Introduction XIX

within each of these four divisions. Originally in Bhakti-rasamrta-
sindhu, the ocean is divided like the watery ocean into east, west,
north and south, while the sub-sections within these different divi-
sions are called waves. As in the ocean there are always different
waves, either on the eastern side, the western side, the northern side
or the southern side, so similarly Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu has differ-
ent waves. In the first part there are four waves, the first being a
general description of devotional service. The second concerns the
regulative principles for executing devotional service, and the third
wave devotional service in ecstasy. In the fourth is the ultimate goal,
love of God. These will be explicitly described along with their dif-
ferent symptoms.

The authorized description of bhakti, or devotional service, follow-
ing in the footsteps of previous dcaryas, can be summarized in the
following statement by Srila Ripa Gosvami: “First-class devotional
service is known by one’s tendency to be fully engaged in Krsna con-
sciousness, serving the Lord favorably.” The purport is that one may
also be in Krsna consciousness unfavorably, but that cannot be
counted as pure devotional service. Pure devotional service should be
free from the desire for any material benefit or for sense gratification,
as these desires are cultivated through fruitive activities and philo-
sophical speculation. Generally, people are engaged in different activi-
ties to get some material profit, while most philosophers are engaged
in proposing transcendental realization through volumes of word jug-
glery and speculation. Pure devotional service must always be free
from such fruitive activities and philosophical speculations. One has
to learn Krsna consciousness or pure devotional service from the
authorities by spontaneous loving service.

This devotional service is a sort of cultivation. It is not simply in-
action for people who like to be inactive or devote their time to
silent meditation. There are many different methods for people who
want this, but cultivation of Krsna consciousness is different. The
particular word used by Srila Ripa Gosvami in this connection is
anusilana, or cultivation by following the predecessor teachers
(acaryas). As soon as we say “cultivation,” we must refer to activity.
Without activity, consciousness alone cannot help us. All activities
