Today we are beginning our yatra, Kartik of 2009. This human life is very rare, every moment is so precious. And the rarest of all things is the association of the Lord’s devotees. Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught through Rupa Goswami, five very important principles, which are most important to make spiritual progress.
1 . To associate with devotees,
2 . Chant the holy names,
3 . To hear Srimad Bhagvatam,
4 . Worship the deities and
5 . Be in the holy dham.
All of these 5 are really all we have here. There is nothing else to do. We hear Hari-katha, we chant the holy names, and perform these devotional activities in the month of Kartik, hundreds of times greater is the effect than any other time. And to perform such activities in the holy dham of Navadwip, even that is increased many folds. For the next 2 weeks as this yatra is taking place we have such a rare opportunity to make such spiritual progress.
ye yathä mäà prapadyante, täàs tathaiva bhajämy aham
We make progress according to our sincerity. According to how we put our heart and soul into practicing Krishna Consciousness. It is our rule during yatras that we should not speak anything except the holy names, Hari-katha, glorifying Krishna, glorifying the vaishnavas and speaking words in the spirit of service. This is the time to really try to establish within ourselves that type of discipline that at every moment we should be trying to meditate on the holy names and on the Lord’s pastimes.
– Radhanath Swami
