Prabhupāda: We do not say that we do not believe in the demigods. No, we believe in. But they are servants. That's all. We cannot make the servant and the master on the equal footing. That is all. We worship Durgā, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni vibharti durgā (Bs. 5.44). Now, what is the function? Icchānurūpam api yasya ca ceṣṭate sā govindam ādi... She is acting by the desire of the Supreme Lord, Govinda.
Guru dāsa: Better than we are and should be worshiped.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Guru dāsa: Better devotee than we are and should be worshiped.
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: As a devotee.
Prabhupāda: Yes, she's a devotee. Just like we say "prabhu." Prabhu means your master. So "Because you are devotee, we accept you as master." Master means "I am ready to serve you because you are devotee. I am your servant." Dāsa-dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ (CC Madhya 13.80). "Because you are devotee, I am prepared to serve you. Otherwise not."
Cyavana: Do the demigods sometimes forget their positions?
Prabhupāda: Why you are serving me? If I had been an ordinary person, why...? You would have not.... Because you accept that "You are devotee," therefore you serve. So as soon as we find a devotee, immediately serve him. Chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā, nistāra pāyeche kebā. Without serving a devotee, who can be elevated? It is our duty. So we can serve the devotee.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda? Why is...
Prabhupāda: Prahlāda Mahārāja was offered, "Whatever you like, you take." He said, "No, no, I don't want anything. Please engage me in the service of Your servant." He rejected everything. He simply said, nīja-dāsya-yogam: "Kindly engage me in the service of Your servant." That is wanted.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, Prahlāda Mahārāja...
Prabhupāda: He did not want even direct service. "Engage me in Your service," he did not say.
Guru dāsa: No.
Prabhupāda: He said, "Engage me in Your servant's service."
Guru dāsa: So if we see people in the world as potential devotees, we should also serve them so they can become good devotees.
Prabhupāda: That is not service. That is mercy. One who is potential devotee, to show him mercy, develop him to become a devotee, that is mercy. That is not service. Service can be rendered to the higher person. And to the lower person you can show your mercy.
Guru dāsa: Oh, that's a good distinction.
Hari-śauri: That's said in Upadeśāmṛta...
Prabhupāda: Yes. One who is lower than you, he requires your mercy. You give him mercy. And who is higher than you, you give him service. Not that Vivekananda did, that everyone service. No, service to the higher person. And to the lower person? Mercy.