Hare Krsna-Below is a few verse sequence given in Srimad Bhagavatam in which Lord Kapila Dev kindly and briefly explains to His mother the different types of devotion in the material modes of nature-and ending in pure devotional service.
At the end we have included another description of motivated devotion coming from the Purana.
Some may find this very interesting.
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
————————————-
SB 3.29.7-Lord Kapila, the Personality of Godhead, replied: O noble lady, there are multifarious paths of devotional service in terms of the different qualities of the executor.
PURPORT-Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is one because in pure devotional service there is no demand from the devotee to be fulfilled by the Lord. But generally people take to devotional service with a purpose. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, people who are not purified take to devotional service with four purposes. A person who is distressed because of material conditions becomes a devotee of the Lord and approaches the Lord for mitigation of his distress. A person in need of money approaches the Lord to ask for some improvement in his monetary condition. Others, who are not in distress or in need of monetary assistance but are seeking knowledge in order to understand the Absolute Truth, also take to devotional service, and they inquire into the nature of the Supreme Lord. This is very nicely described in Bhagavad-gītā (7.16). Actually the path of devotional service is one without a second, but according to the devotees’ condition, devotional service appears in multifarious varieties, as will be nicely explained in the following verses.
SB 3.29.8-Devotional service executed by a person who is envious, proud, violent and angry, and who is a separatist, is considered to be in the mode of darkness.
PURPORT-It has already been stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter, that the highest, most glorious religion is the attainment of causeless, unmotivated devotional service. In pure devotional service, the only motive should be to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is not actually a motive; that is the pure condition of the living entity. In the conditioned stage, when one engages in devotional service, he should follow the instruction of the bona fide spiritual master in full surrender. The spiritual master is the manifested representation of the Supreme Lord because he receives and presents the instructions of the Lord, as they are, by disciplic succession. It is described in Bhagavad-gītā that the teachings therein should be received by disciplic succession, otherwise there is adulteration. To act under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master with a motive to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pure devotional service.But if one has a motive for personal sense gratification, his devotional service is manifested differently. Such a man may be violent, proud, envious and angry, and his interests are separate from the Lord’s.
One who approaches the Supreme Lord to render devotional service, but who is proud of his personality, envious of others or vengeful, is in the mode of anger. He thinks that he is the best devotee. Devotional service executed in this way is not pure; it is mixed and is of the lowest grade, tāmasaḥ. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura advises that a Vaiṣṇava who is not of good character should be avoided. A Vaiṣṇava is one who has taken the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the ultimate goal of life, but if one is not pure and still has motives, then he is not a Vaiṣṇava of the first order of good character. One may offer his respects to such a Vaiṣṇava because he has accepted the Supreme Lord as the ultimate goal of life, but one should not keep company with a Vaiṣṇava who is in the mode of ignorance.
SB 3.29.10-The worship of Deities in the temple by a separatist, with a motive for material enjoyment, fame and opulence, is devotion in the mode of passion.
PURPORT-The word “separatist” must be understood carefully. The Sanskrit words in this connection are bhinna-dṛk and pṛthag-bhāvaḥ. A separatist is one who sees his interest as separate from that of the Supreme Lord. Mixed devotees, or devotees in the modes of passion and ignorance, think that the interest of the Supreme Lord is supplying the orders of the devotee; the interest of such devotees is to draw from the Lord as much as possible for their sense gratification. This is the separatist mentality. Actually, pure devotion is explained in the previous chapter: the mind of the Supreme Lord and the mind of the devotee should be dovetailed. A devotee should not wish anything but to execute the desire of the Supreme. That is oneness. When the devotee has an interest or will different from the interest of the Supreme Lord, his mentality is that of a separatist. When the so-called devotee desires material enjoyment, without reference to the interest of the Supreme Lord, or he wants to become famous or opulent by utilizing the mercy or grace of the Supreme Lord, he is in the mode of passion.
Māyāvādīs, however, interpret this word “separatist” in a different way. They say that while worshiping the Lord, one should think himself one with the Supreme Lord. This is another adulterated form of devotion within the modes of material nature. The conception that the living entity is one with the Supreme is in the mode of ignorance. Oneness is actually based on oneness of interest. A pure devotee has no interest but to act on behalf of the Supreme Lord. When one has even a tinge of personal interest, his devotion is mixed with the three modes of material nature.
SB 3.29.10-When a devotee worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead and offers the results of his activities in order to free himself from the inebrieties of fruitive activities, his devotion is in the mode of goodness.
PURPORT-The brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras, along with the brahmacārīs, gṛhasthas, vānaprasthas and sannyāsīs, are the members of the eight divisions of varṇas and āśramas, and they have their respective duties to perform for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.When such activities are performed and the results are offered to the Supreme Lord, they are called karmārpaṇam, duties performed for the satisfaction of the Lord. If there is any inebriety or fault, it is atoned for by this offering process. But if this offering process is in the mode of goodness rather than in pure devotion, then the interest is different. The four āśramas and the four varṇas act for some benefit in accordance with their personal interests. Therefore such activities are in the mode of goodness; they cannot be counted in the category of pure devotion. Pure devotional service as described by Rūpa Gosvāmī is free from all material desires. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Madhya 19.167]. There can be no excuse for personal or material interest. Devotional activities should be transcendental to fruitive activities and empiric philosophical speculation. Pure devotional service is transcendental to all material qualities.
Devotional service in the modes of ignorance, passion and goodness can be divided into eighty-one categories. There are different devotional activities, such as hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, offering prayer, rendering service and surrendering everything, and each of them can be divided into three qualitative categories. There is hearing in the mode of passion, in the mode of ignorance and in the mode of goodness. Similarly, there is chanting in the mode of ignorance, passion and goodness, etc. Three multiplied by nine equals twenty-seven, and when again multiplied by three it becomes eighty-one. One has to transcend all such mixed materialistic devotional service in order to reach the standard of pure devotional service, as explained in the next verses.
SB 3.2911-12-The manifestation of unadulterated devotional service is exhibited when one’s mind is at once attracted to hearing the transcendental name and qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is residing in everyone’s heart. Just as the water of the Ganges flows naturally down towards the ocean, such devotional ecstasy, uninterrupted by any material condition, flows towards the Supreme Lord.
PURPORT-The basic principle of this unadulterated, pure devotional service is love of Godhead.Mad-guṇa-śruti-mātreṇa means “just after hearing about the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” These qualities are called nirguṇa. The Supreme Lord is uncontaminated by the modes of material nature; therefore He is attractive to the pure devotee. There is no need to practice meditation to attain such attraction; the pure devotee is already in the transcendental stage,and the affinity between him and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is natural and is compared to the Ganges water flowing towards the sea. The flow of the Ganges water cannot be stopped by any condition; similarly, a pure devotee’s attraction for the transcendental name, form and pastimes of the Supreme Godhead cannot be stopped by any material condition. The word avicchinnā, “without interruptions,” is very important in this connection. No material condition can stop the flow of the devotional service of a pure devotee.
The word ahaitukī means “without reason.” A pure devotee does not render loving service to the Personality of Godhead for any cause or for any benefit, material or spiritual. This is the first symptom of unalloyed devotion. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam: [Madhya 19.167] he has no desire to fulfill by rendering devotional service. Such devotional service is meant for the puruṣottama, the Supreme Personality, and not for anyone else. Sometimes pseudodevotees show devotion to many demigods, thinking the forms of the demigods to be the same as the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s form. It is specifically mentioned herein, however, that bhakti, devotional service, is meant only for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, not for anyone else.
Avyavahitā means “without cessation.” A pure devotee must engage in the service of the Lord twenty-four hours a day, without cessation; his life is so molded that at every minute and every second he engages in some sort of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Another meaning of the word avyavahitā is that the interest of the devotee and the interest of the Supreme Lord are on the same level. The devotee has no interest but to fulfill the transcendental desire of the Supreme Lord. Such spontaneous service unto the Supreme Lord is transcendental and is never contaminated by the material modes of nature. These are the symptoms of pure devotional service, which is free from all contamination of material nature.
Now here is what Srila Prabhupada writes elsewhere on pure devotional service.
SB 10.10.20-22 P Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees
dvau bhuta-sargau loke ‘smin daiva asura eva ca visnu-bhaktah smrto daiva
asuras tad-viparyayah Padma Purana)
asuras tad-viparyayah Padma Purana)
The distinction between a pure devotee and a karma-misra devotee is
this: a pure devotee does not desire anything for material enjoyment,
whereas a mixed devotee becomes a devotee to become a first-class
enjoyer of this material world. One who is in direct touch with the
Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service remains pure,
uncontaminated by material desires (anyabhilasita-sunyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam).By karma-misra-bhakti one is elevated to the celestial kingdom, by jnana-misra-bhakti one is able to merge in the Brahman effulgence, and
by yoga-misra-bhakti one is able to realize the omnipotency of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. But pure bhakti does not depend on
karma, jnana or yoga, for it simply consists of loving affairs. The
liberation of the bhakta, therefore, which is called not just mukti
but vimukti, surpasses the five other kinds of liberation–sayujya,
sarupya, salokya, sarsti and samipya. A pure devotee always engages in
pure service (anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama). Taking birth
in the upper planetary system as a demigod is a chance to become a
further purified devotee and go back home, back to Godhead. Narada
Muni indirectly gave Manigriva and Nalakuvara the greatest opportunity
by his so-called curse.
this: a pure devotee does not desire anything for material enjoyment,
whereas a mixed devotee becomes a devotee to become a first-class
enjoyer of this material world. One who is in direct touch with the
Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service remains pure,
uncontaminated by material desires (anyabhilasita-sunyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam).By karma-misra-bhakti one is elevated to the celestial kingdom, by jnana-misra-bhakti one is able to merge in the Brahman effulgence, and
by yoga-misra-bhakti one is able to realize the omnipotency of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. But pure bhakti does not depend on
karma, jnana or yoga, for it simply consists of loving affairs. The
liberation of the bhakta, therefore, which is called not just mukti
but vimukti, surpasses the five other kinds of liberation–sayujya,
sarupya, salokya, sarsti and samipya. A pure devotee always engages in
pure service (anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama). Taking birth
in the upper planetary system as a demigod is a chance to become a
further purified devotee and go back home, back to Godhead. Narada
Muni indirectly gave Manigriva and Nalakuvara the greatest opportunity
by his so-called curse.
The Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.11) defines pure
devotion thus: anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama
devotion thus: anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama
“One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme
Lord Krsna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain
through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is
called pure devotional service.”
Lord Krsna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain
through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is
called pure devotional service.”
SB 4.20.25 My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by
great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just
like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the
mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your
lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his
eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the
right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do
not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the
mouth of Your pure devotee.
great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just
like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the
mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your
lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his
eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the
right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do
not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the
mouth of Your pure devotee.
Purport-… A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking
shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection
with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet
of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of
his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is
spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron
dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living
entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure
devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the
Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection
with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet
of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of
his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is
spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron
dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living
entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure
devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the
Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
Below is another description of devotion within the modes of nature, up to pure bhakti.
Various Grades of Bhakti- Nāradīya Purāṇa 1.15.38-51
viṣṇau samarpitaṁ sarvaṁ sāttvikaṁ saphalaṁ bhavet hari-bhakti parā nṝṇāṁ sarva-pāpa-praṇāśinī
[Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Dharma, religiosity personified, said to the sagacious king Bhagirath:] Everything dedicated to Lord Vishnu attains success and goodness. It is transcendental devotion to Lord Hari that is the destroyer of all sins of human beings.
[Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Dharma, religiosity personified, said to the sagacious king Bhagirath:] Everything dedicated to Lord Vishnu attains success and goodness. It is transcendental devotion to Lord Hari that is the destroyer of all sins of human beings.
sā bhaktir daśadhā jñeyā pāpāraṇya-davopamā tāmasai rājasaiś caiva sāttvikaiś ca nṛpottama
O best among kings! That devotional service which is like a great fire for a forest of sins is understood to bedivided into ten types according to [the broad categories of] tāmasī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of ignorance, rājasī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of passion, and sāttvikī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of goodness.[Translator’s Note: These ten categories are as follows:
O best among kings! That devotional service which is like a great fire for a forest of sins is understood to bedivided into ten types according to [the broad categories of] tāmasī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of ignorance, rājasī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of passion, and sāttvikī-bhakti, devotion in the mode of goodness.[Translator’s Note: These ten categories are as follows:
- adhamā-tāmasī-bhakti, low-level devotion in the material mode of ignorance;
(2) madhyamā-tāmasī-bhakti, intermediate devotion in the material mode of ignorance;
(3) uttamā-tāmasī-bhakti, superior devotion in the material mode of ignorance;
(4) adhamā-rājasī-bhakti, low-level devotion in the material mode of passion;
(5) madhyamā-rājasī-bhakti, intermediate devotion in the material mode of passion;
(6)uttamā-rājasī-bhakti, superior devotion in the material mode of passion;
(7) adhamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, low-level devotion in the material
mode of goodness;(8) madhyamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, intermediate devotion
in the material mode of goodness;
- uttamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, superior devotion in the material mode of
goodness;
(10) uttamottamā-bhakti, topmost devotion devoid
of the material modes.]
yac cānyasya vināśārthaṁ bhajanaṁ śrī-pater nṛpa
sā tāmasy adhamā bhaktiḥ khala-bhāva-dharā yataḥ
sā tāmasy adhamā bhaktiḥ khala-bhāva-dharā yataḥ
O King! That devotional service towards the Lord
of Sri, Lakshmi, which is performed for revengefully
destroying someone, is known as adhamā-tāmasībhakti,
low-level devotion in the material mode of ignorance, for it consists of rogue-like tendencies.
of Sri, Lakshmi, which is performed for revengefully
destroying someone, is known as adhamā-tāmasībhakti,
low-level devotion in the material mode of ignorance, for it consists of rogue-like tendencies.
yo ’rcayet kaitava-dhiyā svairiṇī sva-patiṁ yathā
nārāyaṇaṁ jagannāthaṁ tāmasī madhyamā tu sā
One who worships Lord Jagannath, also known
as Narayan, with a deceitful heart, like an
unchaste wife worshiping her husband, performs
madhyamā-tāmasī-bhakti, intermediate devotion in
the material mode of ignorance. deva-pūjā parān dṛṣṭvā mātsaryād yo ’rcayed dharim
sā bhaktiḥ pṛthivī-pāla tāmasī cottamā smṛtā
nārāyaṇaṁ jagannāthaṁ tāmasī madhyamā tu sā
One who worships Lord Jagannath, also known
as Narayan, with a deceitful heart, like an
unchaste wife worshiping her husband, performs
madhyamā-tāmasī-bhakti, intermediate devotion in
the material mode of ignorance. deva-pūjā parān dṛṣṭvā mātsaryād yo ’rcayed dharim
sā bhaktiḥ pṛthivī-pāla tāmasī cottamā smṛtā
O maintainer of the earth! Seeing the demigod
worship of others, one who worships Lord Hari with
a feeling of competitive enviousness is understood
to be performing uttamā-tāmasī-bhakti, superior
devotion in the material mode of ignorance.
worship of others, one who worships Lord Hari with
a feeling of competitive enviousness is understood
to be performing uttamā-tāmasī-bhakti, superior
devotion in the material mode of ignorance.
dhana-dhānyādikaṁ yas tu prārthayann arcayed dharim
śraddhayā parayā yuktaḥ sā rājasy adhamā smṛtā
śraddhayā parayā yuktaḥ sā rājasy adhamā smṛtā
Equipped with higher faith, one who worships Lord
Hari, praying for money and material resources, is
understood to be performing adhamā-rājasī-bhakti,
low-level devotion in the material mode of passion.
Hari, praying for money and material resources, is
understood to be performing adhamā-rājasī-bhakti,
low-level devotion in the material mode of passion.
yaḥ sarva-loka-vikhyāta-kīrtim uddiśya mādhavam
arcayet parayā bhaktyā sā madhyā rājasī matā
Through higher devotion, one who worships Lord
Madhav while desiring material fame in all the worlds
is said to be performing madhyamā-rājasī-bhakti,
intermediate devotion in the material mode of passion.
arcayet parayā bhaktyā sā madhyā rājasī matā
Through higher devotion, one who worships Lord
Madhav while desiring material fame in all the worlds
is said to be performing madhyamā-rājasī-bhakti,
intermediate devotion in the material mode of passion.
sālokyādi padaṁ yas tu samuddiśyārcayed dharim
sā rājasy uttamā bhaktiḥ kīrtitā pṛthivī-pate
O Lord of the earth! One who worships Lord Hari
with a desire to attain liberation such as sālokya,
residing on the same planet as the Lord, is said to be
performing uttamā-rājasī-bhakti, superior devotion
in the material mode of passion.
sā rājasy uttamā bhaktiḥ kīrtitā pṛthivī-pate
O Lord of the earth! One who worships Lord Hari
with a desire to attain liberation such as sālokya,
residing on the same planet as the Lord, is said to be
performing uttamā-rājasī-bhakti, superior devotion
in the material mode of passion.
yas tu sva-kṛta-pāpānāṁ kṣayārthaṁ prārcayed dharim
śraddhayā parayopetaḥ sā sāttviky adhamā smṛtā
śraddhayā parayopetaḥ sā sāttviky adhamā smṛtā
Equipped with higher faith, one who worships
Lord Hari expertly only to diminish his sins is said
to be performing adhamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, low-level
devotion in the material mode of goodness.
Lord Hari expertly only to diminish his sins is said
to be performing adhamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, low-level
devotion in the material mode of goodness.
harer idaṁ priyam iti suśrūṣāṁ kurute tu yaḥ
śraddhayā saṁyuto bhūyaḥ sāttvikī madhyamā tu sā
śraddhayā saṁyuto bhūyaḥ sāttvikī madhyamā tu sā
Equipped with faith, one who performs service
because he has heard [from
somewhere] that such
and such service is dear to Lord Hari [but does
not apply much intellect and realization] is said to be
performing madhyamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, intermediate
devotion in the material mode of goodness.
because he has heard [from
somewhere] that such
and such service is dear to Lord Hari [but does
not apply much intellect and realization] is said to be
performing madhyamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, intermediate
devotion in the material mode of goodness.
vidhi-buddhyārcayed yas tu dāsavac chrī-patiṁ nṛpa
bhaktīnāṁ pravarā sā tu uttamā sāttvikī smṛtā
bhaktīnāṁ pravarā sā tu uttamā sāttvikī smṛtā
O King!, One who worships the Lord of Sri, Lakshmi,
like a servant, with an intelligence equipped with
scriptural rules and regulations, performs the
topmost type of devotion in the material modes,
known as uttamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, superior devotion
in the material mode of goodness.
like a servant, with an intelligence equipped with
scriptural rules and regulations, performs the
topmost type of devotion in the material modes,
known as uttamā-sāttvikī-bhakti, superior devotion
in the material mode of goodness.
mahimānaṁ harer yas tu kiñcit kṛtvā priyo naraḥ
tan mayatvena santuṣṭaḥ sā bhaktir uttamottamā
tan mayatvena santuṣṭaḥ sā bhaktir uttamottamā
[Finally], knowing thoroughly the glories of Lord
Hari, that human who performs anything dear to Lord
Hari while being fully satisfied due to being absorbed
in spontaneous devotion is said to be performing
uttamottamā-bhakti, topmost devotion devoid of the
material modes.
Hari, that human who performs anything dear to Lord
Hari while being fully satisfied due to being absorbed
in spontaneous devotion is said to be performing
uttamottamā-bhakti, topmost devotion devoid of the
material modes.
aham eva paro viṣṇur mayi sarvam idaṁ jagat
iti yaḥ satataṁ paśyet taṁ vidyād uttamottamam
iti yaḥ satataṁ paśyet taṁ vidyād uttamottamam
One who constantly realizes that I, Vishnu, am the only
transcendental Lord and that the entire world is resting
upon me, is to be known as the topmost [devotee].
transcendental Lord and that the entire world is resting
upon me, is to be known as the topmost [devotee].
evaṁ daśa-vidhā bhaktiḥ saṁsārac-cheda-kāriṇī
tatrāpi sattvikī bhaktiḥ sarva-kāma-phala-pradā
tatrāpi sattvikī bhaktiḥ sarva-kāma-phala-pradā
These are the ten types of devotion, [and any
one of them is] capable of destroying material
existence. Yet devotional service in the mode of
goodness is the one which can fulfill all of one’s
[material and spiritual] desires.
one of them is] capable of destroying material
existence. Yet devotional service in the mode of
goodness is the one which can fulfill all of one’s
[material and spiritual] desires.
(— Translated by Hari Parshad Das from the Nāradīya-mahā-purāṇa
published by Khemraj Shrikrishna Das. Printed at the Venkateshwar
Steam Press, Mumbai. Vikram Samvat 1980 (~ 1923 A.D.)
More than the Lord-
From the Prapannāmṛta of Sri Anantacharya
From the Prapannāmṛta of Sri Anantacharya
śrīmad-bhāgavatārcanaṁ bhagavataḥ pūjā-vidher uttamaṁ
śrī-viṣṇor avamānanād guru-taraṁ śrī-vaiṣṇavollaṅghanam
tīrthād acyuta-pādajād guru-taraṁ tīrthaṁ tadīyāṅghrijaṁ
tasmān nityam atandrito bhava satāṁ teṣāṁ samārādhane
śrī-viṣṇor avamānanād guru-taraṁ śrī-vaiṣṇavollaṅghanam
tīrthād acyuta-pādajād guru-taraṁ tīrthaṁ tadīyāṅghrijaṁ
tasmān nityam atandrito bhava satāṁ teṣāṁ samārādhane
The topmost form of worshiping the Supreme Lord
is the worship of his pure devotee. More dangerous
than defying Lord Vishnu is to defy a Vaiṣṇava. More
potent than the water emanating from the Lord’s
feet is the water emanating from his dear devotee’s
lotus feet. Therefore always be alert and engage in
the dedicated worship of those devotees dear to the
Lord. (Chapter 65, verse 86.)
Translated by Hari Parshad Das from the Prapannāmṛta edited
by Srinivas Nrsimhacharya (Balaji Swami). Published by Khemraj
Shrikrishnadas. Printed at the Venkateshwar Steam Press, Mumbai.
Vikram Samvat 1964 (~ 1907 A.D.)(The above information is taken from this Website: www.gopaljiu.org )
is the worship of his pure devotee. More dangerous
than defying Lord Vishnu is to defy a Vaiṣṇava. More
potent than the water emanating from the Lord’s
feet is the water emanating from his dear devotee’s
lotus feet. Therefore always be alert and engage in
the dedicated worship of those devotees dear to the
Lord. (Chapter 65, verse 86.)
Translated by Hari Parshad Das from the Prapannāmṛta edited
by Srinivas Nrsimhacharya (Balaji Swami). Published by Khemraj
Shrikrishnadas. Printed at the Venkateshwar Steam Press, Mumbai.
Vikram Samvat 1964 (~ 1907 A.D.)(The above information is taken from this Website: www.gopaljiu.org )
Some Conclusions from all the above- The above is a somewhat detailed analysis of the 81 varieties of motivated devotion to the Lord. Why make all these distinctions? It is important for ourselves to see where our devotional qualities are manifesting in our daily lives, if we want to perfect this process of sadhana bhakti and finally arrive at the Lotus feet of the Lord in Vaikuntha. It is also very important to see where others qualities lay, especially is they are posing themselves as leaders of other devotees, who may mislead them due to their followers ignorance of the actual principles of pure devotion. It being kali yuga, the effects of quarrel and hypocrisy reach far into devotees lives and affects us deeply by being captivated by motivated so called leaders. These sastric explanations will guide us to the safe haven given freely by our past Acaryas, starting with Srila Prabhupada. If we remain blind to their warnings then we have only our ignorance to blame for our shortcomings.
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das