The very foundation of real knowledge is character, the qualities that we possess. And the foundational characteristics of a devotee are simplicity, humility, forgiveness, tolerance, and a very sincere eagerness to serve the Lord and the devotees, to serve the people in general, to serve all living beings, and to chant the holy names.
What is the use if we have so much knowledge but we cannot even cooperate with each other? Cooperation requires forgiveness, tolerance and respectfulness, but it pleases guru and God. Even though we may be possessing knowledge and may be performing austerities, but if we do not cooperate, it is very displeasing to guru and God. That actually undoes all the things we are trying to develop. From a spiritual perspective, God and guru don't care about our austerities and our knowledge, if we cannot cooperate with each other. The foundation of bhakti is good character. Philosophy has little or no value if it does not produce good character.
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Radhanath Swami has given a wonderful analysis about the importance of co-operation among devotees. Even Srila Prabhupad has many times stressed upon this point of co-operation, in the absence of which all the other qualities are a zero without any one.
ReplyDelete"From a spiritual perspective, God and guru don't care about our austerities and our knowledge, if we cannot cooperate with each other. The foundation of bhakti is good character. Philosophy has little or no value if it does not produce good character."
ReplyDeleteVery instructive. Thank you Radhanath Swami for this wisdom.
Most of the people in this world are disregarding the importance of a person's character in his life today. However, Maharaj you have wonerfully bought out the importance of character in our lives (especially in bhakti). Thank you so much for enlightening us.
ReplyDeleteYes co-operation is a key to succsess for any movement.Thank you Maharaj for youe valuable guidence.
ReplyDeleteWow, cooperation is so important. Should remember that whenever small disagreements come up between devotees.
ReplyDeleteI just needed to hear it. Thank you Maharajah your enlightening words.
ReplyDeleteHow succinctly Maharaj has captured the essence of knowledge. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Radhanath Swami, for so nicely explaining the importance of co-operation in our spiritual live for the service of Guru and Krsna.
ReplyDeleteCo-operation with devotees is a kind of force that brings about such a change in the heart which then pleases the Lord and the spiritual master. Thank you Radhanath Swami for this message.
ReplyDeleteThank you Radhanath Swami!
ReplyDeleteThis s really an important quality of cooperation to work together. Without this there are problems and fight everywhere from individual level to country level. By developing this we can have universal brotherhood which pleases Lord and Guru. Thank you for sharing such an amazing article.
ReplyDeleteThank you Radhanath Swami for giving us such a profound message in these simple lines - The very foundation of real philosophy is good character.
ReplyDelete"Character builds a man" - but Alas!, in today's modern education system building a strong character is not taught to our children. As Radhanath Swami says here, what is the use of all our knowledge, possessions etc, if we do not have good qualities.
ReplyDeletevery necessary and very practical teaching
ReplyDeleteIt is true!When Character is Lost, everything is Lost. Thank you Radhanath Swami
ReplyDeleteEmphasis on character is the main stuff in ISKCON and it is the foundation on which this organization has been built. Jai !!
ReplyDeleteVery powerful quote by Swamiji: "The foundation of bhakti is good character"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such an amazing article...
ReplyDeletemany sincerest thanks to Radhanath swami
ReplyDeleteIt is very much inspiring to develop good character. All glories to Radhanath Swami
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful
ReplyDeleteserving the highiest principle is possible only if one is coopretive.thanks RADHANATH SWAMI for this wonderful revealation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post.
ReplyDelete