Chapter 26 - Six Favorable and Unfavorable Principles
(as taught by Srila Rupa Goswami in his Sri Upadesamrta)
The Six Favorable Principles
1. BEING ENTHUSIASTIC
Every endeavor in Krsna-consciousness is performed with intelligence. The devotees are expert in engaging
everything in Krsna's service. The practice of devotional service has nothing to do with selfish meditation, but
means practical activity in spiritual life.
2. ENDEAVORING WITH CONFIDENCE
The devotee thinks "avasya raksibe Krsna": Krsna will certainly help and protect me, so that I can successfully
execute my devotional service.
3. PATIENCE
One should not be impatient when executing one's devotional service but accept the orders of the spiritual
master, patiently execute them and always feel dependent on the mercy of guru and Krsna. Sometimes Srila
Prabhupada used to give the following example in this regard: a newly wed girl naturally may expect a child
from her husband, but she cannot hope to get it right after the marriage. In other words, it takes time, until the
results are manifested.
4. ACTING ACCORDING TO REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES (such as sravanam kirtanam)
If we do not follow the principles of devotional service, we destroy it. There are positive and negative
regulations in Krsna consciousness. The devotee is expected to enthusiastically follow the 4 regulative
principles and observe positive regulations like the chanting of Hare Krsna.
5. ABANDONING ASSOCIATION WITH NON-DEVOTEES
In order to become successful in devotional service one has to give up the association of unwanted persons.
This includes karmis, jnanis and other non-devotees. Sri Caitanya defines a Vaisnava as someone who gives
up the association with worldly people.
6. FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PREVIOUS ACARYAS
In Krsna-consciousness we follow a daily program (sadhana)which includes getting up early in the morning,
chanting, reading of Srimad Bhagavatam etc., and thus we are following the previous spiritual masters, who
were expertly engaged in devotional service every single moment in their lives.
The Six Unfavorable Principles
1.Eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required
Everyone needs possessions like food, money and other things in order to maintain his body, but one should
not accumulate more than necessary for one's personal requirement.
2.Over endeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain
Although we are in need of a certain economic development, it is only allowed for essential things in life. The
real goal of life is to realize the Absolute Truth. As soon as we don't direct our endeavors in this direction, we
will simply increase our artificial demands. Therefore we have to guard ourselves from worldly endeavors.
3.Talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters
Those who are not interested in Krsna-consciousness like to read heaps of newspapers, solve riddles, read
novels, etc. They are simply wasting their time with useless activities. In this way materialistic people waste
valuable time and energy. Old people spend their days with playing cards, fishing, television and speculations
about social and political topics. All these activities belong to the prajalpa category, and should be avoided by
intelligent people.
4.Practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake
of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working
independently or whimsically.
Those who are interested in Krsna-consciousness should not be eager to follow rules and regulations in order
to have economic success but they should faithfully follow the rules and regulations given in the scriptures and
follow the order of the spiritual master in order to advance in Krsna-consciousness.
5.Associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna-consciousness
There are two kinds of non-devotees; those who are against Krsna's supremacy and those who are absorbed in
material sense gratification. One should strictly avoid such association. We should live only in association
with Krsna-conscious devotees and always be engaged in Krsna's service in their association.
6.Being greedy for mundane achievements
Desires for mystic powers, merging into Brahman, whimsically striving for wealth, etc., are all in the category
of greed. All attempts for material or pseudo-spiritual achievements are obstacles in devotional service.