Desire for Liberation Versus Pure Devotional Service

The Vedic texts often speak of four goals of human life: religion (dharma), economic development (artha), sense gratification (kāma), and liberation (mokṣa). While the first three are binding to the material world, the fourth—liberation—is generally considered the goal of the transcendentalists. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that on the path of pure devotional service, even the desire for liberation is considered a contamination. This article explores the tension between the desire for salvation and the higher standard of unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa.

Prescription for Those Desiring Liberation

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one need not be a pure devotee immediately to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The scriptures offer a broad directive: even if one is filled with the desire for liberation, the method to achieve it is not dry speculation or impersonal meditation, but the intense worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

• In the sastra (SB 2.3.10) it is recommended: A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of material desires, free from material desires, or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the Personality of Godhead.
• Whether one is without desire (akama) or with desire (sakama), or whether one desires liberation (moksa-kama), he is advised to worship the Supreme Lord and execute devotional service unto Him. By so doing, one attains all perfection in any field of life.

Rejection of Liberation by Pure Devotees

While Kṛṣṇa consciousness can award liberation, the pure devotee does not ask for it. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses strong metaphors, comparing the desire for liberation to being haunted by a ghost or a witch. He explains that the desire to merge into God is actually the "foremost process of cheating" because it denies the soul's eternal function of service.

• As long as one desires material benefit or liberation, which are called the two witches of allurement, he cannot relish the taste of transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord.
• The actual devotee does not desire even liberation, anyabhilasita-sunyam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11). The Lord, however, fulfills the desire of the devotee by awarding him opulence that will never be destroyed.
• The foremost process of cheating is to desire to achieve liberation by merging into the Supreme, for this causes the permanent disappearance of loving service to Krsna.

Transformation of The Desire

How does one move from desiring relief to desiring service? Śrīla Prabhupāda points to the association of pure devotees (sādhu-saṅga). When a person desiring liberation comes into contact with a Vaiṣṇava, or sees the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, the desire for liberation naturally evaporates, replaced by the superior taste of serving the Lord.

• Simply by meeting Krsna or receiving Krsna's special favor, one can give up the desire for liberation. Being attracted by the transcendental qualities of Krsna, one can engage in His service.
• By associating with the great saint Narada, Saunaka and other great sages gave up the desire for liberation and engaged in Krsna's devotional service.
• There is one good opportunity - the association with devotees. Such association brings about great happiness. Due to this good quality, our strong desire to achieve liberation by merging into the Brahman effulgence has become weakened.

Conclusion

The desire for liberation is the last snare of māyā. While it frees one from material suffering, it binds one to a limited conception of the self. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the bhakta is already liberated by virtue of their service, yet they do not care for it. Their only desire is to remain an eternal servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa, whether in this world or the next.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

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