6.6 Six Subtle Enemies of Bhakti we Must Remove Today

This video discusses six specific weeds mentioned in scriptures that quietly grow alongside the bhakti-latā (creeper of devotional service). These unwanted creepers must be identified and removed for one to progress purely in Krishna consciousness.

🌿 Six Weeds in the Garden of Devotion
1️⃣ Nishedha – Actions Prohibited in Śāstra
🔹 These are actions opposed to scripture and must be strictly avoided.
🔸 We don’t need to invent anything new—just follow what the śāstra says.
🔸 If something is not told in the śāstra, we don’t do it.
🪶 Even if someone quotes from a drama or gives a class—how do we verify? We refer to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, which refers to the Vedas. The Vedas are the ultimate authority.
🌸 Vedas are not to be verified—they are the source. No authority is higher than the Vedas.

2️⃣ Kuṭināṭi – Diplomacy and Duplicity
🔹 This refers to saying things in a way you can take however you want—not being clear or direct.
🔸 Also includes behaving differently to different people—not being straightforward.
🌸 This type of duplicity satisfies neither the soul nor the Lord.

3️⃣ Jīva Hiṁsā – Envy or Stopping Preaching
🔹 The original meaning is violence to living beings, but here it refers to not preaching Krishna consciousness.
🔸 Everyone should preach to the best of their ability. Even sharing small things—lectures, bhajans, readings—is valuable.
🌸 Prabhuji suggests dedicating a weekend day for all to share Krishna consciousness.

4️⃣ Lābha – Desire for Material Gains
🔹 Chanting with the thought that our material life will be taken care of, or to gain wealth, job, or safety.
🔸 That’s not the reason we chant.
🪶 Chanting with material motives will ruin our focus on bhakti.

5️⃣ Pūjā – Wanting Praise or Admiration
🔹 Wanting others to praise us for kīrtan, classes, cooking, fundraising, or even humility.
🔸 We may even want to be famous for being the “most fallen”!
🌸 Popularity in devotional life isn’t bad, but it’s dangerous if not handled carefully.

6️⃣ Pratiṣṭhā – Wanting Importance and Fame
🔹 Once popular, we may start expecting things, thinking we are important or special.
🔸 Prabhuji shares how someone even asked him, "Are you God?"
🪶 He reflects that if 10–20 people praise us, we may start believing it.
🌸 This is how even simple devotees can start thinking, “Maybe I’m like Lord Rāma and came to save everyone.”

🌱 Summary of Six Weeds (Repeat for Clarity)
🪶 The speaker ends by summarizing:

🔸Nishedha – Do not perform prohibited actions
🔸Kuṭināṭi – No diplomacy or duplicity
🔸Jīva Hiṁsā – Avoid envy and preach Krishna consciousness
🔸Lābha – No chanting for material gain
🔸Pūjā – Avoid striving for popularity or admiration
🔸Pratiṣṭhā – Do not desire importance or special identity

🌸 These weeds may look like bhakti, but they choke the true creeper.
A pure devotee can recognize the difference and separate them carefully.