Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 4.59
Unalloyed Devotional Service Pleases Kṛṣṇa Most
“[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:] ‘My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga [the mystic yoga system for controlling the senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.’
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa tells Uddhava that unalloyed devotional service satisfies Him more than the other practices listed.
- These include aṣṭāṅga-yoga, impersonal monism, analytical study of the Absolute Truth, and study of the Vedas.
- Austerities, charity, and acceptance of sannyāsa also do not satisfy Him as much as developing unalloyed devotional service.
Try this today
Before one devotional act today, pause and form the intention to do it simply for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction.
Ask yourself
How can I make pleasing Kṛṣṇa the purpose of my devotional service?
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.