Why are we not attaining God-realization?

Question: Why are we not attaining God-realization?

by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada

Answer: How is it possible to attain realization of Bhagavan if the jiva, who is constitutionally a servant of the Lord, is not constantly associating with and serving Bhagavan and His bhaktas? If I am occupied with my worldly, material affairs, then how will I receive any response from Jagadisvara, the master of the universe?

Over-powered by wicked desires I have now become so evil-minded that I have developed a relationship with this world that promises to last well into the future. This wicked intelligence of mine has developed simply due to my aloofness from the Original Fountain Head. Just as by stepping on quicksand the foot is swallowed up, by depending on the phenomenon of treacherous soil, we are drowning.

Instead of becoming inclined towards Krsna, we, who are possessed of evil desires, spend our time in endeavours that are averse to Him. The external potency (maya) of Sri Visnu has captured us by making us enjoyers, or material activists. Therefore we should be very cautious. We essentially require the guidance of a governor, that is, sri-guru, at every step.

Service to the devotees promises more than service to the Lord Himself. The association of the bhaktas is even more beneficial than the association of the Lord. The living place of the bhakta, the abode of srila gurudeva, is more favourable for suddha-bhajana (pure, loving devotional service) than the abode of the Lord. "yathaya vaisnavagana, sei sthane vrndavana – wherever the Vaisnava resides, that very place is Vrndavana, the abode of Krsna”.

It is important to properly understand this. If we are apathetic towards guru-seva, we will not be able to become a true servant; rather, we will become arrogant. In other words, we will remain bound in the current of thought that relates to the external world alone.

Throughout the entire theistic world, there is no subject superior to that of service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. It is therefore necessary to constantly engage in hearing hari-katha so that we do not end up deprived of service to Adhoksaja (He who is beyond the reach of the material senses), perceiving ourselves to be the controller, instead.

We ought to intensely focus on our hari-bhajana because many lifetimes have already passed in other activities. We must therefore take perpetual care to achieve the topmost goal in this very life. When, with extreme care, we constantly engage in service to sri-guru and Krsna with love and attention, we shall definitely be able to realize Bhagavan.