We are the servant of the senses. We are not master. When you become master of the senses, then this title is given, gosvāmī, svāmī. Svāmī means master. Master means master of your senses. Now we are being dictated by the senses: "You do this," we do that. So our master is the senses, and the senses are six kinds of senses: kāma, kāmādīnā, lusty desires; lobha, greediness; and mohaḥ, illusion; kāma, krodha, anger; mind . . . mind is dictating something; I am serving: "Yes, sir, I will do it." This is our position. Kāma, krodha, lobha, mohaḥ, mātsarya, in this way. So by good association, by saintly man's association . . . that is recommended: mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ (SB 5.5.2). Mahat-sevā. This human life is meant for rectification. We are serving somebody, and we are not happy. We have got very good example in our country, in many other countries. Just like our Mahatma Gandhi, he served his country very well, but the result was that his countrymen killed him. This is the result of our service. Nobody will appreciate. We are serving our family. The wife is not satisfied; (s)he divorces the husband. The son is not satisfied; he goes out of home. So just analyze that we are serving to our best capacity, but nobody is satisfied. This is our position. Kāmādīnāṁ katidhā na katidhā pālitā durnideśā (CC Madhya 22.16). Actually we are serving our senses. I love my wife because she satisfies my senses. I love my husband because he satisfies my senses. Actually, we are servant of our senses. As soon as the sense gratification is disturbed, then "No, no, I am not going to serve you." Or "I am not satisfied with your service. You go away. I go away." This is our position.
So senses are there. So one who is associating with the devotees . . . devotees mean who is engaged in the service of the Lord. He is not engaged in the service of the senses. That is devotee. Devotion . . . the definition of devotion is given in the śāstra,
- sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
- tat-paratvena nirmalaṁ
- hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeṣa-
- sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate
- (CC Madhya 19.170)
Sarva upādhi-vinirmuktam. Upādhi means designation. I am spirit soul, but because I have accidentally, or my result action, resultant action of my past karma, I am thinking, "I am Indian," somebody is thinking "I am American." So this is the designation of the soul.