring for titles and position will be our downfall.
He describes the difference between uttering the holy name in fear (nāmābhāsa) as opposed to śuddha-nāma and how Prabhupāda wanted his disciples to chant 16 ‘offenceless rounds,’emphasising the importance of how we chant, rather than how much we chant.
Mahārāja explains how prema grows of its own accord, and how our job is to purify the heart and prepare the ground for it to grow and how it cannot be forced by us. He warns his listeners against charlatans claiming to offer the highest rasa, thinking themselves above other stalwart Vaiṣṇavas and ācāryas in our line.
He also explains that we should become familiar with the finer points of the Gauḍīya siddhānta and not find ourselves wandering without a proper conception. If one is unable to unerstand or appreciate these things then it is due to either a lack of qualification, bad association, or offences.
Narasiṅgha Mahārāja answers a question about the results of offences and explains how sometimes wealth is the result of aparādha, but a desire to serve the Vaiṣṇavas never comes from offences. He also describes how Vaiṣṇava aparādha is not easy to commit and it requires envy to be present.
Mahārāja explains how a real Vaiṣṇava actually never sees himself as greater than anyone and how this is harmonized with real humility and a proper service attitude. He goes on to emphasise how we should remember why we initially came to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, and how we should not allow ourselves to be shortchanged by looking for some lower gains such as position and praise.
