A Severe Test

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you will develop bhakti and automatically you will be attracted towards sädhu-saìga…”

“…There are so many people, but how many are coming for sädhu-saìga? It is a question of bhakti-sukåti. When someone has acquired bhakti-sukåti he comes for sädhu-saìga and develops bhakti. … Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura has said that prior to taking shelter at the lotus feet of sädhu, before engaging in bhajana – gireche nänä anarthare bhai, ‘O brother, you are surrounded by so many anarthas.’ Then when someone takes shelter at the lotus feet of sädhu-guru and engages in bhajana, bhajana-kriyä, acceptance of the regulative principles, then anartha-nivåtti, all your anarthas are destroyed. That is the result of bhakti developed by the merciful association of sädhu. This is the result of sädhu-saìga…”

One’s Bhakti Becomes Pure in His Association

“…If someone engages in çuddha-bhajana, pure bhajana, and chants the pure name by the association of pure devotees, automatically all good qualities develop. They simultaneously develop. At this stage there are no anarthas and that sädhaka will not develop taste in anything material. He develops nämeruci, taste for chanting the holy name and he relishes the nämapremämåta, the nectar emanating from the holy name…”

“...Narottama Däsa Öhäkura has also sung about that in Prema-bhakti-caëdrika: märjjana haya bhajana sädhu-saìga anükñaëa – one should always stay in the association of a sädhu. Sädhu means a premé-bhakta, a pure devotee who has developed kåñëa-prema. Then your bhajana will be nice. Your bhajana will be purifying, and märjjana – cleansing. Cetodarpaëa märjanaà, the more the mirror is cleaned, the clearer