“According to Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura also, a husband and wife can turn the home into a place as good as Vaikunṭha, even while in this material world. Being absorbed in Krishna consciousness, even in this world husband and wife can live in Vaikunṭha simply by installing the Deity of the Lord within the home and serving the Deity according to the directions of the sastras. In this way, they will never feel the sex urge. That is the test of advancement in devotional service. One who is advanced in devotional service is never attracted by sex life, and as soon as one becomes detached from sex life and proportionately attached to the service of the Lord, he actually experiences living in the Vaikunṭha planets.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.23.29, Purport
“In our disciplic line we have the example of a perfect householder paramahamsa—Srila Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura. In his book Sarangati, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura states, ye-dina gṛhe, bhajana dekhi’, gṛhete goloka bhaya (Sarangati 31.6). Whenever a householder glorifies the Supreme Lord in his home, his activities are immediately transformed into the activities of Goloka Vṛndāvana, spiritual activities taking place in the Goloka Vṛndāvana planet of Krishna. Activities exhibited by Krishna Himself at Bhauma Vrndavana, the Vrndavana-dhama existing on this planet, are not different from His activities on the planet Goloka Vṛndāvana. This is proper realization of Vrndavana anywhere.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrata, Madhya 7.69, Translation and Purport
“Srīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura comments that serving Vaisnavas is most important for householders. Whether a Vaisnava is properly initiated or not is not a subject for consideration. One may be initiated and yet contaminated by the Mayavada philosophy, but a person who chants the holy name of the Lord offenselessly will not be so contaminated. A properly initiated Vaisnava may be imperfect, but one who chants the holy name of the Lord offenselessly is all-perfect. Although he may apparently be a neophyte, he still has to be considered a pure, unalloyed Vaisnava. It is the duty of the householder to offer respects to such an unalloyed Vaisnava. This is Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instruction.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrata, Madhya 15.111, Translation and Purport
“So there is another statement of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura that kṛṣṇera saṁsāra kara chāḍi anācāra. To turn your home into Vaikunṭha is not very difficult job. Simply you have to adopt the method. Kṛṣṇera saṁsāra kara chāḍi anācāra. Anācāra means sinful activities. You cannot associate with God if you become sinful. That is not possible. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpam: “One who is completely free from sinful life,” te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ (BG 7.28), “He can worship Me.” So therefore our Krishna consciousness movement is that we do not recommend that “You give up your occupation, you become a sannyasī, give up your wife and children.” No. That is not our movement. Amongst ourself here there are sannyasis, brahmacaris, grihastha, vanaprastha.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture, Bombay, September 25, 1973
“Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura has said, nāmāśraya kari thākaha āpana kāje. In whatever occupation you are, remain there. There is no need of changing. But nāmāśraya kari. If you remain a gṛhastha, what is your loss if you chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra? And if there is gain, why don’t you take it? Simple thing.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Evening Lecture, Bhuvanesvara, January 23, 1977
“Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura has sung in a poetry that my mind, my body, and my home is surrendered unto You. So a Grihastha or householder like you, you are also tridandi. Because you have sacrificed everything, your life, your home, and your child, so you are a tridandi sannyasi, in fact. So continue this attitude seriously and sincerely, so you will be also as good as a sannyasi even though you are in the dress of a grihastha.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Rupanuga, Montrea, 30 August, 1968
“Krishna Consciousness is not limited within any circle. Brahmacari, grihastha or sannyasi: everyone is eligible for cultivating Krishna Consciousness. There are these stages for gradual development of control of the strong senses in the material environment. But any order of life suitable for a particular person in which he can most favorably execute his Krishna Consciousness is the best position to take up. Generally, if one can remain a brahmacari, it is very convenient, and from brahmacari one can take sannyasa. But in this age of Kali, Bhaktivinode Thakura recommends that it is better to cultivate Krishna Consciousness as a householder.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Mandali Bhadra, Tittenhurst, 2 November, 1969
“Our spiritual master, who also took his birth in a Vaisnava family, got all inspirations from his great Vaisnava father, Ṭhakura Bhaktivinoda. That is the way of all lucky Vaisnava families.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.15, Purport
“Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura was also a householder, but he lived in so perfect Krishna Consciousness that he is better than many Sannyasis like us.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Rupanuga, Montreal, 30 August, 1968
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