One should avoid hearing from a person not situated in Vaisnava behaviour. A Vaisnava is nivrtta-trsna. That is, he has no material purpose, for his only purpose is to preach Krishna consciousness. So-called scholars, philosophers and politicians exploit the importance of Bhagavad Gita by distorting its meaning for their own purposes.
One can gradually become purified by seeing, touching and worshiping temple deities, places of pilgrimage and holy rivers. but one can attain the same result immediately simply by receiving the glance of exalted sages.
The pure devotee is always within the core of my heart and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but me, and I do not know anyone else but them.
The Supreme Lord manifested the material intelligence, senses, mind and vital air of the living entities so that they could indulge their desires for sense gratification, take repeated births to engage in fruitive activities, become elevated in future lives and ultimately attain liberation.
When one's mind is attached to Krishna, one can fulfill the mission of life in one human birth. If one misses this opportunity, one does not know where he is going, how long he will remain in the cycle of birth and death and when he will achieve the human form of life and the chance to return home, back to Godhead. The most intelligent person, therefore, uses every moment of his life to render loving service to the Lord.
The servants of the Lord are actually the servants of society. They are interested in imparting knowledge of the relationship of the living being with the Supreme Lord, the activities in that transcendental relationship and the ultimate goal of human life. That is the real knowledge which can help society achieve the real aim of human welfare.