Question: King Pratāparudra and Rāmānanda Rāya both were externally materialists, having opulent positions, but internally pure devotees. Why Lord Caitanya kept King Pratāparudra away because he was wealthy and materialistic, but discussed most confidential pastimes with Rāmānanda Rāya? Same is the case with Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, who was externally exhibiting himself as a materialist, but internally he was a pure devotee. What is the difference between King Pratāparudra externally a materialist, and Rāmānanda Rāya and Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi externally a materialist or have opulent, material positions?

Jayapataka Swami:The difference is that Pratāparudra was a king, and that Lord Caitanya wanted to establish that, one should avoid kings. Although Rāmānanda Rāya was a governor, and although Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi was a landlord, what they called a zamindar, they were...

Question: In the Nectar Of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada said that devotional service is ahaitukiapratihata. Bhakti is not affected by any mundane cause or curtailed by any material interruption. My question is, how do sinful activities slow one’s progress in devotional life?

Jayapataka Swami: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6 Translation:  The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendental Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to...