74
TEACHINGS OF QUEEN KUNTĪ
we may see Him. By devotional service, we can purify our senses so that we may perceive the presence of God. Those who are less intelligent simply try to find God within, but those who are advanced in intelligence can see the Lord both within and without.
The yogic system of meditation is actually meant for those who are less intelligent. One who practices meditation in  yoga  must control the senses ( yoga indriya-samyamaḥ ). Our senses are very restless, and by practicing the different  āsanas , or sitting postures, one must control the mind and senses so that one can concentrate upon the form of Viṣṇu within the heart. This is the  yoga  system recommended for those who are too much absorbed in the bodily concept of life. However, because  bhaktas , devotees, are more advanced, they do not need to undergo a separate process to control their senses; rather, by engaging in devotional service they are already controlling their senses.
For example, if one is engaged in worshiping the Deity, cleansing the temple, decorating the Deity, cooking for the Deity, and so on, one's senses are already engaged in the service of the Absolute Truth, so where is the chance of their being diverted?  Hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: bhakti , devotional service, simply means engaging our senses ( hṛṣīka ) in the service of the master of the senses ( hṛṣīkeśa ). Now our senses are engaged in sense gratification. I am thinking that because I am this body, I must satisfy my senses. In fact, however, this is a contaminated stage of life. When one comes to the understanding that he is not this body but a spiritual soul, part and parcel of God, he knows that his spiritual senses should be engaged in the service of the supreme spiritual being. Thus one attains liberation ( mukti ).
One attains liberation when one gives up the false idea that the body is the self and when one resumes his actual position of service to the Lord ( muktir hitvānyathā rūpam svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ, Bhāg. 2.10.6 ). When we are conditioned, we give up our original constitutional position, which is described by Caitanya Mahāprabhu as being that of eternal service to Kṛṣṇa ( jīvera svarūpa haya — kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa' ). But as soon as we employ ourselves in the service of the Lord, we are liberated immediately. There is no need to pass through some preliminary process. This very act of engaging one's senses in the service of the Lord is evidence that one is liberated.
This liberation is open for everyone ( samam carantam ). In  Bhagavadgītā  Kṛṣṇa does not say to Arjuna, "Only you may come to Me and become liberated." No, the Lord is available for everyone. When He says,  sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaraṇam vraja —"Give up all other