Śrīla Gurudeva [to Dīrgha Dāsī]: You should not give up; you should continue. Have you heard of Vilāpa-kusumāñjali by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī? Also, you should read the books of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. They will help you so much—so much. Especially begin with Jaiva-dharma, and then read Śrī Upadeśāmṛta by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. Also read Śrī Manaḥ-śikṣā by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.
If you are thinking, “Whether I am qualified or not, I want that thing,” then your cries will reach Śrīmatī Rādhikā and Kṛṣṇa and Yogamāyā and everything will be managed and arranged for you. Don’t think that, “Whether I am qualified or not.” But you should think, “I want it,” because a farthing is not needed for our greed. We can have greed for other things, then why not be greedy for the best amongst all things? Why not be greedy for that? Be greedy: “I want to be a bona fide dāsī [maidservant] of Śrīmatī Rādhikā. I want to be a dāsī of Śrīmatī Rūpa-mañjarī.” Then gradually greed will develop by hearing, reading, and doing all these things. Always think like this. Always read our ācāryas’ books and try to follow their moods.
July 18, 1996 New Jersey