Sri Vamsidasa Babaji Bhajan Kutir & Pushpa Samadhi

Opening Time
5:30am – 10:00am
4:00pm – 8:00pm

Prabhupāda: In Navadvīpa . . . you have heard the name of Vamsidāsa Bābājī. So sometimes, when his things were stolen, the disciples will cry that “It is stolen.” So he said, “Why you are bothering? One thief gives; another thief takes. That’s all. Who gave the money, he is also thief; and who has taken away, he is also thief. So why you are bothering?” One thief gives; another thief takes.
(760313 – Morning Walk – Mayapur)

So we have to keep ourself always in the fire of Kṛṣṇa consciousness; then everything is all right. (laughs) Otherwise, it will become dull, and it will be simply idol worship. That’s all. That is the difference between idol worship and Deity worship. If there is no life, then it is idol worship, hedonism. And when there is life, feeling, “Where is Kṛṣṇa? Here is Kṛṣṇa. Oh, I have to serve Kṛṣṇa, I have to dress Him, I have to serve Rādhārāṇī, She is here. Oh, I must do it very nicely. And as far as possible decorate Her to the best capacity,” in this way, if you always feel Kṛṣṇa conscious, then you are fire.
The same example, keeping with the fire. And if you think it is a brass-made doll, I mean to say, idol . . . ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham (BG 4.11). If you think this is a brass-made idol, then it will remain a brass-made idol to you forever. But if you elevate yourself to higher platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then Kṛṣṇa, this Kṛṣṇa, will talk with you. This Kṛṣṇa will talk with you.
There is a Vaṁsīdāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, he was talking with his Deity. And Kṛṣṇa . . . just like Madana-mohana, He was talking with Sanātana Gosvāmī. Madana-mohana . . . Sanātana Gosvāmī at that time had no temple; he was hanging his Deity on the tree. So Madana-mohana was talking with him, “Sanātana, you are bringing all these dry chapatis, and it is stale, and you don’t give Me even little salt. How can I eat?” Sanātana Gosvāmī said, “Sir, where shall I go? Whatever I get I offer You. You kindly accept. I cannot move; old man.” You see.
So Kṛṣṇa had to eat that. (chuckles) Because the bhakta is offering, He cannot refuse. Ye māṁ bhaktyā prayacchati. Real thing is bhakti. What you can offer to Kṛṣṇa? Everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa. What you have got? What is your value? And what is the value of your things? It is nothing. Therefore real thing is bhaktyā; real thing is your feeling. “Kṛṣṇa, kindly take it. I have no qualification. I am most rotten, fallen, but (weeps) I have brought this thing for you. Please take.” This will be accepted. Don’t be puffed up. Always be careful. You are dealing with Kṛṣṇa.
That is my request. Thank you very . . .
(690716 – Lecture Festival Installation, Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakanatha – Los Angeles)