Introduction XXII

conclusion of voidism or impersonalism. This conclusion is useless
for a Krsna conscious person. Only rarely by philosophical speculation
can one reach the conclusion of worshiping Vasudeva, Krsna. This is
confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita itself. The ultimate end of philo-
sophical speculation, then, must be Krsna, with the understanding that
Krsna is everything, the cause of all causes, and that one should there-
fore surrender unto Him. If this ultimate goal is reached, then philo-
sophical advancement is favorable, but if the conclusion of philo-
sophical speculation is voidism or impersonalism, that is not bhakti.

Karma or fruitive activities are sometimes understood to be ritual-
istic activities. There are many persons who are very much attracted
by the ritualistic activities described in the Vedas. But if one becomes
attracted simply to ritualistic activities without understanding Krsna,
his activities are unfavorable to Krsna consciousness. Actually, Krsna
consciousness can be based simply on hearing, chanting, remembering,
etc. Described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam are nine different processes,
besides which everything done is unfavorable to Krsna consciousness.
Thus, one should always be guarding against falldowns.

Stila Ripa Gosvamt has also mentioned in this definition of bhakti
the word jiidna-karmadi. This karmadi (fruitive work) consists of
activities which are unable to help one attain to pure devotional
service. Many forms of so-called renunciation are also not favorable
to Krsna conscious devotional service.

Srila Ripa Gosvamt has also quoted a definition from the Narada-
pancaratra, as follows: ‘‘One should be free from all material designa-
tions and must be cleansed of all material contamination by Krsna
consciousness. He should be restored to his pure identity, where he
engages his senses in the service of the proprietor of the senses.” So
when our senses are engaged for the actual proprietor of the senses,
that is called devotional service. In our conditional state, our senses
are engaged in serving these bodily demands. When the same senses
are engaged in executing the order of Krsna, it is called bhakti.

As long as one identifies himself as belonging to a certain family, a
certain society or a certain person, he is said to be covered with
designations. When one is fully aware that he does not belong to any
family, society or country, but is eternally related to Krsna, he then
