Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 22.105
Practice Awakens Dormant Love for Kṛṣṇa
“ ‘When transcendental devotional service, by which love for Kṛṣṇa is attained, is executed by the senses, it is called sādhana-bhakti, or the regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice.’
What the purport teaches
- Devotional service performed with the senses to attain love for Kṛṣṇa is called sādhana-bhakti. Because living entities are minute parts and parcels of the Lord, this devotion already exists within them in a dormant condition.
- Devotional service begins with śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, hearing and chanting. Hearing the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra chanted by a pure Vaiṣṇava awakens spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- As the mind gradually becomes purified, the senses are also purified. The awakened devotee uses them in the Lord’s transcendental loving service rather than for sense gratification.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to hear the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra chanted by a pure Vaiṣṇava.
Ask yourself
How am I using my senses to awaken love for Kṛṣṇa?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.