If one actually wants to solve the problems of life in this age, then he has to take to this process of kirtana. That is the recommended process.
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Cc Adi 17.21]
In this age, Kali-yuga, one cannot execute any process of self-realization or perfection of life other than kirtana. Kirtana is essential in this age. In all Vedic literatures it is confirmed that one must meditate on the Supreme Absolute Truth, Visnu, not on anything else. But there are different processes of meditation recommended for different ages. The process of mystic yogic meditation was possible in Satya-yuga, when men lived for many thousands of years. Now people will not believe this, but in a previous age there were people who lived for one hundred thousand years. That age was called Satya-yuga, and the meditation of mystic yoga was possible at that time. In that age the great yogi Valmiki Muni meditated for sixty thousand years. So that is a long-term process, which is not possible to execute in this age. If one wishes to conduct a farce, that is another matter. But if one actually wants to practice such meditation, it takes an extremely long time to perfect. In the next age, Treta-yuga, the process of realization was to perform the various ritualistic sacrifices recommended in the Vedas. In the next age, Dvapara-yuga, the process was temple worship. In this present age the same result can be achieved by the process of hari-kirtana, glorification of Hari, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
From The Science of Self-Realization by Srila Prabhupada
Seeking after sex in Vrndavana, means such person will have to take birth as monkey next life. Monkey. Because they have taken shelter of Vrndavana, and still they're indulging, monkey's business, so they have to... It is Krsna's mercy. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah [SB 10.14.8]. In Vrndavana the land, transcendental land, that will not go in vain. But these persons who are indulging unnecessary sex life in Vrndavana, they'll have to take birth as monkeys in Vrndavana, and then next life they'll be liberated. So otherwise, why in Vrndavana the monkeys? They are also devotees, but they could not proceed nicely. So animal life means stopping sinful activities, and whatever sinful reaction is there, in one life finished. We should be very, very careful. Dhama, dhama-aparadha. In the dhama... In other places if you chant Hare Krsna, the result of such chanting will be increased thousand times if you chant in Vrndavana. Similarly, in other place, the sinful activities, if you commit that sinful activities in Vrndavana, then it will be thousand times increased. So we have to be very careful.
From Srila Prabhupada's lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.11 — September 10, 1976, Vrndavana
The topmost surrendered devotee are the gopis. There is no more higher exalted devotees than the gopis. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended that the gopis, ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita. There is no better type of worshiping Krsna than the method by which gopis worship Krsna. They, their love was so intense that they did not care for any family, any honor or any prestige — nothing. That is the highest, topmost loving stage of Krsna. And Krsna also loved the gopis, so much so that Krsna asked them that "You cannot expect any return from Me for your ecstatic love. I cannot give you. It is beyond My power." So they purchased Krsna. And the topmost gopi is Radharani.
From Srila Prabhupada's lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.15 — September 13, 1976, Vrndavana
It was here, Srila Prabhupada, that you had all the children come one by one by your desk while you personally handed them a morsel of prasadam. One little boy, Bhakta Visvareta, was very expert at chanting prayers and could even lead kirtana. You had spoken with him several times in Los Angeles. However, when he came before you he became very shy and would not say anything, even though you tried to elicit from him a response by pulling his sikha and poking him in the stomach. Finally you had a servant bring a very nice sweet to give him. This brought an enthusiastic response from the boy, as he eagerly accepted the prasadam. At this you smiled and stated, "Oh, you are a devotee of prasadam."
From Dallas Vyasa-puja offering 1990
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A “user’s guide” to brahmacari life. The first part consists of elaborate discussions and practical guidance regarding many aspects of brahmacarya. The second portion is a compilation of quotations on brahmacarya from Srila Prabhupada’s books, letters, and recordings.
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