Yesterday, I was contemplating for some time on the verse,
aiśvarya-jñānete saba jagat miśrita
aiśvarya-śithila-preme nāhi mora prīta
Knowing My opulences, the whole world looks upon Me with awe and veneration. But devotion made feeble by such reverence does not attract Me. CC Adi 3.16

The result of such practice of bhakti is also stated,
aiśvarya-jñāne vidhi-bhajana kariyā
vaikuṇṭhake yāya catur-vidha mukti pāñā
By performing such regulated devotional service in awe and veneration, one may go to Vaikuṇṭha and attain the four kinds of liberation. CC Adi 3.17

Currently, we are on the platform of vaidhi sadhana bhakti. How then, can we ever please Krishna by our already feeble attempts? And even if we execute with great diligence, Krishna won’t be attracted by worship in the mood of awe and reverence.

So, what is our hope? Is there any way we can attract Krishna?

Let us see two ways in which we can do so.

1] By Practicing Vaidhi Bhakti with a desire to attain bhava:

When we are practicing devotional service, if we try to invest our sentiments in Krishna, Krishna feels obliged to reciprocate with such a devotee.

The definition of sadhana bhakti is,
kṛti-sādhyā bhavet sādhya-
bhāvā sā sādhanābhidhā
nitya-siddhasya bhāvasya
prākaṭyaṁ hṛdi sādhyatā

“That devotion which is executed by the senses and which aims at the attainment of bhāva is called sādhana-bhakti. The bhāva which it seeks is eternally perfect and simply becomes manifest in the heart of the practitioner.”

Also, the definition of pure devotional service, uttama-bhakti has the primary characteristic of anukuyena – it has to be executed with favorable emotions. Being neutral is no great qualification. Even a pot is devoid of hostility.

Someone may say, although this is simple, it is not easy. Is there any other attempt to attain bhava, or loving emotions for Krishna thereby pleasing Him?

2] Prema Sankirtana – The most wonderful gift of Gauranga

As I was thinking the above verse yesterday, while reading the verses from Caitanya Caritamrita, I realized that the answer has been given by Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami himself.

Kaviraja Goswami says that Lord Caitanya has descended to grant His grace to all the living entities. Mahaprabhu is the most magnanimous form of Krishna. Mahaprabhu grants the direct gift of prema-bhakti by His sankirtana movement.

CC Adi 3.19 states,
yuga-dharma pravartāimu nāma-saṅkīrtana
cāri bhāva-bhakti diyā nācāmu bhuvana
I shall personally inaugurate the religion of the age—nāma-saṅkīrtana, the congregational chanting of the holy name. I shall make the world dance in ecstasy, realizing the four mellows of loving devotional service.

sei dvāre ācaṇḍāle kīrtana sañcāre
nāma-prema-mālā gāṅthi’ parāila saṁsāre
Mahaprabhu spread kīrtana even among the untouchables. He wove a wreath of the holy name and prema, with which He garlanded the entire material world. CC Adi 4.40

Krishna may not pleased, but Gaura can be!!! And Gaura is non-different than Krishna. Thus, Krishna can be pleased, simply by engaging in prema-sankirtana!!

How is this possible? This is the inconceivable grace of Lord Caitanya.

For devotees of Lord Caitanya, if they are engaged in Harinama Sankirtana, they do not require to go through exclusive smaranam to perfect their lives. Just by the performance of nama-sankirtana, they can attain the highest perfection of becoming an eternal associate of Krishna in the higher rasas in the spiritual world.

If Mahaprabhu is ready to give such a great gift for such a small price, why should we be impatient? And why should we complain about small things in life? Why should we consider anything else in this world more important than engaging ourselves in this prema-sankirtana? In the line of Mahaprabhu, grace is available for the most fallen.

Srila Prabhodananda Saraswati says,
samsara-sindhu-tarane hridayam yadi syat
sankirtanamrita-rase ramate manas cet
premambudhau viharane yadi citta-vrittis
caitanyacandra-carane saranam prayatu
If one’s heart is set on crossing beyond the ocean of repeated birth and death, if one’s heart relishes the sweet nectar of krishna-sankirtana, and if one’s heart yearns to swim and sport in the ocean of pure love of Krishna, then one should take shelter of Lord Gauracandra’s feet. Caitanya Candramrta, Text 93