Executing devotional service

Expressions researched:
"execute devotional service" |"executing devotional service" |"execution of devotional service" |"executes devotional service"

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is

BG 4.10 Purport: By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization

BG 6.20-23 Purport: This natural transcendental pleasure is the ultimate goal of yoga and is easily achieved by execution of devotional service, or bhakti-yoga.

BG 7.17 Purport: But in the preparatory stage, the man who is in full knowledge of the Supreme Lord and is at the same time executing devotional service is very dear to the Lord.

BG 7.19 Purport: The living entity, while executing devotional service or transcendental rituals after many, many births.

BG 9.2 Purport: It is said that the execution of devotional service is so perfect that one can perceive the results directly.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

SB Cantos 1 - 3

SB 1.6.37 Purport: Without freedom there is no execution of devotional service.

SB 1.11.19 Purport: By tricks of chance one may be obliged to adopt a profession which is not very adorable in society, but that does not hamper one in executing devotional service to the Lord.

SB 1.15.47-48 Purport: The Bhagavad-gītā (14.26) also affirms this statement of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī when the Lord says that anyone who executes devotional service systematically without deviation can attain the perfection of Brahman by surpassing the contamination of the three modes of material natureand when the Brahman perfection is still more advanced by the selfsame execution of devotional service, there is no doubt at all that one can attain the supreme spiritual planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana, without change of body

SB 2.1.11 Purport: This process is recommended not only for the successful execution of devotional service, but also even for those who are materially attached.

SB 2.9.7 Purport: One should engage himself in the discharge of tapasya in the execution of devotional service.

Canto 3: The Status Quo: Kapila's Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service

SB 3.7.14 Purport: The two stages of executing devotional service are, first, the stage of practicing devotional service with our present senses under the regulations of the recognized scriptures and, second, attaining sincere attachment for serving the particles of the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord.

SB 3.9.30 Purport: But His mercy is received due to our penance and perseverance in executing devotional service.

SB 3.21.18 Purport: In Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that a little execution of devotional service saves one from the greatest danger.

SB 3.24.45 Purport: If one has any identification with material things and executes devotional service for attainment of some material gain, that is viddhā bhakti, contaminated bhakti.

SB 3.27.7 Translation: In executing devotional service, one has to see every living entity equally, without enmity towards anyone yet without intimate connections with anyone. SB 3.27.7 Purport: A devotee is concerned with his execution of devotional service, and he should therefore mix with devotees only, in order to advance his objective.

SB 3.28: Kapila's Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service: Kapila's Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service

SB 3.28.26 Purport: There are nine processes for executing devotional service, of which smaraṇam, or meditation, is one.

SB 3.29.16 Purport: One should not give up the execution of devotional service because one or two attempts have not been successful.

SB 3.29.32 Purport: Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.

SB 3.29.32 Purport: The position of an ācārya is that he executes devotional service with no desire for elevation to a higher position of life.

SB 3.31.47 Purport: We should spend our time executing devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

SB 3.32.26 Purport: Even if one wants to be elevated to higher planets, can be achieved simply by execution of devotional service.

SB 3.32.33 Purport: It appears that by following the path of jñāna-yoga, or empiric philosophical speculation, one reaches the impersonal Brahman, whereas by executing devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness one enriches his faith in and devotion to the Personality of Godhead.

SB 3.32.34-36 Purport: With the execution of devotional service, real knowledge develops, and one becomes detached from all material activities.

SB 3.33.26 Purport: By executing devotional service, therefore, one automatically becomes an expert jñānī and an expert yogī.

SB Cantos 4- 6

SB 4.8.72 Purport: We should also be determined to finish our duties in executing devotional service in this life; we should not wait for another life to finish our job.

SB 4.8.81 Purport: Dhruva Mahārāja's influence, attained by executing devotional service unto the Lord, was felt even by the demigods, who had never before experienced such a situation.

SB 4.9.32 Purport: The Lord is so merciful that due to Dhruva's execution of devotional service He offered Dhruva the ultimate Vaiṣṇava goal.

SB 4.12.25 Purport: But a devotee, by executing devotional service, not only realizes what the spiritual world actually is, but factually goes there to live an eternal life of bliss and knowledge.

SB 4.12.33 Purport: This incident proves that the śikṣā- or dīkṣā-guru who has a disciple who strongly executes devotional service like Dhruva Mahārāja can be carried by the disciple even though the instructor is not as advanced.

SB 4.12.34 Purport: The benefit will be that if her son becomes a strong devotee like Dhruva, certainly not only will he be transferred back home, back to Godhead, but she will also be transferred with him to the spiritual world, even though she may be unable to undergo austerities and penances in executing devotional service.

SB 4.13.8-9 Purport: All dirty things are immediately burned to ashes if one simply executes devotional service.

SB 4.21.52 Purport: There is no other means for elevating one from the lowest stage of life to the highest stage but the execution of devotional service

SB 4.22.24 Purport: He should accept only so much as he needs to keep the material body fit for the execution of devotional service.

SB 4.23.18 Purport: Because he appeared on this earth as an ideal king and because it is the duty of the king to instruct the citizens in the execution of devotional service, he followed all the regulative principles of devotional service in order to teach others.

SB 4.23.28 Purport: The position of all nondevotees, who are not interested in going back to Godhead, is very much lamentable, for the human form of life is meant for executing devotional service and nothing else.

SB 4.23.31 Purport: In the execution of devotional service, śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ [SB 7.5.23] is especially stressed.

SB 4.23.32 Purport: Whether one is without desire (akāma) or with desire (sakāma), or whether one desires liberation (mokṣa-kāma), he is advised to worship the Supreme Lord and execute devotional service unto Him.

SB 4.24.36 Purport: In order to execute devotional service, one has to fix his mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa

SB 4.24.36 Purport: The mind has to be engaged in meditation on the lotus feet of the Lord in order to execute devotional service.

SB 4.24.37 Purport: Just as heat is the source of material energy, the inspiration of Lord Aniruddha is the energy by which one can engage in executing devotional service.

SB 4.24.56 Purport: Even if a devotee cannot completely execute devotional service, in his next life he begins from the point where he left off.

SB 4.24.59 Purport: The pure heart of a devotee is never disturbed when he executes devotional service in the form of hearing, chanting, remembering, etc. In all, there are nine processes one can follow in the execution of devotional service.

SB 4.24.69 Purport: Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, American, Englishman, Indian, etc., one can execute devotional service anywhere and everywhere in the material existence simply by offering prayers unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB 4.24.69 Purport: Although one may be situated in a lowly position, he can execute devotional service under any circumstance

SB 4.28.30 Purport: The neophyte is advised to execute devotional service in the seven other fields (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, etc.).

SB 4.28.33 Purport: By executing devotional service, he begot many sons and disciples for propagating the bhakti cult (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ [SB 7.5.23])

SB 4.28.33 Purport: nirjana-bhajana.This means sitting silently in a solitary place and executing devotional service.

SB 4.29.76-77 Purport: This great Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the greatest boon to human society because it is teaching everyone to think always of Kṛṣṇa by executing devotional service.

SB 5.1.2 Purport: In Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu it is said that by executing devotional service to the Lord, one can understand the transcendental position of the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB 5.1.2 Purport: Bhaktyāham ekayā grāhyaḥ: "only by executing devotional service can one appreciate Me."

SB 5.5.14 Purport: The unflinching execution of devotional service is in itself brahma-bhūta [SB 4.30.20].

SB 5.5.32 Purport: A person can stay in one place and execute devotional service suitably according to time and circumstance.

SB 5.8.29 Purport: Due to his stringent execution of devotional service, Mahārāja Bharata could remember the activities of his past life and how he was raised to the spiritual platform.

SB 5.8.29 Purport: Due to his stringent execution of devotional service, Mahārāja Bharata could remember the activities of his past life and how he was raised to the spiritual platform.

SB 5.8.29 Purport: Only the human form is able to execute devotional service, but if we voluntarily give this up for sense gratification, we certainly have to be punished.

SB 5.8.31 Purport: Holy places like Vṛndāvana, Hardwar, Prayāga and Jagannātha Purī are especially meant for the execution of devotional service.

SB 5.9.6 Purport: Jaḍa Bharata was simply concerned with returning home, back to Godhead, by executing devotional service through śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ [SB 7.5.23].

SB 5.14.41 Purport: However, if by Kṛṣṇa's grace one is fortunate enough to come under the shelter of the guru, by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa he receives lessons on how to execute devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

SB 5.17.2 Purport: Dhruva Mahārāja, the famous son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, is known as the most exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord because of his firm determination in executing devotional service.

SB 5.17.11 Purport: Among all the living entities wandering throughout the universe, one who is most fortunate comes in contact with a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus gets the opportunity to execute devotional service.

SB 5.18.4 Purport: Everyone should very cautiously execute devotional service by rigidly following regulative principles.

SB 5.18.10 Purport: Of course, as long as one is in this material world, one must have a material body, and it must be maintained for executing devotional service.

SB 5.18.21 Purport: By executing devotional service in that way, he gradually becomes attached to Kṛṣṇa, and when his original dormant love for the Lord becomes manifest, he spontaneously serves the Lord without any motive.

SB 5.19.21 Translation: We demigods can only aspire to achieve human births in Bhārata-varṣa to execute devotional service, but these human beings are already engaged there.

SB 5.19.21 Purport: There are many facilities in India, Bhārata-varṣa, for executing devotional service.

SB 5.19.25 Translation: Bhārata-varṣa offers the proper land and circumstances in which to execute devotional service, which can free one from the results of jñāna and karma.

SB 5.19.25 Purport: In Bhārata-varṣa one has the opportunity to visit many holy places, especially Lord Caitanya's birthsite and Lord Kṛṣṇa's birthsite-Navadvīpa and Vṛndāvana—where there are many pure devotees who have no desire other than to execute devotional service (anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam [Cc. Madhya 19.167])

SB 6.1.1 Purport: Unless one is a pure devotee who does not care about going to the higher planetary systems, in which case one immediately returns home, back to Godhead, by executing devotional service (tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]).

SB 6.3.22 Purport: One can come to this understanding of the Lord, how He descends into the material world, how He takes His births and what activities He performs, but one can know this only by executing devotional service.

SB 6.16.29 Purport: As a result of rigid execution of devotional service, a devotee receives all material opulences if these are required; otherwise, the devotee is not interested in material opulences, nor does the Supreme Lord award them.

SB 6.16.29 Purport: Thus Mahārāja Citraketu remained in material opulence as a vidyādhara-pati, master of the Vidyādharas, and by executing devotional service he became perfect within a very few days and returned home, back to Godhead, taking shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Śeṣa, Ananta.

SB 6.19.18 Purport: Then even if the wife, being weaker, is unable to execute devotional service with her husband, if she is chaste and sincere she shares half of her husband's activities.

SB Cantos 7 - 10.13

SB 7.1.26 Purport: The stress is given to the favorable execution of devotional service, not purposeful blasphemy of the Lord.

SB 7.5.23-24 Purport: To execute devotional service, one should always engage in hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa, or Lord Viṣṇu.

SB 7.5.23-24 Purport: The nine different processes enunciated by Prahlāda Mahārāja, who learned them from Nārada Muni, may not all be required for the execution of devotional service

SB 7.5.37 Purport: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has instructed all devotees of the Lord to be humbler than the grass and more tolerant than trees; otherwise there will always be disturbances to their execution of devotional service.

SB 7.9.49 Purport: When one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead by executing devotional service, one ceases the practice of studying the Vedic literature.

SB 7.10.13 Purport: There are two classes of devotees—the sādhana-siddha and the nitya-siddha. Prahlāda Mahārāja is a mixed siddha; that is, he is perfect partly because of executing devotional service and partly because of eternal perfection.

SB 7.11.4 Translation: No one is superior to you in peaceful life and mercy, and no one knows better than you how to execute devotional service or how to become the best of the brāhmaṇas.

SB 7.13.22 Purport: The words bhaktyā kevalayā indicate that simply by executing devotional service one can become full of all knowledge.

SB 8.6.12 Purport: One should take ample milk, and thus one can prolong one's life, develop his brain, execute devotional service, and ultimately attain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB 8.6.12 Purport: The people of this age are inclined toward industrial enterprises for comfortable living, but they refuse to endeavor to execute devotional service, by which they can achieve the ultimate goal of life by returning home, back to Godhead.

SB 8.6.14 Purport: Our duty, therefore, is to execute devotional service sincerely, under the direction of the spiritual master.

SB 8.22.28 Purport: A devotee is sometimes put into adversity while executing devotional service.

SB 9.4.18-20 Purport: In Bhagavad-gītā (7.1) the Lord recommends, mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. This indicates that one must execute devotional service under the guidance of a devotee or directly under the guidance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB 10.1.23 Purport: Thus a pure devotee, even if unable to execute devotional service completely, is transferred to the upper planetary system, where pious people reside.

SB 10.1.25 Purport: But when the conditioned soul becomes liberated by executing devotional service, he is given a greater and greater chance to relish a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead

SB 10.1.28 Purport: Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead, after giving up his body.

SB 10.1. Additional Notes for this Chapter Purport: Materialistic persons want some material profit from executing devotional service, but this is not the purpose of service.

SB 10.11.27 Purport: A devotee desires only that he may execute devotional service undisturbed.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta

CC Ādi-līlā

CC Adi Introduction: The great devotees, however, sometimes treat God as a son in their execution of devotional service.

CC Adi 1.60 Purport: Then, as he associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life, his misgivings and other obstacles are vanquished by his execution of devotional service.

CC Adi 3.111 Purport: If by studying the form, name, qualities, pastimes and paraphernalia of the Supreme Godhead one is attracted to the Lord, he can execute devotional service, and the form of the Lord will be impressed in his heart and remain transcendentally situated there.

CC Adi 4.30 Purport: But by executing devotional service under the regulative principles, one can become very highly elevated and then begin to appreciate the dealings of pure love under the management of yogamāyā.

CC Adi 7.142 Purport: Here it is said that persons who think themselves liberated but do not execute devotional service, not knowing their relationship with the Lord, are certainly misled.

CC Adi 8.5 Purport: In Vaiṣṇava philosophy there are three ways for perfection—namely sādhana-siddha, perfection attained by executing devotional service according to the rules and regulations

CC Adi 8.19 Purport: While executing devotional service, one must be naturally inclined to serve Kṛṣṇa in one of these transcendental relationships.

CC Adi 10.85 Purport: The sahajiyās level three accusations against Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī. This is certainly not congenial for the execution of devotional service.

CC Adi 10.100 Purport: Following in the footsteps of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī, one has to execute devotional service very strictly, specifically by chanting the holy name of the Lord.

CC Adi 13.39 Purport: He instructed the entire world how one can execute devotional service and thus go back home, back to Godhead, in due course of time.

CC Madhya-līlā

CC Madhya 1.41 Purport: The general principles of devotional service, the execution of devotional service, ecstasy in devotional service and ultimately the attainment of love of Godhead are described.

CC Madhya 1.41 Purport: These are known as mukhya-bhakti-rasa-nirūpaṇa, or attainment of the chief humors or feelings in the execution of devotional service.

CC Madhya 6.178 Purport: After studying the Vedas, one must then execute devotional service by thinking always of the Supreme Lord (man-manā), becoming His devotee, worshiping Him and always offering Him obeisances.

CC Madhya 6.179 Purport: A devotee has his relationship only with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and his only occupational duty is to execute devotional service to satisfy the Lord.

CC Madhya 6.179 Purport: When the devotee executes devotional service properly, he attains the highest perfection of life—love of Godhead: sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje [SB 1.2.6].

CC Madhya 6.241 Translation: Then the Bhaṭṭācārya asked Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Which item is most important in the execution of devotional service?” The Lord replied that the most important item was the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

CC Madhya 8.60 Purport: Naturally Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was asking Rāmānanda Rāya about the execution of devotional service.

CC Madhya 10.114 Purport: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that if something impedes the execution of devotional service, it should be understood to be impure.

CC Madhya 17.95 Purport: There are three kinds of devotees: those who are eternally on the transcendental platform (nitya-siddha), those who have been elevated to the transcendental platform by the execution of devotional service (sādhana-siddha), and those who are neophytes advancing toward the perfectional platform (sādhaka).

CC Madhya 22.104 Translation: “My dear Sanātana, please now hear about the regulative principles for the execution of devotional service. By this process, one can attain the highest perfection of love of Godhead, which is the most desirable treasure.

CC Madhya 22.109 Translation: Synonyms -bhaje—execute devotional service- “Those who have not attained the platform of spontaneous attachment in devotional service render devotional service under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master according to the regulative principles mentioned in the revealed scriptures. According to the revealed scriptures, this kind of devotional service is called vaidhī bhakti.

CC Madhya 22.129 Translation: Synonyms -sakala-sādhana—of all items for executing devotional service- “These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a slight performance of these five awakens love for Kṛṣṇa.

CC Madhya 22.166 Translation: “That by which one can attain loving service to the Lord I have described in detail as the execution of devotional service, called abhidheya.

CC Madhya 23.13 Purport: The basic principle for the execution of devotional service is faith.

CC Madhya 23.14–15 Translation: This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles.

CC Madhya 24.30 Translation: “There are ten meanings for the word ‘bhakti’ [‘devotional service’]. One is sādhana-bhakti, execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles, and the other nine are varieties of prema-bhakti, ecstatic love of Godhead.

CC Madhya 24.30 Purport: For the word sādhana-bhakti there is only one meaning, “the execution of devotional service according to regulative principles.

CC Madhya 24.79 Translation: “There are three ways to attain the lotus feet of the Absolute Truth, Kṛṣṇa. There is the process of philosophical speculation, the practice of mystic yoga and the execution of devotional service. Each of these has its different characteristics.

CC Madhya 24.136 Translation: “By opposing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one becomes conditioned and fearful due to the influence of māyā. By executing devotional service faithfully, one is liberated from māyā.

CC Madhya 24.143 Translation: “When one is actually liberated by executing devotional service, he always engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

CC Madhya 24.342 Translation: “You should recommend the avoidance of mixed Ekādaśī and the performance of pure Ekādaśī. You should also describe the fault in not observing Ekādaśī. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service.

CC Madhya 25.121 Purport: As far as different faiths are concerned, religions may be of different types, but on the spiritual platform, everyone has an equal right to execute devotional service.

CC Madhya 25.135 Translation: “This is one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now please hear about the execution of devotional service. This principle pervades each and every verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

CC Madhya 25.147 Translation: “In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is an explanation of the Brahma-gāyatrī mantra. ‘The Absolute Truth [satyaṁ param]’ indicates the relationship, and ‘we meditate [dhīmahi] on Him’ indicates the execution of devotional service and the ultimate goal of life.

CC Antya-līlā

CC Antya 1.202 Purport: A pure devotee, free from the reactions of the material modes of nature, executes devotional service with tolerance like that of a tree.

CC Antya 3.251 Purport: By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes freed from all material attachments, attains steadiness in self-realization and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.” (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.4.15)

CC Antya 3.251 Purport: If one is actually executing devotional service, then anarthas, the unwanted things associated with material enjoyment, will automatically disappear.

CC Antya 4.70 Translation: “Among the ways of executing devotional service, the nine prescribed methods are the best, for these processes have great potency to deliver Kṛṣṇa and ecstatic love for Him.

CC Antya 4.71 Purport: Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

CC Antya 4.81 Purport: First Sanātana Gosvāmī compiled the book called Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta to teach people how to become devotees, execute devotional service and attain love of Kṛṣṇa.

CC Antya 4.81 Purport: By his personal example, he taught people how to stay in Vṛndāvana to execute devotional service.

Other Books by Srila Prabhupada

Teachings of Lord Caitanya

TLC: The great devotees, however, sometimes treat God as a son in their execution of devotional service.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 1: Attainment of ecstasy is produced by execution of devotional service. When one continues the process of hearing and chanting, attachment grows and assumes the name of love of Godhead.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12: One should generally accept the following principles to properly execute devotional service: (1) take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, (2) receive initiation from the spiritual master, (3) serve the spiritual master, (4) inquire and learn love from the spiritual master,...

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 15: Those who attain self-realization by the execution of devotional service attain a transcendental body, and, being attracted to the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa, engage fully in pure devotional service.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 16: Just as some devotees are perfected by the execution of devotional service, so some of them are eternally perfect.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 21: It is the purpose of the Vedānta-sūtra to reestablish the living entity's lost relationship with the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa and to enable him to execute devotional service and ultimately achieve the highest goal of life, love of Godhead.

Nectar of Devotion Introduction: Those who are cultivating spiritual life and executing devotional service are always engaged in activity. Such activity can be performed with the body or with the mind.

Nectar of Devotion

Nectar of Devotion Introduction: Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu similarly has different waves. In the first part there are four waves, the first being a general description of devotional service. The second concerns the regulative principles for executing devotional service, and the third wave, devotional service in ecstasy. In the fourth is the ultimate goal, love of God.

Nectar of Devotion 2: Rāgānugā refers to the point at which, by following the regulative principles, one becomes a little more attached to Kṛṣṇa and executes devotional service out of natural love.

Nectar of Devotion 5: The sage Vasiṣṭha tells King Dilīpa, "My dear King, everyone has the right to execute devotional service, just as he has the right to take early bath in the month of Māgha [December-January]."

Nectar of Devotion 5: Even if, by some bad association, one falls down while executing devotional service, or if he doesn't finish the complete course of devotional service and dies untimely, still he is not at a loss.

Nectar of Devotion 8: One should begin the worship of the demigod Gaṇapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service.

Nectar of Devotion 8: There are different kinds of offenses in the matter of executing devotional service, and one should be careful to avoid them.

Nectar of Devotion 9: In the Viṣṇu-dharmottara there is a statement about touching the lotus feet of the Lord. It is said, "Only a person who is initiated as a Vaiṣṇava and is executing devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness has the right to touch the body of the Deity."

Nectar of Devotion 12: The execution of devotional service during Ūrja-vrata in the month of Kārttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathurā.

Nectar of Devotion 12: The Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kārttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathurā in India, are very easily awarded the Lord's personal service.

Nectar of Devotion 17: To clarify, in the previous chapters the symptoms of devotional service were explained along with instructions as to how we may execute devotional service with our present senses and gradually rise to the platform of ecstasy in spontaneous love.

Nectar of Devotion 17: Nārada tells Śrīla Vyāsadeva, "You have a son who is the greatest devotee of the Personality of Godhead, and I can observe that without any following of the regulative principles of devotional service, he is already enriched with many of the symptoms achieved by the execution of devotional service after many, many births."

Nectar of Devotion 17: One should execute devotional service rigidly in the association of devotees so that there will be certainty in raising oneself to that ecstatic position.

Nectar of Devotion 19: Generally, a devotee who has achieved the causeless mercy of the Lord on account of following the strict rules and regulations of devotional service becomes attracted by the supreme greatness of the Lord, by the transcendental beauty of the Lord and by the spontaneous execution of devotional service.

Nectar of Devotion 19: Generally, a devotee who has achieved the causeless mercy of the Lord on account of following the strict rules and regulations of devotional service becomes attracted by the supreme greatness of the Lord, by the transcendental beauty of the Lord and by the spontaneous execution of devotional service.

Nectar of Devotion 25: When a devotee is never tired of executing devotional service and is always engaged in Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, constantly relishing the transcendental mellows in relationship with Kṛṣṇa, he is called perfect.

Nectar of Devotion 25: There is the following nice statement in the Third Canto, Fifteenth Chapter, verse 25, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, describing a devotee who achieves perfection by regularly executing devotional service: A person who is freed from the false egotism of material existence, or an advanced mystic, is eligible to enter into the kingdom of God, known as Vaikuṇṭha.

Nectar of Devotion 31: Shall I execute devotional service from here at home? This I cannot do, because my mind is being attracted by the transcendental land of Vṛndāvana.

Nectar of Devotion 46: Any person who is always ready to satisfy Kṛṣṇa and who is always dexterous in executing devotional service is called dharma-vīra, or chivalrous in executing religious rituals.

Nectar of Devotion 51: The place of Rūpa Gosvāmī's bhajana, execution of devotional service, is commemorated still. There are two different tomblike structures in the Rādhā-Dāmodara temple; one structure is called his place of bhajana, and in the other his body is entombed.

Nectar of Instruction

Nectar of Instruction 3, Purport: The execution of devotional service is not a matter of idle meditation but practical action in the foreground of spiritual life.

Nectar of Instruction 3, Purport: The devotee thinks, avaśya rakṣibe kṛṣṇa: "Kṛṣṇa will surely protect me and give me help for the successful execution of devotional service." This is called confidence.

Nectar of Instruction 3, Purport: Sometimes a person will give up his ordinary material engagements and out of sentiment take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and thus begin the preliminary execution of devotional service. Even if such an immature devotee falls down, there is no loss on his part.

Nectar of Instruction 7, Purport: When a person is relieved from unwanted things, he becomes fixed in executing his Kṛṣṇa activities. Indeed, he becomes attached to such activities and experiences ecstasy in executing devotional service. This is called bhāva, the preliminary awakening of dormant love of Godhead.

Nectar of Instruction 10, Translation: Those who execute devotional service on the banks of Rādhā-kuṇḍa are the most fortunate people in the universe.

Nectar of Instruction 10, Purport: Everyone interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Rādhā-kuṇḍa and execute devotional service there throughout one's life. This is the conclusion of Rūpa Gosvāmī in the tenth verse of Upadeśāmṛta.

Nectar of Instruction 11, Purport: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī recommends that even if one cannot live permanently on the banks of Rādhā-kuṇḍa, he should at least take a bath in the lake as many times as possible. This is a most important item in the execution of devotional service.

Easy Journey to Other Planets

Easy Journey to Other Planets 1: There is no need for a devotee to cultivate materialistic knowledge, nor does a devotee need to renounce everything and live as a hermit. He can simply remain at home and execute devotional service smoothly in any order of life.

Easy Journey to Other Planets 1: There are instances in history of extremely cruel men becoming kindhearted simply by the execution of devotional service.

Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead

Krsna Book 3: When you were executing devotional service and always thinking of Me within your heart, I was very much pleased with you. O sinless mother, your heart is therefore always pure.

Krsna Book 16: As Lord Caitanya advised in His Śikṣāṣṭaka, one has to execute devotional service by humbly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street and not expecting honor for himself but offering all kinds of honor to others.

Krsna Book 20: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has instructed in his Upadeśāmṛta that one should execute devotional service with great enthusiasm, patience and conviction and should follow the rules and regulations, keep oneself clean from material contamination and stay in the association of devotees.

Krsna Book 33: Śukadeva Gosvāmī uses two specific words, bhaktim and parām. Bhaktiṁ parām means execution of devotional service above the neophyte stage.

Krsna Book 47: Only through execution of devotional service can one understand Kṛṣṇa. The perfectional stage of devotional service was achieved by the gopīs because they did not care to know anything but Kṛṣṇa.

Krsna Book 47: The gopīs are in the perfectional stage of meditation. Yogīs are generally more fond of meditating than of executing devotional service to the Lord, but they do not know that the perfection of the yoga system is the attainment of devotion. This constant meditation on Kṛṣṇa by the gopīs is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā to be the topmost yoga.

Krsna Book 51: You are now fit to execute devotional service. I am most pleased to see that although I offered you the opportunity to ask from Me any kind of benediction, you did not take advantage of asking for material benefits.

Krsna Book 52: In the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that pure devotees of the Lord execute devotional service with great determination. Such determination, as exhibited by Rukmiṇī-devī, is the only price for purchasing Kṛṣṇa’s favor. One should be strongly determined in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and that is the way to ultimate success.

Krsna Book 86: Your knowledge is unlimited, and to teach all people how to execute devotional service You have sent Your incarnation Nara-Nārāyaṇa, who is engaged in severe austerities and penances at Badarīnārāyaṇa.

Krsna Book 87: When one develops his relationship with Him and executes devotional service, that stage of life is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the ānanda-maya stage.

Krsna Book 88: The happiness and distress of a devotee are produced by the Personality of Godhead, and the devotee therefore does not care whether he is in happiness or in distress. He goes on with his duties in executing devotional service.

Krsna Book 89: The highest perfectional knowledge is knowledge of the Supreme Lord. He cannot be understood by any process of religion other than devotional service; therefore, the immediate result of perfect knowledge is achieved by executing devotional service.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.1: By executing devotional service to Me, My devotees easily acquire everything that can be attained by performing penances, fruitive activity, philosophical speculation, renunciation, yoga, charity, religiosity, and other pious acts.

Renunciation Through Wisdom

Renunciation Through Wisdom 1.5: The amount of devotional activity one performs always remains intact; it is a permanent spiritual gain for the performer, never to be rendered futile. Even a little execution of devotional service is enough to save one from the greatest type of fear.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.2: One who is situated in knowledge of Kṛṣṇa and acts accordingly is executing devotional service.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.9: The great endeavor the mahātmā undertakes to execute devotional service is more intense than the ordinary man's voluntary acceptance of excessive pains and troubles to maintain his family and home.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.10: The devotee himself arranges for all expenditures incurred in executing devotional service. To an ordinary eye, earning and spending money in this way may look like sense enjoyment. But when the devotee is devoid of all material desires, the Supreme Lord feels great satisfaction in fulfilling all his needs.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1: Bhakti-yoga can be divided into three stages: 1) to take the first step toward complete surrender by accepting things favorable to the execution of devotional service; 2) to serve the Supreme Lord after realizing one's true nature; 3) to become situated on the elevated stage, in which one sees the Supreme Lord in everything and everything in the Supreme Lord.

Mukunda-mala-stotra (mantras 1 to 6 only)

MM mantra 4: The śāstras advise, therefore, that a living entity should accept only those sense—enjoyable objects necessary for the upkeep of the material body and reject those that are just for sense gratification. In this way he will reduce the tendency for sense enjoyment. This restraint cannot be imposed by force; it must be voluntary. Such restraint automatically develops in the course of one's executing devotional service. Thus one who is already engaged in devotional service need not restrain his senses artificially.

Narada-bhakti-sutra (sutras 1 to 8 only)

Narada Bhakti Sutra 5: A person who surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Lord and engages fully in His service is no longer indebted to anyone. In other words, he has no obligations to fulfill except executing devotional service.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 2.13-17 -- Los Angeles, November 29, 1968: If a person is actually executing devotional service, then he must be happy. If he's not happy, then he's not doing properly.

Lecture on BG 2.13-17 -- Los Angeles, November 29, 1968: If you are actually executing devotional service, you must feel happy. If you don't feel happy, then you are not executing. There is some flaw.

Lecture on BG 2.13-17 -- Los Angeles, November 29, 1968: Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ laulyam, greediness, and jana-saṅgaś ca, and associating with nondevotees. These things are against execution of devotional service, and the first thing, the patience, enthusiasm, and confidence, these six things are favorable.

Lecture on BG 2.20 -- Hyderabad, November 25, 1972: That is pure transcendental stage of executing devotional service, after being free from material designation. Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. That is called nirmala. That is mukti. Because spirit soul is eternal. It has to be cleansed, the material contamination.

Lecture on BG 2.40 - London, September 13, 1973: Nārada Muni says, bhajann apakvo 'tha. His execution of devotional service could not be completed; somehow or other, it was checked, it was obstructed, and he falls down again in the clutches of māyā, falls down.

Lecture on BG 3.18-30 -- Los Angeles, December 30, 1968: Arcanam, those who are engaged in the service of the Deity, they are executing devotional service.

Lecture on BG 4.7-10 -- Los Angeles, January 6, 1969: By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment and attains steadiness in self-realization, and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on BG 4.18 -- Bombay, April 7, 1974: By washing dishes he is executing devotional service, and by dressing the Deity he is also executing. Real point is devotional service. That is called akarma.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Madras, February 14, 1972: In another place also it is stated, śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ.

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ

smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam

arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyam

sakhyam ātma-nivedanam

[SB 7.5.23]

These are the nine different kinds of executing devotional service.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- San Diego, July 1, 1972: Then, as we execute devotional service, the faith becomes firmer, firmer, firmer. And when it comes to firm, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I am His eternal servant," this is firm faith.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Durban, October 9, 1975: So this is bhakti. There are nine different processes for executing devotional service. The first thing is śravaṇam.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Nairobi, October 27, 1975: Then gradually you will be inclined to execute devotional service as the sādhus are doing, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, offering ārati, offering foodstuff, dressing, so many things.

Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- Ahmedabad, December 14, 1972: Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared as a devotee to teach us how to execute devotional service. So if we follow the footprints of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, then kṛṣṇa-bhakti becomes very easily available.

Lecture on BG 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 8, 1972: Su-sukham, very easy and, I mean, very pleasing also, to execute devotional service. Very pleasing.

Lecture on BG 12.13-14 -- Bombay, May 12, 1974: Therefore the Deity worship is very important. If you are engaged in Deity worship, you always get impression of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī. And if you think of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī always within your heart, then you become the topmost yogi. Mayy arpita-mano-buddhiḥ. Yo mad-bhaktaḥ. "In this way, one who executes devotional service," sa me priyaḥ, "he is very dear to Me." So if you want to be dear, if you want to be seen by Kṛṣṇa, if you want to be seen by God, follow this instruction and your life will be successful.

Lecture on BG 16.8 -- Hyderabad, December 16, 1976: When one has attained this stage, then he can execute devotional service. Mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām [Bg. 18.54]. So to become a bhakta is the highest position, highest perfection of life, beyond this material existence.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.1.3 -- London, August 20, 1971: Then, after mixing, after associating with the devotees, naturally one becomes eager to be initiated how to execute devotional service. That is called initiation.

Lecture on SB 1.2.5 -- Montreal, August 2, 1968: If you want really peace by worshiping God, by rendering service to God, then you should learn how to love Kṛṣṇa without any motive. That kind of love will never be checked. You will never be hampered in executing devotional service. And that is first-class religion.

Lecture on SB 1.2.6 -- Montreal, August 3, 1968: The devotional service cannot be checked by any material impediment. It is not conditional, that "Because I am in this condition, I cannot execute devotional service." No. Anyone in any position, in any circumstances, he can become the greatest devotee of the Lord—if he desires.

Lecture on SB 1.2.6 -- Hyderabad, April 18, 1974: Who is eligible to execute devotional service, bhakti? Those who are engaged in devotional service, they are not in the material platform.

Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Vrndavana, October 18, 1972: Therefore that pure bhakti-yoga can be attained only by executing devotional service to Vāsudeva. Otherwise it is not possible.

Lecture on SB 1.2.17 -- Vrndavana, October 28, 1972: Similarly, those who are executing devotional service, but at the same time cheating... Cheating means outwardly very devotional, inwardly doing all sinful activities. Such living entity is given the chance to become a hog and dog in Vṛndāvana so that the reaction of the sinful activities, they get this body; at the same time, due to their touch with the dust of Vṛndāvana, they become eliminated of all sinful activities and liberated.

Lecture on SB 1.2.17 -- Vrndavana, October 28, 1972: So to get this hog's and dog's life means they are being purified. They are being purified. But without being completely purified, nobody can enter into the kingdom of God. That is not possible. Yeṣām anta-gataṁ pāpam. So there is another version in Caitanya-caritāmṛta:

anivijñā tare viṣaye khana diba

sa caraṇāmṛtaṁ diye visa bhula iva(?)

If one, by mistake, while executing devotional service, at the same time, keeping his propensity for sense gratification, material enjoyment, then he is rectified in that way.

Lecture on SB 1.2.18 -- Calcutta, September 26, 1974: By association with the sādhus, bhaktas, and by bhajana-kriyā, we'll be seen, a person will be seen that he's no more involved in unwanted things. He's simply interested in executing devotional service.

Lecture on SB 1.2.19 -- Vrndavana, October 30, 1972: When he comes to this platform that "My duty is to execute devotional service," that is required. He comes to the platform. Or at least, in between sattva-guṇa and śuddha-sattva. Sattva, sattva-guṇa, without being contaminated by the other two guṇas, modes of nature, namely, ignorance and passion. Pure. That is devotional stage.

Lecture on SB 1.2.19 -- Calcutta, September 27, 1974: With disturbed mind (you) cannot execute devotional service. Therefore in the beginning, if somebody all of a sudden becomes a Vaiṣṇava and in a solitary place, "I am chanting," that is cheating. How you can be...? How you can chant? You cannot, because your mind is not fixed up.

Lecture on SB 1.2.30 -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972: Unless one becomes jubilant, joyful, by executing devotional service, he cannot understand what is Kṛṣṇa. It is not possible.

Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972: If we execute devotional service with some material purpose, that purpose may be served, but you cannot rise to the transcendental platform.

Lecture on SB 1.3.8 -- Los Angeles, September 14, 1972: Devarṣi means Nārada, saintly sage among the demigods. He is also one of the demigods. So he compiled Vedic principles for executing devotional service, Nārada-pañcarātra.

Lecture on SB 1.3.11-12 -- Los Angeles, September 17, 1972: Caitanya Mahāprabhu was teaching us how to execute devotional service. And He deprecated Māyāvāda philosophy in so many ways.

Lecture on SB 1.3.18 -- Los Angeles, September 23, 1972: Devotion means no desire, not covered by knowledge and fruitive activity. Simply favorable executing devotional service; favorably, not unfavorably. This is pure devotion.

Lecture on SB 1.5.32 -- Vrndavana, August 13, 1974: If you execute devotional service, then immediately, immediately you become free from this tāpa-traya.

Lecture on SB 1.7.5-6 -- Johannesburg, October 15, 1975: Nārada Muni said that "Even one accepting by sentiment, and later on," bhajann apakvo 'tha, "his execution of devotional service (is) not mature and he falls down, then," Nārada Muni says, yatra kva vābhadram abhūd amuṣya kim, "where is the loss for that person?

Lecture on SB 1.16.8 -- Los Angeles, January 5, 1974: If your execution of devotional service is not going perfectly, so there is chance of falldown.

Lecture on SB 2.1.1 -- Vrndavana, March 16, 1974: When one is free from all such material desires, he's fit for executing devotional service. That is mukti.

Lecture on SB 2.2.5 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1968: There is no problem for executing devotional service to the Lord. And that is the highest perfection of all religious principles. But we have to practice.

Lecture on SB 2.3.10 -- Los Angeles, May 28, 1972: Even with your kāma, desires, you execute devotional service, make connection with the Supreme Lord. A time will come, you'll become akāmaḥ, no more... A time will come.

Lecture on SB 2.9.7 -- Tokyo, April 24, 1972: After being initiated by the proper spiritual master in that chain of succession, one should engage himself in discharge of tapasya in the execution of devotional service.

Lecture on SB 3.25.14 -- Bombay, November 14, 1974: Yoga-bhraṣṭaḥ. Bhraṣṭa means he was executing devotional service, but some way or other, being allured by māyā or some other causes, even if he falls down, so that credit is there. Therefore he has to begin next life... He is given chance next life.

Lecture on SB 3.25.23 -- Bombay, November 23, 1974: When we shall feel pleasure by hearing about Kṛṣṇa or talking about Kṛṣṇa, we must know that we are making progress on the path of perfection. And at that time any kind of this material suffering will not be felt. This is the practical effect of executing devotional service.

Lecture on SB 3.25.26 -- Bombay, November 26, 1974: To execute devotional service it is very easy and susukham, very nice and pleasing also. Just like this chanting and dancing. Even the child takes pleasure, what to speak of others?

Lecture on SB 3.25.42 -- Bombay, December 10, 1974: Even if you fall down, if you do not be able to execute devotional service fully, still, you will get next change as a human being.

Lecture on SB 5.5.14 -- Vrndavana, November 2, 1976: This is also one of the important items, that I am executing devotional service, but I have no detachment from my family life.

Lecture on SB 5.6.5 -- Vrndavana, November 27, 1976: Unless one is free from the material concept, sarvopādhi vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. That means we have to execute devotional service in the regulative principle. "I cannot follow the regulative principle and I am trying to understand Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa prema," this is rascaldom.

Lecture on SB 6.1.1 -- Melbourne, May 21, 1975: By execution of devotional service, whether you are making progress or not, that will be tested when anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt, all the nonsense things which you have learned artificially, that will be finished.

Lecture on SB 6.1.13-14 -- Los Angeles, June 26, 1975: The practical example is here in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, that our students, simply by executing devotional service to Vasudeva, they have become free from so many sinful activities.

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- Auckland, February 22, 1973: Simply by executing devotional service And there are nine different types of devotional services, out of which, even if you accept one, your life is successful. This is called kevalayā bhaktyā.

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- Denver, June 28, 1975: So every one of us, at least those who have taken Kṛṣṇa consciousness as their life and soul, they should execute devotional service very sincerely. Then their success is assured.

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- Nellore, January 8, 1976: So here it is said, kecit kevalayā bhaktyā [SB 6.1.15]. Kecit, somebody—not the karmīs, not the jñānīs, not the yogis—can execute devotional service. Therefore he says, kecit: "somebody." Somebody, eka personality, may become a bhakta. So kecit kevalayā bhaktyā.

Lecture on SB 6.1.16 -- Denver, June 29, 1975: When you execute devotional service, it is not only sukham—sukham means happiness—but another word is added, susukham, "very comfortable, very happy." Kartum, to execute devotional service, is great pleasure, great happiness.

Lecture on SB 6.1.39 -- Los Angeles, June 5, 1976: And if one is mature, then he wants to execute devotional service, bhajana-kriyā. And as soon as there is bhajana-kriyā, the unnecessary nonsense things will disappear.

Lecture on SB 6.1.56-62 -- Surat, January 3, 1971, at Adubhai Patel's House: Life should be so molded that only devotional service, no other thought, no other offense, nothing. We have so many engagements, so many opportunities. We can execute devotional service without any disturbance.

Lecture on SB 6.2.7 -- Vrndavana, September 10, 1975: Bhajan means this execution of devotional service. Gradually it should be strong and ripe.

Lecture on SB 6.3.16-17 -- Gorakhpur, February 10, 1971: Kṛṣṇa is omnipresent. He can see you, He can understand you, what are doing. So we have to execute devotional service in such a faithful way that Kṛṣṇa will see us. Then you will be successful.

Lecture on SB 7.5.22-30 -- London, September 8, 1971: Prahlāda Mahārāja knew that "My father is nothing but a ferocious animal, Hiraṇyakaśipu." Even big, big demigods would be threatened by his red eyes. He was so powerful. Still, he was executing devotional service at the risk of life. And he was put to so many dangerous condition of life. Still, he did not give up.

Lecture on SB 7.6.1 -- Boston, May 8, 1968: So Nārada Muni says, "Oh, it is a very good thing. Even if he's sentimental."Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer [SB 1.5.17]. And because one comes by sentiment to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness he cannot stick. So bhajann apakvo 'tha. That means, bhajann, when the execution of devotional service is not complete, apakvo, immature Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi [SB 1.5.17]. Or even falls down.

Lecture on SB 7.6.1 -- Boston, May 8, 1968: He began the execution of devotional service, but some way or other māyā catches him and he falls down. Nārada Muni says, "Oh, there is no loss for him.

Lecture on SB 7.6.9 -- Vrndavana, December 11, 1975: If you engage yourself in executing devotional service to Vāsudeva, vāsudeve bhagavati... Vāsudeva means the Supreme Personality of Godhead, most opulent. Bhagavati. Bhagavān means most opulent, full with six kinds of opulence. Vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ—no other means. You cannot become liberated by any other means except bhakti-yoga.

Lecture on SB 7.9.4 -- Mayapur, February 18, 1977: We should always remember that. Don't bring any material desire in executing devotional service. Then it is not pure. Na sādhu manye yato ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada āsa deha. As soon as you bring in material desires, then you have wasted your time, because you'll have to get a body.

Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Montreal, July 6, 1968: When one has attained this perfection of life, then he can execute devotional service. Mad-bhaktiṁ labhate param. And by that devotional service, one can understand what is God.

Lecture on SB 7.9.12 -- Montreal, August 19, 1968: As soon as you intimately associate with the spiritual master, he teaches you how to develop devotional service. Bhajana-kriyā. And if you are perfectly executing devotional service, then anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt, then all your misgivings and misunderstanding will be cleared.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 28, 1972: Actually, simply by executing devotional service, being freed from all material contamination, when one is engaged in devotional service, bhakti, that process, bhakti process can help one to understand what is God.

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, June 23, 1970: The initiation means bhajana-kriyā. Actually executing devotional service: initiation. And if one actually executes devotional service, then anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt, then all nonsense habits will disappear.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 19, 1972: Solitary bhajana, executing devotional service in a solitary place, is not possible for the neophyte devotees. It is meant for the advanced devotees. If, from the very beginning, without executing the regulative principles, if one wants to execute devotional service in a solitary place, it will be simply disturbing, and he must fall down. There are so many examples, even in this Vṛndāvana. So we should not imitate.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 19, 1972: Ajāmila, when he was young, he was executing devotional service just like a pure brāhmaṇa under the direction of his father, but when he was young, he was captivated by prostitute and fell down, became a thief, drunkard, and cheater.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 10, 1973:

Pradyumna: "The second concerns the regulative principles for executing devotional service."

Prabhupāda: Yes. Because as soon as you know the business, then you can chalk out your activities. If you do not know what is the business, then how you can work? That is second wave.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 10, 1973: As you prolong, execute devotional service, bhagavad-bhakti-yoga, prasanna-manaso, you become jolly, because that is your nature.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 1, 1972: Prakṛta-bhakta means executing devotional service under the instruction of spiritual master and the regulative principles of śāstra, but he's still on the platform of material understanding. That is called prakṛta-bhakta.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1972: So we must elevate ourself to the second class devotee position. To become first-class devotee, that is very difficult job. We can expect after executing devotional service as a madhyama-adhikārī. Then we can be promoted.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 8, 1972: Simply by executing devotional service, you can execute all other obligations without any deviation.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 25, 1973: Another part of sādhana-bhakti is called rāgānugā. Rāgānugā refers to the point at which, by following the regulative principles, one becomes a little more attached to Kṛṣṇa and executes devotional service out of natural love.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 1.14 -- Mayapur, April 7, 1975: Execution of devotional service is independent, completely. It has nothing to do with material condition.

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 1.16 -- Mayapur, April 9, 1975: In one life we may practice how to become free from this material contamination and execute devotional service as it is prescribed in the śāstra and by the instruction of spiritual master.

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.91-2 -- Vrndavana, March 13, 1974: It is not the business of the bhakta that he is chanting and dancing and executing devotional service for going to Vaikuṇṭha or Goloka Vṛndāvana. That is Kṛṣṇa's desire.

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137-142 -- New York, November 29, 1966: You will gradually know what is the bhajana-kriyā, how to execute devotional service.

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 22.5 -- New York, January 7, 1967: So here it is said, abhidheya. How to make progress in that execution of devotional service, that is being taught.

Lecture -- Boston, April 25, 1969: When you are fully joyful in your mind by executing devotional service... Evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ. How one can become joyful? Simply by executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Not otherwise. It is not possible.

General Lectures

Lecture -- Seattle, October 9, 1968: When we execute devotional service, loving devotional service, that is very pleasing to the Lord.

Conway Hall Lecture -- London, September 15, 1969: Mahātmā's symptom is that he's fully surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always engaged in glorifying His activities. His activities. Satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ [Bg. 9.14]. He's always very much careful about executing devotional service.

Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 10, 1971: Those who are executing devotional service without any material desire. Not that I render service to Kṛṣṇa to fulfill some material desires. That is not pure devotee.

Pandal Lecture -- November 14, 1971, Delhi: This child must be executing devotional service in her past life. Therefore, she has got the opportunity, a Vaiṣṇava father and Vaiṣṇavī mother. And from the very beginning of her life she is becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Excerpt of Speech at Fire Yajna with South Indian Brahmanas -- Hyderabad, August 16, 1976: In the matter of executing devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa, there is no such distinction wherefrom this man is coming, wherefrom this man is coming.

Departure Talks

Departure Lecture -- Caracas, February 25, 1975: It is very pleasing. Su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam [Bg. 9.2]. "To execute devotional service is very pleasing."

Philosophy Discussions

Philosophy Discussion on John Stuart Mill: If one executes devotional service a little, he can be delivered from the greatest danger.

Philosophy Discussion on John Dewey: If you have got faith, you make association with devotees. Then the next step, you will be eager to execute devotional service.

Philosophy Discussion on Arthur Schopenhauer: Out of the six items of surrender, these are the two items, that you should give up things which are not favorable in execution of devotional service. You should give up. That sort of willing, you should give up. And you should accept everything which is favorable for Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Philosophy Discussion on Thomas Aquinas: If one becomes devotee of Lord Vasudeva, Kṛṣṇa, then simply by executing devotional service he attains the result of austerity, celibacy, and mystic yoga practice, and the result of charity, truthfulness, cleanliness—everything attains simultaneously, without separate effort.

Purports to Songs

Purport to Gauranga Bolite Habe -- Los Angeles, January 9, 1969: We should not, however, imitate such shivering to show to the public that "I have become a great devotee," but we should execute devotional service nicely and faithfully.; then that stage will come automatically, shivering. As soon as one will chant the name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, there will be shivering.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1969 Conversations and Morning Walks

Conversation Including Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.1-34 Recitation & Explanation -- April 1, 1969, San Francisco: Everything will be clear if you simply execute devotional service of Kṛṣṇa.

1972 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- April 2, 1972, Sydney: Rāgānuga refers to the point at which, by following the regulative principles, one becomes a little more attached to Kṛṣṇa and executes devotional service out of natural love.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation with Educationists -- July 11, 1973, London: This natural transcendental pleasure is the ultimate goal of yoga and is easily achieved by execution of devotional service, or bhakti-yoga.

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- June 11, 1974, Paris: Therefore the quick development process is to execute devotional service in the association of devotees, sādhu-saṅga.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation with Yoga Student -- March 14, 1975, Iran: Then in order to increase that faith you have to associate with the persons who are executing devotional service. That is called sādhu-saṅga.

Room Conversation with Yoga Student -- March 14, 1975, Iran:

After sādhu-saṅga one who has properly made sādhu-saṅga, the next stage is bhajana-kriyā: how they are executing devotional service.

Morning Walk -- April 7, 1975, Mayapur: Simply by executing devotional service to Vasudeva, that vairāgya, detachment, very soon arises. Come. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. That is very good engagement.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Garden Conversation -- June 23, 1976, New Vrindaban: But you must be determined how to execute devotional service. Without determined devotional service, how we can attain that position? So what is the use of talking utopian? First business is anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt.

Garden Conversation -- June 23, 1976, New Vrindaban: You adopt this means that you have got full faith that "Kṛṣṇa consciousness will save me." Then you live with devotees who are similarly determined. Then you execute devotional service. Then anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt, you'll be free from all these.... These are the stages.

Morning Walk -- September 2, 1976, New Delhi: One who is chanting or executing devotional service for his personal benefit and one who is trying to deliver others for others' benefit, there is difference.

Room Conversation -- September 7, 1976, Vrndavana: If one undergoes devotional service out of Vṛndāvana and one executes devotional service in Vṛndāvana, that is hundred times better.

Correspondence

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Dayananda -- Allston, Mass 10 May, 1968: Execution of devotional service is prescribed first with enthusiasm and patience.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Kulasekhara -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1970: In our devotional service, there are nine different processes for executing devotional service, they are as follows: 1. Hearing, 2. Chanting, 3. Meditating, 4. Offering prayers, 5. Rendering service, 6. Making friendship, 7. Temple worship, 8. Serving the Lotus Feet, 9. Surrendering everything to the Lord.

Letter to Madhusudana -- Los Angeles 30 January, 1970: Patience is a qualification in the successful execution of devotional service.

Letter to Goverdhan -- 1975 So. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 March 6, 1970: If you stick to the principle of regularly chanting Hare Krsna and executing devotional service, Krsna will give you all protection in all circumstances of life.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970: The Temple worship will keep us sanctified, and when we shall preach in sanctified, pure heart, the preaching will be immediately effective. So we have to follow the two parallel lines simultaneously for successful execution of Devotional service.

Letter to Jadurani -- Bombay 16 November, 1970: It is imperative that all our students be exemplary in their execution of devotional service and naturally Krsna will bless you all more and more.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Anuttama -- Sydney, Australia 12 April, 1972: I am very pleased to know that you are feeling happy in your execution of devotional service. Service of Krishna's devotees is the highest stage of spiritual perfection, so your desire to render service to the other devotees is very nice.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Calcutta 28 January, 1973: As you are one of the elder members of our Society and you are sannyasi, it is your duty to see that all the devotees are following strictly the regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds, attending the classes, reading our books, and always remaining enthusiastic for executing devotional service.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Rupanuga -- Tirupati 28 April, 1974: Regulative principles means to especially execute devotional service in terms of the revealed scriptures under the direction of the spiritual master.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 1 May, 1974: Concerning how to induce grhasthas to take part in Krsna Consciousness activities rather than in activities of Maya it is very simple: they should attend the temple program rigidly. Morning arati, classes, sankirtana. We have given houses with the purpose to execute devotional service exactly like the Brahmacaris and sannyasis.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Radhavallabha -- Vrndavana 21 September, 1975: Regarding the conclusion of the book, yes, it says in the text that the most fortunate devotees execute devotional service near Radha-kunda.

Letter to Rakesh Sharma -- Bombay 30 September, 1975: You have already given up meat eating, etc., and if possible you can live in our temple and execute devotional service. This will save your life in Krishna consciousness.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Dr. Suresh Candra -- Hyderabad 8 December, 1976: It appears that you are an unmarried brahmacari. So, if you continue this status of life for the matter of executing devotional service, that will be a great advantage.

Letter to Amogha -- Bombay 23 December, 1976: I have no objection to your working there in Australia. If you are happy there and can execute devotional service with enthusiasm that is nice.