Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.25.37
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionAspire for Service, Not Rewards
“Thus because he is completely absorbed in thought of Me, the devotee does not desire even the highest benediction obtainable in the upper planetary systems, including Satyaloka. He does not desire the eight material perfections obtained from mystic yoga, nor does he desire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. Yet even without desiring them, the devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions.”
What the purport teaches
- The pleasures of higher planets and the powers obtained through mystic yoga are material opulences. A real devotee does not aspire for them, even when they are available by the Lord’s grace.
- One should not desire material opulence, reputation or beauty, but simply aspire to be absorbed in devotional service. The devotee desires service even if birth and death must continue without end.
- Liberation is already guaranteed for one engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A pure devotee does not even aspire to the eternally peaceful Vaikuṇṭha planets, yet receives the benefits of devotional service even in this life.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, pause and resolve to offer it for the Lord’s service rather than for a reward.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking devotional service itself, or mainly the benefits I hope it will bring?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.