Freedom from Material Desires of a Devotee of God

In the material world, desire is the driving force of existence, binding the living entity to the cycle of birth and death. However, in the realm of devotional service, the nature of desire undergoes a radical transformation. This article explores the distinction between the sakāma-bhakta (the devotee with material motives) and the akāma-bhakta (the pure devotee), illustrating how the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness mercifully liberates the soul from the contamination of temporary cravings.

State of Pure Devotion (Akāma)

The definition of a pure devotee is one who is anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam, or completely empty of all material motivations. Such a devotee does not seek sense gratification, fame, or even liberation. Being freed from the mental contamination of "I" and "mine," the pure devotee's consciousness is exclusively fixed on the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

• A pure devotee is always free from any kind of material desires. In the material world, one's material desires are all most demonic.
• Bhakti is called sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam (CC Madhya 19.170), indicating that a devotee is freed from all material designations, and anyabhilasita-sunyam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11), situated in a transcendental position, free from all material desires.
• Being completely cleansed of all material desires, the devotees are freed from all mental contamination. Thus they can always think of the Lord constantly and address Him very feelingly.

Approaching Kṛṣṇa with Material Motives

The scriptures acknowledge that not everyone begins devotional service on the platform of purity. Many approach God due to distress or a desire for wealth. These devotees are termed sakāma. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one who is intelligent should worship Kṛṣṇa regardless of their condition. Unlike the worship of demigods, which entangles one further, worshiping Kṛṣṇa purifies the intent.

• One who is actually intelligent, although he may be a devotee free from material desires, a karmi desiring all kinds of material facilities, or a jnani desiring liberation, should seriously engage in bhakti-yoga for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
• Whether one is a pure devotee and is free from all material desires, or is full of material desires, or desires liberation from material contamination, he should in all cases surrender to Vasudeva and worship Him.
• The demigods are called sakama devotees, or devotees with material desires in mind, while the pure devotees are called niskama devotees because they have no desires for their personal interests.

Purification Process

The special mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa is that He does not leave His devotee's heart contaminated. When a devotee worships the Lord with a material motive, the Lord may fulfill that desire, but He does so in a way that the devotee never wants to ask for material things again. This burning of material desires is the unique potency of bhakti.

• Sri Krsna, who is the Paramatma in everyone's heart & the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.
• Because of his (the devotee's) intense devotional service, his ignorance, material consciousness and all kinds of material desires are completely burnt to ashes.
• If one takes to Krsna's devotional service but still has material desires to fulfill, he may become free from all material desires, as Dhruva Maharaja did, but this may take some time.

Transcending Liberation

Ultimately, a devotee transcends not only the desire for sense gratification but also the desire for mukti (liberation). The happiness derived from serving the Supreme Lord is so immense that even the liberation of merging into the Absolute or attaining spiritual planets pales in comparison. The devotee is satisfied simply by serving, without asking for anything in return.

• For the devotees, liberation (mukti) is very unimportant because, having attained the Lord's transcendental loving service, they have attained everything desirable and have transcended all material desires.
• By worshiping Lord Visnu one can get whatever he desires, but a pure devotee never asks Lord Visnu for any material profit. Instead he serves Lord Visnu without material desires and is therefore ultimately transferred to the spiritual kingdom.

Conclusion

The journey of a devotee may begin with material aspirations, but it concludes in the sanctuary of pure love. Kṛṣṇa is so kind that if a devotee approaches Him for material gain, He eventually grants the supreme benediction: freedom from the very desire to enjoy separately from Him. As exemplified by Dhruva Mahārāja, who sought a kingdom but found the Lord, the devotee eventually realizes that there is nothing more valuable than the audience of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 Material Desires of a Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.