A Spiritual Awakening

We call Krsna's mercy causeless, because there is no reason why He should give mercy. He does not need to give anyone any mercy. It is not that anyone can ever do anything in fair exchange for the mercy of Krsna. For instance, if you work for a specific number of hours a day, according to the American law, you should be paid a minimum wage. If they pay you less than that, then you have the right to complain and get your boss to pay you the minimum wage, if you happen to be working for some material enjoyment in the outside world. Thus, a certain value is attached to someone's work. Everyone works in exchange for something materially valuable, but if one does devotional service, what he gets in exchange for it from Krsna is of incomparable worth! In exchange for even some meager service, Krsna gives us liberation, unlimited shelter, and eradicates our unlimited sinful reactions: not only does He bless us with these side benefits which are in themselves incalculably valuable, but He also gives us pure love of Godhead in exchange for our service which may or may not be valuable! Even if our service is valuable, it simply pales into insignificance when compared with what Krsna gives us in return. There's simply no comparison. For example, if your boas is pleased with your services and gifts you a million-dollar worth diamond ring, you can't honestly say, "I earned it." And of what worth is even a million dollars compared with what Krsna gives? Therefore, Krspa's mercy is gloriously known as causeless.

In this book, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami invites people to embrace Krsna consciousness, regardless of their situations. And the specialty of his presentation of the philosophy of Krsna consciousness is that he never seems to impose himself on the readers, while making the deepest impact on their psyche with his purity of purpose.

In the first three chapters, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami creates within readers an awareness about the miserable condition of material existence (with which we are all saddled) and inspires them to free themselves by rising above the bodily conception of life. Through his striking analogies and powerful diction, he succeeds beautifully in catapulting the reader onto the spiritual platform, which serves as the springboard for further spiritual advancement. In the next five chapters of this book, His Holiness very expertly and lucidly explains how the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme source of power, is incomparable, impartial, all-auspicious, supremely independent, and is love-bound (controlled by love) through the narration of the pastimes of Sri Krsna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that embody the different qualities discussed. In the last three chapters, His Holiness expertly enters the readers' hearts and explains how best they can get closer to Krsna and remain fixed in their attachment to Him for eternal joy.

Therefore, we humbly request every reader to delve deep into the nectarean message of this book and feel the spiritual awakening taking place within. Gauranga!

Eagerly begging for the mercy of all the devotees, I remain.