The heart of a great Vaishnava is not attached to his kingdom or to go back to Godhead. I remember one time Srila Prabhupad explained that some devotees are like sadhus who like to live under trees. Other devotees who are coming from wealthier atmospheres are very much attached to live in palaces. Prabhupad said “you should neither be attached to a palace nor a tree. If Krishna wants you to live in a palace you should be happy to live there. If Krishna wants you to live under a tree, you should be happy living under a tree.” I remember when I first came to New Vrindavan (US), we were living in a farm house which was old and broken down. To me it was such a sense gratification because I never slept under a roof in India. I was always under the sky, whether it was raining or freezing cold. So I told Bhakti Parayan, “I will leave New Vrindavan because you know I like to live in Vrindavan (India) which is austere. This is too much shelter, too much comfort.” Bhakti Parayan quoted Prabhupad – You will never go back to Godhead as long as you are attached living under a tree, if your Guru wants you to live in a palace. Renunciation means to live in a palace or under a tree as your Guru wants.
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