Care for Him Like How Radha Does

You should realize that he is called Bhakta Vatsala, being affectionate towards his devotees.
You should know the extent of his power – if he wants to protect someone, who can ever hurt him? If he wants to punish someone, who can ever protect him?

You should understand that your well-being, your safety is no longer your responsibility. They are hereafter his responsibility.
You should feel so safe, secure, and relaxed grazing by his side, turning your head up as soon as you hear the sweet melody emanating from his flute.
You should remember how he protected his herd of cows from demons from time to time.

You should drink the water of Yamuna without fear. Even if Kaliya has poisoned it, nothing will happen to you. You are under Sri Hari’s protection.
He is there to protect you from a torrential cloudburst. He would simply lift Govardhana with his little finger to keep you safe.

Become a Gopika. Even if you are a man, forget your manliness. Make a garland of Tulasi with your hands so that Radha can take it to the Lord. See the care with which Radha is going to take the garland out of your hand. See how she cares for Sri Hari. Bring that quality of devotion in you. That is surrender.

Don’t become entangled in philosophy, the various schools of thought. They are all very convincing. They all offer liberation. They are not for you. Pay respect to their propounders, but stay away from them.
If you come across anything in which devotion – bhakti – does not have a place, be certain that it is very difficult to work.

These apparently elevated thoughts are not going to help you. They can only make you confused and more miserable than before.
These supposedly philosophically elevated thoughts are as bad as sensory indulgence. If sensory indulgence is going to drown you in ignorance, these philosophies are only going to take you into a world of utter confusion.

Between the two, worldly indulgence is a lesser evil.
Those who are immersed in sensory pursuits alone are capable of changing. They do realize their folly and change.
But those who think that they are jnanis never change.

Stay away from people who don’t consider devotion to Sri Hari as part of their life.
Don’t even look at the faces of people who don’t honour Sri Hari, who talk ill of Sri Hari.
Don’t live in a place where his worship is not carried out every day, where his glories are not sung every day.

Don’t read books which shun devotion. Don’t listen to discourses that do not accept devotion as the true path.
Don’t be in the company of those hypocritical individuals who think that they have become jnanis by reading a few books or doing a few hours of meditation.
Don’t read, listen to, or be associated with anything that says that bhakti is inferior to other paths of realization.

You won’t allow anything to come between you and your devotion to Sri Hari, no matter what it is or who it is.
You should give up all habits that can be an impediment to devotion.
Minimise interaction with people who are only materialistic and worldly in nature. They will pull you back into the material world. Don’t engage in useless conversations.
That is Sharanagati – surrender.

Do everything that Sri Hari likes, like being of service to his devotees.
Make your senses engage in what he likes and what he approves of.
Let his prasada – remnants of whatever is offered to Sri Hari – alone nourish your body.

Anger is human. Direct your anger towards those who do not honour Sri Hari. Violence, of course, is not acceptable.
How do you find whether something is likeable to Sri Hari? If his true devotee likes it, he also likes it.
Service to Sri Hari’s devotees is service to Sri Hari only.

Visit places associated with Sri Hari, like Mathura, Vrindavan, 108 Divya Deshas.
Constantly sing his glories.
That is Sharanagati – surrender.

• What does it truly mean to be under divine protection?
  It means trusting completely that no harm can reach you without divine will, and no external help is needed beyond that trust.

• How can one cultivate the same care and devotion as Radha?
  By putting the Lord’s happiness above your own and serving with love, attention, and selflessness in every small act.

• Why is association with the right people important for spiritual growth?
  Because people influence your thoughts and habits; being with the devoted strengthens your own devotion, while the opposite pulls you away.

• How can philosophy become a distraction in spiritual life?
  When it focuses only on intellectual debates and not on heartfelt devotion, it can trap you in confusion rather than bring clarity.

• Why is serving devotees considered the same as serving the Lord?
  Because true devotees carry the Lord in their hearts, and any service to them is service offered directly to him.

• What qualities make a place spiritually uplifting?
  Daily worship, sincere singing of divine glories, and a community that honours and loves the Lord.

• How can one know what pleases the Lord?
  Observe what his genuine devotees value and cherish, as their hearts align with his will.

• Why should certain habits and interactions be avoided in devotion?
  They weaken focus on the Lord, create worldly attachments, and slow down spiritual progress.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi