Krishna proclaims — “Pure Bhakti-yoga is the only way” to understand Krishna and enter His abode
aEligibility to understand Absolute Truth
Krishna and His plenary portions cannot be understood – By mental speculation or by non- devotees
Under the guidance of a pure devotee
Without devotional service, Absolute Truth is always hidden – Ref. Bg. 7.25
Erudite scholarship or mental speculation or university degrees fail to reveal Absolute Truth
bEligibility to enter lord’s abode
One who is fully conversant with the science of Krishna
cRefutation of Mayavada — Becoming Brahman does not mean losing identity
Devotional service means God, devotee, the process of devotional service
Such knowledge is never vanquished even after liberation; same distinction is maintained
Liberation involves getting free from material concept of life, but the individuality continues
Importance of word “Visate” – “Enters into Me”
It implies to enter into the abode of the Lord in one’s individuality, to render service
Analogy: Green bird enters a green tree, not to become one, but to enjoy the fruits of the tree
Analogy: Impersonalists give the example of a river flowing into the ocean and happiness of merging, but personalists keep his personal individuality like an aquatic in the ocean
dHow one’s devotional service begins after achieving brahma bhuta stage
Brahma-bhuta stage develops
Material contamination decreases
One can understand the Supreme Lord
eOther references on “Devotional service continues after liberation”
Ref. Vedanta Sutra 4.1.12
Srimad Bhagavatam defines “Real devotional liberation” as reinstatement of living entity in one’s own constitution position as fragmental part and parcel, and eternal servant of the Lord.