Text 20]
Further Inquiries by Vidura
283
PURPORT
The association of a bona fide spiritual master like the sage Maitreya can be of absolute help in achieving transcendental attachment for the direct service of the Lord. The Lord is the enemy of the Madhu demon, or in other words He is the enemy of the sufferings of His pure devotee. The word  rati-rāsaḥ  is significant in this verse. Service to the Lord is rendered in different transcendental mellows (relationships): neutral, active, friendly, parental and nuptial. A living entity in the liberated position of transcendental service to the Lord becomes attracted to one of the above-mentioned mellows, and when one is engaged in transcendental loving service to the Lord, one's service attachment in the material world is automatically vanquished. As stated in  Bhagavad-gītā  (2.59),  rasa-varjam raso py asya param drṣṭvā nivartate .
TEXT 20
दुरापा हल्पतपसः सेवा वैकुण्ठवर्त्मसु । यत्रोपगीयते नित्यं देवदेवो जनार्दनः ॥२०॥
durāpā hy alpatapasaḥ sevā vaikuṇṭha-vartmasu yatropagīyate nityam deva-devo janārdanaḥ
durāpā —rarely obtainable;  hi —certainly;  alpa-tapasaḥ —of one whose austerity is meager;  sevā —service;  vaikuṇṭha —the transcendental kingdom of God;  vartmasu —on the path of;  yatra —wherein;  upagīyate —is glorified;  nityam —always;  deva —Lord;  devaḥ —of the demigods;  janārdanaḥ —the controller of the living entities.
TRANSLATION
Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikuṇṭhas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.
PURPORT
The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the  mahātmā  transcendentalists. As far as  Bhagavad-gītā  is concerned, the