Process of Accepting Devotional Service to God

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the perfection of human life lies in voluntarily accepting the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. While the material world entangles the living entity in the cycle of birth and death through various temporary activities, the process of bhakti-yoga offers a direct path to liberation and eternal bliss. By accepting favorable principles and rejecting unfavorable ones under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, one reawakens their dormant love for God.

Only Means to Know God

Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that while many spiritual paths exist, such as jñāna or karma, they are insufficient for understanding the Absolute Truth without the aid of devotion. He clarifies that Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself only to those who adopt the process of bhakti, which is the ultimate conclusion of all Vedic knowledge.

• He (Krsna) clearly says, bhaktya mam abhijanati: (BG 18.55) "Only by devotional service can I be understood." If we want to know Krsna as He is, we have to accept the process of bhakti. It is this bhakti process that Kapiladeva will reveal to Devahuti.
• Krsna says, "If you want to know Me, then you have to accept this bhakti-yoga. No other means will . . ." because without full surrender unto Krsna, nobody can know Him.
• The karma-kanda portion stresses the execution of fruitive activities. But ultimately it is advised that one abandon both karma-kanda and jnana-kanda (speculative knowledge) and accept only upasana-kanda, or bhakti-kanda.

Universal Eligibility for Service

One of the most profound aspects of Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings is the openness of devotional service; it is not restricted by birth, caste, or social standing. He asserts that anyone, even those from families considered low-born, can surpass the position of a brāhmaṇa simply by sincerely accepting the instructions of the Lord and His devotees.

• Devotional service to the Lord is the only means by which the Lord can be attained, and this devotional service can be accepted by everyone and anyone in any country and under any circumstance.
• A person who is born in a sudra family can become greater than a brahmana simply by accepting devotional service and giving aural reception to the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees.
• It has been actually proved that the entire world can accept devotional service without failure. One simply has to follow the instructions of the representative of Krsna.

Principles of Surrender and Practice

To successfully advance in spiritual life, one must adopt specific practical methods, primarily centering on accepting what favors devotion and rejecting what hinders it. Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines that taking shelter of a spiritual master and engaging the senses—especially the tongue—in the Lord's service are foundational steps in this process.

• First-class bhakti means accepting everything which is favorable for devotional service. And pratikulyasya varjanam. And reject everything which is unfavorable to the procedure of Krsna consciousness.
• 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.
• By your force, you cannot see Him (Vasudeva). But He is pleased, sevonmukhe hi jihvadau, when you accept to serve Him by your tongue, beginning with tongue, kirtanam.

Deity Worship and Direct Service

Understanding the limitations of material vision, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord appears in the Deity form to accept the service of the aspiring devotee. This is not idol worship, but a scientific process where the Lord mercifully allows Himself to be served through material elements, provided the service is rendered with cleanliness and devotion.

• You cannot see now God. So Krsna has come in Deity form to accept your service. And we have to render service. Not that it is a doll or stone. No. He is Krsna.
• When you have invited Visnu, Krsna, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to accept your service, you must be very, very careful how to render service. How cleansely, how nicely you have to serve. Otherwise everything will be spoiled.

Conclusion

The process of accepting devotional service is the constitutional function of the spirit soul and the only path to true fearlessness and knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that by turning away from the temporary service of māyā and accepting the service of Kṛṣṇa, one achieves the highest perfection of life, transcending all material designations and dualities.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Accepting Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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