So by bhakti-yoga, as it is stated in the previous verse, kevalayā bhaktyā . . . the same again being stressed. Na tathā hy aghavān rājan pūyeta tapa-ādibhiḥ. Before explaining bhakti-yoga, Śukadeva Gosvāmī said that to become purified, general process is,
- tapasā brahmacaryeṇa
- śamena damena vā
- tyāgena satya-śaucābhyāṁ
- yamena niyamena vā
- (SB 6.1.13)
These are the general process. But to overcome this general process, if one . . . that is already explained, that kārtsnyena. Just like fog is immediately driven away if there is sunrise, bhakti is so strong. Then he is again saying that pūyeta tapa-ādibhiḥ. If we practice tapa, especially in this age, it is very, very difficult. Tapaḥ. Tapasya, austerities. But if we take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness it becomes very soon available. Yathā kṛṣṇārpita-prāṇa. Prāṇa means life, and arpita means dedicated. Kṛṣṇārpita. If one dedicates his life for Kṛṣṇa, yathā kṛṣṇārpita prāṇas tat-puruṣa-niṣevayā (SB 6.1.16). Tat-puruṣa, you . . . it is impossible to dedicate our life to Kṛṣṇa unless we serve the devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Tat-puruṣa-niṣevayā. You cannot approach Kṛṣṇa directly. That is not possible. You have to go through His devotee. Therefore Kṛṣṇa sends His devotee, "Go and deliver them." Just like Dhruva Mahārāja. He did not know how to achieve the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but on account of his eagerness . . . he wanted to see God. Because he was kṣatriya . . . that his mother said, that "God can only help you, my dear son. If you want to become king on the throne of your father, better position, then only God can help you. I cannot help. It is not . . ." So he was determined, "I must see God." So he went to the forest, but he did not know how to approach God. A boy of five years old only, he has got the determination. So Kṛṣṇa saw that "This boy is very determined." Therefore He sent His representative, Nārada: "Go and train him. He is very eager."
Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja (CC Madhya 19.151). You can enter into the devotional service by double mercy. One mercy is Kṛṣṇa; another mercy is the spiritual master. Therefore here it is said, the same thing, kṛṣṇārpita-prāṇas tat-puruṣa niṣevayā. One cannot be kṛṣṇārpita prāṇaḥ, one cannot dedicate his life to Kṛṣṇa, unless he has gotten the mercy of spiritual master. This is the way. You cannot get directly. That is not possible. Therefore Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura said, there are many of his songs, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā, nistāra pāyeche kebā: "Without serving Vaiṣṇava, who has got liberation? Nobody has."