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Latest revision as of 10:54, 3 December 2018
Subcategories Pages in category
This category has the following 43 subcategories, out of 43 total.
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Pages in category "Bhakti - Devotional Service to God"
The following 489 pages are in this category, out of 489 total.
2
- Beginning of bhakti
- Bhakti begins...
- Bhakti creeper
- Bhakti line
- Bhakti or devotional service
- Bhakti principles
- Bhakti, devotional service is the only way to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Devotional service, bhakti, is not inactivity
- Raganuga bhakti
- This bhakti word is applicable only in relationship with God, or Krsna
- Unwanted creepers will grow with the bhakti creeper
3
- Akincana-bhakti means
- Apara bhakti means
- Avyabhicarini bhakti means
- Bhajate means
- Bhakti method means
- Bhakti platform means
- Bhakti science means
- Bhakti system means
- Bhakti, advancement of devotional life, means
- Bhakti, the whole devotional service program means
- Bhaktya labhyah means
- Bhaktya means
- Bhava-bhakti means
- Ekanta-bhakti means
- Jnana-misra-bhakti means
- Kevalaya bhakti means
- Krsna-bhakti means
- Madireksana means
- Para-bhakti means
- Please send me immediately one copy of Bhakti Sutra (with original Sankrit text). I shall immediately begin the commentary. Yes you can edit on the tapes of Teachings of Lord Caitanya
- Prapatti means
- Priti means
9
A
- A devotee in full Krsna consciousness appears superficially to be a great karmi, always working, but the inner significance of the devotee's activities is that they are meant for the satisfaction of the Lord. This is called bhakti, or devotional service
- A devotee's business is to offer obeisances to the Lord and the spiritual master constantly. This principle is the recognized way to come to the platform of bhakti
- A hungry man is eating, he's getting strength, and his hunger is being satisfied. So he can understand himself. Nobody requires to certify. Similarly bhakti, Krsna consciousness, is so perfect that pratyaksa avagamam, one can understand directly
- "A person who devotes his mind, body and speech to the service of the Lord, even though in the midst of a miserable life fraught with past misdeeds, is assured of liberation." Bhattacarya changed the word mukti (liberation) to bhakti - devotional service
- A pure devotee can distinguish between the bhakti creeper and a mundane creeper, and he is very alert to distinguish them and keep them separate
- A restrained householder brahmacari may be accepted in the bhakti school, but the jnana and dhyana schools do not admit even householder brahmacaris. They require complete abstinence without compromise. BG 1972 purports
- According to the Vaisnava philosophy, however, we should negate material desires and be situated on the Brahman platform, but in addition we should engage in the devotional service of the Lord. This is called bhakti
- Activities in bhakti appear to be like ordinary activities, but they are not contaminated. BG 1972 Introduction
- Actually bhakti should be automatic and spontaneous. There should be no motive in serving Krsna, but even if there is a motive, service rendered unto Krsna is good
- Actually Krsna is Krsna, and at the same time He is everything. We can understand this by bhakti, but not by any other process. When a bhakta sees a tree, he sees Krsna. As explained in Caitanya-caritamrta - CC Madhya 8.274
- Actually they (Mayavadi philosophers) do not know Vedanta means bhakti. Real Vedanta commentary is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhasyam brahma-sutranam. Brahma-sutra means the Vedanta-sutra
- After complete suspension of the material modes of nature, one is admitted to the spiritual sphere, and action dictated by the spiritual modes is called devotional service, or bhakti. Bhakti is nirguna attained by direct contact with the Absolute
- Although the Christians and Muhammadans do not worship the Deity, they offer prayers to the Lord, and that is also bhakti. Arcanam vandanam
- Although the Supreme Lord is situated in the core of everyone's heart, unless one is a Vaisnava, unless one is engaged in bhakti, one does not get sound advice by which to return home, back to Godhead. Such instructions are meant only for devotees
- Although they (tapasvis, yogis, jnanis and others who have a bodily concept of life) may sometimes be called santa-bhaktas, real bhakti begins with dasya-rasa
- An enlightened devotee no longer has any material activities, nor has he any interest in being materially engaged. This process of purifying the senses and engaging them in the service of the Lord is known as bhakti, or devotional service
- Anukulyena krsnanusilanam (CC Madhya 19.167). Bhakti consists of serving Krsna and His devotees very favorably
- Anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama: (CC Madhya 19.167) a symptom of first-class bhakti, devotional service, is that one accepts everything favorable for that service
- Anukulyena. Whatever Krsna orders, if you discharge that, that is bhakti, simply favorable to Krsna. Whatever Krsna says
- Any one of them or all of them (devotional service) are equally competent to award the desired result, but they require to be practiced persistently under the guidance of an expert devotee of the Lord
- Any religion where God is the target, that is applied in bhakti. But when there is no God or impersonalism, there is no question of bhakti-yoga
- Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11). Bhakti is uncontaminated, being unalloyed even by jnana or pious activities
- Anyone favored by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was empowered with this bhakti-sakti. Thus the Lord’s followers were able to preach Krsna consciousness by divine grace
- Anyone who listens to the commentary of the Mayavadi philosopher, then his fate is doomed. He is finished. He will never be able to understand bhakti philosophy
- Apavarga-vartmani - on the path of liberation we shall increase our faith, sraddha, our devotion, bhakti, anukramisyati. It will come gradually, and our life will be successful and we shall be able to go back to home, back to Godhead
- Arjuna was very intelligent because he simply chose Krsna, whereas Duryodhana took Krsna's soldiers. It is not possible to conquer Krsna, but the devotee can capture Krsna with bhakti, love
- As far as counsel is concerned, simply keep up your fresh utsaha or enthusiasm for service. That will accomplish wonders. And always remain ideal yourself by strict adherence to the bhakti principles
- As for hiring the bhajan group Bharati Mandal, they are not as good as our bhajans. They eat anything and everything but no bhakti
- As He had formerly created all the universes, now He descended to introduce the path of bhakti
- As long as we are interested in sense gratification, there is no question of bhakti. We have to reduce our tendency for sense gratification and increase our devotional activities
- As soon as bhakti is present, everything is purified (sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam (CC Madhya 19.170)). Therefore Brahma's crying was a form of bhakty-anubhava, a transformation of transcendental ecstatic love
- As soon as one comes to this platform (of bhakti), he gradually understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and simply by understanding Krsna one is liberated from material bondage
- As soon as there is some motive, that is cheating religion. But bhakti, there is no such thing, dharma, artha, kama, moksa. It is above, transcendental
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah (BG 18.55)) and as confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah), without bhakti one cannot understand the spiritual situation of the Lord
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 11.2.42), bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra ca: in bhakti, a devotee’s only attachment is Krsna; he no longer wants to maintain his attachments to many other things
- Aurobindo does not belong to the Bhakti school. He is more or less a dry philosopher, mental speculator, with some mystic ideas. We are simply concerned with pure devotees, so we have nothing to learn from Aurobindo
B
- Bali, having been perfectly educated in bhakti by his grandfather Prahlada, knew how things are to be done. He was never to be misguided by anyone, even by a person who happened to be his so-called spiritual master. This is the sign of full surrender
- Because Ajamila constantly chanted his son's name, Narayana, he was elevated to the platform of bhakti, although he did not know it
- Because of this pure chanting, Ajamila unconsciously accumulated the results of bhakti. Indeed, even his first utterance of the holy name was sufficient to nullify all the sinful reactions of his life
- Because they (many learned scholars and sannyasis) have no information of the spiritual varieties in the Vaikuntha planet, in the Goloka Vrndavana planet, they come down, because there is no bhakti
- Being situated in one's heart and being watered by sravana-kirtana, the bhakti creeper grows more and more
- Bhagavan is individual, bhakta is individual, and the reciprocation of dealings between two individuals, it is called bhakti
- Bhagavata-dharma is not cheating, for it is related to the Supreme Lord. Bhakti can be applied only to Bhagavan, and if there is no Bhagavan, there is no bhakti
- Bhaktas know that the form of Krsna, or Brahman, is not at all material. Rather, Brahman has a transcendental form, and when one is absorbed in it, being fully developed in bhakti, one can understand Him
- Bhakti cannot be executed unless one has realization of the personal feature of the Absolute Truth
- Bhakti does not mean sentimental fanaticism. That is not bhakti. Bhakti means to engage all your senses for the satisfaction of the proprietor of the senses. That is called bhakti
- Bhakti does not mean that you give up your living conscience. Attachment is the function of the living being
- Bhakti formula, anyabhilasita-sunyam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11): "You have to make your heart cleansed of all material desire." Then spiritual life will begin
- Bhakti involves becoming free from the attachments of this material world and becoming attached instead to Krsna
- Bhakti is a cleansing method, vidhi-bhakti. But by engaging oneself in this Deity worship, he also becomes cleansed. Tat-paratve... Sarvopadhi... As he becomes enlightened or advanced in understanding that he is eternal servant of Krsna
- Bhakti is a process. Bhakti is not knowledge. That knowledge you acquire by your sense perception, and bhakti is the pure activities of the senses
- Bhakti is a relationship between master and servant. The servant's duty is to serve the master, and the master supplies whatever the servant needs. - Katha Upanisad 2.2.13
- Bhakti is activity. Bhakti is not passive
- Bhakti is activity. Just like personally, up to seventy years, I was practically doing nothing. But at the age of seventy years, by the grace of God, Krsna, there was inspiration; I went to Western country - not to sit down there silently
- Bhakti is ahaituky apratihata. If you become a devotee, there is no impediment. No material condition can check your progress of bhakti, if you are a bhakta
- Bhakti is based on the principle of the renunciation of material desires beginning from the earliest age; kaumaram acaret prajna dharman bhagavatan iha
- Bhakti is different. Bhakti is transcendental. It has nothing to do with this material world
- Bhakti is main thing, not your palatable dish. Visnu is quite competent to prepare thousand times better palatable dishes than you can offer. But the real thing is bhakti
- Bhakti is not a sentiment but a practical science. One may engage in many activities, but in all cases, one's mind must be fully absorbed in Krsna
- Bhakti is not achieved by studying. Bhakti stage is achieved by practice. That is the special significance of our institution, that we are engaging our men in practicing. Therefore they are getting knowledge - not by reading
- Bhakti is not on the material platform. Bhakti is on the spiritual platform
- Bhakti is not sentiment. Bhakti is the transcendental science
- Bhakti is obtainable for a liberated person; it is not for the conditioned soul. How is this possible
- Bhakti is only for Bhagavan. Not that "My bhakti for this or that, for this demigod, for that demigod, for my family, for my country, for my society, for my wife, for my cat, for my dog." This is not bhakti. They are imitation only. That is lust
- Bhakti is realizing that one is pure spirit and not matter at all. Our real identity is not this body, which is simply a covering of the spirit, but our real identity is dasa, servant of Krsna
- Bhakti is so powerful that it is also said to be moksa-laghutakrt; in other words, it minimizes the importance of liberation
- Bhakti is so sublime that only through bhakti can one understand the constitutional position of the Lord. That is clearly stated in the BG (18.55): bhaktya mam abhijanati. One can understand the SG through devotional service, and by no other process
- Bhakti is some active service
- Bhakti is the path that is appropriate, not the paths of karma-kanda and jnana-kanda
- Bhakti is the pure activities of the senses
- Bhakti may be considered in three stages - guni-bhuta, pradhani-bhuta & kevala, & according to these stages there are three divisions, which are called jnana, jnanamayi & rati, or prema - that is, simple knowledge, love mixed with knowledge, & pure love
- 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 means devotional service to the Lord which is free from desire for material profit, either in this life or in the next. Devoid of such inclinations, one should fully absorb the mind in the Supreme. That is the purpose of naiskarmya. BG 1972 pur
- Bhakti means the business between Bhagavan and bhakta. That is bhakti. If there is no Bhagavan then where is bhakti
- Bhakti means when we engage our senses, in the service of the proprietor of the senses, that is our perfect life. but as soon as we desire to use our senses for the gratification of the senses, that is called karma. That is called material life
- Bhakti means without any material desires. That is the sign of pure devotee. He has no motive to satisfy his material desires by devotional service
- Bhakti minus respect, that is not bhakti. With love, with respect, with designated duties, if you be engaged in Krsna consciousness, then your life will be successful
- Bhakti necessitates the existence of the recipient of devotional service and the devotee who renders devotional service
- Bhakti rasacarya
- Bhakti refers to those activities performed in the service of Lord Vasudeva. Because Lord Vasudeva is the Supreme, one should engage oneself in His service, not in the service of the demigods
- Bhakti should be animitta, without motive. Actually Krsna can fulfill all of our wishes without difficulty because He is almighty and full of all opulences
- Bhakti should not be contaminated by karma and jnana. Bhakti should remain pure. Then the result will be very quick and nice
- Bhakti, bhagavan and bhakta do not belong to the material world. This is confirmed BG (14.26): One who engages in the spiritual activities of unalloyed DS immediately transcends the modes of material nature and is elevated to the spiritual platform
- Bhakti, devotional service, begins when one is actually self-realized. Before that, sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah (SB 11.2.47). Anyone who has got the identification of this body, he is engaged in Deity worship, but he does not actually realize his self
- Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body of the living entity without separate effort, just as fire in the stomach digests all that we eat
- Bhakti, devotional service, is not easy, but at the same time very easy, one moment's business, one moment's. But I must be willing
- Bhakti, devotional service, is paro dharmah, transcendental dharma; it is not material dharma
- Bhakti, devotional service, is the engagement of those who have performed highly developed pious activities
- Bhakti, devotional service, is transcendental even to mukti, liberation. Generally people are concerned with dharma, artha, kama and moksa
- Bhakti, love of Godhead, the symptom is that he's no more in love with material things. That is the test. You cannot... Just like you cannot love two persons. That is divided. One love concentrated, that is perfect love
- Bhakti, or devotional service is not such a thing which can be checked. "Sir, I was feeling very sick, therefore I could not chant." No, that is not bhakti. We are subjected to all these tribulations utterly
- Bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord, means to become free from material entanglement and then to enter into the kingdom of God, becoming one like Him
- Bhakti, or devotional service, is characterized by vairagya and jnana. Jnana refers to understanding that one is not his body, and vairagya means disinterest in sense gratification
- Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects
- Bhakti, the inclination to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is in a transcendental position far better than mukti, or liberation
- Bhakti, therefore, is far better then mukti or the impersonalist position
- Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat. This is the test of bhakti. If one has entered the domain of devotional service, this material world will be not at all tasteful for him. Virakti. No more
- Bhaktim param devotional service is so potent that the more one advances in this line, the more he loses his attraction for material life
- Bhaktya. Just like a paid servant, he is also engaged in satisfying the master very nicely, very faithfully, but there is no bhakti. Why? Because he is after the money the master pays. He does not serve the master, but he serves the money
- Bhattacarya began to explain his realization of bhakti. "Anyone who does not accept the transcendental Personality of Godhead and His transcendental form cannot know the Absolute Truth," he said
- Bhattacarya replied (to Lord Caitanya) that mukti is not as valuable as bhakti and that mukti is actually a sort of punishment for the pure devotee. For this reason he changed the word mukti to bhakti
- Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan can all be taken in total as Brahman, but when there is reference to the word bhakti or remembrance of the transcendental qualities, this indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not the impersonal Brahman
- By bhakti, you can develop your love for Krsna. That is required
- By karma, you are bound up to accept birth and death; by jnana, you can be liberated for the time being, but you again fall down; but by bhakti, you are firmly fixed up in your spiritual platform
- By our these blunt senses, speculating, we cannot understand what is God. Therefore His name is Adhoksaja, Adhoksaja, "beyond material speculation." And still you have to apply your bhakti, devotion
- By this process (reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, and serving the person bhagavata) we can attain the stage of bhagavad-bhakti, but first we must get rid of all these anarthas, unwanted things
C
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu never discussed Radha-Krishna Lila with ordinary persons. We have so many other things to discuss; what is the soul, what is bhakti. To understand Radha-Krishna's Pastimes, that is our aim, but we should not indulge in this at present
- Caitanya then preached pure bhakti and instilled into their hearts spiritual love for Krsna which obliged them to give up sectarian feelings
D
- Desires you cannot give up. That is not possible. Desires will remain there, but at the present moment, in the conditional stage, the desires are being misused. That is the defect. Therefore the definition of bhakti means anyabhilasita-sunyam
- Devahuti herein takes shelter of Kapiladeva and tells Him, "You are the ax capable of making me detached." When our attachment to the material world is severed, we become free. Bhakti is the means by which we can develop this detachment
- Devotees who are actually serious attain bhakti, scientific devotional service, by hearing Vedic literatures. It is not that one should create something out of sentimentality, become a sahajiya and advocate such concocted devotional service
- Dharma is one. God is one. And you have to follow that one principle, how to approach Krsna. That is bhakti. So dharma is to approach Krsna, and the process is bhakti. And Krsna is the Supreme God
E
- Engagement of the purified senses in the service of the Lord is called bhakti. Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. One may enjoy the senses for many thousands of years, but unless one purifies the senses, one cannot be happy
- Even a monkey, Hanumanji, he became a great devotee. He's not even human. So therefore bhakti is apratihata. It cannot be checked in any condition
- Even if one attains the stage of brahma-padam, merging in Brahman, without bhakti he is prone to fall down. One must be very careful in regard to the danger of falling down again into material bondage
- Even if one has a desire to commit sinful actions, the roots of that desire are vanquished merely by abhasa-rupa bhakti - a slight glimpse of devotional service
- Even if we do a little on the path of bhakti, it goes to our account. For instance, if we deposit only two dollars in a savings bank, it is kept in our account, and it will increase with interest
- Even if we think that the Deity is a stone, or a piece of metal or some wood, He is still Krsna. The understanding of this requires bhakti on our part
- Every so-called learned scholars, they have no, I mean to say, idea what is God, what is Krsna, and where to speak of satisfying Him. But the bhakti means that he, a bhakta, is always ready to sacrifice everything to satisfy Krsna
- Everything is mixed up with little bhakti, but... Just like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, there are different. But the real yoga means loving Vasudeva, Bhagavan
F
- Factually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all self-realization. Consequently, the goal of all auspicious activities - karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti - is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Foolish people say that bhakti is meant for ajnanis, unintelligent people, but this is not the case. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna indicates that after many births, the jnani, the man in knowledge, surrenders unto Him
- For the time being organize the health, education and care of the children and continue the Deity worship as it is going nicely now. Deities are satisfied with bhakti not marble. Therefore try to increase the bhakti
- From next year, unless one passes bhakti-sastri, he cannot be second initiated. First initiation is open for everyone. "Come on. Chant Hare Krsna." That will purify him. Then let him understand what is bhakti
- From the very beginning of one's transactions in bhakti, one is situated on the transcendental platform. Vasudeva & Devaki, therefore, being situated in a completely pure devotional state, are beyond this material world & are not subject to material fear
G
- Generally we go to temple or perform religion with a motive, some material purpose. But bhakti should be without any motive, ahaituki, no cause. Apratihata, and it cannot be checked
- God confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 9.26) - "If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it." The real ingredient is bhakti (devotion). Pure devotion is uncontaminated by the modes of material nature
H
- He (an intelligent person) rightly concludes that because there is an intimate relationship between the senses and Krsna, as long as the senses are active it is one's duty to use the senses in the service of Krsna. This is bhakti
- He (Bilvamangala Thakura) personally realized Krsna through bhakti and wrote of his personal experience. He wrote, - Mukti is not a very important thing. She is always at my service with folded hands, saying, 'My dear sir, what can I do for you
- He (Prahlada Maharaja) did not want to be delivered alone; rather, he wanted to deliver all fallen souls, who are bereft of knowledge of bhakti and who misuse their intelligence for the temporary benefit of the material body
- He who has progressed in devotional life and who is relishing service to Krsna will automatically become detached from material enjoyment. The symptom of one absorbed in bhakti is that he is fully satisfied with Krsna
- Here it is also said, bhaktya. What kind of bhakti? Bhaktya sruta-grhitaya. Sruta, by hearing sruti, or Vedas. Completely on the basis of Vedic knowledge, that bhakti; not sentimental
- His (Ajamila's) repeated chanting of the holy name of Narayana while calling his son may be called pure chanting. Because of this pure chanting, Ajamila unconsciously accumulated the results of bhakti
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate (CC Madhya 19.170). By serving the Lord, one’s senses are gradually purified. The engagement of one’s purified senses in the service of Lord Hrsikesa is called bhakti
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: (CC Madhya 19.170) when by our senses (hrsikena) we serve Hrsikesa, the real master of the senses, that service is called bhakti. This is a very simple definition of bhakti
I
- I (Caitanya) empowered both of these brothers (Rupa and Sanatana) to go to Vrndavana to expand the literature of bhakti
- I (Kunti) am falsely attached to these families, but my real purpose in life is to be attached to You. - This is bhakti
- I am very glad that you are seriously interested, & Krsna is pleased upon you. And that you are sincerely trying, I can understand from these tulasi plants. Yes. This is the practical demonstration. Unless there is bhakti, this tulasi plant will not grow
- I found that only bhakti is the real way. And to correct myself I read out all the Vaisnava literature
- I have got some bhakti and some material desire also, that is not bhakti. That is markata-vairagya
- I have got some seed of bhakti, and I keep it in the iron chest. No. You must make cultivation of bhakti-bija
- I will request you to study what is bhakti, what is pure devotion, what is Vasudeva. Everything is there. It is a science, great science. It is not sentiment, neither it is so-called religious faith
- If Bhagavan is zero, where is bhakti? Bhakti is the transaction between Bhagavan and the bhakta. Bhagavan is there, and the bhaktas are there, and the bhaktas address Bhagavan, feed Bhagavan, chant Bhagavan's names
- If he has got any other desire to fulfill, then it is mixed. It is not suddha-bhakti; it is vaidhi-bhakti. Karma-misra-bhakti, jnana-misra-bhakti, yoga-misra-bhakti. Bhakti must be there. Otherwise, karma, jnana, yoga, nothing is successful
- If multiplied billions of times, the transcendental pleasure derived from impersonal Brahman realization still could not compare to even an atomic portion of the ocean of bhakti, or transcendental service - Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.38
- If one is attracted by the bhakti cult, he becomes engaged in the service of the Lord and the spiritual master, and thus his life becomes successful
- If one is determined to get out of all the designations that are attached to the pure spirit soul, and which arise due to the body and are always changed when the body is changed, one can attain to bhakti
- If one is not Krsna conscious, bhagavata-bhakti-hinasya, then his big nationality, jatih, his achievement, japas tapah, his activities, everything, bhagavad-bhakti-hinasya jatih japas tapah kriyah, all these things are like decoration of the dead body
- If one is so absorbed in the rendering of service, he can be understood to be elevated to the highest position of bhakti. By such transcendental loving service alone can one surpass the influence of maya and relish pure love of Godhead
- If one sincerely tries his best to spread Krsna consciousness by preaching the glories of the Lord and His supremacy, even if he is imperfectly educated, he becomes the dearmost servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is bhakti
- If one tries to advance by other means - by karma-yoga or jnana-yoga - one will fall down, but if one is fixed in bhakti, he never falls down
- If one's mind and senses are completely absorbed in Krsna consciousness, one is experiencing bhakti
- If the path of bhakti is so easy, as the nondevotee class of men proclaim, then why do they take up the difficult path? Actually the path of bhakti is not easy. BG 1972 purports
- If there is enemy, then there is lamenting, but if there is no enemy, then samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param. That is the beginning of transcendental activities, bhakti
- If we are a little thoughtful and philosophical, and if we are at all inclined toward bhakti, we can understand that Krsna is present in stone
- If we are at all interested in reaching that supreme abode, the process, as indicated here (in BG 8.22), is bhakti. Bhaktya means devotional service, submission to the Supreme Lord. The root word for bhaktya is bhaj, which means - service
- If we are situated in the transcendental position (bhakti), we can understand Krsna, Krsna cannot be understood by mental speculation; otherwise He would have said that He could be understood by jnana, karma or yoga
- If we want material happiness from Krsna, it is certainly not difficult for Him to grant it. He can also give us mukti, liberation, but it is foolishness to ask anything from Krsna except bhakti
- If we want to cultivate bhakti, it is not sentiment. Sentiment, of course, that may remain for some time. But it is a great science. We have to learn it scientifically
- If we want to understand the real reality, vastava-vastu, that is Krsna, then this is the process. What is that? (SB 1.2.12) You have to receive through the channel of parampara system, bhakti
- If you develop your love for God, then you can see. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena (BS 5.38). This premanjana, this ointment of love, is bhakti
- If you do not come to the bhakti platform, then there is no question of liberation. That is not possible. You can get better position by karma, jnana, yoga
- If you want to know Krsna, it is not possible to any other means. There are many other means - karma, yoga, jnana and bhakti - but if you want to know Krsna, then you have to take the bhakti-yoga, no other
- If you want to know Krsna, then bhakti. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah (BG 18.55). This is the process
- If you want to know Me (Krsna), then it is through bhakti, not your so-called jnana and karma and yoga. - You will never be able to understand. You will never be able to understand
- Impure devotees accept rasabhasa, or overlapping, contradictory mellows, and other principles opposed to the bhakti path. The followers of such impure principles are never accepted as pure devotees
- In an exalted status of devotional service, a devotee forgets the position of Krsna and intensely loves the SP of Godhead without understanding His position. This is called kevala-bhakti and is distinct from the stages of jnana and jnanamayi bhakti
- In Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.55) it is said, bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah: one who wants to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead in reality must take to the platform of bhakti, or Krsna consciousness
- In bhakti there are nine different activities: sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam
- In bhakti, one can immediately . . . because real process is to surrender to God. That is the real process. But these jnanis, yogis and karmis, they are not prepared to surrender to God
- In bhakti-yoga the devotees desire nothing but Krsna. The pure bhakti devotee does not desire promotion to heavenly planets, nor does he seek salvation or liberation from material entanglement. BG 1972 purports
- In devotional service to the Lord, the path of bhakti, there is practically no chance of incurring sinful reactions
- In material life, the senses are covered by designations such as " American," "Indian," and " African," but when our senses are no longer contaminated by all these designations (sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam (CC Madhya 19.170)), bhakti begins
- In order to be completely free of the material modes, one has to come not only to the platform of jnana and vairagya, but to bhakti also
- In order to save the world to become hellish, the king was so alert. That is . . . that is also bhakti. Because the whole natural plan is to come back to home, back to Godhead. This is nature's plan
- In pure consciousness, our actions will be dovetailed to the will of isvara & that will make us happy. It is not that we have to cease all activities. Rather, our activities are to be purified & purified activities are called bhakti. BG 1972 Introduction
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that bhakti, devotional service, must be unconditional. No material impediments can actually check the advancement of devotional service, be it executed by a common man or a king
- In systematic way you discuss. "I must worship, because I am dependent. I am not final authority. So the great . . . God is great, and I am always small. So it is my duty to submit to the great." So that is bhakti
- In the beginning, there is dharma (religion), then artha (economic development), kama (sense gratification), then moksa (merging into the Supreme One). However, bhakti is above all these. Mukti is not very important for a bhakta
- In the bhakti platform, Krsna consciousness, there is no such distinction, "Here is American, here is an Indian, here is an African, here is this and that." No. Everyone is KC. So actually if we want equality, fraternity, then we must come to KC
- In the bhakti school, a householder brahmacari is allowed controlled sex life because the cult of bhakti-yoga is so powerful that one automatically loses sexual attraction, being engaged in the superior service of the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- In the Caitanya-caritamrta three kinds of devotional service are described - namely, bhakti (ordinary devotional service), suddha-bhakti (pure devotional service) and viddha-bhakti (mixed devotional service)
- In the discharge of devotional service, an offense to the feet of a pure devotee can create havoc. Thus one has to defend the plant of bhakti by tending it properly and taking care not to commit offenses. If one is cautious, the plant can properly thrive
- In the execution of devotional service, sravanam kirtanam visnoh (SB 7.5.23) is especially stressed. This means that bhakti, or devotional service, begins by hearing and chanting about Visnu
- In the lower status of bhakti means that arca-vigraha, anyone, any person, he does not clearly understand what is God, but by the instruction of the spiritual master one is engaged in the service of the Lord
- In the meantime I have also prepared a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita purely on Bhakti principle and when published it will be an unique publication of Bhagavad-gita as it is
- In the nayam sukhapo verse, the devotees are referred to as bhaktimat, that is, fully engaged in devotional service and devoid of material contamination
- In the present town of Navadvipa, which was formerly known as Kuliya, Caitanya showed such mercy to him (Devananda Pandita) that he gave up the Mayavadi interpretation of Srimad-Bhagavatam and learned how to explain Srimad-Bhagavatam in terms of bhakti
- In the spiritual body there are no longer material desires, and one is fully satisfied by rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Radha & Krsna. This is the platform of bhakti - hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate - CC Madhya 19.170
- In this way it attains the shelter of the desire tree of the lotus feet of Krsna, who is eternally situated in the planet known as Goloka Vrndavana, in the topmost region of the spiritual sky
- Indeed, they (asuras, nondevotees) do not distinguish between pious and impious activity. Bhakti, of course, does not depend on pious or impious activity
- Indirectly, all the senses are naturally inclined to serve the Supreme Lord. That is called bhakti
- Initiation into bhakti begins when one is in a distressed condition or in want of money, or when one is inquisitive to understand the Absolute Truth. Nonetheless, people who approach the Supreme Lord in this way are not actually devotees
- It (bhakti) does not even finish with the end of the body, but it continues eternally. And it is joyfully performed. At first, though, there may be some inconveniences, but we must tolerate them and we shall realize the goal
- It (tree of devotional service) is something like a tree of sugar, for whichever part of such a tree one tastes, it is always sweet. The tree of bhakti has varieties of branches, leaves and fruits, but they are all meant for the service of the SPG
- It has been already explained that pure devotional service is without any tinge of karma or jnana. Bhakti should have no tinge of philosophical speculation or ritualistic performances
- It is characteristic of advanced Vaisnavas following the principles of bhakti that they think themselves ordinary human beings. This is not an artificial exhibition of humility; a Vaisnava sincerely thinks this way and never admits his exalted position
- It is clearly stated by Kapila Muni that bhakti activities, or activities in devotional service, are transcendental to mukti. This is called pancama-purusartha
- It is clearly stated here (in BG 8.22) that only by bhakti, or devotional service, can one enter into the Vaikuntha (spiritual) planetary system. BG 1972 purports
- It is confirmed by Kapiladeva that bhakti, or devotional service, is gariyasi, more glorious than siddhi, liberation
- It is not possible for a common man to write books on bhakti, for his writings will not be effective
- It is not that a wealth of education is required. One does not even have to understand the language. The only ingredient needed is bhakti, love. If one becomes a pure bhakta, he will forget all material sense enjoyment
- It is only on the bhakti platform that one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna and His transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes and entourage
- It is said that "Don't read just like a academic scholar." No. That will not benefit you. It will benefit you, but it will take long, long time. Because without bhakti, God cannot be captured
- It is stated (in the Bhakti-sandarbha) that through bhakti one can attain all success because bhakti is transcendental to the material qualities. There is a discussion of how the self is manifest through bhakti
- It is stated in this verse (SB 3.25.33) that bhakti dissolves the subtle body. The spirit soul has two coverings - subtle and gross
- It is very difficult for the nondevotees to know Him (Krsna). Although nondevotees declare that the path of bhakti or devotional service is very easy, they cannot practice it. BG 1972 purports
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- Just like if you take one very nice digestive pill, so whatever you have eaten, even stone, it will be digested. It will be digested. Similarly, as soon as you take to bhakti immediately your gross and subtle body is digested
- Just like in our this Krsna consciousness movement, all the activities, they are not material. They're all spiritual. But still, because it is being enacted in the material world, we have also so much anxiety, although that anxiety also bhakti
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- 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
- Karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti. There are four primary principles for spiritual realization. So out of the four, karma, jnana and yoga, they are all material, but bhakti is not material. That is spiritual
- Karma-yoga is based on bhakti, or pleasing the Lord, whereas karma is based on pleasing the senses of the performer himself
- Krsna can give us whatever we want, even mukti, liberation, but bhakti is a special consideration because when He gives someone bhakti He becomes purchased by the bhakta and becomes a tool in the hands of the bhakta, even though He is the supreme powerful
- Krsna consciousness is a great science with immense literatures, and we should utilize them for the attainment of bhakti
- Krsna has recommended that, "If you want to Me . . . know Me, then you have to adopt this process, bhakti-yoga." And Krsna accepts everything through bhakti
- Krsna is not hankering after your patram puspam. He has created patram puspam phalam toyam, He can enjoy. Why He should ask from you? But the real thing is bhaktya
- Krsna is so kind that if anyone offers Him a leaf, a fruit, a flower or some water, He will immediately accept it (BG 9.26). The only condition is that these things should be offered with bhakti - yo me bhaktya prayacchati
- Krsna is within everyone's heart, and as soon as He sees that one is interested in Him, He helps. This is the beginning of bhakti
- Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, "All are pursuing the path of realizing Me, but those who have adopted courses without any bhakti find their endeavor very troublesome." Krsna cannot be understood unless one comes to the point of bhakti
- Kunti says, "You have come to teach rascals like this and engage them in hearing, remembering, and worship." This is bhakti. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh: (SB 7.5.23) one should hear and chant about Visnu, Krsna
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- Lord Caitanya says that the ecstasy of bhakti (love of Godhead) is so vast that it is like an ocean compared to the drop of pleasure derived from understanding oneself as one with Brahman
- 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 Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as a gardener, poured water on the root of the bhakti tree and thus nourished all its trunks and branches
- Love does not mean "I love myself" and meditate upon love. No. There must be another person, lover. Therefore dvaitavada. As soon as you come to the bhakti school, there must be dvaitavada: two - Krsna and Krsna's devotee
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- Mad-bhaktim labhate param. That is, that is really bhakti's platform. That bhakti platform means elimination of all material contamination
- Madireksana means a very beautiful young girl. According to Jiva Gosvami, madireksana means the personified deity of bhakti
- Make sure that they are well aware of the four rules and regulations and that they are fixed in chanting the prescribed number of 16 rounds daily on the beads. Without these two principles no one can make advancement on the path of regulated bhakti
- Malayadhvaja, the great king, was certainly a maha-bhagavata, topmost devotee. By executing devotional service, he begot many sons and disciples for propagating the bhakti cult
- Mayavadis consider devotional service to be an aspect of fruitive activities (karma-kanda). According to their view, bhakti consists of mental speculation or sometimes meditation. This is the difference between the Mayavadi and Vaisnava philosophies
- Mayavadis generally allege that the bhakti path is for women and illiterates. This is a groundless accusation. The bhakti path is followed by the most learned scholars, such as the Gosvamis, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramanujacarya
- Mind and intelligence are already there in the soul, but in the conditional stage the same mind and intelligence become polluted as false egotism or enjoyer. The bhakti process is to purify everything
- My society, Vaisnava society, has particularly given me this title, Bhaktivedanta. Vedanta means bhakti. It is a challenge to the Mayavadi sannyasis
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- Narada Muni had come to advise Priyavrata about the value of spiritual life, knowledge, renunciation and bhakti, and Lord Brahma knew that Narada's instructions were very impressive
- Narada Muni, empowered to distribute devotional service - bhakti-sakti
- Narottama dasa Thakura says in his prema-bhakti-candrika, karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, kevala visera bhanda: both karma-kanda and jnana-kanda - fruitive activities and speculation about the Supreme Lord - are like pots of poison
- Nirguna means without any material qualities. So karma, jnana and yoga, they are all material qualities. Only bhakti is spiritual. Even in that bhakti, if you bring in karma, jnana or yoga, then it is mixed; it is not pure
- No one can excel God in any capacity, and therefore no one can be equal to or greater than Him, nor can anyone attain the stage of equality with God by any kind of endeavor. Jnana, yoga and bhakti are three recognized processes of spiritual realization
- Now, in the human form of life, one should understand, "Everything belongs to Krsna, so why am I hankering to satisfy this body which is supposedly mine? Rather, now that I have this body, let me serve Krsna." This is intelligence, and this is bhakti
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- Offering obeisances will relieve them of all the reactions to their offenses. Then, by My grace, devotional service (bhakti) will awaken in their pure hearts
- One can see when the eyes are anointed with the ointment of bhakti. The eyes have cleansed to see God. That is revelation
- One cannot force a person to become a scholar, but sometimes force is used in the beginning. A child is forced to go to school and read and write according to the instructions of his teachers. Such is the difference between vaidhi and spontaneous bhakti
- One cannot render bhakti to any demigod. Bhakti can be rendered only to Visnu
- One has to conquer the mind, and one may do it by following the Vedic rituals and by performing different types of sacrifice. The ultimate end of all those performances is to attain bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord
- One is going to God for asking something, and jijnasuh, jnani, is eulogized because they do not ask anything. To ask anything from God is not higher standard of bhakti
- One may be able to see the universal form of Krsna by adding a little tinge of devotional service to various activities like penance, Vedic study and philosophical speculation, etc. But without a tinge of bhakti, one cannot see. BG 1972 purports
- One may not know Sanskrit grammar, but bhakti is apratihata, unimpedable. Nothing can check the progress of bhakti. Therefore one should simply adopt this process of hearing, as recommended by Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- One may progress from one stage to another, coming from the stage of karmi or fruitive laborer, to the stage of jnani or philosopher, to the stage of yogi or meditator, but in any case one finally has to come to the platform of bhakti, or DS
- One should be very careful to defend the (bhakti) creeper by fencing it in - that is, by following the regulative principles and associating with pure devotees
- One should not think that the person who takes to bhakti is one who cannot perform the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the karma-kanda section of the Vedas or is not sufficiently educated to speculate on spiritual subjects
- One who has got bhakti, for him there is no problem for mukti, because mukti is always at her service. And dharma-artha-kama: and the material opulence to become religious or economically rich, dharma-artha-kama samaya-pratiksah, they are simply waiting
- One who takes to devotional service, even with some material motive, is considered pious, and because he has come to Krsna, he will gradually come to the stage of bhakti. Then, like Dhruva, he will refuse to accept any material benediction from the Lord
- One's sincere endeavor to perform these nine processes of devotional service is technically called bhakti. The word addha means directly
- Only bhakti. And it is the duty of the spiritual master, or mahatma, to spread bhakti cult. That is the most confidential... That is the most merciful humanitarian activity
- Other processes, such as jnana and yoga, can be successful only when mixed with bhakti. When we speak of jnana-yoga, karma-yoga and dhyana-yoga the word yoga indicates bhakti
- Our bhakti process, bhakti-yoga process is hearing. The more you give aural reception to the transcendental message, more you become expert. You haven't got to become a Ph.D. or very learned fellow, or very scholar
- Our Krsna consciousness movement is directly giving this bhakti platform, by the mercy of Krsna, in the form of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is distributing Krsna immediately, because in this age people are so fallen
- Our natural position is to provide enjoyment for Krsna. In the spiritual world, for example, Krsna enjoys, and the gopis, the transcendental cowherd girls, supply the ingredients for Krsna's enjoyment. This is bhakti
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- People have bhakti for their family, country, Goddess Durga, other demigods and so on. However, that kind of bhakti will not do. Therefore it is said, bhaktir bhagavati. Bhakti must be rendered unto the Supreme
- Pious and impious activities can bring about material happiness and distress, but there is no possibility of one's becoming a pure devotee simply by acting piously or impiously. Bhakti, devotional service, means satisfying Krsna
- Practically there are three processes for elevating one to the platform of spiritual consciousness. These processes are called karma, jnana and bhakti
- Prahlada Maharaja, being very exalted devotee, he could appease the Lord. Bhaktya, by bhakti, you can control the Supreme Lord. That is the only way
- Pure bhakti does not depend on karma, jnana or yoga, for it simply consists of loving affairs
- Pure bhakti, however, is anyabhilasita-sunya; in other words, it is free from material desires, which result from karma and jnana
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- Radharani, the symbol of the topmost bhakti, is so powerful that She has purchased Krsna. Therefore Vaisnavas take shelter of the lotus feet of Radharani, for if She recommends, "Oh, here is a nice devotee," Krsna must accept him
- Real dharma means bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord. The Sudarsana cakra is here (in SB 9.5.6) addressed as dharma-setave, the protector of dharma
- Real ingredient is bhakti (devotion)
- Real self realization means to understand that you are the eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and perfection is to develop love or bhakti, loving service in relationship with that Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Ritualistic performances are in the field of karma. Speculative processes are in the field of jnana. One who has taken to bhakti, the devotional service of the Lord, need have nothing to do with karma or jnana
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- Sanatana Gosvami was a great devotee of the Lord, and he was directly instructed to spread the cult of bhakti by writing many books
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya continues to explain the distinction between mukti-pada and bhakti-pada in the following verses - CC Madhya 6.264-265
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, "I even hate to utter the word mukti. However, I am very enthusiastic to speak of bhakti." Lord Caitanya laughed very loudly at this and embraced Bhattacarya with great love
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, "I prefer bhakti to mukti. Although according to You there are two meanings to the word mukti, still, because this word is equivocal, when one hears the word mukti, he immediately thinks of becoming one with the Supreme"
- Sentimental bhakti is also there, because the acceptance of Krsna is there. Therefore there is some value. But real bhakti, Sri Jiva Gosvami has commented that bhakti based on understanding of Vedanta-sutra is perfect
- Simply by bhakti, devotional service, one can become liberated from all contamination. That's a fact, especially in this age. Otherwise why the Europeans and Americans, they will join this movement and chant if there is no effective measure? Why?
- Simply by cultivating knowledge as the impersonalists do, one cannot get out of the clutches of maya. One must attain the platform of bhakti
- Simply realizing that one is spirit soul is not sufficient. One has to engage in spiritual activity, and that spiritual activity is bhakti
- Simply to come to our normal condition. That is the definition of bhakti also. Real mukti means to be situated in bhakti. That is mukti. Mukti . . . Simply to understand that "I am Brahman," that is not mukti
- Since bhakti is unconditional (ahaituky apratihata), Prahlada Maharaja was never disturbed by the chastisements of Hiranyakasipu
- Since bhakti, devotional service, is not ordinary, Pariksit Maharaja was astonished that an asura could rise to the exalted position of a devotee
- Since the Lord is very kind to everyone, the impersonalists, who accept bhakti as the means of merging in the existence of the Lord in His impersonal brahma-jyotir, are also awarded their desired destination
- Society must be divided in the material stage of this brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. And gradually, everyone should be educated to become brahmana. Athato brahma jijnasa. Brahma-bhutah. Then he will understand what is bhakti
- Some unnecessary creepers growing with the bhakti creeper are the creepers of behavior unacceptable for those trying to attain perfection, diplomatic behavior, animal-killing, mundane profiteering, mundane adoration and mundane importance
- Somebody is saying that in the Bhagavad-gita there is karma only recommended. Somebody says jnana. Somebody says yoga. Somebody says bhakti. But actually Bhagavad-gita is meant for bhaktas
- Sometimes it is argued that karma and jnana require a mixture of bhakti in order to be successfully executed, and sometimes it is argued that bhakti also requires karma and jnana for its successful termination
- Sometimes men with a poor fund of knowledge maintain that bhakti can be applied to material things also. In other words, they say that devotional service can be rendered to one's country or to the demigods, but this is not a fact
- Sometimes people say that bhakti, devotional service is for less intelligent class of men. No. It is the one who has become highly intelligent, he can take to Krsna consciousness
- Sravanam kirtanam (SB 7.5.23), hearing and chanting, are the beginning of bhakti, devotional service. Therefore it is said: tani me sraddadhanasya kirtanyany anukirtaya. The word anukirtaya means to follow the parampara system
- Sri Advaita Acarya is one of the important trunks of the bhakti-kalpataru, or desire tree of devotional service. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as a gardener, poured water on the root of the bhakti tree and thus nourished all its trunks and branches
- Sri, pusti, gir, kanti, kirti, tusti, ila, jaya, vidyavidya, maya, samvit, sandhini, hladini, bhakti, murti, vimala, yoga, prahvi, isana, anugraha, etc. All these energies act in different spheres of the Lord's supremacy
- Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana, a great scholar and acarya in the line of the mat-parah, remarks - mad-bhakti-prabhavena sarvendriya-vijaya-purvika svatma drstih sulabheti bhavah. BG 1972 purports
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say that asking God for mukti or anything else other than bhakti is like going to a rich man and asking for ashes
- Srila Rupa Gosvami has also mentioned in this definition of bhakti the word jnana-karmadi. This karmadi (fruitive work) consists of activities which are unable to help one attain to pure devotional service
- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes the word bhakti by saying premaivoktah. Kah anyah arthah asya: in the presence of bhakti, what is the necessity of liberation
- Srila Vyasadeva had written the karma-kanda and jnana-kanda sections of the Vedas, but he had not written about upasana-kanda, or bhakti. Thus his spiritual master, Narada, chastised him
- Such a proposition - yata mata, tata patha - is foolish. Krsna says, bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah - Only by executing the activities of bhakti can one understand Me - This is called anukulyena krsnanusilanam, remaining engaged favorably in the service of God
- Sukadeva Gosvami declares: kecit kevalaya bhaktya: (SB 6.1.15) "One who is extremely fortunate takes to the process of pure devotional service." Kevala bhakti refers to pure unalloyed devotional service in which there is no desire but to please Krsna
- Surrender unto the supreme form is the result of bhakti. This bhakti, or understanding of one's own position, is the complete liberation
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- Tattvatah, Krsna as He is, cannot be understood by the other methods, namely by mental speculation or mystic yogic exercises. Krsna cannot be understood in that way. If we want to understand Krsna, then we have to accept the Krsna method, bhakti method
- That sort of bhakti is not the perfectional stage. The perfectional stage of bhakti, or devotional service, is completely free from material contamination. The most dangerous aspect of contamination is lust, or sex life
- The abhasa feature of bhakti is compared to twilight, and the accumulation of one's sins is compared to fog. Since fog does not spread throughout the sky, the sun need do no more than merely manifest its first rays, and the fog immediately disappears
- The ability to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead or to see Him or talk with Him depends on one's advancement in devotional service, which is called bhakti
- The activities of bhakti, devotional service, are directly under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The authorized description of bhakti, or devotional service, following in the footsteps of previous acaryas, can be summarized in the following statement by Srila Rupa Gosvami
- The bhakta, he does not desire anything. Therefore peacefulness is for him, because he does not desire anything. He does not ask God anything. That is sunyam. Anyabhilasita-sunyam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11) - no motive
- The bhakti cult is sublime for the pure devotees who are serious about getting in contact with the Supreme Lord, and it is easy for the neophytes who are just on the threshold of the house of bhakti
- The bhakti line is so nice that if you take to bhakti line, automatically you'll be designationless. Now you have to decide whether you want to keep designation or become free from designation
- The bhakti process, as performed under the regulative principles of vaidhi-bhakti, or devotional service following the prescribed rules and regulations, is defined by the revealed scriptures and confirmed by great acaryas
- The body is not eternal; therefore these activities also not eternal. Then what is my real activity, eternal activity?" That is Krsna consciousness, bhakti
- The common religion of all classes of human beings, regardless of whosoever and whatsoever one may be, is devotional service
- The conclusion of bhakti
- The conjugal love of the gopis is the most exalted devotional service, surpassing all other methods of bhakti. Therefore Lord Krsna is obliged to say, 'My dear gopis, I cannot repay you. Indeed, I am always indebted to you'
- The creeper (of bhakti) is so strong that it penetrates the covering of the universe and reaches the spiritual world and continues to grow on and on until it reaches and takes shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna
- The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti-yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. BG 1972 purports
- The definition of bhakti given in the Narada Pancaratra is - freedom from designation
- The desire to satisfy the material senses will automatically diminish, and the senses will become so purified that they will be able to engage in bhakti - devotional service to the Lord
- The directions given by the bhakti-sastra point one in the perfect direction because the Supreme Personality of Godhead says in Bhagavad-gita, bhaktya mam abhijanati: (BG 18.55) "Only by devotional service am I to be known
- The fact is, that although karma and jnana cannot be successful without bhakti, bhakti does not require the help of karma and jnana
- The first requirement is that one should have sufficient faith that the only process for attaining love of Godhead is bhakti, devotional service to the Lord
- The first-class materialists (the Mayavadis) imagine five specific forms of the Lord, but when they try to equate the worship of such imaginary forms with bhakti, they are immediately condemned
- The four Kumaras inaugurated their own spiritual party, or sampradaya, known as the Kumara-sampradaya, or later on as the Nimbarka-sampradaya, for the advancement of bhakti
- The Gosvamis say, "Without any reference to these all Vedic literatures, any kind of devotional service is simply disturbance." Pancaratri-vidhim vina aikantiki harer bhaktir upatayaiva kalpate. Utpat, disturbance
- The idea is to enter into the para bhakti, the transcendental devotional service of the Supreme Lord. To attain this, one must analyze ones existence, but when one is actually engaged in devotional service, he should not bother seeking out knowledge
- The jnanis & the yogis, by their endeavor, they are trying to get out of this entanglement, but the devotees, simply by engaging himself in the vasudeva-bhakti, vasudeva-parayana, simply by bhakti they come out of the entanglement without any difficulty
- The karma-kanda portion stresses the execution of fruitive activities. But ultimately it is advised that one abandon both karma-kanda and jnana-kanda (speculative knowledge) and accept only upasana-kanda, or bhakti-kanda
- The less intelligent misunderstand the bhakti path and therefore allege that it is for one who cannot execute ritualistic ceremonies or speculate
- The Lord is complete in Himself, and He does not need anything from us. However, if we offer Him a little water, a flower and a tulasi leaf, He will accept them. Bhakti, devotional service, is the main way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The Lord never says that one can understand Him by performing mystic yoga or by philosophically speculating. Bhakti is above all such material attempts
- The most learned scholars, such as the Gosvamis, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramanujacarya are the actual followers of the bhakti path. Regardless of whether or not one is educated or aristocratic, one must follow in their footsteps
- The neophyte devotee must be protected by being surrounded by pure devotees. In this way he will not give the maddened elephant a chance to uproot his bhakti creeper
- The only insurance is to come to the stage of bhakti, from which one is sure not to fall. Then one is free from the activities of the material world
- The only process for keeping yourself aloof from the touch of maya is bhakti. Is bhakti. That is the conclusion of all sastras. Without taking to the process of bhakti, you cannot get out of the influence of maya
- The other class of jnanis, whose jnana is mixed with bhakti, are also of two kinds - those who are devoted to the so-called false form of the SPG and those who understand the SPG as sac-cid-ananda-vigraha (Bs. 5.1), the actual spiritual form
- The path of bhakti is not at all difficult if we follow in the footsteps of previous acaryas and authorities, but those who are too materially contaminated by the modes of material nature cannot follow them
- The path of knowledge or that of mystic gymnastics may be adopted as a means for the purpose, but unless mixed with bhakti, or devotional service, they are unable to award the desired result
- The perfection of such processes (jnana, yoga and bhakti) can lead one to the desired goal of life in spiritual value, but that does not mean that one can attain a perfection equal to the Lord's by such endeavors. The Lord is the Lord at every stage
- The process of bhakti is understood by the paramahamsa, one who has accepted the essence of everything. The results of bhakti are reserved for such a paramahamsa, and this stage cannot be obtained by any Vedic process other than devotional service
- 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 real fact is that bhakti can be applied only to Lord Visnu and His expansions
- The real necessity is bhakti. Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. This is real necessity - bhaktya. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas ca... (BG 18.55). Therefore we have to develop our bhakti, love for Krsna
- The real religious principle is devotional service, or bhakti. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, where Lord Krsna says, "Give up all other religious principles and simply surrender unto Me"
- The regulative principles are called vidhi-bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, and they can be practiced by a neophyte with his present senses. Such regulative principles are mainly based on hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord
- The root of our material enjoyment cannot be taken away, cannot be uprooted. The first process is called karma, and the second process is called jnana, and the next, it is suggested, bhakti
- The rtvijah, the priests at the sacrifice, knew very well the distinction between karma and bhakti, and because they considered themselves under the influence of karma, fruitive activity, they begged the Lord's pardon
- The sankhya-yoga propounded herein is actually bhakti. It is stated here that the proper way to receive this knowledge is by disciplic succession, not by philosophical speculation
- The sankirtana movement is important, for regardless of whether one is a sudra, vaisya, mleccha, yavana or whatever, if one associates with a pure devotee, follows his instructions and serves the pure devotee, his life is successful. This is bhakti
- The second stage is called raga-bhakti, in which the mature devotee automatically takes to the various services of the Lord out of sincere attachment
- The senses have no value without Krsna, and therefore the natural conclusion is that the senses belong to Krsna. Therefore, since I have these senses, why not use them for Krsna's satisfaction? This is bhakti
- The service mood is going on everywhere. But the highest perfection of service is when we learn to serve the Supreme Absolute Lord. That is called bhakti
- The so-called empiric philosophers sometimes think that the path of bhakti is meant for the less intelligent, but unless the so-called man of knowledge comes to the platform of bhakti, his knowledge is certainly impure and imperfect
- The so-called path of bhakti practiced by unauthorized persons without knowledge of bhakti may be easy, but when it is practiced factually according to the rules & regulations, the speculative scholars & philosophers fall away from the path. BG 1972 pur
- The so-called path of bhakti practiced by unauthorized persons without knowledge of bhakti may be easy, but when it is practiced factually according to the rules and regulations, the speculative scholars and philosophers fall away from the path
- The so-called Vedantist, therefore, cannot enter into the existence of the Lord without being trained in the matter of bhakti-vedanta, or Vedanta plus bhakti
- The Supreme Lord advises in Bhagavad-gita (BG 9.27): O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me. This is bhakti
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be understood by any means except bhakti. The Lord confirms this in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 11.14.21). Bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah: "only by executing devotional service can one appreciate Me
- The Supreme Truth can be approached or understood by the supreme method, as declared by the Supreme Truth: bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah (BG 18.55). Bhakti, devotional service, is the only way to understand the Absolute Truth
- The very sound of the word 'mukti' immediately induces hate and fear, but when we say the word 'bhakti,' we naturally feel transcendental bliss within the mind
- The whole purpose of practicing yoga is to control the mind, control the mind. Now, here Patanjali system, that unless you, I mean, conduct devotional service of Lord, or bhakti, there is no success of yoga
- The word bhakti can be used in ten different ways. Out of these ten, there is sadhana-bhakti, or occupational devotional service. The other nine are called prema-bhakti, love of Godhead
- The words 'urukrama,' 'bhakti,' 'ahaituki' and 'kurvanti' are added to the word 'eva' again and again. Thus another meaning is explained
- The words bhaktya sruta-grhitaya in this verse (CC Adi 7.102) are very important, for they indicate that bhakti must be based upon the philosophy of the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutra
- The working devotee must always be mindful so that the (bhakti) creeper which has so grown will not be cut off. Therefore he should be mindful of the following considerations...
- The yoga system is a mechanical arrangement. But the bhakti system is above the machine, above this mechanical arrangement. Therefore it is called tad-vijnana
- The yogic process is a material attempt to realize God, whereas bhakti, devotional service, is the spiritual process by which to realize Him. Maharaja Khatvanga accepted the spiritual path, and therefore he was no longer interested in anything material
- Then as soon as relationship (sambandha) is understood, then our real activity begins. That real activities is called bhakti, and the material activities, which is not bhakti, that is maya
- There (in the Bhakti-sandarbha) is a discussion of the knowledge of all kinds of scripture, the establishment of the Vedic institution of varnasrama, bhakti as superior to fruitive activity, and so forth
- There (in the Bhakti-sandarbha) is also a discussion of the self’s bliss, as well as how bhakti, even imperfectly executed, enables one to attain the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- There (in the Priti-sandarbha) are also discussions of bhakti mixed with philosophical speculation, the superexcellence of the love of the gopis, the difference between opulent devotional service and loving devotional service
- There are different divisions of life, or activity. They are called karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti. Jnana means knowledge
- There are eleven senses: five senses gathering knowledge and five senses working, and mind is the center. So mind is also accepted as sense. When your purified senses are applied in the service of the master of the senses, Hrsikesa, that is called bhakti
- There are five kinds of direct asakti. Asakti means attachment. And there are seven kinds of indirect attachment. Indirect attachment is not bhakti, but direct attachment is called bhakti
- There are ten meanings for the word 'bhakti' ('devotional service'). One is sadhana-bhakti, execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles, and the other nine are varieties of prema-bhakti, ecstatic love of Godhead
- There are three processes: karma, jnana, bhakti. So yoga is within the jnana. To improve our condition there are different processes
- There are two important words in this verse (CC Madhya 8.89): bhakti (devotional service) and amrtatva (eternal life). The aim of human life is to attain the natural position of eternal life. This eternal life can be achieved only by devotional service
- There is also a book called Ujjvala-nilamani, a transcendental account of loving affairs that includes metaphor, analogy and higher bhakti sentiments
- There is always clash and frustration, which are the symptoms of nescience. But in the field of knowledge, there is devotional service to the Lord - bhakti
- There must be bhakti. And what kind of bhakti? Not sentiment, but sruta-grhitaya, taking, accepting bhakti, the devotional path, after being completely aware of the spiritual science
- These (purport of BG 6.47) are some of the means for performance of bhakti or Krsna consciousness, the highest perfectional stage of the yoga system. BG 1972 purports
- These five rasas (santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya-rasa) are fully exhibited in the spiritual world in one’s relationship with the Lord. Therefore in the spiritual world the bhakti creeper finds its resting place at the lotus feet of Krsna
- They (the mundane creepers) appear to be of the same size and the same species when they are packed together with the bhakti creeper, but in spite of this, the creepers are called upasakha
- They (the Six Gosvamis) were very, very expert in studying sastra very scrutinizingly. Why they studied so much? Because they wanted to establish sad-dharma, real type of religion, bhakti. They are quoting, therefore, from so many, nana-sastra
- They do not know what is bhakti, what is Vedanta. They do not know. Simply aspiring, all after women and money, that's all. First-class rogues
- Thinking the Absolute Truth to be without form, the Mayavadis say that the word bhakti can apply to any form of worship
- Thinking the Absolute Truth to be without form, the Mayavadis say that the word bhakti can apply to any form of worship. If this were the case, a devotee could imagine any demigod or any godly form and worship it. This, however, is not the real fact
- This (the Gopala-tapani Upanisad) Upanisad describes that bhakti is the offering of devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- This Bhagavata-dharma is not a cheating dharma. Bhagavata-dharma means in relation with the Supreme Lord. Bhagavati bhaktih. Bhakti can be applied only to Bhagavan. Bhakti means the business between Bhagavan and bhakta
- This bhakti consists of various activities (sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam (SB 7.5.23)), and to understand the Lord one must take to this path of devotional service
- This has to be purified: not to become the servant of the senses, but to become servant of the master of the senses. Then you also become master of the senses. That purificatory process is called devotional service, bhakti
- This is no use, imitation. Anusarana, not anukarana. Anukarana is dangerous. Anusarana. Sadhu-marganugamanam. This is bhakti. We shall try to follow the footsteps of big, big devotees, sadhus
- This is the distinction between bhakti and karma. Karma is sense gratification, and bhakti is satisfying the Lord. The same thing. Therefore people cannot understand what is the difference between a bhakta and a karmi
- Those who are addicted to the pursuit of empiric philosophy are also advised to act in such a way that they will realize bhakti. Karma-yoga is therefore different from ordinary karma, and jnana-yoga is different from ordinary jnana
- Those who are in love with God as His parents are elevated to the point of transcendental emotion. only those who are related with the Supreme in conjugal love can experience the highest of ecstasies. Thus there are different meanings for the word bhakti
- Three paths are enunciated in the Bhagavad-gita: karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and bhakti-yoga. Those who are too much addicted to fruitive activities are advised to perform actions which will bring them to bhakti
- To be less influenced by the material modes of life, one has to come to this platform of jnana, vairagya and bhakti; otherwise it is not possible
- To become free from maya is very easy provided one understands Krsna. And as soon as he understands Krsna, he understands his duty, that "My duty is to serve Krsna." That is called bhakti
- To bestow upon them (Nalakuvara and Manigriva) special favor, Narada Muni arranged things in such a way that after being released, they would be able to see Krsna in Vrndavana and thus revive their dormant bhakti
- To indicate the purity of bhakti, devotional service...
- To serve Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, with purified senses is called bhakti. Those who constantly engage in devotional service are situated in a transcendental state, above the material modes of nature
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- Vaidhi-bhakti, that is apprenticeship. Real bhakti, para-bhakti, that is raganuga-bhakti
- Vairagya is to be practiced, but bhakti is so strong, kecit kevalaya bhaktya, simply by bhakti, vasudeva-parayana. Vairagya immediately comes
- Vandanam, offering prayer. We also offer prayer. The other religious sect, just like the Christians, they offer prayer; the Muhammadans, they offer prayer. So prayer, offering prayer, is also one of the item of bhakti
- Vedanta means bhakti, devotional service. That is the Vaisnava philosophy. And Vedanta means, for the Sankara sampradaya, that - There is no God. I am God
- Vidhi-bhakti, or regulated devotional service by the limbs of the body (namely the eyes, the ears, the nose, the hands and the legs, as already explained), is now stressed in relation to the mind, the impetus for all activities of the limbs of the body
- Vidura was successful in approaching such a spiritual master like Maitreya, and he got the ultimate goal of life: bhakti unto Govinda. Thus there was nothing to be known further about spiritual progress
- Violence against living beings, and desire for worldly gain, worldly reception and worldly fame are all detrimental to the progress of bhakti, or Bhagavata-dharma
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- We are actually busy with dharma, artha, kama and moksa, but when we transcend these, bhakti begins
- We are very, very fallen souls. We cannot do anything. It is very, very difficult. Although at any time, as it is said before, kevalaya bhaktya. Simply by bhakti, devotional service, one can become liberated from all contamination. That's a fact
- We have to act to satisfy Krsna. That is bhakti. We cannot make our choice that, "This is good, this is bad." Whatever Krsna says is all right. Then it is bhakti
- We have to be detestful from this sense gratification. Then our spiritual life will begin. That is possible by bhakti
- We practice Bhakti-yoga strictly and since Bhakti includes all other results obtained from practicing other yogas as it is declared in the Bhagavad-gita to be the culmination of all yogas it becomes unnecessary for us to apply any other techniques
- What Krsna's service we can give? What we are? We are nothing. Insignificant. So why Krsna accepts our service? Why He comes in His arca-murti to accept our service? Just to induce you how to serve Him, bhakti. That is wanted
- What, then, is He requesting? He is asking for bhakti, devotion, because He wants us to love Him. We are suffering in this material world, entangled in the tree of material existence, moving from one branch to another, and because of this we are suffering
- When a person advances in bhakti, it is natural that many persons will come to him requesting to become disciples and will offer him some material gains
- When a pure devotee always fears material association, his real position of bhakti is manifested, and he naturally becomes uninterested in material enjoyment
- When a pure devotee is seen to possess exalted material opulence, it is not due to his karma. Rather, it is due to his bhakti. In other words, he is in that position because the Supreme Lord wants him to execute service to Him very easily and opulently
- When bhakti-yoga develops on the basis of Vedanta philosophy it is factual and steady
- When one develops an unflinching sense of ownership or possessiveness in relation to Lord Visnu, or, in other words, when one thinks Visnu and no one else to be the only object of love, such an awakening is called bhakti (devotion)
- When one is completely realized, he can rise to the platform of pure devotional service (mad-bhaktim labhate param (BG 18.54). When one comes to the platform of bhakti, devotional service, he automatically realizes who Krsna is
- When one takes to bhakti means he understands the inferior quality of karma
- When reciting this verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 10.14.8), Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya changed the original reading from mukti-pade to bhakti-pade
- When simply by hearing and chanting (about the activities of Krsna), one becomes purified. then with purified senses, one begins to render service to the Lord (hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam (CC Madhya 19.170)). Bhaktir ucyate: this is called bhakti
- When the dormant propensity for bhakti is awakened, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah
- When the mind takes to the cult of bhakti, it engages in devotional service
- When the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, one attains bhakti, or devotional service. In the next verse (SB 4.31.9) these matters will be more clearly explained
- When we are anxious how to protect a property, how to push on this movement, how people will take it, what line of action we shall take, this is also anxiety, but that anxiety is for Krsna. Therefore it is bhakti
- When we become free from the designation of this material body and we come to the pure stage of original, spiritual senses, that senses when applied to the service of the supreme master of senses, God, that is called bhakti
- When we become nirmala, in our original, pure spiritual life, then bhakti begins
- When we become transcendental to the bodily concept of life, then we come to the spiritual platform. In that platform the only one desire is how to serve Krsna. That is required: not to become desireless, but to purify the desire. That is bhakti
- When we mention bhakti, some people say, - I render bhakti to my wife. I love her very much and take care of her. If I do not see her, I become mad
- When we use our senses for sense gratification, we are in maya, illusion, but when we use our senses for the gratification of the master of the senses, that service is called bhakti
- When you add this word yoga, that means bhakti. Yoga means bhakti
- When you become spotless, then your senses are engaged in the servant of the master of the senses. That is called bhakti
- When you come to that purest form of spirit soul, you don't think that your indriyas, or senses, are lost. No. Senses are there. At that time, if you enjoy your senses in cooperation with the Supreme, that is called bhakti, or Krsna consciousness
- Whenever there is bhakti, there must be three things present - the devotee, the devotion and the Lord. Without these three - bhakta, bhakti and Bhagavan - there is no meaning to the word bhakti
- Where you have got bhakti? "Now, I have got very much bhakti to my wife. I love her very much. I take care of her. If I do not see her, I become mad." So this kind of bhakti is not explained here - SB 3.25.18
- Why are we receiving different bodies? Because we have different tendencies for sense gratification. We actually have to come to detest sense gratification before our spiritual life begins. This is made possible through bhakti
- "Why have you changed the original verse?" the Lord asked Bhattacarya. "The word is mukti, and you have changed it to bhakti"
- Without being a bhakta, a devotee of Krsna's, one cannot actually understand the science of bhakti-yoga. Understanding Bhagavad-gita means understanding Krsna. All this information is explained only in the bhakti-sampradaya, not in any other school
- Without being bhakta, nobody will understand Bhagavad-gita. It is not possible. Bhagavad-gita means to understand Krsna. So although everything is explained there, but it is on the bhakti line, not in any other line
- Without bhakti one cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The original Personality of Godhead or His innumerable expansions of Visnu are the only objects of worship by all the Vedic rituals and sacrificial performances
- Without bhakti, neither jnana-yoga nor astanga-yoga can be successful, and unless one approaches Krsna, the principles of self-realization have no ultimate destination
- Without bhakti, one cannot worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Without following the rules and regulation of these scriptures, if one poses himself as devotee of Krsna, aikantiki harer bhaktih-harer means Lord, bhakti, devotional service - he is a disturbance to the society
- Without the basic principle of bhakti, nothing can induce the Lord to agree to accept anything from anyone
- Women are generally after sense gratification. That is the disease. Chant 24 hours a day and don't dress nicely to attract men. It is better that you don't make a large program. Remain a humble program. In bhakti there is no grotesque program
- Work performed simply for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, without any desire for material benefits, is called bhakti
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- You don't become krsna-premi all of a sudden. "Now I have become krsna-premi. Let me cry." And then, after crying, "Oh, my throat is now dried up. Give me cigarette." This kind of bhakti has no value
- You may be a businessman, you may be engineer, you may be whatever you may be; it doesn't matter. But bhakti must be added there. Then you are successful. If you are devoid of bhakti, then it is useless, waste of time. That is the verdict of the sastra
- You may want Krsna as your lover, or as your son; Krsna as your friend, Krsna as your master, Krsna as the Supreme Sublime. These five different kinds of direct relationships with Krsna are called devotion, or bhakti. They entail no material profit
- You must give him some engagement, better engagement, so that he will not commit any more mischief. So bhakti is a service, activity. If he is not engaged in activity, then he will become again a rascal