The Nectar of Instruction - transformation from neophyte devotee to Goswami

The Nectar of Instruction or Upadeśāmṛta is a book written by Srila Rupa Goswami to help neophyte devotees make progress in the path of Bhakti. By following the instructions mentioned in this book a neophyte devotee can mature into a pure Vaishnava.

The aim of Krsna Consciousness is to make a devotee into a Goswami. Goswami is one who has won over his/her senses. The Nectar of Instruction has the steps and process of making a neophyte devotee into a Goswami or pure Vaishnava.

In all spiritual affairs, one’s first duty is to control his mind and senses. Unless one controls his mind and senses, one cannot make any advancement in spiritual life. Everyone within this material world is engrossed in the modes of passion and ignorance. One must promote himself to the platform of goodness, sattva-guṇa, by following the instructions of Rūpa Gosvāmī, and then everything concerning how to make further progress will be revealed.

Advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower. A follower of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should become a perfect gosvāmī. Vaiṣṇavas are generally known as gosvāmīs. In Vṛndāvana, this is the title by which the director of each temple is known. One who wants to become a perfect devotee of Kṛṣṇa must become a gosvāmī. Go means “the senses,” and svāmī means “the master.” Unless one controls his senses and mind, one cannot become a gosvāmī. To achieve the highest success in life by becoming a gosvāmī and then a pure devotee of the Lord, one must follow the instructions known as Upadeśāmṛta, which have been given by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has given many other books, such as Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Vidagdha-mādhava and Lalita-mādhava, but Upadeśāmṛta constitutes the first instructions for neophyte devotees. One should follow the Nectar of Instruction very strictly. Then it will be easier to make one’s life successful. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

The online version of this book can be found here