In the beginning of bhakti, we must know the principles of saranagati (surrender) and follow them. If there is no saranagati, there is no bhakti, nor is there even a shadow or semblance of bhakti. We should know the six limbs of saranagati. Have faith in Krsna, that He is protecting and saving you, supporting and nourishing you, and He is worried for you. You need not worry, because Krsna is worried for you. Your maintenance and everything else in your life depends on Krsna. If you are going to be sick or in any accident, Lord Krsna knows this. He knows what will occur; you don’t know. Surrender, and He will take care of you. This strong faith should come, otherwise there can be no bhakti.
All devotees – sannyasis, brahmacaris and general devotees – should avoid thinking, “I am the doer.” Give up this idea. This is false ego. What you are doing is by the inspiration of Gurudeva and Krsna. Always remember this, otherwise false ego will come and you will go down.
I have explained that in anyabilasita-sunyam bhakti, there are many gradations, but we will learn all the truths in that regard by serving Gurudeva and fulfilling his desire. This is the root of all bhakti; the backbone of bhakti. If you have no guru-nistha, faith in Sri Guru, you cannot develop even an inch in the bhakti line. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta and all other scriptures, the glories of Guru have been given, as well as the glory of the services he performs to his Gurudeva and Sri Krsna.
In Srimad-Bhagavatam we see that only by the grace of his Gurudeva, Narada Rsi, Sri Vyasadeva knew so many truths. He is a manifestation of Krsna Himself, but he had some doubts. He could not understand, “Why am I not satisfied? Why is my soul not satisfied and happy?” Knowing everything, Narada Rsi at once came to him.
Narada Rsi has many manifestations. One manifestation is a servant of Narayana, one is an associate of Krsna in Vraja, one is Naradi-gopi and one is Madhumangala. There is one Narada, but he has many manifestations. Sri Narada can remove the doubts of Krsna Himself (in His manifestation as Srila Vyasadeva). If he will come before Mother Yasoda, she will place her son Krsna’s head on his feet, and he will bless her son, saying, “Be happy.” This is a very wonderful thing!
Sri Vyasadeva is a manifestation of Krsna. He divided the Vedas into four parts – Rg, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. He wrote the essence of Vedanta, which is Brahma-sutra. He compiled a very large book called Mahabharata, and within Mahabharata he revealed the Bhagavad-gita, the words and teachings of Lord Krsna. He wrote many Puranas – 36 Puranas.
Once he was sitting on his asana (seat) on the bank of the Sarasvati River and not feeling happy. He was thinking, “Why am I not happy? I have written down all knowledge for the benefit of the world, including dharma (religion), karma (fruitive activity and elevation to heaven), varnasrama-dharma (the means by which the social castes and spiritual asramas can advance in spiritual life), and bhakti (devotion to the Supreme Lord). But I am not happy. Why is that?”
Volgograd, Russia: September 14, 2004