98 The Nectar of Devotion

her five husbands, the Pandavas, were put into severe tribulations by
their cousin-brother, Duryodhana, as well as by others. The tribula-
tions were so severe that even Bhismadeva, who was both a lifelong
brahmacari and a great warrior, would sometimes shed tears thinking
of them. He was always surprised that, although the Pandavas were
so righteous and Draupadi practically the goddess of fortune, and
although Krsna was their friend, still they had to undergo such severe
tribulations. Though their tribulations were not ordinary, still
Draupadi was not discouraged. She knew that because Krsna was
their friend, ultimately they would be saved.

A similar statement is there in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-
Bhagavatam, 2nd Chapter, 5th verse, where Havi, the son of King
Rsabha, addresses Maharaj Nimi: “‘My dear King, a person who never
deviates even for a moment from engagement in service at the lotus
feet of the Supreme Person (engagement which is sought after even
by great demigods like Indra) with firm conviction that there is no-
thing more worshipable or desirable than this, is called the first-class
devotee.”

Sri Ripa Gosvami says that a neophyte devotee who has simply
developed a slight love of Godhead is certainly a prospective candi-
date for devotional service. When he becomes firmly fixed in such
devotional service, that assured status becomes a confidential part of
his devotional service.

Sometimes it is found that a pure devotee lies down in the temple
of the Lord in order to serve Him as a confidential friend. Such
friendly behavior of a devotee may be accepted as ragdnuga, or spon-
taneous. Although, according to regulative principles, no one can lie
down in the temple of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this
spontaneous love of Godhead can be grouped under devotional ser-
vice in friendship.

Regarding complete self-surrender, there is a nice description in
the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, 29th Chapter, 32nd verse,
where the Lord says: “A person who has completely surrendered
unto Me and has completely given up all other activities is protected
by Me personally, both in this life and in the next. In other words, I
wish to help him become more and more advanced in spiritual life.
