Unless one reads Bhagavad Gita As It Is no real knowledge will be forthcoming.
Makra Sankranti is also a day of transition of our Bhakti-from Sadhna Bhakti to Bhava Bhakti to prema Bhakti. We have to keep a close watch on this transition.
We have never seen an acarya as exalted as Srila Prabhupada who has made all arrangements to transfer us from this eternally miserable material world to our eternally transcendental real home.
If we are always eager to hear and chant the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava then this is maunam.
Austerity at the physical level is necessary and useful, beneficial, but most benefit is derived when we are austere in our speech.
Krsna das made a perfect arrangement of guru and Krsna, Krsna sends the soul to guru and then guru sends the soul to Krsna.