An excerpt from Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion Volume I by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
Devotion is above all. Sharanagati, surrender, is the highest property of everyone. Surrender to Him, and He may graciously make His name known to us, and we will be able to know Him.
Srila Sridhar Maharaj
In the Upanishads, it is said, yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyah: whoever He chooses to make Himself known to, can know Him. Otherwise, no one can know Him against His will. He has reserved all the right of not being exposed to the senses of anyone and everyone. He is so high, He can do that. If He does not wish to make Himself known, no one can known Him. Whenever He wishes to make Himself known to someone, they can know Him. This is His position.
On the order of Gurudev Devarsi Narada, the scripture Srimad Bhagavatam was given by Vedavyasa as the conclusion of his teachings. After giving the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita, etc., the last gift of Vedavyasa in the world of scriptures was Srimad-Bhagavatam. And the message of the Bhagavatam is that beauty is above all; not knowledge or justice. Mercy is about justice. Affection, love, beauty, charm, harmony; these are above all, and this absolute conception of the ultimate reality is in the Krishna conception.
Lord Krishna and Mother Yasoda
Beauty is above knowledge and power. Knowledge is above power, and above knowledge is beauty, charm and love. That is the supreme. Srimad-Bhagavatam has declared krsnas tu bhavan svayam: the Krishna conception of Godhead is the most original conception of the Absolute. This is the prime declaration of the Bhagavatam: the Lord, as Beauty, is above all. And below Him is awe, reverence, power, etc.
Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanyadev pointed out, “Go to the beautiful, Reality the Beautiful.” This is the highest realization. Don’t waste your energy by engaging yourself in any other pursuits, but go straight to jnana-sunya bhakti (devotion devoid of the covering of knowledge). By the help of sadhu sanga (association of saints), take the name of the Lord and try to march straight onwards to the Krishna conception of Godhead. Krishna consciousness is our highest achievement, and this is given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srimad Bhagavatam.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommended, “Don’t waste your energy for anything else. Utilize your energy for the Krishna conception of Godhead.”
Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanyadev
So we try to make our progress in this line, and at the same time we also ask our friends to try to embrace this life. The fulfillment of life for every particle of existence of this world can be found here.
March towards universal good. Wherever and whoever you are, it does not matter. Take your course towards Krishna consciousness. This is the highest fulfillment of life for everyone. You are only to turn your face towards Him and march. The Sweet Absolute Sri Krishna, will welcome you. This is the campaign of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas.