Q: What are the expectations from a student of Babaji?
A: Expectations on the part of whom?
Q: I mean what does Babaji expect?
A: Babaji does not expect anything.
Q: What do you mean?
A: If you mean donations, declaring your loyalty to him in private or public, or any other so-called service, he does not expect any such thing from a student.
Q: How does he choose a disciple then?
A: That is up to him. What I know is that he is not interested in making a large number of disciples. He wants those who are genuinely interested in bhakti to Bhagavān.
Q: Is there anything I should do?
A: Of course there is. Attend his lectures, listen attentively, elevate yourself to a level that you can understand and receive what he is trying to give, and value what he values.
Q: What does Babaji value?
A: The teachings of Sri Jiva Goswami as received in the paramparā.
Q: You mean the Sandarbhas?
A: Yes.
Q: What do you mean by ‘elevate yourself to a level’?
A: What Babaji is teaching is not easy to grasp. Sanskrit, Nyaya, Sankhya, Purva mimamsa, Bhakti rasamrta sindhu, the Sandarbhas, the Bhagavad Gita, Gopala campu – these are all difficult subjects. He is teaching it all. So one has to be willing to put in the hard work to hear what he is saying, think about it, understand, etc.
Q: Will that be enough- learning all this?
A: Not only learning but also applying the knowledge. It permeates one’s life – one’s attitudes, one’s activities- everything become slowly colored by this knowledge. Provided one has sraddha in Babaji and in sastra.
Q: Is this how one should serve Babaji?
A: Yes, indeed. But if we learn all this, then we become inevitably grateful. And that gratitude transforms into an intense desire to make sure that Jiva institute thrives and continues to serve as the premier place of learning of Gaudiya philosophy. So we will find ways to contribute to the Jiva family.
Q: What will happen to Jiva institute after him?
A: Jiva institute will continue.
Q: Does he have plans for who will succeed him?
A: Somebody of Babaji’s intellect and stature is not going to have no plans. I wouldn’t worry about it. Instead, take full advantage of the fact that he is currently with us and is giving hundreds of lectures and speeches every month. There is a shower of knowledge at Jiva Institute right now, and everyone should drench themselves to their maximum ability. This opportunity will not come again.
Q: I feel Jiva institute does not do preaching and does not have a network. There is no public kirtana, no temples outside Vrindavan, and one feels isolated being part of it.
A: Babaji’s students have whatsapp groups you can join to stay connected. There are also chapters in other countries (see jivausa.org). Jiva institute is relatively small, and by Babaji’s choice. It is definitely growing as more and more people are becoming attracted by Babaji’s fearsome scholarship.
You can also take up some personal service to Babaji – whether it is helping with proof-reading his many books that are in the works, or helping with the many Jiva institute projects. It is only when one develops mamatva- myness – with respect to someone that one starts to serve intensely and steadily. Unwavering and intense service over many many years is the symptom of bhakti and also the means to attain bhakti.
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