Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.3.33
Mukti· LiberationLove of Godhead Goes Beyond Liberation
“Thus learning the science of devotional service and practically engaging in the devotional service of the Lord, the devotee comes to the stage of love of Godhead. And by complete devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, the devotee easily crosses over the illusory energy, māyā, which is extremely difficult to cross.”
What the purport teaches
- By learning the science of devotional service and putting it into practice, a devotee develops love of Godhead. Complete devotion to Nārāyaṇa makes it easy to cross māyā, the otherwise difficult illusory energy.
- Liberation is a secondary result of pure love of Godhead, not devotional service’s principal goal. By obeying the Lord and taking full shelter of Him, one receives liberation automatically.
- Actual happiness comes from loving Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without material desires or mental speculation. Pure devotional service means serving Him favorably, without seeking material profit.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes studying this verse as service to Kṛṣṇa, without asking for material gain or liberation.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking to love and serve Kṛṣṇa, or mainly hoping to gain something for myself?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.