Real bhakta

Expressions researched:
"real bhakta"

SB Canto 5

The real bhakta is untouched by any tinge of karma and jñāna. His only purpose in life is to serve the Lord.

SB 5.5.5, Purport: The point is to know Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva, as everything and surrender unto Him. Karmīs do not know this, but a devotee who is one hundred percent engaged in the devotional service of the Lord knows fully what is karma and jñāna; therefore a pure devotee is no longer interested in karma or jñāna. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. The real bhakta is untouched by any tinge of karma and jñāna. His only purpose in life is to serve the Lord.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- November 10, 1975, Bombay:

Dr. Patel: Then he gets real bhakti.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Dr. Patel: He becomes real bhakta, when he realizes that he's soul and not body.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Dr. Patel: Till then he is not a bhakta.

Prabhupāda: That is the beginning. Therefore Kṛṣṇa, in the beginning of Bhagavad-gītā, He says, dehino 'smin yathā dehe [Bg. 2.13]. Because everyone is rascal, he is thinking, "I am this body." Arjuna was also thinking, "How shall I kill my other side, my brother, my nephews?" Bodily. Therefore the beginning of spiritual education is to understand that "I am not this body; I am soul." That is the beginning. For so many years people are reading Bhagavad-gītā, but still they are in bodily concept. That is the misfortune.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

If actually one is pure bhakta, then everything material finished. That is real bhakta.

Room Conversation -- August 16, 1976, Bombay: Prabhupāda:... Vairāgya is to be practiced, but bhakti is so strong, kecit kevalayā bhaktyā, simply by bhakti, vāsudeva-parāyaṇa. Vairāgya immediately comes. Aghaṁ dhunvanti kārtsnyena nīhāram iva bhāskaraḥ. If actually one is pure bhakta, then everything material finished. That is real bhakta. Now I have got some bhakti and some material desire also. That is not bhakti. That is markaṭa-vairāgya. That does not mean that I shall stop bhakti. No, you take bhakti to the principle, to the regulative principle, then automatically vairāgya will come. The vairāgya is not coming, that means you have not been a pure bhakta. That is adulteration. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. That is bhakti. And because there is not anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Cc. Madhya 19.167], it is adulterated.