184
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 5, Ch. 5]
not bother seeking out knowledge. By simply engaging in devotional service undeviatingly, one will always remain in the liberated condition.
mām ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate  (Bg. 14.26)
The unflinching execution of devotional service is in itself  brahma-bhūta . Another important feature in this connection is  anena yogena yathopadeśam . The instructions received from the spiritual master must be followed immediately. One should not deviate from or surpass the instructions of the spiritual master. One should not be simply intent on consulting books but should simultaneously execute the spiritual master's order ( yathopadeśam ). Mystic power should be achieved to enable one to give up the material conception, but when one actually engages in devotional service, one does not need to practice the mystic  yoga  system. The point is that one can give up the practice of  yoga , but devotional service cannot be given up. As stated in  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam  (1.7.10):
ātmārāmāś ca munayo nirgranthā apy urukrame kurvanty ahaitukīm bhaktim ittham-bhūta-guṇo hariḥ
Even those who are liberated ( ātmārāma ) must always engage in devotional service. One may give up the practice of  yoga  when one is self-realized, but at no stage can one give up devotional service. All other activities for self-realization, including  yoga  and philosophical speculation, may be given up, but devotional service must be retained at all times.
TEXT 15
पुत्रांश्च शिष्यांश्च नृपो गुरुर्वा मल्लोककामो मदनुग्रहार्थः ।