Self-Reliance and Self-Sufficiency
key words: ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada
First and foremost, we should certainly hear and broadcast unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service, for our benefit and for others. But be prepared. Only the tiniest number of people will desire and pray for purity. In addition, there is another important consideration. You have no scientific way to determine whether an individual is a pure devotee, because you cannot observe his or her intentions. You cannot see inside of anyone’s mind. While performing devotional service and professing a desire for purity, a person may inwardly petition the Lord for sense gratification, and you would have no way of knowing.
If you explain the glories and advantages of the ekanta-bhakta (unalloyed devotee), those words will probably not touch the heart of the listener. Consider the example of young Dhruva Maharaj (SB Canto 4, Ch. 8). Almost everyone will initially maintain attachment to material ambitions. Fortunately, such people can still approach Krishna. “If, however, anyone has any material desire to be fulfilled, he had better pray for it to the Supreme Lord (although that is not pure devotion), and he will thus achieve the desired result.” (Bg 9.24, purport by Srila Prabhupada).
The Vaishnava preacher, knowing that wealth elicits envy and rivalry, does not want anyone to suffer those inevitable reactions. But the reality is that “One cannot be really renounced until one actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling block to spiritual advancement.” (CC Madhya 16.238, purport by Srila Prabhupada)
Krishna accepts a person even if he or she is full of material desires. “It is not that other devotees who are less complete in knowledge are not dear to the Lord. The Lord says that all are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a mahatma or great soul.” (Bg 7.18, purport by Srila Prabhupada)
A compassionate Vaishnava desires to help masses of people make spiritual advancement while knowing full well that hardly anyone is CURRENTLY interested in becoming a pure devotee. For most people, it is appropriate for a preacher to recommend an indirect path that entails turning to the Lord for the fulfillment of material desires, but only after clearly warning that one should be careful of what they wish for.
The materialistic devotee is not austere, but he or she has the advantage of knowing he is dependent on the mercy of God. Sometimes a materialistic devotee will become pure, and therefore it is important to avoid sending the following message: “Unless you are pure, you have no place in Krishna culture.”
Further Reading