—Rishi Kumara

The Spiritual Master is compared to a giant rain cloud because as a rain cloud extinguishes a forest fire, similarly the Spiritual Master is able to extinguish the fire of conditioned life. Conditioned life means that I am trying to enjoy the resources of material nature, and in this attempt I must accept the stringent laws which material nature imposes-namely, birth, death, disease and old age. The Spiritual Master instructs us on how to stop this cycle, and for one who follows his instructions without any deviation, the ocean of birth and death is easily overcome. This is the causeless mercy of the Spiritual Master-by his perfect instructions, we become free from material bondage, a miserable condition of existence which we have been subject to since time immemorial. In this Age of Kali or quarrel, Prabhupada, the Acharya for this age, has very kindly come to this country to deliver the most fallen souls by means of Samkirtan Yajna, the recommended process for self-realization in this iron age. Prabhupada is offering us the opportunity of millions of lifetimes-love of Krishna-and the process is so simple. Prabhupada says, "Simply chant Hare Krishna, and be happy."

-Rishi Kumara
(ISKCON-New York)