Category:Devotional Service to God
Subcategories
This category has the following 1,414 subcategories, out of 1,414 total.
*
1
2
3
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Pages in category "Devotional Service to God"
The following 610 pages are in this category, out of 610 total.
3
- Advancement of devotional service means
- Bhakti, the whole devotional service program means
- Bhaktya mam abhijanati means
- Devotional service in practice means
- Devotional service means
- Devotional service to the Supreme Lord means
- Drdha-vrata means
- Higher devotional service means
- In devotional service surrender means
- Pratisamplavah means
- Prosecution of devotional service means
- Renunciation in devotional service means
- Seva-nistha means
A
- A devotee must simply engage in devotional service, not caring about material situations. Then he automatically becomes a rightful candidate for promotion to Vaikunthaloka
- A devotee, although born in a candala (dog-eater) family, can purify his whole family for one hundred generations, past and future, by devotional service, whereas a proud brahmana cannot even purify himself
- A devotee, an unflinching devotee, without any other desires, who is dedicated to the service of the Lord, he is sadhu
- A fig tree does not immediately yield fruits, but in time the fruits are available. Similarly, Ajamila's devotional service grew little by little, and therefore although he committed very sinful acts, the reactions did not affect him
- A glossary of some of the important words in this chapter (SB 4th Canto, Ch 28): Dravida-raja - Devotional service or a person eligible to act in devotional service, Dvara - The doors of the body, such as the eyes and ears
- A glossary of some of the important words in this chapter (SB 4th Canto, Ch 28): Sapta-suta - The seven sons, namely hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, worshiping the Deity&becoming a servant of the Lord
- A great saint, the father of Srila Vyasadeva, Parasara Muni, has specifically mentioned that devotional service to the Lord can ultimately be awakened in human society by the discharge of duties in accordance with the varnasrama system
- A karmi or a jnani, regardless of his greatness, has no faith in Lord Visnu, His holy name or His devotional service
- A man in devotional service is automatically nonviolent. He is the best of gentlemen
- A man tries to be happy by achieving the fruits of his own honest labor, but actually he becomes more and more entangled. One cannot get out of this entanglement unless he has perfect knowledge, or devotional service
- A person in devotional service, even though born of a very low family who are eating dogs’ flesh, he is better than a qualified brahmin who is not a devotee of the Lord
- A person too attached to material prosperity can gradually be detached and raised to the spiritual platform. Then he can offer causeless, purified service to the Lord
- A person who has heard a good deal about the path of devotional service, but who is not attached to it, who is not Krsna conscious, is like a pot of liquor. Such a person cannot be purified without at least a slight touch of devotional service
- A person who is addicted to the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra very easily gets the opportunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no need for such a person to understand the grammatical jugglery in which Mayavadi sannyasis indulge
- A pure devotee must engage in the service of the Lord twenty-four hours a day, without cessation; his life is so molded that at every minute and every second he engages in some sort of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- A pure devotee, by devotional service, is able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead despite many material impediments, which are all various energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- A pure living entity who thus attains the stage of anartha-nivrtti, cessation of everything unwanted, has nothing to enjoy in the material world. One attains this stage only by properly performing the functions of devotional service
- A sādhu, as described above (in SB 3.25.21), is a devotee of the Lord. His concern, therefore, is to enlighten people in devotional service to the Lord. That is his mercy. He knows that without devotional service to the Lord, human life is spoiled
- Absolute devotional service, conducted in nine different spiritual activities - hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, praying, etc. - does not always appeal to people with a pompous nature
- According to Mayavadi philosophy, the Personality of Godhead, His abode, His devotional service and His emotional devotees are all under the spell of maya and are consequently subjected to the material condition
- According to such Mayavada philosophy, the Personality of Godhead, His abode, His devotional service and His emotional devotees are all under the spell of maya and are consequently subjected to the material condition
- Activities in devotional service to the Lord can give release from the reaction of faulty activities
- Actually devotional service is the eternal life of the living entity and is lying dormant in everyone's heart. The practice which invokes that dormant devotional service is called practical devotional service
- Actually the path of devotional service is one without a second, but according to the devotees' condition, devotional service appears in multifarious varieties, as will be nicely explained in the following verses -of SB 3.29
- After he remained silent for some time, Lord Caitanya asked him, "My dear Bhattacarya, don't be confused by this explanation. Please take it from Me that the devotional service of the Supreme Lord is the highest perfectional stage of human understanding"
- After hearing these words of devotional service from the mouth of his son Prahlada, Hiranyakasipu was extremely angry. His lips trembling, he spoke as follows to Sanda the son of his guru, Sukracarya
- After nirvana, or material cessation, there is the manifestation of spiritual activities, or devotional service of the Lord, known as Krsna consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- Aham brahmasmi: I am spirit. It is said that one should understand that he is Brahman-spirit soul. This Brahman conception of life is also in devotional service, as described in this verse (BG 7.29). BG 1972 purports
- All different kinds of sacrifice are performed just to satisfy Lord Narayana with a view to reach Him, and the best sacrifice recommended in this age of Kali is sankirtana-yajna, the mainstay of the devotional service of a narayana-para devotee
- All his (Sri Purusottama Yati's) writings and words are very potent. He gave people devotional service to Lord Visnu so they could be elevated to liberation in the spiritual world
- All of these (the nine activities in devotional service) are ways of seeing Him (God), for everything done in devotional service is a means of direct contact with the Lord
- All other activities for self-realization, including yoga and philosophical speculation, may be given up, but devotional service must be retained at all times
- All these (the varnas and the asramas) anomalies of the present social system can be reformed only by cultivation of the human spirit in the devotional service of the Lord
- All these different activities are prescribed for different persons so that they may be elevated to the platform of self-realization and from there to Krsna consciousness, devotional service
- All types of irreligion spring from the back of Brahma, whereas real religion, the devotional service of the Lord, is generated from the chest, the seat of Narayana
- Although one may be accepted as a jnani, or one advanced in knowledge, his knowledge is considered impure because he has no information of devotional service and thus neglects the direct worship of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Although Prahlada was born in the family of the Daityas, he was a great devotee from his childhood. Because of his devotional service and godly nature, he is considered to be a representative of Krsna. BG 1972 purports
- Although the sahajiyas do not think much of Vedic knowledge, they nonetheless have accepted Lord Krsna as the Supreme Lord. Unfortunately, they mislead others from authentic devotional service
- Although they (the residents of Vaikuntha) could conceivably declare themselves Narayana or Visnu, they never do so; they always remain Krsna conscious and serve the Lord faithfully. Such is the atmosphere of Vaikunthaloka
- An advanced devotee like Narada Muni who is engaged in preaching work can serve the Supreme Lord anywhere. Sometimes he even goes to the hellish planets
- An ideal king thoroughly trained by culture and devotional service with the martial spirit makes a perfect king. Such a personal monarchy is far better than the so-called democracy of no training and responsibility
- Any devotee who is acting in devotional service dedicates his life and body for the purpose of the Lord
- Any man can collect some fruits and flowers and satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service, as the Lord recommends in the Bhagavad-gita - BG 9.26
- Any system which leads one to the devotional service of the Lord, and nothing else, is actually religion or philosophy
- Anyone who has accepted the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya as everything - all the riches and all wealth - immediately he enters in the kingdom of devotional service. He tastes without taste
- Anyone who is a devotee of the Lord knows about the Lord to some extent, and devotional service to the Lord makes him able to know everything by the grace of the Lord
- Anyone who is engaged in Krsna consciousness, or devotional service, is already liberated from the influence of the modes of material nature
- Anyone, who is absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord is a liberated soul and has all admirable qualities
- Anything about devotional service or the characteristics of the Lord and His devotees must be heard from a devotee, not from a professional reciter. This is advised herein - SB 6.17.40
- Anything which does not lead to the devotional service of the Lord is irreligion, and anything which leads to the devotional service of the Lord is called religion
- Arjuna is fighting, and another soldier is fighting the other side. But Arjuna's activities as soldier is devotional service, because he's trying to please Krsna
- Artificial movement of the body . . . must always be rejected. One should wait for the natural sequence within devotional service, and at that time, when one cries or dances or sings, it is approved
- As far as devotional service is concerned, there are two divisions. In the beginning there is vidhi-bhakti, or devotional service with regulative principles. In the higher stage there is raga-bhakti, or devotional service in pure love
- As long as one is engaged in researching the solution of the problems of life, his knowledge is called jnana, or purified knowledge, but on realizing the actual solution of life, one becomes situated in the devotional service of the Lord
- As long as one is not compassionate to people in general in his devotional service to the Lord, he is a third-class devotee
- As part of devotional service, Vaisnavas protect the body for the service of the Lord, but those who are gross materialists accept the body as the self
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (6.22), yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah: Gaining this (devotional service unto the Lord), one thinks there is no greater gain
- As stated in SB 10.82.44: "Devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the life of every living entity." Indeed, the Lord informed the damsels of Vraja that their love for Him was the only cause of their achieving His association
- As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta, guru-krsna-prasade: by the mercy of the spiritual master and Krsna, one attains the path of salvation, devotional service
- As supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of that Supreme Personality
- As the Lord exists by His own independent prowess, by the grace of the Lord the devotees also exist for His service
- As the Supreme Father, the Lord, however, does not supply to a pure devotee what is considered to be a barrier to the discharge of devotional service
- As will be explained in this book by the greatest authority, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, there is no religion save and except the devotional service of the Lord, though this may be presented in different forms
- At first Maharaja Prataparudra did not have a chance to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but when the Lord saw that the King was serving Lord Jagannatha as a menial sweeper, the Lord’s mercy upon the King became a solid fact
B
- Bali Maharaja would lose all his property because of defying orders of Sukracarya, yet because of devotional service to the Lord, he would get more than he expected, and in the future, in the eighth manvantara, he would occupy the throne of Indra again
- Because he (Prthu) appeared on this earth as an ideal king and because it is the duty of the king to instruct the citizens in the execution of devotional service, he followed all the regulative principles of devotional service in order to teach others
- Because he's chanting, sometimes a person get very false ego, that he has become a very big devotee, he's serving the Lord
- Because living entities are minute, atomic parts and parcels of the Lord, devotional service is already present within them in a dormant condition. Devotional service begins with sravanam kirtanam (SB 7.5.23), hearing and chanting
- Because of this surrender, he (a pure devotee) no longer has any attraction for wealth. Even if there is attraction for wealth, it is not for sense enjoyment, but for the service of the Lord
- Because the queens accepted the high quality of devotional service, namely administering the Lord all comforts, the Lord played the part of a faithful and complete husband
- Being perfect in the Lord's devotional service, he could execute his prescribed duties with complete perfection as befitted the time and circumstance and his financial strength and personal ability. The word karmani here (SB 4.22.50) is significant
- Bhagavan is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, but if a devotee serves Him with full faith, the meaning of the Vedic literature is revealed to him
- Bhagavata means in relationship with Bhagavan. One who has dedicated his life only for the service of the Lord, Bhagavan, he is called bhagavata
- Bhakti is in a far higher position than mukti because a person's endeavor to get liberation from the material encagement is automatically served in devotional service
- Bhakti may be divided into two divisions: (1) santata, devotional service that continues incessantly with faith and love, and (2) kadacitki, devotional service that does not continue incessantly but is sometimes awakened
- Bhakti necessitates the existence of the recipient of devotional service and the devotee who renders devotional service
- Bhakti-yoga, devotional service, is the basic principle of all systems of philosophy; all philosophy which does not aim for devotional service to the Lord is considered merely mental speculation
- Bhaktisiddhanta says that people who are advanced in learning but attached to material enjoyment, who are puffed up by birth in an elevated aristocratic family may offer showbottle devotional service to the Deity and also offer prasadam to Vaisnavas
- Bhaktivinode Thakura sung, praying to the Lord, that he would prefer to take His birth as an ant in the house of a devotee than to take birth as powerful as Brahma without any devotional service
- Bhaktya means devotional service, submission, submission to the Supreme Lord. Bhaktya means bhaja. It is Sanskrit word. The root meaning is bhaja-dhatukti. Bhaja. Bhaja means service. So bhaja-dhatukti bhakti, bhaktya
- Brahma first looked upon Priyavrata with compassion. His smile and compassionate features also indicated that although Brahma would request Priyavrata to accept household life, Priyavrata would not be out of touch with devotional service
- But the mass of people do not know this (that material miseries can be mitigated by devotional service), and therefore the learned Vyasadeva compiled this Vedic literature, Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth
- By a false display of religious sentiments, they present a show of devotional service while indulging in all sorts of immoral activities. In this way they pass as spiritual masters and devotees of God
- By ardent love and devotional service to the Lord, or in other words by spiritual contact with the Lord, everything becomes spiritually reddened like the conchshell in the grip of the Lord
- By devotional service in full Krsna consciousness, the original Personality of Godhead is realized
- By devotional service or by the most confidential knowledge, one can understand very easily how the different energies of the Lord are working
- By devotional service, pure devotees who incessantly think of the SPG receive bodies similar to His. This is known as sarupya-mukti. Although Sisupala, Dantavakra and other kings thought of Krsna as an enemy, they also achieved the same result
- By his (Vidura's) pious activities in the devotional service of the Lord he was able to always remember the lotus feet of the Lord, and thus he became washed of all contamination of a sudra-born life
- By His energies, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead is thus comprehensively the master in the activities of controlling and in devotional service. He is the ultimate master of both nescience and factual knowledge of all situations
- By misusing his independence, the living entity falls down from the service of the Lord
- By misusing his independence, the living entity falls down from the service of the Lord and takes a position in this material world as an enjoyer. That is to say, the living entity takes his position within a material body
- By performance of Vedic rituals, discussion of the Vedic philosophy and worship of the Lord in devotional service, He is attained
- By the grace of Lord Krsna, the sages and Lord Manu reminded Dhruva Maharaja that he should not continue this material conception of "I" and "mine." Simply by devotional service unto the Lord his illusion could be eradicated without difficulty
- By the scientific study of material nature, the living entity and the Supersoul, one has to understand the basic principle of devotional service to the Lord
C
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms that devotional service to the Lord - the cult of bhagavata-dharma, which is now being spread as the Hare Krsna movement - can be spread in every country, to every person, in any condition of life, and in all circumstances
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Nityananda Prabhu to deliver all the Bengalis to devotional service
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in His teachings to Rupa Gosvami, said: brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva, guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija (CC Madhya 19.151). One can achieve the seed of bhakti-lata, devotional service, by the mercy of guru and Krsna
- Chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family
- Cultivation of the knowledge in the Vedas, performance of sacrifice, and distribution of munificent charities all together cannot form even a part of the immunity from the pangs of material existence that is gained from devotional service
D
- Demons, they do not believe in God or God’s service or next life. These are the demons. They are thinking that this is the chance for sense enjoyment
- Desire cannot be negated, but in devotional service the desire is changed only for the service of the Lord in place of desire for sense gratification
- Despite a very rigid life in devotional service, Bharata Maharaja did not consult a spiritual master when he became overly attached to a deer. Consequently he became strongly attached to the deer, and, forgetting his spiritual routine, he fell down
- Devotees are always thinking about how to serve Him; they are always designing ways and means to serve the Supreme Lord, even in the midst of the greatest obstacles of material existence
- Devotional service and guidance of a pure devotee are so strong that there is no discrimination between the lower and higher classes of men; anyone can take to it. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service begins when the mind, intelligence & ego are completely purified. Mayavadi sannyasis do not purify their intelligence, mind & ego, and consequently they cannot engage in the service of the Lord or expect the causeless mercy of the Lord
- Devotional service begins with sravanam kirtanam; (SB 7.5.23) therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised the beggars to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra for elevation to the transcendental position
- Devotional service comprises nine prescribed practices - hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, serving, offering everything to the Deity, etc
- Devotional service consists of sravanam kirtanam visnoh, so one can simply hear the chanting of the glories of the Lord or can attend philosophical lectures on transcendental knowledge given by authorized acaryas. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service entails being initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and following his instruction in regard to hearing about the Lord. Such a bona fide spiritual master is accepted by regularly hearing from him about the Lord
- Devotional service in full Krsna consciousness is the only means for attaining the highest perfection of life for the human being. This is recommended here (in SB 3.32.22) by Lord Kapila to His mother Devahuti
- Devotional service in Krsna consciousness is the sign of liberation from this material entanglement, and this will be explained in the Eighteenth Chapter (of the Bhagavad-gita). BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service is above the four principles of religion and the understanding derived from liberation
- Devotional service is completely spiritual; it has nothing to do with material things. It is awakened by hearing and chanting in the association of devotees. Because devotional service is always transcendental, it has nothing to do with material activity
- Devotional service is enlightenment, or awakening
- Devotional service is not a mental concoction of depraved persons but is an actual process of God realization characterized by full cognizance and detachment and based on the Vedic literature
- Devotional service is practical, whereas Mayavada philosophy is merely mental speculation
- Devotional service is revealed to the pure devotee by the unlimited causeless mercy of the Lord. This is especially spoken of here (in SB 3.27.28-29) by the Lord - mat-prasadena, "by My special grace." This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita
- Devotional service is so exalted that it can be executed by anyone in any position. One must simply be drdha-vrata, firmly determined
- Devotional service is such a powerful transcendental method that it surpasses all other methods of transcendental realization
- Devotional service is the only path by which one can achieve the Supreme Person. This is the only perfection accepted by all Vedic literature
- Devotional service is there, and as long as devotional service exists, there must be God, the devotee, and the process of devotional service. Such knowledge is never vanquished, even after liberation. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service is very completely described here (in SB 5.8.29): tad-anusravana-manana-sankirtanaradhananusmaranabhiyogena
- Devotional service means engaging the spiritual body and spiritual senses in the service of the Lord. When we are engaged in such activities, the actions and reactions of the gross and subtle bodies cease
- Devotional service mixed with modes of material nature is a means for material existence, whereas devotional service without desires for fruitive result and without attempts for empirical philosophical research is pure, transcendental devotional service
- Devotional service of the Lord begins by hearing about Him (Krsna). There are nine different methods in devotional service, of which hearing is the chief
- Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas and Narada Pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society
- Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas, and the Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society
- Devotional service to the Lord and the Lord Himself are one and the same because they are spiritual - the internal energy of the Supreme Lord. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service to the Lord has nothing to do with the material conception of bodily comfort
- Devotional service to the Lord is one, and the mind of the devotee is not diverted to the many branches of uncertainties. Vidura's purpose was to be situated in that service to the Lord, wherein one merges undivertedly
- Devotional service to the Lord is so easy that even a householder can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead as one of the members of his household, as his son, as Kardama Muni experienced
- Devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that it can cleanse the hearts of the people in general by the devotional service of the pure, empowered devotee
- Devotional service to the Lord is the highest goal of life for every human being, and such devotional service begins by hearing about the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead
- Devotional service to the Lord is the only means by which the Lord can be attained, and this devotional service can be accepted by everyone and anyone in any country and under any circumstance
- Devotional service to the Lord is uncheckable in all circumstances
- Devotional service to the SG means engagement of all the senses in His service. In such service there are two important features: 2nd, the senses should be engaged only in the service of the SG, the master of the senses. That is pure devotional service
- Devotional service to the Supreme Lord and the worship of a demigod cannot be on the same platform, because worship of a demigod is material and devotional service to the Supreme Lord is completely spiritual
- Devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the natural instinct of every living entity
- Devotional service to the Supreme Lord means engagement of all the senses in His service. In such service there are two important features: First, one must be purified of all designations
- Devotional service to Vasudeva, Krsna, will gradually help him how to become vairagya, how to become detached with material attraction, and how to acquire knowledge about Krsna. Everything will come
- Devotional service unto You (the Lord) is the best path for self-realization
- Devotional service, as described in the middle six chapters of Bhagavad-gita (chapter 12), is more congenial. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service, however, is eternally going on in the eternal spiritual world
- Devotional service, or Krsna consciousness, can help one gain such release (from the bondage of material nature). BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service, the science of bhakti-yoga, carries one from this material world to the spiritual world
- Devotional service, which leads to the association of the Supreme Lord, is actual immortality
- Dhruva Maharaja did not desire in the beginning to engage in the service of the Lord, but he wanted an exalted position better than his great-grandfather's. This is more or less not service to the Lord but service to the senses
- Dhruva Maharaja never went to any school or academic teacher to learn the Vedic conclusion, but because of his DS to the Lord, as soon as the Lord appeared and touched his forehead with His conchshell, the entire Vedic conclusion was revealed to him
- Dhruva Maharaja said: Even those who believe that the body is the self, or those who are full of material desires, are also atmarama. When they associate with pure devotees, they give up their material desires & become perfect in the service of the Lord
- Dhruva Maharaja's conclusion is that these demigods, being envious of his superior position in devotional service, conspired against him to pollute his intelligence, and thus he could not accept Narada's valid instructions
- Due to former habits he (the devotee) may commit some wrong, but because he is engaged in the service of the Lord, that wrong should not be taken very seriously
- During that period of penance, the sage Kardama, by worship through devotional service in trance, propitiated the Personality of Godhead, who is the quick bestower of all blessings upon those who flee to Him for protection
E
- Eight symptoms of a jivan mukta - 08 He is satya-sankalpa. Whatever he desires is fulfilled by the grace of Krsna. First of all, he does not desire anything for his material benefit, and secondly if he desires anything at all, he simply desires to serve
- Even after millions and millions of births one cannot achieve a sense of devotional service, but if, somehow or other, one desires to attain devotional service, the association of a pure devotee will render it possible
- Even if at the time of death a devotee does not remember his service to the Lord, the Lord does not forget him
- Even the animals may be included in devotional service to the Lord, and the best example is set by Sri Vajrangaji, or Hanuman, the great devotee of Lord Sri Rama
- Even the poorest man can equally serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead if he has pure devotion. If there is no ulterior motive, devotional service cannot be checked by any material condition
- Even the preliminaries of devotional service are transcendental to the highest understanding derived from liberation and the understanding derived from ordinary religion
- Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in DS
- Every human being should beget nice children in the womb of his wife, as a sacrifice for the purpose of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service
- Everyone is sustained by His mercy; therefore devotional service unto Him constitutes the true religion
- Everything done here is done in the modes of material nature, and therefore all activities but service to the Lord are sinful
F
- Factually we are related to the Supreme Lord in service. The Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer, and we living entities are His servitors. We are created for His enjoyment. BG 1972 Introduction
- Factually, the devotional service of the Lord is described in the Vedanta-sutra, but the Mayavadi philosophers, the Sankarites, prepared a commentary known as Sariraka-bhasya, in which the transcendental form of the Lord is denied
- False devotees are like impersonalists, who also consider devotional service no better than ordinary fruitive actions
- False devotees who have very little knowledge of such conclusions (artificially shedding tears will deliver them) fail to achieve pure devotion for want of zeal in accepting the favorable directions for devotional service given by self-realized devotees
- First of all, he (a liberated person) does not desire anything for his material benefit, and secondly if he desires anything at all, he simply desires to serve the Supreme Lord. That desire is fulfilled by the Lord's grace. That is called satya-sankalpa
- Foolish people think that devotional service is flattering the Lord to get special mercy. Factually the pure devotees who are engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord are not a mercantile community
- For a sincere person devotional service is very easy. But for one who is not determined and sincere, this process is very difficult
- For a Vaisnava sannyasi, renunciation means not accepting anything for personal sense enjoyment. Devotional service means engaging everything for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- For the activities of devotional service both in this world and in the spiritual world are one and the same. Devotional service does not change
- Formal acceptance of sannyas, as required for all old men, means that one should retire from materialistic life, and devote his time and energy for the service of the Lord
- Formal execution of rituals and religion is useless unless it culminates in the perfection of devotional service
- Freed from the contamination of the modes of nature, the speaker and hearer (of Srimad-Bhagavatam) are fixed in a transcendental mentality, knowing that their position on the transcendental platform is to serve the Supreme Lord
- Freedom is assured for a devotee who is always favorable to the service of the Lord
- From any stage of life, or from the time of understanding its urgency, one can begin regulating the senses in KC, devotional service of the Lord, and turn the lust into love of Godhead - the highest perfectional stage of human life. BG 1972 purports
- From the instructions of Caitanya to Sanatana Gosvami we can understand the science of God as it relates to God's transcendental form, His opulences, & His devotional service. Indeed, everything is being explained to Sanatana Gosvami by the Lord Himself
- From the instructions of Lord Caitanya to Sanatana Gosvami we can understand the science of God as it relates to God's transcendental form, His opulences, and His devotional service
- Fruitive work, in which almost all people in general are engaged, is always painful either in the beginning or at the end. It can be fruitful only when made subservient to the devotional service of the Lord
G
- Generally people are aware of four principal goals of life - religiosity (dharma), economic development (artha), sense gratification (kama) and ultimately liberation (moksa) - but devotional service is situated on the platform above liberation
- God accepts such service from the devotee (serving God as his father), & thus he becomes more than the Lord. The impersonalists desire to become one with the Supreme, but devotees become more than the Lord, surpassing the desire of the greatest monist
- God has an authorized representation in the Deity form, which is called arca-vigraha. This arca-vigraha is an incarnation of the Supreme Lord. God will accept service through that form. BG 1972 purports
- God is great, and we are dependent on God. Therefore natural conclusion is that we have to serve God. This is the whole problem. Serving means with love. Because it is love. Serving means developing love
- Gradually people were influenced by non-Vedic culture, and they lost sight of how to behave in connection with devotional service. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami very kindly preached the bhakti cult in western India
H
- He (Narada) has compiled the Narada-pancaratra, a directory of devotional service, so that devotees can always take information about how to execute devotional service engage 24 hours a day in performing sacrifices for the pleasure of Godhead
- He (Sanatana Gosvami) put on old garments of Tapana Misra’s and took prasadam at the house of a Maharashtrian brahmana. Then, in discourses with Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord Himself explained everything about devotional service to Sanatana Gosvami
- He is Govinda because He is the pleasure of the cows and the senses. Those who have purified their senses by the devotional service of the Lord can render unto Him real service and thereby derive transcendental pleasure out of such purified senses
- He thinks that there are many other engagements for a living entity besides the service of the Lord. Such a foolish person does not know that in any position he either directly or indirectly engages in activities of service to the Supreme Lord
- Here (in CC Adi 7.104) one can see the effect of the Mayavadi sannyasis’ service toward Narayana. Because the Mayavadis offered a little respect to Sri Caitanya and because they were pious, they had some understanding of Vedanta philosophy
- Here is the verse (BG 11.55) which clearly explains the process by which one can attain success in his spiritual activity: devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- His (Rupa Gosvami's) famous book Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu is the science of devotional service, and by reading this book one can understand the meaning of devotional service
- His (Sanatana Gosvami's) brother, Rupa Gosvami, was also a minister in the government, but both of them gave up their lucrative government posts to become mendicants and serve the Supreme Lord
- His (Sri Purusottama Yati's) instructions in devotional service were able to elevate any man to the lotus feet of the Lord. Narahari Tirtha was also initiated by him and became the ruler of Kalinga Province
- Human society should take advantage of this instruction - even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection - SB 7.6.1
I
- "I am a Mayavadi sannyasi," Lord Caitanya protested. "I have no knowledge of the transcendental features of devotional service"
- "I am touching you just for My purification," the Lord (Caitanya Mahaprabhu) replied (to Sanatana Gosvami), "for you are a great devotee. By your devotional service you can deliver the whole universe and enable everyone to go back to Godhead"
- I am very glad and proud that you have so much appreciated the character, discipline and devotional service to the Lord of my six young disciples who are working there with faith and confidence
- I have already spoken to you of His service to the Lord. Now hear how the self-sufficient Anantadeva exists in the lower planetary system of Patala
- If a disciple gets a bona fide spiritual master, simply by satisfying him, he can attain a similar opportunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- If a person has dedicated his life and body and everything to the service of the Lord, he can deliver his family more than such vipra, that brahmin who is simply proud of his qualification but has no, actually, DS. This is the statement of Prahlada
- If by philosophical research one cannot come to the point of understanding Supreme Person, then his task is not finished. His search in knowledge is still to be continued until he comes to the point of understanding the Supreme Lord in devotional service
- If he (a devotee) accumulates money without spending it for devotional service, there is every possibility of his falling down
- If one continues in this way (of devotional service), Krsna will always be pleased with him and will give him all instructions so that he may very easily return home, back to Godhead
- If one does not immediately leave upon hearing the Lord or the Lord’s devotee blasphemed, he falls down from devotional service
- If one saves money for the service of the Lord or a Vaisnava, that is accepted. These are the dealings of Subuddhi Raya, who is one of the confidential devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- If they are offered a post like Mine in My abode, or opulence like Mine, or even personal association with Me with similar bodily features, they (My devotees) refuse to accept because they are satisfied simply by being engaged in My devotional service
- If we regularly chant this Hare Krsna mantra, then we remain freed from all sinful reaction of life and our attachment for the Supreme Lord in devotional service increases
- If we very scrutinizingly study, Haridasa Thakura is, in devotional service, in greater position than Brahma, although he is considered the incarnation of Brahma, Brahma Haridasa
- If you are family man you have to work for maintaining your family, therefore you have to enjoy the fruits of your work. So this is possible only for a person who has completely dedicated for service of the Lord
- If you believe in impersonalism, you have nothing to do. If you believe in personalism, you will serve the Lord there
- If you want actually to make yourself jolly, full of happiness, then you should search out your occupation in such a way that it will lead you to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord
- If, by the grace of the Supreme Lord, a devotee achieves extraordinary opulence, he utilizes the opportunity for the Lord's service. He is not disturbed by the opulence
- In all four spiritual orders and four grades of social life, devotional service to the Lord is essential. Without this relationship, all the regulative principles of varna and asrama become burdensome duties, as they have in the age of Kali
- In autumn all the reservoirs of water become enriched with growing lotuses. The muddy water again becomes normally clear and decorated, just as fallen, conditioned souls once more become spiritually enriched in devotional service
- In Bhagavad-gita it is stated that a little execution of devotional service saves one from the greatest danger. The greatest danger is transmigration of the soul from one body to another, and only devotional service to the Lord can stop this process
- In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.101) Rupa Gosvami has stated that devotional service that makes no reference to Vedic scriptures or Vedic literatures and that does not follow the principles set forth therein can never be approved
- In devotional service there is no motive - simply to serve Krsna
- In devotional service there is no sense gratification, but only transcendental loving service to the Lord. Consequently, the so-called priests engaged in sense gratification do not very much like devotional service
- In devotional service with attachment, one has to follow a particular type of devotee of Vrajabhumi
- In explaining to Prakasananda how one can achieve the Supreme Personality of Godhead by devotional service, Caitanya quoted a verse from SB in which the Lord says that He can be realized only through devotional service executed with faith love
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.5.12) it is said: What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord
- In such a society (where people would accept one God, Krsna; one scripture, the Bhagavad-gita; and one activity, devotional service), there would be no question of scarcity, famine or cultural or religious degradation
- In the devotional service of the Lord, therefore, these prescribed activities (fixing mind on the lotus feet of the Lord by constant remembrance) are called arcana, or engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- In the feature of Narayana, the Lord can accept services only from His associates who play parts in which they are equal to or less than Him
- In the fourth stage of perfection there is knowledge of liberation. Above this platform are those on the fifth stage who are already liberated and who are established in Krsna consciousness or devotional service to the Lord
- In the Koran there are descriptions of fruitive activity, speculative knowledge, mystic power and union with the Supreme, but ultimately all this is refuted and the Lord's personal feature established, along with His devotional service
- In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination for devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place
- In the previous chapters (of Bhagavad-gita) it has been explained that there are many processes by which to get out of the material entanglement. And, up to the 13th Chapter, we have seen that DS to the Supreme Lord is the best way. BG 1972 purports
- In the Ramanuja and Madhva sects of Vaisnavism there are extensive descriptions of the sri, bhu and nila. In Bengal the nila energy is sometimes called the lila energy. These three energies are employed in the service of four-handed Narayana in Vaikuntha
- In the spiritual world, every living entity is surrendered to the Supreme Lord and is completely on the spiritual platform. Although there are servitors, the served and service, all are spiritual and variegated
- In the Srimad Bhagavad-gita we find that religion means devotional service, or Krsna consciousness. Krsna says, "Give up all other religious principles and simply become a soul surrendered unto Me." This is religion
- In the Srimad-Bhagavatam also it is said that any activity which leads to devotional service to the Lord should be accepted. That is the highest criterion of religion. BG 1972 purports
- In the stage when the creation is maintained, there are devotional service to Lord Visnu, or factual religion, the different demigods, and the kings of different planets who maintain the world
- In the third part of Bhagavad-gita, devotional service was established by the example of past acaryas and the Brahma-sutra, the Vedanta-sutra, which cites that devotional service is the ultimate purpose of life and nothing else. BG 1972 purports
- In this chapter (of BG 8) Krsna answers these (BG 8.1) different questions of Arjuna beginning with, "What is Brahman?" God also explains karma, fruitive activities, devotional service & yoga principles, & devotional service in its pure form. BG 1972 pur
- In this Fifth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, God says that work in devotional service is better than dry mental speculation. Devotional service is easier than the latter because, being transcendental in nature, it frees one from reaction. BG 1972 purports
- In this verse (SB 4.6.37) it is specifically mentioned that he was speaking to the great sage Narada, a celebrated devotee. Narada was asking Lord Siva about devotional service, and Siva, being the topmost Vaisnava, was instructing him
- In this way (by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra offenselessly) one is purified, and his devotional service causes the arousal of his dormant love of God
- In Vrndavana there is a place where there was no temple, but a devotee desired, Let there be a temple and seva, devotional service. Therefore, what was once an empty corner has now become a place of pilgrimage. Such are the desires of a devotee
- Indirectly, all the senses are naturally inclined to serve the Supreme Lord. That is called bhakti
- Innocent persons misled in this way (by the tendency toward religious ritualistic ceremonies and philosophical speculation) are deprived of unalloyed krsna-bhakti, devotional service to the Lord. Tapana Misra is a vivid example of such a person
- Instead of being agitated by such reverses, he (a devotee of God) continues his activities of devotional service, and Krsna takes care of him and enables him to be promoted to the spiritual world, back to Godhead
- Intelligent persons take to the devotional service of the Lord. When they chant the holy name of the Lord without offenses, they are no longer subject to my (Yamaraja) rulings
- It is certainly a great fall to go from human life to animal life, but in the case of Bharata Maharaja or any devotee, devotional service to the Lord never goes in vain
- It is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (BG 11.54) that He (the Supreme God) can be seen and understood only by devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- It is not possible for any ordinary living entity to understand or to glorify the unlimited Personality of Godhead, but one can offer prayers or service to the Lord according to one's particular capacity. This capacity is increased by the service spirit
- It is not that one who has become a devotee of the Lord or who engages in devotional service should give up his prescribed duties. No one should be lazy under the plea of devotional service
- It is recommended that we should always keep in touch with the devotional service of the Lord so that the blazing fire of devotional service can gradually burn into ashes material desires and we can become liberated from the repetition of birth and death
- It is said by Bhismadeva that all who were present on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra attained their original spiritual existences after death. Therefore, hearing the war topics of the Lord is as good as any other devotional service
- It is said in the Brahma-samhita that the Lord is always served by many hundreds of thousands of goddesses of fortune in His Vaikuntha planet, yet because of His attitude of renunciation of all opulences, He is not attached to any one of them
- It is said that Krsna is so much pleased by such devotional service (of offering small flower, fruit or leaf and a little water to Krsna with devotion) that He offers Himself to His devotee in exchange for it
- It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 10.21.14) that the birds are devoted to the service of the Supreme Lord
- It is stated that as the personal attendants and maidservants of a queen follow the queen with all respect & obeisances, similarly the joys of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification, liberation follow the devotional service of the Lord
- It is the duty of the father and mother to engage the child, boy, from the beginning of his life in the matter of devotional service
- It is the sign of advancement in KC that the devotee does not care for nice varieties of material engagements based on sense gratification but he finds increasing pleasure in those places where the service of the Lord is being carried out with enthusiasm
- It is very difficult to give up lust and the desires for low activities until one is in the line of devotional service to the Lord
- It may be free from material contamination, but because there is mental speculation the devotional service is not pure and freed from the contamination of material life
- It may be said that the activities of Brahman realization are different from those of conditional life, but that does not stop activity. This is indicated in Bhagavad-gītā (BG 18.54): after one realizes oneself to be Brahman, devotional service begins
J
- Just as the Ganges is sacred because its water emanates from the toes of Narayana, so whenever water or anything is in touch with devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is purified and spiritualized
- Just like if you touch fire, either knowingly or unknowingly, it will act. Similarly, if the children, imitate the elderly person, offering flower, taking prasadam, offering obeisances, they're as good as their father & mother. This is devotional service
K
- Kapila Muni is explaining (in SB 3.25.35) how the devotees see the decorated body and face of the Deity and how they speak with Him in devotional service
- Karabhajana Muni addresses King Nimi and says, "My dear King, a person who has given up the worship of the demigods and has completely concentrated his energy in the devotional service of the S P of Godhead has become very, very dear to the Lord"
- Kardama Muni fixed his mind on the Supreme Brahman and realized Him through bhakti, or devotional service. This indicates that he fixed his mind on the personal feature of the Lord
- Karmis, fruitive workers, cannot understand the finer conclusions of devotional service because they accept only its ritualistic value but do not understand how devotional service satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- King Kulasekhara, in his very famous book Mukunda-mala-stotra, prays: My Lord, I wish only that I may always be in full ecstasy with the pleasure of serving Your Lordship - MM 4
- King Prthu abundantly worshiped the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was so merciful to him. While worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Prthu Maharaja gradually increased his ecstasy in devotional service
- Krsna confirms that if one wants to capture Him, one must undertake devotional service - BG 18.55
- Krsna consciousness movement is based on the principle that one should become as perfect as possible in devotional service oneself and also preach the cult for others’ benefit
- Krsna takes only the bright side of your devotional service. He never takes the dark side because anyone in this material world, he has got only dark life. So try to serve Krsna. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat
L
- Let there be one mantra only - Hare Krsna. And let there be one work only - the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. BG 1972 Introduction
- Liberated souls are disinterested in the affairs of this material world because they are self-satisfied by the great achievements of devotional service
- Liberation means giving up this false consciousness and reviving one's original service to the Lord. This return to one's original life is called mukti
- Life is meant for varieties of enjoyment. The living entity is by nature full of an enjoying spirit, as stated in the Vedanta-sutra (1.1.12): ananda-mayo ’bhyasat. In devotional service the activities are variegated and full of enjoyment
- Living entities are apt to be contaminated by association with the material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. This contamination by the material modes can be washed off completely by knowledge, renunciation and devotional service
- Lord Caitanya begins to describe devotional service and its symptoms to Rupa Gosvami. He explains that in pure devotional service there can be no desire other than the desire to advance in Krsna consciousness
- Lord Caitanya definitely confirmed that the commentaries, or bhasyas, written by the Vaisnava acaryas on the basis of devotional service to Lord Visnu, and not the Sariraka-bhasya of Sankaracarya, give the actual explanation of the Vedanta-sutra
- Lord Caitanya is described as follows: He is the only shelter for the forlorn, for the most fallen, and He is the only hope for those who are completely devoid of spiritual knowledge. Let us try to discuss His great contribution of devotional service
- Lord Caitanya said Bhattacarya: The devotional service of the Supreme Lord is so attractive that even those who are already liberated become devotees by the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Lord Caitanya subdued all disturbing opponents of devotional service, especially the monists, who are actually averse to the personal feature of the Supreme Lord
- Lord Krsna gave the King (Maharaja Pariksit) a further chance for development in devotional service by introducing him to Sukadeva Gosvami, a stalwart devotee of the Lord with perfect knowledge in self-realization
- Lord Krsna's conclusion is that devotional service is independent of any other process (such as cultivation of knowledge, renunciation or meditation)
- Lord Siva and Narada were discussing the knowledge of the Veda, but it is to be understood that the subject matter was devotional service
- Lord Siva is the supreme instructor and the great sage Narada is the supreme audience. Therefore, the supreme subject matter of Vedic knowledge is bhakti, or devotional service
- Lord Sri Krsna wants to make known to all the conditioned souls that He is more attracted by raga-bhakti than vidhi-bhakti, or devotional service under scheduled regulations
- Lord Visnu is all-pervading. Any devotee who, in sanctified meditation, following the regulative principles, chants the required mantras in service and in a devotional mood can see Visnu
M
- Maharaja Pariksit also could understand that the great sages who assembled there were all kind to his forefathers, the Pandavas, because of their devotional service to the Lord
- Maharaja Yudhisthira said: My dear lord (Narada Muni), I wish to hear from you about the principles of religion by which one can attain the ultimate goal of life - devotional service. I wish to hear about the general occupational duties of human society
- Mahat means bigger and more powerful, and nunam means there are less powerful. So everyone is less powerful than God. Then why don't you serve God? That is the perfection
- Mahatma are not fond of indulging in mental speculations, but they actually take to the devotional service of the Lord, without the slightest deviation
- Many people become showbottle devotees for material profits. Indeed, materialistic persons sometimes take to professional devotional service and keep Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as a means of livelihood
- Material possessions can be accepted as far as they can be used in devotional service. Anukulyena krsnanusilanam (CC Madhya 19.167). Anukulyasya sankalpah pratikulyasya varjanam. In preaching, many things considered material are needed
- Material qualifications are valueless without devotional service
- Matter and spirit are diametrically opposed. When we are inspired by devotional service to the Lord, our original identity begins to manifest in us and ultimately brings us to God-realization
- May the Lord, who is always worshiped as the protector of all devotees by great saints who observe vows of silence, meditation, devotional service and renunciation, be pleased with us
- Maya refers to material existence, which is characterized by the reactions of fruitive activities. Mayavadis consider devotional service to be among such fruitive activities
- Meditation means remembering, smaranam. There are nine different kinds of devotional service, of which smaranam is one process; the yogi remembers the form of Visnu within his heart
- My (God's) devotees, who are always satisfied to be engaged in My loving service, are not interested even in the four principles of liberation (salokya, sarupya, samipya and sarsti), although these are automatically achieved by their service
- My dear friends, O sons of the demons, in the same favorable way that one sees himself and takes care of himself, take to devotional service to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present everywhere as the Supersoul of all living entities
- My dear Lord, the king in charge of the heavenly kingdom is also desirous of obtaining the ultimate goal of life-devotional service. Similarly, You are the ultimate destination of those who identify themselves with You (aham brahmasmi)
- My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the supreme personified form of all benediction. Therefore, for one who abides in Your devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than becoming king and lording it over a kingdom
N
- Neither any material opulence, nor a qualified brahmana with twelve high qualifications can satisfy the Lord simply by such acquisition. One can satisfy the Lord simply by love and devotional service
- Neither in their principles there is service of God, there is dedication to God. Simply official in the so-called religion. Therefore Vrndavana dasa Thakura said, "These are all cheating religions
- Neither the execution of social responsibilities nor philanthropic work is ultimately good action. Devotional service to the Supreme Lord, which is beyond the three modes, must be accepted as the only good action
- No kind of material qualification is the means for satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Bhagavad-gita, only by devotional service can the Lord be known
- No one can know the Lord by any puffed-up material process of challenge, but the humble devotee can please the Lord by his earnest devotional activities
- No one can serve the Supreme Lord as His associate without being situated in his pure spiritual identity. That identity is completely free from all material contamination
- No one should criticize the bodily defects of a pure devotee. If there are such defects, they should be overlooked. What should be taken into account is the spiritual master's main business, which is devotional service
- Not only in this age, but formerly also, there were many sages who tried to invent their own systems of religion without reference to devotional service to Supreme Lord, but there cannot be any religious principle without devotional service to the Lord
- Nowadays it has become a fashion to become bhagavan. So bhagavan is not so cheap. Everyone is aghavan. But if he wants to become bhagavan, or in the higher status, higher level, then it is recommended - Let him take to the devotional service
O
- O best of the brahmanas, even without initiation, preliminary purification or acceptance of the renounced order, one can attain perfection in devotional service simply by chanting the Lord’s holy name
- O King, by this system of remembrance and by being fixed in the habit of seeing the all-good personal conception of the Lord, one can very soon attain devotional service to the Lord, under His direct shelter
- Of course, there are devotees who are trying to become servant. They are trying. The devotional service means, Krsna consciousness means to train people how to become servant of God. That is all
- Once a person comes into contact with any one of the above-mentioned energies of the Lord through the proper channel of devotional service, the door of perfection is immediately opened
- Once a person comes into contact with any one of the above-mentioned energies of the Lord through the proper channel of devotional service, the door to perfection is immediately opened
- Once a person resolves to accept only those things conducive to devotional service, the Lord's internal potency helps him reach goal
- Once Kuvera wanted to give Dhruva Maharaja a benediction, but although Dhruva Maharaja could have asked him for any amount of material opulence, he instead begged Kuvera that he might continue his devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. BG 18.55 - 1972
- One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. These are Vedic instructions
- One has to act in terms of the Vedic injunctions in order to enjoy material life, but those who have taken to the devotional service of the Lord are not afraid of the regulations of this material world
- One may be a highly learned brahmana, but if he is not a pure devotee he is a vijatiya, an outcaste, one outside devotional service - in other words, a nondevotee
- One must be situated in his spiritual identity and eternally serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a devotee. Aṅgirā Ṛṣi and Nārada Muni gave this instruction to Mahārāja Citraketu
- One must continue to follow scriptural injunctions even after one is fixed up in determined certainty that devotional service is the only means for reaching the perfection of life
- One must offer respects to the great religious preachers and spiritual leaders and also train the senses for controlled action, learning to be unattached to family and home, and enacting devotional service to the Lord, etc
- One of His (Krsna's) final instructions to Arjuna indicates total dependence on Him: In all activities, and for their results, just depend upon Me, and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me. BG 18.57
- One serves the Lord by remembering His form, His attributes and pastimes. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that this is all possible simply by chanting the Lord's holy name because of the Lord's omnipotence
- One should give up unfavorable activities and accept only favorable conditions in devotional service
- One should therefore adhere to devotional service, and the Lord Himself will very soon see to one's promotion to the spiritual world
- One should worship dhatri trees, banyan trees, cows, brahmanas and devotees of Lord Visnu. (11) One should avoid offenses against devotional service and the holy name
- One who can see and is familiar with devotional service, however, will know that they are not material activities. They are all spiritual and devotional, uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. BG 1972 purports
- One who fully engages in devotional service is always liberated
- One who fully engages in the devotional service of the Lord is immediately raised to the transcendental position, which is the brahma-bhuta stage
- One who practices in this way (meditating on God) cannot deviate from the service of the Lord, and that makes him perfect in the mission of human life
- One's devotional service then becomes firm (when he is elevated to the transcendental position), and one engages in God's transcendental loving service with great determination. All these combine to fully awaken the devotee's heart with love of Krsna
- Only those who follow Sankara's commentary have described the Vedanta-sutra in an impersonal way, without reference to visnu-bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord, Visnu
- Our constant touch with the Lord by devotional service can give us relief without our being disturbed in the discharge of our human duties
P
- Payo-vrata and arcana devotional service to the Supreme Lord should be performed with a pure devotional attitude - bhaktya
- People are embarrassed by being entangled in avidya, ignorance, and the method by which to educate them and rescue them from the clutches of this ignorance is devotional service
- People have been urged to open hospitals but not to educate themselves to enter into the spiritual kingdom by DS. They have been taught to take interest only in temporary relief work, which can never bring real happiness to the living entity
- People in general are all engaged in senseless work. They are systematically unmindful of the real beneficial work, which is the devotional service of the Lord, technically called the arcana regulations
- People should accept one God, Krsna; one scripture, the Bhagavad-gita; and one activity, devotional service to the Lord. Thus people may live happily upon this earth and combine to produce sufficient food
- Philosophers who support stopping all activities are called sunyavadi. By nature's own way, our activities are to be gradually diverted to devotional service
- Philosophically inquire about the truth. Then undergo all kinds of austerities and penances for the sake of devotional service. Give up the endeavor for sense enjoyment and engage in the service of the Lord
- Prahlada Maharaja, who attained perfection by remembering; Laksmi, who attained perfection by serving the lotus feet of the Lord; King Prthu, who attained perfection simply by worshiping; Akrura, who attained perfection simply by praying
- Professional players and dramatic actors have no sense of devotional service, and therefore although they can perform very artistically (about the lives of Lord Caitanya or Lord Krsna), there is no life in such performances
R
- Raghava Pandita was an eternal servant of Krsna, and everything he saw was related to the service of the Lord. He was always absorbed in the transcendental thought of how he could always serve Krsna with everything
- Ramananda Raya first suggested devotional service rendered with renunciation of fruitive activities, but here he suggests that devotional service with full knowledge and spiritual realization added is superior
- Real independence is to be reinstated in the service of the Lord
- Real religion, the devotional service of the Lord, is generated from the chest of Brahma
- Rejected persons of the material world who refuse to understand pure DS as the eternal function of the living entities, and as actual liberation of the living being from conditioned life, become bereft of all DS because of their poor fund of knowledge
- Religion in its perfect form is the devotional service of the Lord, and irreligion is just the opposite
- Revives (devotional service to God) one's normal condition of spiritual existence, even in this life, and frees one from the material winds which cause one to quiver. Only knowledge in devotional service can elevate one towards the path of liberation
- Rupa Gosvami, has quoted the following verse (Brs 1.2.101) from the Brahma-yamala: Devotional service of the God that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, puranas & Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society
S
- Sanatana Gosvami inquired into all phases of devotional service, and Lord Caitanya taught him most confidentially from authoritative scriptures like Srimad-Bhagavatam
- Sanatana-dharma means devotional service. The word sanatana refers to that which is eternal, which does not change but continues in all circumstances
- Sankhya philosophy means devotional service. How could the honor of the devotees be increased unless Sankhya were meant for devotional service
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya has shown Me the limit of devotional service. Only by his mercy have I understood that devotional service to Krsna is the essence of all mystic yoga
- Self-realization is perfected in devotional service. In that devotional service, the liberation of the conditioned soul is guaranteed. BG 1972 purports
- Serious students of this Krsna consciousness movement must understand their great responsibility to preach the cult of Vrndavana (devotional service to the Lord) all over the world
- Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234) means that the service of the Lord begins with the tongue. This refers to chanting. By chanting Hare Krsna, one begins the service of the Lord
- Siddha-deha is the purified soul who is just suitable to serve the Supreme Lord
- Simply by employing yourself in devotional service you get the highest knowledge. That is vairagya
- Simply by seeing the Personality of Godhead one realizes everything, and the result is that one becomes situated on the platform where there is no lamentation and no fear. This can be attained simply by devotional service to the Personality of Godhead
- Simply by smelling the aroma of these offerings (to the lotus feet of the Lord with pulp of sandalwood), the minds of the Kumaras turned to the service of the Supreme Lord, despite the fact that the Kumaras were already liberated souls
- Simply you very strictly follow the routine schedule of devotional service and chanting Hare Krsna and do your best to spread this Movement amongst the local people. Krsna will send you many more sincere souls very soon to help you
- Since He is aloof from the material emanations, He is free from their interactions and is Lord of material nature. You should therefore engage in His devotional service, thinking yourself qualitatively one with Him
- Since Hiranyakasipu did not like devotional service, the essence of life, he chastised Prahlada Maharaja's teachers with harsh words
- So the devotee is sometimes called bhagavatam, and the book which is in relationship with devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also called Bhagavatam
- Some say that the devotee should remain in holy places like Vrndavana or some holy town where the Lord lived, but a pure devotee can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vrndavana by his devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- Somehow or other you have got some touch with Krsna consciousness. Develop it by service, that's all, and life is success - all problems solved. So try to assimilate & distribute. With these two, give better service. Assimilate without problem; act nice
- Spiritualization of the senses is possible through devotional service and love of God
- Spontaneous attraction to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is most important to pure devotional service
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed all devotees of the Lord to be humbler than the grass and more tolerant than trees; otherwise there will always be disturbances to their execution of devotional service
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that people who are advanced in learning but attached to material enjoyment, who are puffed up by material possessions may offer showbottle devotional service to the Deity and also offer prasadam to Vaisnavas
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to refer to such an actor (who doesn't have sense of devotional service) as yatra-dale narada, which means - farcical Narada
- Srila Jiva Gosvami, in his Krsna-sandarbha, has described Sesa Naga as follows: Sri Anantadeva has thousands of faces and is fully independent. Always ready to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He waits upon Him constantly
- Srila Rupa Gosvami also followed this principle (saving money for the service of the Lord or a Vaisnava) by spending fifty percent of his money in order to serve Krsna through brahmanas and Vaisnavas
- Srila Rupa Gosvami has said in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.101: Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures - the Upanisads, Puranas, Narada-pancaratra, etc. - is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society
- Srila Rupa Gosvami said: Devotional service performed without reference to the Vedas, Puranas, Pancaratras, etc., must be considered sentimentalism, and it causes nothing but disturbance to society
- Srila Rupa Gosvami writes in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu: Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas, Narada-pancaratra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society. BG 1972 purports
- Srila Rupa Gosvami writes: There were many previous incarnations of the SPG, but none were so generous, kind and magnanimous as Caitanya, for He distributed the most confidential aspect of devotional service, namely, the conjugal love of Radha and Krsna
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is the philosophy of devotional service and the scientific presentation of man's relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Srimad-Bhagavatam says that even after so much endeavor, if the impersonalist enters into the spiritual world and acquires an impersonal form, he returns again into the material world because of neglecting to serve the Supreme Lord in love and devotion
- Srotriyam means "who has heard from the parampara system." And the result is brahma-nistham: "He is firmly fixed up in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Brahma-nistham. He has no other business
- Such (inconceivable) activities are not possible for ordinary men. Indeed, ordinary men cannot even take to the devotional service of the Lord, nor can ordinary women maintain such vows of chastity and follow their husbands in all respects
- Such activities (independence of purusa-avatara) of the Lord are also transcendental & therefore they are also lila of the absolute Lord. Such pastimes of the Lord are very conducive to the hearers for self-realization in the field of devotional service
- Such activities are not acceptable in devotional service. Even Srila Jiva Gosvami, the most authoritative acarya in the Gaudiya sampradaya, has condemned these imitators - who dress themselves as the damsels of Vraja
- Such devotees (who are essentially very advanced but still not able to understand the personal features or variegatedness of the spiritual world) are known as jnana-misra-bhaktas, or devotees whose devotional service is mixed with empiric knowledge
- Such devotional service (by self-realization) is situated on a higher platform than that of empiric philosophical speculation with a mixture of bhakti. This is verified by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu - 1.1.11
- Such devotional service (worshiping either Krsna or Caitanya without worshiping the other) is to be understood to be a product of Kali-yuga
- Such transcendental realization is made possible by dovetailing all the above items (fruitive activity, empiric philosophy and devotional service) in relation with the Lord
- Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: if one performs even very slight devotional service, Narayana is always ready to save one from the greatest danger. The definite example is Ajamila
T
- That (service minus devotion) is not service, that is business. For example, here in Mayapur we have employed a contractor. That is not service - that is business. Is it not
- That Brahma engaged himself for the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, means that he engaged himself in the service of the Lord; that is the highest penance one can perform for any number of years
- The aim of the analytical study of the material world is to find the soul of existence. The soul of the material world is Visnu, or the Supersoul. Devotional service to the Lord entails service to the Supersoul. BG 1972 purports
- The almighty God awards the results we desire, and therefore we should desire that which is eternal, blissful, and full of knowledge. In devotional service we should not endeavor for that which is temporary and useless
- The astrologer Sarvajna advised the poor man: The search should be conducted on the eastern side where there is actual light, which is called devotional service or Krsna consciousness
- The best thing is that everyone voluntarily give up family relations by transferring attachment from family, society, country, and everything thereof to the devotional service of the Lord
- The best thing is we should apply the senses in the service of this proprietor. We should not apply the senses for our individual satisfaction. That is the difference between material plane and spiritual plane. That's all
- The Bhagavad-gita clearly states that the reaction of material energy is never to be conquered, because of the binding effects of the three modes. They can simply be overcome by one who surrenders fully in devotion under the lotus feet of the Lord
- The Bhagavata says that the best kind of plan or best kind of occupational duties is that which leads one to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord
- The Bhagavatam confirms this fact as follows: Just try to worship, in devotional service, Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. BG 1972 purports
- The cleansing of the polluted heart by other methods (like the culture of empiric knowledge or mystic gymnastics) can simply cleanse one's own heart, but devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that it can cleanse the hearts of the people in general
- The clear conception of life, how to serve God, Krsna, that is called bhagavata-dharma. This should be taught to the children. Otherwise it will be very difficult to drag him from this false engagement and again establish him to the Krsna's service
- The conclusion is that devotional service mixed with ritualistic fruitive activity is inferior to spiritual service based on empiric philosophic discussion
- The cultivation of knowledge and the renunciation of fruitive activities may be necessary to understand one's spiritual existence in relation to the material conception of life, but they are not part and parcel of devotional service
- The devotees who want some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord because there is an exchange of affection. BG 1972 purports
- The devotional service of the Lord consists of nine principles of service activities, and they are: hearing, chanting, remembering, serving the lotus feet, worshiping, praying, executing the orders, fraternizing, and fully surrendering
- The diplomacy of Ramananda Raya and entreaties of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and all the other great devotees succeeded. The conclusion is that diplomacy used for the service of the Lord is a form of devotional service
- The discussions between Ramananda Raya & Lord Caitanya deal with the most concentrated form of devotional service. By hearing these discussions one can understand the pastimes of Sri Radha & Krsna as well as the confidential role played by Lord Caitanya
- The essence of Vedic knowledge is devotional service, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.15): vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah
- The example, as stated by Lord Caitanya, is that devotional service cleanses the mirror of the mind. In a clean mirror one can see one's face very distinctly
- The exchange of devotional service is the subject, and Krsna is the object. The transcendental qualities are the causes of excitement. This means that the transcendental qualities of Krsna excite the devotee to serve Him
- The execution of duties to attain perfection is known as devotional service, and in maturity such devotional service becomes love of God, the factual goal of life for every living being
- The fifth Sandarbha is called Bhakti-sandarbha, and in this book there is a discussion of how devotional service can be directly executed, and how such service can be adjusted, either directly or indirectly
- The first-class devotee of the Lord attains this stage (complete self-satisfaction without any material connection) by devotional service
- The four Kumaras were situated first in the impersonal Brahman conception of truth, but then they gradually rose to the platform of devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- The full opulence of the internal potency of Godhead is always resplendent in Vaikunthaloka, where goddesses of fortune are ever-increasingly attached to serving the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead
- The functions of the tongue in devotional service are to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and eat prasadam that is offered to the Lord
- The great sage Maitreya now gives the final answer to all the questions of Vidura: devotional service to the Lord is the ultimate means to mitigate all the miserable conditions of material existence
- The great souls are always chanting about Krsna. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They are also endeavoring with great determination in their devotional service
- The householder becomes a vanaprastha, and gradually, when he is mature, he renounces household life and vanaprastha life also and takes to sannyasa, completely devoting himself to devotional service
- The human form is considered the highest state in the cycle of the species of life in the material world. If one takes advantage of this highest kind of material form, one can regain his position of devotional service to the Lord
- The idea is that material happiness and misery are available in all planetary systems in the course of time, but the highest achievement, devotional service, cannot be attained anywhere without endeavor
- The importance of tulasi leaves is very clearly mentioned here (SB 3.15.19). Tulasi plants and their leaves are very important in devotional service. Devotees are recommended to water the tulasi tree every day and collect the leaves to worship the Lord
- The inhabitants of Vaikuntha give preference to the service of the Lord, not their own sense gratification. Serving the Lord in transcendental love yields such transcendental pleasure that, in comparison, sense gratification is counted as insignificant
- The living entity wants to serve, but because of his forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Lord, he serves under the modes of material nature and manufactures various modes of service, such as socialism, humanitarianism and altruism
- The Lord accepts a person for devotional service only when he is completely free from all material possession
- The Lord is always eager to return the service of His servant. Whoever thinks that the service of the Lord is actually his duty is perfect in knowledge and has attained the perfection of yoga
- The Lord is omnipotent and all-powerful; therefore, by His incarnation as arca-vigraha, He can accept the services of the devotee, just to make it convenient for the man in conditioned life. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord is svarat, or fully independent, and the servant is also fully independent, or svarat, in the spiritual atmosphere because there is no forced service. There the transcendental loving service is due to spontaneous love
- The Lord replied to him (Arjuna) so explicitly that there is no doubt that devotional service to the Personality of Godhead is the best of all processes of spiritual realization. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord's service is the only means by which one can become detached from material activities
- The Lord, seeing that devotional service was absent, descended Himself in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu to preach devotional service. Let us all surrender unto His lotus feet and learn from Him what devotional service actually is
- The mahatmas have shown the perfect path of charity: devotional service to the Lord. If anyone ignores this path and instead builds hospitals, his effort to help humanity is a mere pretense
- The Mayavadi philosopher is forever bereft of Krsna consciousness and Krsna's devotional service. The pure devotee of the Personality of Godhead never accepts the Mayavadi philosophy as an actual path to transcendental realization
- The Mayavadi philosophers consider Deity worship in devotional service to be pratibimba-vada, or the worship of a form that is the reflection of a false material form
- The means for returning home, for going back to Godhead, is devotional service, but everyone has a different taste in the Lord's service
- The method for this (approaching God directly) is described by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as nine kinds of devotional service, beginning with hearing: sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam - SB 7.5.23
- The nine kinds of devotional service are hearing, chanting, remembering Krsna, offering service to Krsna’s lotus feet, offering worship in the temple, offering prayers, working as a servant, making friendship with Krsna and surrendering to Krsna
- The nine kinds of devotional service are mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam
- The only difference between the demigods and the ordinary living entities is that when the living entities are rich in pious acts of devotional service to the Lord
- The only qualification is that one carry out devotional service in full Krsna consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- The opportunity for this purification is the special feature of human life; in other lives, this is not possible. Such purification can be achieved very easily by radha-krsna-bhajana, devotional service rendered to Radha and Krsna
- The pancaratriki formula for training persons in devotional service is temple worship, whereby the neophytes get the opportunity to learn devotional service to the Lord
- The permanent senses, being contaminated by matter, are not acting properly. Devotional service, therefore, involves freeing the senses from this contamination
- The plans of the devotee never go in vain, and all this is due to the faithful attachment of the devotee for the service of the Lord. This is the standard of perfection and liberation
- The process of being liberated from the misconception of material identification is called, in different stages, fruitive activity, empiric philosophy and devotional service, up to transcendental realization
- The pure devotee knows that he is a servant of Krsna eternally. He knows that everything can be used in the service of the Lord
- The purified stage of acquiring knowledge becomes the basis of devotional service to the Lord
- The purport is that the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it
- The qualification of bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord, is that the devotee should be free from all material contaminations and desires. This freedom is called vairagya, or renouncement of material desires
- The quivering quality of material existence, which comes from identification with matter or from thinking oneself, under the material influence of philosophical speculation, to be God, can be eradicated by devotional service to the Lord
- The real aim of life is how to get satisfaction, full, complete satisfaction. And that satisfaction, complete satisfaction, can be achieved only by prosecution of devotional service. There is no other method
- The real bhakta is untouched by any tinge of karma and jnana. His only purpose in life is to serve the Lord
- The real mata, or mother, is devotional service to the Lord, and the real patni, or devoted wife, is a wife who helps her husband execute religious principles in devotional service. These two things are required for a happy home
- The results of knowledge and fruitive activities are liberation and material sense gratification respectively. Consequently, they cannot be part and parcel of devotional service; rather, they have no intrinsic value in the discharge of devotional service
- The sahajiyas level three accusations against Srila Jiva Gosvami. This is certainly not congenial for the execution of devotional service
- The same mentality is present in a devotee. The devotee is never satisfied, thinking, "This is the limit of my devotional service." The more he engages in the service of the Lord, the more service he wants to give. This is the position of a devotee
- The senses and the mind are naturally inclined to work, but when they are materially contaminated they work for some material benefit or for the service of the demigods, although actually they are meant to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The simple endeavor involved in the devotional service of sravanam kirtanam visnoh (SB 7.5.23), hearing and chanting the holy name of the Lord, can make one successful in pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The six Gosvamis, under the direction of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, studied various Vedic literatures and picked up the essence of them, the devotional service of the Lord
- The SPG is the dearmost objective of all auspicious benedictions. A human being who sings this song sung by me can please the SPG. Such a devotee, being fixed in the Lord's devotional service, can acquire whatever he wants from the Supreme Lord
- The steps of devotional service are also explained - in the Brahma-samhita
- The sublime punya-karma is devotional service. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam. This is the topmost punya-karma
- The Supreme Lord is worshipable, and everyone worships Him directly or indirectly. Those who worship Him directly get the results of liberation quickly, whereas the liberation of those who serve Him indirectly is delayed
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees
- The topmost religious system is devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Who is not perceived by direct senses
- The transcendental bliss derived from self-realization, known as atmananda, is very insignificant in the presence of the bliss derived from devotional service to the lotus feet of the Lord
- The ultimate goal of Visnu can be attained only by this chant and by devotional service, and not by mental speculation or argument. BG 1972 purports
- The verses praised the Lord, the Supreme Original Personality of Godhead who had descended as Lord Caitanya to preach detachment, transcendental knowledge and devotional service to the people in general
- The Visnudutas made Ajamila aware of devotional service so that He might immediately become fit to return home, back to Godhead. To increase his eagerness to glorify the Lord, they disappeared so that he would feel separation in their absence
- The word atma is "nature." In this case the word atmarama indicates that everyone is enjoying the particular nature he has acquired. However, the ultimate nature, or the perpetual eternal nature of the living entity, is to serve the Supreme Lord
- The word kardamam is significant, for it indicates that the Lord had some devotional affection or relationship in devotional service with Kardama and Devahuti
- The words caiva hi, according to Sanskrit grammar, indicate that one must perform all these activities mixed with devotional service, otherwise such activities will not produce any fruit
- The words srutena bhuyasa, "by constantly hearing," are very important in this verse. By constantly hearing about devotional service, one can check the force of anger, which is detrimental to the process of devotional service
- The words suddhena karmana are significant in this verse (SB 5.4.6). If work is not carried out in devotional service, it is contaminated by the modes of material nature
- The world of hypocrisy can be checked only by counteraction through devotional service to the Lord and nothing else
- The yajna-patnis were the wives of ordinary brahmanas engaged in fruitive activities. Although the brahmanas were learned and advanced in Vedic knowledge, they could not get the mercy of Krsna-Balarama, but their wives got complete perfection in bhakti
- Then (by devotional service) once doubts are removed, the study of the Gita becomes extremely pleasurable, and one develops a taste and feeling for Krsna consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- Theoretical knowledge acquired by studying the Vedas is insufficient to protect one from the clutches of maya. One must strongly adhere to the lotus feet of the Lord in devotional service. Then one's position is secure
- Theoretical negation of material activities as propounded by Sankaracarya may be effective for an insignificant section of mankind, but the best and surest way for everyone to attain spiritual bliss was propounded by Caitanya by means of DS
- Theorizing as if devotional service were subject to their mental speculation, both kinds of Mayavadi impersonalists conclude that the subject matter of bhakti-yoga is a creation of maya and that Krsna, devotional service and the devotee are also maya
- There (in the Bhakti-sandarbha) are discussions of how one can be liberated even in this life (jivan-mukta), Lord Siva as a devotee, and how a bhakta and his devotional service are eternally existing
- There are 35 items of devotional service, & they are as follows: (1) hearing, (2) chanting, (3) remembering, (4) worshiping, (5) praying, (6) serving, (7) engaging as a servitor, (8) being friendly, (9) offering everything, (10) dancing before the Deity
- There are different processes of yoga-marga, attaining yoga perfection, but this process, devotional service to the Lord, is the easiest. Not only is it the easiest process, but the result is sublime
- There are many devotees attached to Lord Ramacandra, and Murari Gupta is a vivid example of such unalloyed devotion. He never agreed to give up Ramacandra's worship, not even upon Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s request. Such is the chastity of devotional service
- There are many devotees who assume themselves to be in Krsna consciousness and devotional service but at heart do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, as the Absolute Truth. BG 1972 purports
- There are many devotees who vow never to leave Vrndavana and Mathura. This is undoubtedly a good vow, but if one leaves Vrndavana, Mathura or Navadvipa-dhama for the service of the Lord, he is not disconnected from the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- There are many offenses one can commit while serving the Lord, and these are described in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Hari-bhakti-vilasa and other books
- There are many tantric followers who, wishing to eat meat and drink wine, practice the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium. Such fools also consider this bhavani-puja to be as good as worship of Lord Krsna in devotional service
- There are sahajiyas who, not knowing the importance of the Panca-tattva, concoct their own slogans, such as japa hare krsna hare rama etc. Such chants may be good poetry, but they cannot help us to go forward in devotional service
- There are so-called disciples who become submissive to a spiritual master most artificially, with an ulterior motive. They also cannot understand what Krsna consciousness or devotional service is
- There are three classes of men and all are recommended to worship the Supreme Person Krishna with great energy of devotional service. So we invite everyone to join this movement, accepting Krishna as the tangible God for all practical purposes
- There are three stages of devotional service: The first is the beginning stage of cultivation, the second is the realization of service, and the third, the supreme stage, is the attainment of love of Godhead
- There are two kinds of devotional service: the way of pancaratrika regulative principles and the way of bhagavata transcendental loving service
- There are two kinds of devotional service: the way of regulated principles, and the way of full attachment in love to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. BG 1972 purports
- There are two symptoms of advancement in the process of devotional service, just as there are two processes while eating. A hungry man feels strength and satisfaction from eating, and at the same time he gradually becomes detached from eating any more
- There is no difference between devotional service in the temple and meditation on the form of the Lord, since the form of the Lord is the same whether He appears within the mind or in some concrete element
- There is no difference between the kingdom of God and the devotional service of the Lord. Since both of them are on the absolute plane, to be engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord is to have attained the spiritual kingdom. BG 1972 pur
- There is no retirement from such service (service of the Lord), which is eternal and ever encouraging
- There is no want of knowledge in the devotional service of Vasudeva, the Personality of Godhead. He, the Lord, personally takes charge of dissipating the darkness of ignorance from the heart of a devotee
- There were many previous incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but none were so generous, kind and magnanimous as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for He distributed the most confidential aspect of devotional service
- These (the practice of yama, niyama, asana, pratyahara, dhyana, dharana, pranayama, and samadhi) only preface perfection by devotional service, which alone can award peace to the human being. It is the highest perfection of life. BG 1972 purports
- These are the approved methods (saving money for the service of the Lord or a Vaisnava) recommended in the Caitanya-caritamrta. Whether in the renounced order or in the grhastha order, a Vaisnava should follow these principles set forth by the acaryas
- These persons (who are distressed, in need of money, inquisitive, and searching after knowledge of the Absolute Truth) come to the Supreme Lord for devotional service under different conditions. BG 1972 purports
- These reciprocal exchanges of mellows are called raga-bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord in transcendental rapture
- These slokas (SB 7.5.30 and SB 7.5.32) are to be discussed. Their purport is that one cannot obtain krsna-bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, by official execution of the Vedic rituals. One has to approach a pure devotee
- These undetected pious activities will one day result in full-fledged devotional service by the grace of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, any pious act done on account of the Supreme Lord is also recommended here for those who are not pure devotees
- They (impersonalists and nondevotees) wrongly manufacture their own way of devotional service by open debauchery and mislead others who are simpletons or debauchees like themselves
- They (the unintelligent people) consider activities in devotional service the same as activities in material consciousness. Under such a wrong impression, they sometimes dare joke about the spiritual activities of the Lord and His devotional service
- They (those who are ambitious to derive material benefit from devotional service) do not know that the result of devotional service is not material benediction
- This (always keeping in touch with the devotional service of the Lord) is also how we can indirectly keep our staunch faith in the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- This action (take to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and fully engage himself in devotional service, hearing, chanting, etc., of the holy name and pastimes of the Lord, which are all hari-kathamrta) is especially recommended when one is preparing for death
- This bhakti-yoga is so nice that Krsna, or God, who is unapproachable by any other method - however efficient it may be, it is not possible - only by love and devotion in service He can be approached
- This indicates the efficiency achieved through execution of matured devotional service, or prema, love of Godhead. This state of prema is achieved by the gradual process of development from faith to love
- This is the difference between DS and all other methods of perfection. One who performs severe austerities for sense gratification is fearful to the entire world, whereas a devotee who performs even a slight amount of DS is a friend to everyone
- This kind of devotional service, in which knowledge of God's name is lacking, is also described in Bhagavad-gita where the Lord says that four kinds of men with backgrounds of pious activities come to Him asking for what they need
- This material world is full of dangers at every step, but a devotee has no fear because devotional service is so auspicious that it automatically counteracts all kinds of bad luck
- This may be because I did not (Vyasadeva) specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord
- This natural transcendental pleasure (citi-sakti) is the ultimate goal of yoga and is easily achieved by execution of devotional service, or bhakti-yoga. Bhaktiyoga will be vividly described in the Seventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gita. BG 1972 purports
- This personality (Krsna) and His plenary expansions can be known only by antimaterial activities commonly known as bhakti-yoga, or devotional service
- This simple understanding (Krsna is sac-cid-ananda) is at once realized by the devotees of the Lord, but those who are nondevotees, who perform hardly any devotional service to the Lord, either do not understand this simple fact
- This specific pastime of the Lord (the rasa-lila) has a special significance because anyone who properly learns about this particular pastime of the Lord will be 2) placed on the path of sublime devotional service to the Lord
- Those who are not in devotional service go on speculating for many, many thousands of years, but they are still unable to understand the nature of the Absolute Truth
- Those who are under the impression that there is material contamination in the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in His devotional service are called Mayavadi
- Those who criticize devotional service are called nindakas (blasphemers). Similarly, nondevotees who consider devotional activities to be material are called pasandis, and scholars with a similar viewpoint are called adhama paduyas
- Those who forget the transcendental nature of the Supreme Lord, His abode, His devotional service and His devotees consider all these to be but manifestations of material activity
- Those who have given up devotional service to engage in severe austerities for other purposes are not purified in their minds, despite their advanced austerities, because they have no information of the transcendental loving service of the Lord
- Thus a devotee is always in the transcendental position, and everything he uses becomes spiritually purified by being used in the Lord's service
- To a devotee, who has understood how to derive pleasure from exchanging devotional service with the Lord, this unlimited Brahman appears to be hellish
- To attain perfection, one must make devotional service the center of life. In this way one can awaken his natural instincts by work, association and education
- To become greedy is another cause of falldown (of a devotee). And to associate with persons who are not in devotional service is the last word in maya's allurements for causing a devotee to fall down
- To indicate the purity of bhakti, devotional service...
- Topics discussed in the Seventh and Eighth Chapters (of BG) are specifically related to devotional service, and because they bring enlightenment in Krsna consciousness, they are called more confidential. BG 1972 purports
- Training depends upon sincere prayers, devotional service, achievement of success in mystic perfection, and the successful merging of oneself in the activities of the soul and Supersoul
- Transcendental service rendered unto the Personality of Godhead accumulates birth after birth, and when the devotee is fully matured, the total service counted together makes him eligible to enter into the association of the Personality of Godhead
- Two sections of transcendental knowledge in devotional service become revealed to a person surrendered unto Vasudeva; as it is said in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 7.19), such a great soul, fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of Vasudeva, is very, very rare
U
- Unintelligent commentators on the Gita try to divert the mind of the reader to other subjects, but there is no other subject in Bhagavad-gita but devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- Unless one accepts the dust of the lotus feet of a pure devotee, who is free from all material contamination, one cannot enter into the devotional service of the Lord
- Unless one comes to devotional service, one cannot be delivered from the miseries of the material world (duhkhalayam asasvatam (BG 8.15)), where the living beings struggle for existence
- Unless one comes to the platform of transcendental knowledge and offers devotional service to the Lord, one is not perfect
- Unless one serves the Supreme Personality of Godhead Mukunda, one cannot become free from fruitive activities under the external energy
- Unless one's mind and consciousness are fully engaged in devotional service, there is always the opportunity for the mind to become occupied with desires for sense gratification
V
- Vedic knowledge means ultimately to understand the Supreme Lord, and the process of entering into His kingdom is devotional service. That is accepted by all authentic scriptures
- Vidura, the best amongst the Kuru dynasty, who was perfect in devotional service to the Lord, thus reached the source of the celestial Ganges River (Hardwar), where Maitreya, the great, fathomless learned sage of the world, was seated
W
- We are drawn into this material world by desire, but the same desire must be purified and employed in the devotional service of the Lord. Then our disease of wandering in the universe under different forms and conditions will end
- We are not meant for learning something new for the service of the Lord; but we have to engage whatever talents we have already got
- We belong to the Vaisnava philosophical school, Vaisnava. Vaisnava means we want to worship God as He is, and we keep our separate identity eternally to serve Him
- We have to please Him (the Supreme Lord) with devotional service, and then He will reveal Himself to us. Then we can understand Him to some extent
- We have to prepare where we want to go. That is real education. Either by the yogic principle or by cultivation of knowledge or by this devotional service, the whole idea is how to transfer oneself to the better condition of life
- We should further note in this verse the two words santam and anandam, which denote that devotional service of the Lord can really bestow upon the devotee two important benedictions, namely peace and satisfaction
- We should mark how dutiful Dhruva Maharaja was in his devotional service, even at the time he left this material world. He was constantly alert in the performance of devotional duties
- What is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?
- What ungrateful devotee will not worship the Lord and enter into His devotional service? Actually, a devotee cannot forget his obligation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead even for a single moment
- Whatever power the devotee may have is always utilized in service towards the Lord and His devotees only
- Whatever they (devotees) do is for the service of the Lord, and therefore they are always in a position superior to that of the demons
- Whatever way of spiritual realization we accept (karma, jnana, mystic yoga), the ultimate goal is Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The living entities are eternally connected with Him via devotional service
- When a devotee is in a calamitous condition he takes it as a benediction of the Supreme Lord and takes responsibility himself for his past misdeeds. In such a condition, he offers still more devotional service and is not disturbed
- When a living entity abandons the activities of maya and attains the position from which he can execute devotional service, his state is called svarupa-sthah, or complete liberation
- When a living entity forgets his constitutional position, he prepares himself to be an enjoyer of the material resources. Sometimes he is also misguided by the thought that service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not absolute engagement
- When Caitanya Mahaprabhu rejected this proposal (of CC Mahdya 61-63), Ramananda Raya suggested that devotional service based on philosophy and logic is a more advanced position. He therefore quoted the following verse from the Bhagavad-gita - BG 18.54
- When devotional service is performed purely and affectionately, there is no question of regulative principles. There are no do's and don't's
- When devotional service is present in one's heart, desires to perform sinful activities have no place there
- When he (a person) gives up all such obligations for the sake of the service of the Supreme Lord, he is not punished for such renunciation of obligation
- When King Bharata made a mistake and in his next life became a deer, his devotional service did not stop, although some slight chastisement was given to him because of his negligence
- When Lord Caitanya explains the meaning of harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam (CC Adi 17.21), everyone is pleased, for it is a fact that there is no alternative to devotional service
- When Maharaja Prataparudra, in the dress of a Vaisnava, was serving the Lord, the Lord (Caitanya) did not even inquire who he was. Rather, He had compassion upon him and embraced him
- When on account of love and devotional service for the Lord there is special valorous enthusiasm, the resultant activities are called chivalrous
- When one is elevated to certain levels, he is known as a karma-yogi, jnana-yogi, etc. In all cases, the service to the Supreme Lord is the same. It is a difference in elevation only
- When one is freed from all contamination and he acts in devotional service under the direction of the spiritual master, one is on the platform of naiskarma
- When one is further advanced he can understand that there are activities in the spiritual life and that these activities constitute devotional service. Realizing this, he becomes attached to the SP of Godhead and surrenders to Him. BG 1972 purports
- When one's love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service is fully developed, one always sees the Lord, even without artificially meditating on His form. His vision is divine because he has no other engagement
- When Sri Krsna left Vrndavana and accepted the kingdom of Mathura, Srimati Radharani, out of ecstatic feelings of separation, expressed how Krsna can be loved in separation. Thus devotional service in separation is central to this verse - CC Madhya 4.197
- When the florist was offered benedictions, he begged from the Lord that he might remain His eternal servant in devotional service and by such service do good to all living creatures
- When the goddess of fortune understands that a devotee is in favor of devotional service to Narayana, she is naturally inclined to bless the devotee with all opulences
- When the results of work are purified, when connected with devotional service, one becomes perfect in seeing the self within, and that is self-realization. BG 1972 purports
- When the senses are purified by the process of hearing, chanting, remembering, and worshiping the lotus feet of the holy Deity, etc., the Lord reveals Himself proportionately to the advancement of the quality of devotional service
- When the service is ultimately aimed at the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the senses are in their natural position
- When the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with the living entity because of his devotional service, one becomes a pandita and does not make distinctions between enemies, friends and himself
- When there is devotional service, then the question is where to offer that service
- When these four kinds of persons (sukrtina) come to the Supreme Lord for devotional service and are completely purified by the association of a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees. BG 1972 purports
- When these impurities (material lusts and avarice) are wiped away, the candidate remains steady in his position of pure goodness, becomes enlivened by devotional service and understands the science of God perfectly. BG 1972 purports
- When those who are not up to that standard (of pure devotees) meet the Lord, it is due to the unforeseen fortune of accidental devotional service
- When we are free from designation, sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam, when we are purified, then we can unite in the service of the Lord, Krsna. That is real unity. That is Vaikuntha platform
- When we are inspired by devotional service to the Lord, our original identity begins to manifest in us and ultimately brings us to God-realization
- When we consider their bodily and mental conditions, we find that the character of such candidates (candidates for devotional service) is impure and their minds are agitated
- When we get in touch with the transcendental Lord in His variegated energies by devotional service, the naked forms of all material desires become manifest, and the intelligence of the living being is pacified in its true color
- When you do something out of love, that is pleasure. That is not trouble. In the transcendental platform, devotional service, anything you do, that is pleasure. That is not trouble
- While carrying out his DS to the Lord, he could see that everything is situated in Him only and that He is situated in all living entities. The Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails in His prime duty, to give protection to His devotees
- While the impersonalist wrongly concludes that he is the Lord himself, the personalist, out of a great gratitude, worships the Lord in devotional service, knowing perfectly well that nothing is different from the Lord
Y
- Yena sattvam suddhyet. By such austerity in devotional service, one is purified of material existence (kaman sanair jahau). Indeed, such austerity leads one to the constitutional position of devotional service
- Yoga is the system for linking the soul in the service of the Lord. Only under superior guidance can one practice such yoga in his life without changing his social position
- You must always know that "He's the supreme controller and I am also controlled. So if I can please God by my service, then He'll reveal to me." That is the process of knowing God