Preaching the Authorized Bhakti Cult

The authorized bhakti cult is the scientific process of devotional service, instituted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and propagated through the disciplic succession. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this movement is not a sentimental fabrication but a rigorous spiritual discipline based on the conclusions of the Vedas and Vedānta. The primary duty of a sincere follower is to execute the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by spreading this distinct philosophy to every corner of the world.

Divine Mission of Lord Caitanya

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared with the specific mission to inaugurate the saṅkīrtana movement and distribute the authorized process of devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord empowered His confidential associates, such as the Six Gosvāmīs and Lord Nityānanda, to establish the philosophical foundations of this cult and to travel extensively to reclaim the fallen souls.

• Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to spread the bhakti cult all over the world. Therefore devotees in the line of Krsna consciousness must go to different parts of the world and preach, as ordered by the spiritual master. That will satisfy Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
• Lord Caitanya dispatched the two generals Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami to Vrndavana to preach the bhakti cult.
• When Lord Nityananda returned to Bengal to preach the cult of bhakti, love of Godhead, He began touring all over the country.
• Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura advocated that every devotee, under the guidance of an expert spiritual master, preach the bhakti cult, Krsna consciousness, all over the world.

Qualifications of the Preacher

To preach the authorized bhakti cult requires more than just academic knowledge; it requires spiritual empowerment and strict adherence to the previous ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the goṣṭhy-ānandī as a devotee who is expert in bhakti and actively engages in defeating atheistic arguments to establish the supremacy of devotional service.

• A devotee who not only is expert in devotional service but who also preaches the cult of bhakti and defeats all kinds of agnostics is called a gosthy-anandi.
• One who knows the conclusion of the sastras, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors and endeavors to preach the bhakti cult all over the world is to be considered an acarya.
• As indicated in Bhagavad-gita, whenever we find someone extraordinary preaching the bhakti cult, we should know that he is especially empowered by Lord Visnu, or Lord Krsna.

A Universal and Scientific Process

The authorized bhakti cult is often misunderstood as a sectarian creed or a practice for the less intelligent, but Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this misconception by establishing it as the topmost scientific conclusion of Vedic knowledge. This movement is universal, open to all living entities regardless of caste or nationality, and it replaces inferior material attachments with positive spiritual realization.

• It is said that the bhakti cult is meant for the sudras, vaisyas and the less intelligent woman class. But that is not the actual fact. The bhakti cult is the topmost of all transcendental activities, and therefore it is simultaneously sublime and easy.
• This Krsna consciousness movement is this expanding this bhakti cult on the basis of Vedic knowledge. It is not a sentimental thing. These European, American boys and girls who have joined us, they are not going on sentiments.
• If one thinks that a pure Vaisnava preaching the bhakti cult all over the world is a member of a particular caste or material division of society, he is considered a naraki, a candidate for hellish life.
• The bhakti cult is meant for realization of the positive form. When the positive form is realized, the negative forms are automatically eliminated.

Highest Humanitarian Welfare

There is no greater service to humanity than the distribution of the bhakti cult, as it provides the ultimate solution to the suffering of material existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures that the Lord is personally pleased with those who take the risk to preach His glories, considering such preachers to be His most intimate servants.

• Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also declared that to propagate the bhakti cult of devotional service in human society, one does not need to be very rich. Anyone who knows the art can do it and thus render the highest benefit to humanity.
• As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that a person who takes the responsibility of preaching the Bhakti cult by all means is the most most favorite person of the lord.
• Only bhakti. And it is the duty of the spiritual master, or mahatma, to spread bhakti cult. That is the most confidential... That is the most merciful humanitarian activity.
• Anyone preaching the mission of the Lord in the line of the Brahma-sampradaya is always dear to the Lord, and the Lord, being satisfied with such a preacher of the authorized bhakti cult, shakes hands with him in great satisfaction.

Conclusion

The authorized bhakti cult serves as the beacon of light in the darkness of the Age of Kali. It is not merely a religion but the eternal function of the soul. As demonstrated by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, the perfection of life is attained not only by practicing devotional service oneself but by dedicating one's life to preaching this authorized cult. By doing so, one satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and renders the greatest possible benefit to human society by awakening the dormant love for God found within the heart of every living being.

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