In plain words
Embodiments of Prema! We must not think that the birth of Kṛṣṇa means only that He was born at some time in the Dvāpara age and at some time gave teachings fit for it. At every moment we must keep nourishing that feeling of Kṛṣṇa in each one's heart without a break. What does Kṛṣṇa mean? When was He born? If we enquire well into the time of that birth, we can grasp its right place. The month of Śrāvaṇa. The dark half of the month. The eighth lunar day. Kṛṣṇa, who is dark, was born in a dark house. Śrāvaṇa means what gives joy to śravaṇa. That is why, among the sādhanas, they have stressed śravaṇa first of all. Of the nine kinds of Bhakti for attaining God, śravaṇa is the first.
Śravaṇaṃ kīrtanaṃ viṣṇossmaraṇaṃ pādasevanaṃ arcanaṃ vandanaṃ dāsyaṃ sakhyamātma nivedanaṃ.
Of these nine paths the very last is Ātmanivedana. The very first is śravaṇa. It is through śravaṇa itself that we become fit for Ātmanivedana. But unfortunately we listen to what is worldly, inauspicious and causes unrest, while our ear is not ready at all to listen to what is true, eternal, sweet, nectarine and immortal. Śravaṇa does not mean listening to worldly matters. Only the śravaṇa that concerns divinity is śravaṇa. That is why a devotee spoke to the ears:
When it is the gossip of the village folk, to pass the time, you are ready, with great attention; but fondly, sweetly, when the talk of God is told, will you not stay close and attentive, O ears?
Under the influence of this Kali age we listen only to matters of other people's rights and wrongs, but we do not make the effort needed to listen to the sacred, divine Name. What did He give us eyes for?
Do you know why the eyes were given? Is it to look at everything? No, no: the God of gods, the Dweller on Kailāsa: it is to see Him! Why were the feet given, so fittingly? Is it to wander the lanes and alleys? Not for that: it is for the One whose vehicle is Nandi, to go to His temple!