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.
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