Pure Devotional Service Without Desire for Material Profit
The standard of pure devotional service, or uttama-bhakti, is distinguished by its complete lack of selfish motivation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that unlike other forms of yoga or religious practice where the practitioner may seek material benefits, liberation, or mystic powers, pure devotion is characterized by the intent to please the Supreme Lord solely for His satisfaction. This article explores the specific qualification that one must serve Kṛṣṇa favorably and without any desire for material profit.
Definition of Unadulterated Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the definition of pure devotional service given by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.1.11). This definition serves as the litmus test for a devotee: one's activities must be free from the contamination of fruitive desire (seeking gain) and mental speculation (seeking liberation).
- One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Krsna favorably & without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional service.
- Pure devotional service is without aspiration and without desire for material profit.
- To execute unadulterated devotional service, therefore, one must follow the rules and regulations of devotional service without desire to gain material profit by fruitive activities or mental speculation.
Conquering the Supreme Lord
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is independent and supreme, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that He allows Himself to be controlled by the love of His pure devotees. The key factor in this relationship is the devotee's lack of personal motive. When Kṛṣṇa sees that a servant is working purely for the Lord's pleasure, without any hidden agenda for material profit, He is naturally conquered by such selfless love.
Superior to Salvation
In the material world, people work for profit; in the spiritualist community, many work for mukti (salvation) or siddhi (perfection). However, the stage of serving the senses of the Lord without any desire for personal return is considered far superior to even the highest liberation. This selfless engagement of the senses is the perfection of existence.
Conclusion
To attain the platform of pure devotional service, one must rigidly avoid the temptations of material profit and philosophical speculation. As the quotes illustrate, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the essence of bhakti lies in favorable service rendered exclusively for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa. This purity of purpose not only elevates the devotee above the desire for liberation but also attracts the mercy of the Lord to such a degree that He becomes conquered by His devotee's love.
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 Without Desire for Material Profit. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.