Faith

It is only after many births and deaths, that one can associate with those devotees who are aspiring to serve the Supreme Lord. In that association one can get faith and that faith can be protected and expanded.

Association of devotees with faith is preliminary to all processes of devotional service. Srila Prabhupada says that devotees can quote scriptures but sometimes not even have faith in what they are speaking. Faith means that we must understand with conviction that Krishna is the cause of all causes, He is the goal of life and by loving Him we can attain all perfection. We can attain that love through service.

Faith is the most precious treasure that can be attained anywhere and how we live, who we associate with, what we do, what we speak determines whether that faith is nourished or destroyed. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has said that one should associate with sincere and simple hearted devotees who have faith that Krishna is the Supreme and that the process of Bhakti is the ultimate.

Materialistic Enjoyment is the shadow of the spiritual world. Birth after birth we have been going behind this shadow but Krishna comes, sends the scriptures, sends His devotees to tell us to 'turn around' as we are running deep into the darkness of material existence. As long as we chase after the shadow of enjoyment, there is no substance, no real pleasure.

Real happiness thw soul is longing for is the all-attractive beautiful association of Krishna. This Krishna Consciousness movement is guiding people on the philosophy and the practical application of philosophy through which we can turn our attention to the all-blissful and eternal personality of Godhead- Krishna. In this age, Krishna has appeared as His Holy Name. If we simply have this fath that Krishna is non-different from His name, and we engage in His loving service, we will go back to Godhead without a doubt.

Once Srila Prabhupada was asked, why are you offering food to an idol and not offer to the poor? The Idol does not eat but the poor will eat.
Srila Prabhupada says, in the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord declares that you offer leaf, flower, fruit or water with devotion - I will eat it. So who should I believe in ,, In Krishna or you?

So we believe in the words of Krishna as descending in the disciplic succession from the spiritual realm of reality.

- HH Radhanath Swami