(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 October 2016, Johannesburg, South Africa, Nama Hatta Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 9.10)
Even on the strength of good karma, one cannot maintain high standards. It is not possible but by the mercy of a pure devotee, it is possible. And that mercy is not just a once-off, it is ongoing. It must be on an ongoing basis that one must take shelter. Everyday is offered to the spiritual master. Then it is possible. It is not, (Indian accent) “Yes, yes. I got the mercy. Thirty-three years ago, I got that mercy. Yes, I still remember it like the day of yesterday…” No, that will not work. From day to day, always fresh, the relationship with the spiritual master is always fresh. It should be always fresh and then our spiritual life is fresh and then we can take shelter of the Bhagavad-gita.
So every day, one begins the day by offering obeisances to spiritual master. As soon as we wake up, this is the first thing we do and again the last thing we do at night is to offer obeisances to the spiritual master. First obeisances and then the bed. At the beginning of the day, we offer our obeisances to remind ourselves, “I am going to offer this day to my spiritual master.” And again at the end of the day, we offer our obeisances and say, “Well, I am sorry. It was not much of an offering. Anyway, you know, I will try to improve tomorrow.”