Chapter 5
\nThe Purity of Devotional Service
\nAll of the previous instructions imparted by \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b in his broad statements can be summarized thus:
\nAs long as one is materially inclined or desirous of merging into the spiritual effulgence, one cannot enter into the realm of pure devotional service. Next, R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b states that devotional service is transcendental to all material considerations and that it is not limited to any particular country, class, society or circumstance. As stated in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, devotional service is transcendental and has no cause. Devotional service is executed without any hope for gain, and it cannot be checked by any material circumstances. It is open for all, without any distinction, and it is the constitutional occupation of the living entities.<\/p>\n
In the Middle Ages, after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya\u2019s great associate Lord Nity\u0101nanda, a class of priestly persons claimed to be the descendants of Nity\u0101nanda, calling themselves the gosv\u0101m\u012b caste. They further claimed that the practice and spreading of devotional service belonged only to their particular class, which was known as Nity\u0101nanda-va\u1e41\u015ba. In this way, they exercised their artificial power for some time, until \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, the powerful \u0101c\u0101rya of the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava samprad\u0101ya, completely smashed their idea. There was a great hard struggle for some time, but it has turned out successfully, and it is now correctly and practically established that devotional service is not restricted to a particular class of men. Besides that, anyone who is engaged in devotional service is already at the status of being a high-class br\u0101hma\u1e47a. So \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura\u2019s struggle for this movement has come out successful.<\/p>\n
It is on the basis of his position that anyone can now become a Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava from any part of the world or any part of the universe. Anyone who is a pure Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava is situated transcendentally, and therefore the highest qualification in the material world, namely, to be in the mode of goodness, has already been achieved by such a person. Our K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement in the Western world is based on the above-mentioned proposition of \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b Gosv\u0101m\u012b Prabhup\u0101da, our spiritual master. On his authority, we are claiming members from all sections of the Western countries. The so-called br\u0101hma\u1e47as claim that one who is not born into a br\u0101hma\u1e47a family cannot receive the sacred thread and cannot become a high-grade Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava. But we do not accept such a theory because it is not supported by R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b or by the strength of the various scriptures.<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b specifically mentions herein that every man has the birthright to accept devotional service and to become K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a conscious. He has given many evidences from many scriptures, and he has especially quoted one passage from Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a, wherein the sage Vasi\u1e63\u1e6dha tells King Dil\u012bpa,
\n\u201cMy dear King, everyone has the right to execute devotional service, just as he has the right to take early bath in the month of M\u0101gha [December-January].\u201d
\nThere is more evidence in the Skanda Pur\u0101\u1e47a, in the K\u0101\u015b\u012b-kha\u1e47\u1e0da portion, where it is said,
\n\u201cIn the country known as May\u016bradhvaja, the lower-caste people, who are considered less than \u015b\u016bdras, are also initiated in the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava cult of devotional service. And when they are properly dressed, with tilaka on their bodies and beads in their hands and on their necks, they appear to be coming from Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha. In fact, they look so very beautiful that immediately they surpass the ordinary br\u0101hma\u1e47as.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thus a Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava automatically becomes a br\u0101hma\u1e47a. This idea is also supported by San\u0101tana Gosv\u0101m\u012b in his book Hari-bhakti-vil\u0101sa, which is the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava guide. Therein he has clearly stated that any person who is properly initiated into the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava cult certainly becomes a br\u0101hma\u1e47a, as much as the metal known as ka\u1e41sa (bell metal) is turned into gold by the mixture of mercury. A bona fide spiritual master, under the guidance of authorities, can turn anyone to the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava cult so that naturally he may come to the topmost position of a br\u0101hma\u1e47a.<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b warns, however, that if a person is properly initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, he should not think that simply by the acceptance of such initiation his business is then finished. One still has to follow the rules and regulations very carefully. If after accepting the spiritual master and being initiated one does not follow the rules and regulations of devotional service, then he is again fallen.
\nOne must be very vigilant to remember that he is a part and parcel of the transcendental body of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and that it is his duty as part and parcel to give service to the whole, or K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. If we do not render service to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a then again we fall down. In other words, simply becoming initiated does not elevate one to the position of a high-class br\u0101hma\u1e47a. One also has to discharge the duties and follow the regulative principles very rigidly.<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012b R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b also says that if one is regularly discharging devotional service, there will be no question of a falldown. But even if circumstantially there is some falldown, the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava need have nothing to do with the pr\u0101ya\u015bcitta, the ritualistic ceremony for purification. If someone falls down from the principles of devotional service, he need not take to the pr\u0101ya\u015bcitta performances for reformation. He simply has to execute the rules and regulations for discharging devotional service, and this is sufficient for his reinstatement. This is the mystery of the Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava (devotional) cult.<\/p>\n
Practically there are three processes for elevating one to the platform of spiritual consciousness. These processes are called karma, j\u00f1\u0101na and bhakti.
\nRitualistic performances are in the field of karma. Speculative processes are in the field of j\u00f1\u0101na.
\nOne who has taken to bhakti, the devotional service of the Lord, need have nothing to do with karma or j\u00f1\u0101na.
\nIt has been already explained that pure devotional service is without any tinge of karma or j\u00f1\u0101na. Bhakti should have no tinge of philosophical speculation or ritualistic performances.<\/p>\n
In this connection \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b gives evidence from \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, Eleventh Canto, twenty-first chapter, verse 2, in which Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a says to Uddhava,
\n\u201cThe distinction between qualification and disqualification may be made in this way:
\npersons who are already elevated in discharging devotional service will never again take shelter of the processes of fruitive activity or philosophical speculation. If one sticks to devotional service and is conducted by regulative principles given by the authorities and \u0101c\u0101ryas, that is the best qualification.\u201d<\/p>\n
This statement is supported in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, First Canto, fifth chapter, verse 17, wherein \u015ar\u012b N\u0101rada Muni advises Vy\u0101sadeva thus:
\n\u201cEven if one does not execute his specific occupational duty but immediately takes direct shelter of the lotus feet of Hari [K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a], there will be no fault on his part, and in all circumstances his position is secure. Even if, by some bad association, he falls down while executing devotional service, or if he doesn\u2019t finish the complete course of devotional service and dies untimely, still he is not at a loss. A person who is simply discharging his occupational duty in var\u1e47a and \u0101\u015brama, however, with no K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, practically does not gain the true benefit of human life.\u201d
\nThe purport is that all conditioned souls who are engaged very frantically in activities for sense gratification, without knowing that this process will never help them get out of material contamination, are awarded only with repeated births and deaths.<\/p>\n
In the Fifth Canto of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam it is clearly stated by \u1e5a\u1e63abhadeva to His sons,
\n\u201cPersons engaged in fruitive activities are repeatedly accepting birth and death, and until they develop a loving feeling for V\u0101sudeva, there will be no question of getting out from these stringent laws of material nature.\u201d
\nAs such, any person who is very seriously engaged in his occupational duties in the var\u1e47as and \u0101\u015bramas, and who does not develop love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, V\u0101sudeva, should be understood to be simply spoiling his human form of life.<\/p>\n
This is confirmed also in the Eleventh Canto of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, eleventh chapter, verse 32, in which the Lord says to Uddhava,
\n\u201cMy dear Uddhava, any person who takes shelter of Me in complete surrender and follows My instructions, giving up all occupational duties, is to be considered the first-class man.\u201d
\nIn this statement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is understood that people who are generally attracted to philanthropic, ethical, moral, altruistic, political and social welfare activities may be considered nice men only in the calculation of the material world. From \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam and other authentic Vedic scriptures we learn further that if a person simply acts in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and discharges devotional service, he is considered to be far, far better situated than all of those persons engaged in philanthropic, ethical, moral, altruistic and social welfare activities.<\/p>\n
The same thing is still more emphatically confirmed in \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, Eleventh Canto, fifth chapter, verse 41, in which Karabh\u0101jana Muni addresses Mah\u0101r\u0101ja Nimi as follows:
\n\u201cMy dear King, if someone gives up his occupational duties as they are prescribed for the different var\u1e47as and \u0101\u015bramas, but takes complete shelter, surrendering himself unto the lotus feet of the Lord, such a person is no more a debtor, nor has he any obligation to perform the different kinds of activities we render to the great sages, ancestors, living entities and family and society members. Nor has he any need to bother executing the five kinds of yaj\u00f1\u0101s [sacrifices] for becoming free from sinful contamination. Simply by discharging devotional service, he is freed from all kinds of obligations.\u201d
\nThe purport is that as soon as a man takes his birth he is immediately indebted to so many sources. He is indebted to the great sages because he profits by reading their authoritative scriptures and books. For example, we take advantage of the books written by Vy\u0101sadeva. Vy\u0101sadeva has left for us all the Vedas. Before Vy\u0101sadeva\u2019s writing, the Vedic literature was simply heard and the disciples would learn the mantras quickly by hearing and not by reading. Later on, Vy\u0101sadeva thought it wise to write down the Vedas, because in this age people are short-memoried and unable to remember all the instructions given by the spiritual master. Therefore, he left all the Vedic knowledge in the form of books, such as the Pur\u0101\u1e47as, Ved\u0101nta, Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata and \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam.<\/p>\n
There are many other sages, like \u015aa\u1e45kar\u0101c\u0101rya, Gautama Muni and N\u0101rada Muni, to whom we are indebted because we take advantage of their knowledge. Similarly, we are obliged to our forefathers because we take our birth in a particular family, where we take all advantages and inherit property. Therefore, we are indebted to the forefathers and have to offer them pi\u1e47\u1e0da (pras\u0101da) after they are dead. Similarly, to the people in general we are also indebted, as well as to our relatives, friends and even animals such as cows and dogs who render us so much service.<\/p>\n
In this way, we are indebted to the demigods, to the forefathers, to the sages, to the animals and to society in general. It is our duty to repay them all by proper discharge of service. But by the one stroke of devotional service, if someone gives up all obligations and simply surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is no longer a debtor nor obliged to any other source of benefit.<\/p>\n
In Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 also the Lord says,
\n\u201cGive up all your occupations and just become surrendered unto Me. I give you assurance that I shall give you protection from all sinful reactions.\u201d
\nOne may think that because he is surrendering unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead he will not be able to perform all of his other obligations. But the Lord says repeatedly,
\n\u201cDon\u2019t hesitate. Don\u2019t consider that because you are giving up all other engagements there will be some flaw in your life. Don\u2019t think like that. I will give you all protection.\u201d
\nThat is the assurance of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101.<\/p>\n
There is additional evidence in the Agastya-sa\u1e41hit\u0101:
\n\u201cAs the regulative principles of scripture are not required by a liberated person, so the ritualistic principles indicated in the Vedic supplements are also not required for a person duly engaged in the service of Lord R\u0101macandra.\u201d
\nIn other words, the devotees of Lord R\u0101macandra, or K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, are already liberated persons and are not required to follow all the regulative principles mentioned in the ritualistic portions of the Vedic literature.<\/p>\n
Similarly, in the Eleventh Canto of \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam, fifth chapter, verse 42, Karabh\u0101jana Muni addresses King Nimi and says,
\n\u201cMy dear King, a person who has given up the worship of the demigods and has completely concentrated his energy in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has become very, very dear to the Lord. As such, if by chance or mistake he does something that is forbidden, there is no need for him to perform any purificatory ceremonies. Because the Lord is situated within his heart, He takes compassion for the devotee\u2019s accidental mistake and corrects him from within.\u201d
\nIt is also confirmed in Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101 in many places that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, takes a special interest in His devotees and declares emphatically that nothing can cause His devotees to fall down. He is always protecting them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 5 The Purity of Devotional Service All of the previous instructions imparted by \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b in his broad statements can be summarized thus: As long as one is materially inclined or desirous of merging … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-03 12:37:55","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37649\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}