Page 12 - Lekha-mala (English)
P. 12
2 Lekha-mālā
mean that their book is conducive to devotional service, or
even represents the parampara in a bona fide way.
Most important for all ISKCON devotees is to be firmly fixed
in the understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s books. With
Prabhupada’s books, no one can ever go wrong, for there
is no doubt about their authenticity. In my own case, I feel
that because I’m fixed in the understanding given by Srila
Prabhupada, my intelligence is not deviated, even if I read other
things. Actually, I have no taste for reading nondevotional
literature, and that should be the standard for the devotee.
Some devotees like to read many books about psychology
and management theories, but such books cannot help us to
develop love of Krsna.
But even more dangerous than nondevotional literature is
quasi-devotional literature, which purports to represent the
absolute truth, but rather distorts it. The distortion is often
subtle and, being intertwined with authentic statements,
cannot be easily discerned by those who have not deeply
entered into the philosophy of the Absolute Truth.
Therefore I am giving this reading guide, lest my disciples be
deviated by reading authors whose understanding is influenced
by the three modes of material nature – or lest they attempt to
study books which are beyond their understanding, because
they (the disciples) are too much influenced by the modes of
nature.
Srila Prabhupada has written (in CC Madhya 22.118 purport)
that four books – Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam,
Caitanya-caritamrta, and Nectar of Devotion – are sufficient
for preaching purposes, and adequate for the understanding
of the philosophy and the spreading of missionary activities
all over the world.