The Devotee
III
four. Add to that 20 preliminary occupations, and the total is sixty-four different items for conducting devotional service. One can adopt these sixty-four items by his body, mind and senses, so that gradually his devotional service becomes pure. Some of the items are completely separate, and some are identical, and others appear to be mixed.
Srila Rupa Goswami has recommended that one should live in association of those of the same mentality. Therefore, it is necessary to form some association of Krishna Consciousness and live together for the cultivation of Krishna knowledge and devotional service. The most important item for living in that association is to understand  Srimad Bhagavad Gita  and  Srimad Bhagwatam  mutually. When faith and devotion are developed, they become transformed into the worship of the deity and chanting of the Holy Name, and living in a place like Mathura and Vrindaban.
These five items, mentioned after the thirty-nine, are very important and essential. If one can simply discharge the last mentioned five items, even if they are not done sufficiently, one can be elevated to the highest perfectional stage. One may be able to perform one item or many items, according to one's capacity, but the principle factor of one's complete attachment to devotional service makes him advance on the path. There are many devotees in history who attained the perfection of devotional service simply by discharging the duties in one item. And there are many other devotees, like Maharaj Amburish, who executed all the different items.
Some individual devotees who attained perfection in devotional service by executing only one item are: Maharaj Parikshit, who was liberated in full perfection simply by hearing. Sukadeva Goswami who became liberated and perfect in devotional service simply by chanting. Lakshmi, simply by serving the Lotus Feet of the Lord. King Prithu attained perfection simply by worshipping; Akrura simply by praying; Hanuman only by becoming the servant of Lord Rama. Arjuna attained perfection simply by becoming a friend to Krishna, and Bali Maharaj simply by offering whatever he had in his possession.
So far as Maharaj Amburish is concerned, he practically performed all the items of devotional service: he first of all engaged his mind on the Lotus Feet of Krishna. He engaged his words, his power of speaking, in describing the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He engaged his hands in washing the temple of the deity, his ears in hearing the words of Krishna, and he engaged his eyes in beholding the deity of Krishna. He engaged his touch for rendering service to the devotees, and he engaged his