NECTAR OF DEVOTION

SELECTED ANALOGIES FROM NECTAR OF DEVOTION

PREFACE
Nectar of Devotion will teach us how to turn the one switch that will immediately brighten
everything, everywhere.

INTRODUCTION
The sharks that dwell in the ocean do not care for the rivers which are gliding down into it. The
devotees eternally live in the ocean of devotional service, and they do not care for the rivers. In other
words, those who are pure devotees always remain in the ocean of transcendental loving service to
the Lord and have no business with the other processes, which are compared to the rivers that only
gradually come to the ocean.

In the midst of the ocean, volcanic eruptions can do very little harm, and similarly, those who are
against devotional service to the Lord and who put forward many philosophical theses about the
ultimate transcendental realization cannot disturb this great ocean of devotional service.

CHAPTER 1
There are many, many snakes on the ground of the forest, and when a fire takes place, it burns the dried
foliage, and the snakes are immediately attacked. Animals that have four legs can flee from the fire, or
can at least try to flee, but the snakes are immediately killed. Similarly, the blazing fire of Kåñëa
consciousness is so strong that the snakes of ignorance are immediately killed.

The personal attendants and maidservants of a queen follow the queen with all respect and
obeisances, similarly the joys of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification and
liberation follow the devotional service of the Lord

CHAPTER 2
There are certain prescribed methods for employing our senses and mind in such a way that our
dormant consciousness for loving Kåñëa will be invoked, as much as the child, with a little practice, can
begin to walk.

CHAPTER 5
Any person who is properly initiated into the Vaiñëava cult certainly becomes a brähmaëa, as much
as the metal known as kaàsa (bell metal) is turned into gold by the mixture of mercury

CHAPTER 7
Even if one is forced to live within a cage of iron or in the midst of a blazing fire, he should accept this
position rather than live with nondevotees who are through and through against the supremacy of the
Lord. (Kätyäyana-saàhitä)

One should prefer to embrace a snake, a tiger or an alligator rather than associate with persons who
are worshipers of various demigods and who are impelled by material desire. (Viñëu- rahasya)

CHAPTER 12
When the mango fruit becomes ripened it is the greatest gift of that tree, and Çrémad-Bhägavatam is
similarly held to be the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree.
 NECTAR OF DEVOTION

Association is very important. It acts just like a crystal stone, which will reflect anything which is put
before it. Similarly, if we associate with the flowerlike devotees of the Lord, and if our hearts are
crystal clear, then certainly the same action will be there.

Sometimes, it is found that a person who never attended school or college may be recognized as a great
scholar, or an honorary degree from great universities may be offered to him. But this does not mean
that one should avoid school and expect to automatically receive an honorary degree from some
university. Similarly, one should devoutly execute the regulative principles of devotional service and at
the same time hope for Kåñëa's favor or for His devotee's favor.