Pure Love is the Perfection of Devotional Service to God
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the path of spiritual realization reaches its zenith not in impersonal liberation, but in the unalloyed loving service of the Supreme Lord. While Śrī Kṛṣṇa easily grants material benedictions or salvation, He reserves the perfection of devotional service for those who are entirely free from selfish motives. By associating with pure devotees, serving the spiritual master, and gradually awakening spontaneous love of Godhead, any sincere soul can achieve this rare and supreme perfection.
The Rarity of Pure Devotion
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is very cautious before awarding the ultimate perfection of bhakti. While He may readily grant liberation from the cycle of birth and death, He tests the devotee to ensure they are completely serious and free from any desire to exploit His mercy for personal gain.
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 5.6.18), muktim dadati karhicit. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami told Maharaja Pariksit that Krsna readily grants liberation but does not very readily grant perfection in devotional service.
- This (Krsna does not very readily grant perfection in devotional service) means that Krsna wants to see that a devotee is actually sincere and serious and that he does not have ulterior motives.
- Unless one is attached to Krsna, he cannot attain devotional perfection even if he renders devotional service for a long time. Krsna does not easily deliver perfection in devotional service.
The Mercy of Guru and Kṛṣṇa
The perfection of devotional service is not attained merely by mechanical endeavor or independent study. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that it is a divine gift awarded by the combined, causeless mercy of the bona fide spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms this favor (the special mercy of both guru and Krsna awards the perfection of pure devotional service): guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija - CC Madhya 19.151.
- A person's achieving perfection in devotional service simply by the causeless mercy of the Lord is explained in the Srimad-Bhagavatam in connection with the brahmanas and their wives who were engaged in performing yajna, or sacrifice.
- There are other devotees, who may not have undergone all the required details of devotional service but who, by the special mercy of guru and Krsna - the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead - have immediately attained the perfection of pure devotional service.
Purification of Motives
It is natural for conditioned souls to initially approach the Lord with material desires. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that as one seriously engages in the process of bhakti-yoga, the purifying nature of the Lord's association cleanses the heart, completely removing all ulterior motives.
- Even if one approaches Krsna with some ulterior motive, one is considered pious. For instance, Dhruva Maharaja initially worshiped Krsna with a motive, but after attaining perfection in devotional service, his ulterior motive vanished.
- Dhruva Maharaja worshiped Krsna with a motive. But after being perfect in devotional service he becomes without motive. When he saw actually Krsna, he said: "No, no, no. I don't want anything from You. I don't want any benediction." That is bhakti.
- Instead of employing enthusiasm for attaining material goals, one should be enthusiastic about achieving the perfectional stage of devotional service.
Spontaneous Love of Godhead
The ultimate fruit of practicing regulative devotional service is the awakening of spontaneous, unalloyed love. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this perfectional stage as a state of consciousness where the devotee's entire being is diverted towards Śrī Kṛṣṇa, realizing their eternal, loving relationship with Him.
- As stated before, after attaining the highest stage of self-realization, one becomes situated in devotional service to the Lord. The perfection of devotional service is to attain love of God.
- Lord Krsna is worshiped by regulative devotional service, but the highest perfection of devotional service is spontaneous love of Godhead.
- Perfection of pure devotional service is attained when all attention is diverted towards the transcendental loving service of the Lord (Krsna).
- Everyone has got a particular relationship with the Lord and that relationship is evoked by the perfection of devotional service. At the present status of our life we have not only forgotten the Supreme Lord, but also our eternal relationship with Him.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully illustrates that the perfection of devotional service is the highest, most confidential achievement in all of spiritual life. Unlike liberation or material opulence, which Śrī Kṛṣṇa may grant easily, the perfection of bhakti is reserved only for those whose hearts are completely devoid of selfish motives. It is an extraordinary state of existence awakened through the causeless mercy of the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord. By sincerely practicing regulative principles and associating with pure devotees, a practitioner is gradually cleansed of material desires, much like Dhruva Mahārāja. Ultimately, this steady practice blossoms into spontaneous, ecstatic love of Godhead, perfectly situating the soul in their eternal, blissful relationship with Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Perfection of Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.