| Canto 11: General History | Chapter 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.20.35
nairapekshyam param prahur
tasman nirasisho bhaktir
SYNONYMS
nairapekshyam -- not desiring anything except devotional service; param -- the best; prahuh -- it is said; nihsreyasam -- highest stage of liberation; analpakam -- great; tasmat -- therefore; nirasishah -- of one who does not seek personal rewards; bhaktih -- loving devotional service; nirapekshasya -- of one who only sees Me; me -- unto Me; bhavet -- may arise.
TRANSLATION
It is said that complete detachment is the highest stage of freedom. Therefore, one who has no personal desire and does not pursue personal rewards can achieve loving devotional service unto Me.
PURPORT
As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.10),
"A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of all material desire, without any material desire or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the Personality of Godhead." In this statement by Sukadeva Gosvami, the words tivrena bhakti-yogena are very significant. Srila Prabhupada remarks in this regard, "As the unmixed sun ray is very forceful and is therefore called tivra, similarly, unmixed bhakti-yoga of hearing, chanting, etc., may be performed by one and all regardless of inner motive." Undoubtedly, in this age of Kali people are generally very fallen and polluted by material lust, greed, anger, lamentation and so forth. In this age most people are sarva-kama, or full of material desires. Still we must understand that simply by taking shelter of Lord Krishna we will achieve everything in life. The living entity should not engage in any process except the loving service of the Lord. One must accept that Lord Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasure and that only Lord Krishna within our heart can fulfill our real desire. This simple faith that one will achieve everything by approaching Lord Krishna is the essence of all knowledge and carries even a fallen person over the painful hurdles of this difficult age.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari