Secrets of Success in Devotional Service to God
Success in spiritual life is not a matter of chance but the result of following a scientific process authorized by the great ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that perfection in bhakti-yoga is available to everyone, regardless of their material background, provided they sincerely follow the instructions of the spiritual master and the scriptures. By cultivating specific qualities such as enthusiasm and patience, and by engaging in the prescribed duties of devotion with a pure heart, a devotee attracts the mercy of the Lord, making the ultimate goal of life—pure love for Kṛṣṇa—an assured reality.
Six Principles of Determination
Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reminds us that success in bhakti requires a deliberate and enthusiastic approach, as outlined by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. It is not enough to simply wish for spiritual advancement; one must actively cultivate enthusiasm, maintain patience during struggles, and remain firmly convinced in the words of the guru and śāstra.
- Rupa Goswami says that enthusiasm, patience, conviction, acting exactly to the order of the Sastra and Guru, and always keeping oneself in the society of devotees, and this makes our devotional service successful. Our serious students should follow his advice.
- When you have entered into devotional service, bhakti-yoga, bhakti-marga, your success is assured, provided you are enthusiastic and patient. Not that "Immediately I want a child," "Immediately I become fully Krsna consciousness and perfect." No.
- These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.
Necessity of Mercy and Guidance
The secret to advancement lies in pleasing the representative of God, for when the spiritual master is satisfied, the Supreme Lord is automatically satisfied. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that we cannot approach Kṛṣṇa directly; our success is entirely dependent on the mercy of Lord Caitanya and the blessings of the disciplic succession.
- If one can satisfy the spiritual master, Krsna is automatically satisfied - yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah. This is the success of devotional service. This is the meaning of the word anukulyena - that is, favorable devotional service to the Lord.
- A student of Krsna consciousness must receive Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy; then his devotional service will quickly succeed.
- Brahma and persons in the line of his disciplic succession who follow in his footsteps are always successful in the discharge of loving transcendental service to the Supreme Lord.
Power of Nine Processes
There is no rigid restriction that one must perform all aspects of devotion perfectly to succeed; even a single process executed with faith can grant perfection. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights great souls like Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, who engaged all his senses in the Lord's service, as well as others who attained success through specific limbs of bhakti like hearing or praying.
- Emperor Ambarisa adopted all the nine items (of devotion), and he attained perfect success. It was he who engaged all the energy of his life in executing the services of the Lord without in the least desiring his own sense gratification.
- There are many devotees who execute only one of the nine processes of devotional service. Nonetheless, they get ultimate success. Devotees like Maharaja Ambarisa execute all nine items, and they also get ultimate success.
- Akrura: The commander in chief of the Vrsni dynasty and a great devotee of Lord Krsna. Akrura attained success in devotional service to the Lord by the one single process of offering prayers.
Purity of Heart and Association
To achieve success, one must be free from duplicity and the desire for material prestige or sense gratification. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that associating with those who are not devotees—such as karmīs and jñānīs—is detrimental, whereas a frank and open-minded attitude in the association of devotees clears the path to perfection.
- Anyone can become successful in devotional service provided he displays no duplicity.
- Furthermore, in order to be successful in devotional service one must give up the association of undesirable people. This includes karmis, jnanis, yogis and other nondevotees.
- It is explained here (SB 4.21.33) that one must be very frank and open-minded (amayinah). To be situated in a lower status of life is not a disqualification for success in devotional service.
Assurance of Ultimate Perfection
The path of devotional service is unique because the Supreme Lord personally guarantees the devotee's progress. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that once a sincere soul begins this process, they are under Kṛṣṇa's protection, and even if they stumble, the potency of bhakti will forcibly drag them to ultimate success.
- Devotional service is so pure and perfect that once having begun, one is forcibly dragged to ultimate success.
- Patience is necessary for developing the confidence that "Krsna will certainly accept me because I am engaging in devotional service." One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations to insure success.
- Krsna will surely protect me and give me help for the successful execution of devotional service.
Conclusion
In conclusion, success in devotional service to God is not a distant or abstract goal but a tangible reality for those who surrender to the process. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by strictly following the regulative principles, avoiding unfavorable association, and serving the spiritual master with enthusiasm and patience, any living entity can make their life successful. Whether one executes one or all of the nine processes of devotion, the key lies in sincerity and the mercy of the Lord, who guarantees that no effort on this path is ever lost.
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 Success in 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.