Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 8.27
Seek Pure Devotion, Not Artificial Symptoms
“When one’s transcendental loving service to the Lord is actually awakened, it generates transformations in the body such as perspiration, trembling, throbbing of the heart, faltering of the voice and tears in the eyes.”
What the purport teaches
- Bodily transformations such as trembling, a faltering voice and tears appear automatically when love of Godhead is actually awakened.
- One should not imitate these symptoms to gain cheap public adoration. Genuine ecstatic symptoms do not need to be manufactured.
- Desire for material acclaim is a disease that can remain even while one advances spiritually. Pure devotion must be without desire for anything material.
Try this today
Perform one small act of devotional service today without seeking praise or displaying emotion for others.
Ask yourself
Do I want to serve the Lord, or do I sometimes want others to admire my devotion?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.