Portraits of a Pure Devotee
The Vedic scriptures repeatedly stress the exalted position of the pure devotees of the Lord. Lord Krsna says, "Such devotees are as worshipable as I am." His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who left our vision in 1977, is a pure devotee of Lord Krsna, as shown by his spotless character, his complete dedication to spreading the glories of Lord Krsna, and his tremendous success in awakening thousands of souls to Krsna consciousness.
In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna says that His pure devotees are always under the shelter of His internal potency and therefore transcendental to the material world. Because pure devotees are intimate associates of Krsna, we can progress spiritually by glorify them and meditating on their lives and teachings.
The drawings on these pages are the meditations of one of Srila Prabhupada's followers. They show moods of devotion tasted by a pure devotee in his unique relationship with Krsna. May they inspire us to study the teachings and follow the example of Srila Prabhupada, a dear servant of the Lord.
"Without Krsna there is nothing. It is simply by the influence of maya that we forget the relationship of Krsna with everything that be."
"By constantly chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and remembering the transcendental pastimes of Krsna, one can be fully Krsna conscious and thus make his life sublime and fruitful."
"Krsna's pastimes are all jubilant. He is by nature full of bliss. We shall never find Krsna unhappy. Krsna is always happy, and whoever associates with Him is also happy."
"Life should be so molded that one will always have the chance to think of Krsna. One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krsna." "Life should be so molded that one will always have the chance to think of Krsna. One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krsna."
"We cannot increase our attachment to Krsna without Krsna's mercy. We cannot become devotees without Krsna's mercy; therefore we simply have to serve Krsna, for by service Krsna is satisfied."
"The Lord is unlimited, and His name, attributes, pastimes, entourage, variegatedness, etc., are unlimited, and those who relish them can do so unlimitedly and still not feel satiated."
"One should be submissive and say, 'Krsna, I am very poor. I have no means to understand You. Please be merciful upon me. Please allow me to understand You and surrender.' "
Aleksandra Urbanska, originally from Poland, studied at the top art academy in Poland and received the highest honors in her field.
Aleksandra came to Krsna consciousness on the urging of her sister, Lila Manjari Devi Dasi (wife of bhajana singer Vaiyasaki Dasa). She convinced Aleksandra that the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is God Himself and that one can realize God by chanting His names. To have that experience, Aleksandra took the instruction to heart and began chanting sixty-four rounds a day on her beads. She has been chanting sixty-four rounds ever since, even after joining the temple and doing a full-day's service.
Aleksandra has been a member of the Hare Krsna movement for eleven years. She studied under His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami until his passing in 1996. She now receives inspiration from His Holiness Subhaga Swami. She lives and serves at ISKCON's Krishna Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, India.