The representative of Krsna can be seen as good as Krsna. He is surcharged with Krsna's potencies. That person's association is so valuable. That is why we should very very very very attentively hear whatever instructions come, because the potency is there. If we just happen to muster up enough attentiveness and humility to hear Prabhupada's purports, or his lectures, messages, or instructions in some way, and take them to heart…it's sufficient to liberate one completely, just in that moment! What to speak of regularly hearing?! Persons who have achieved that great fortune express: "I want nothing else but to be bathed by the transcendental messages emanating from your lotus mouth – to constantly be tasting that purification. Guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na kariho mane asa…I don't have any other desire but that!" And those that are not at that stage of having been fully liberated because of proper attentive hearing, at least we should know in principle, that's all it takes! That's sufficient. And then the real test is that we act on it.

-- Adapted from a lecture given by Srila Romapada Swami on May 10, 1995 in New York