Devotional Qualifications 115
by all authentic scriptures. Mental speculators neglect the process of
devotional service, and by simply trying to defeat others in philo-
sophical research they fail to develop the ecstasy of devotion.

In the Eleventh Canto, 20th Chapter, 31st verse, of the Srimad-
Bhagavatam, Krsna says, ‘“‘My dear Uddhava, for persons who are
seriously engaged in My service, the cultivation of philosophical specu-
lation and artificial renunciation are not very favorable. When a per-
son becomes My devotee he automatically attains the fruits of the
renunciation of material enjoyment, and he gets sufficient know-
ledge to understand the absolute truth.” That is the test of advance-
ment in devotional service. A devotee cannot be in darkness because
the Lord shows him special favor and enlightens him from within.

In the Eleventh Canto, 20th Chapter, 32nd and 33rd verses, of the
Srimad-Bhagavatam the Lord further instructs Uddhava: “My dear
friend, the profits derived from fruitive activities, austerities, the cul-
ture of philosophical knowledge, renouncement, the practice of
mystic yoga, charity and all similar auspicious activities are auto-
matically achieved by My devotees—those who are simply attached
to Me by loving service. These devotees have everything at their dis-
posal, but they desire nothing outside of My devotional service. If
ever a devotee should desire some material profit—to be promoted
to the heavenly planets—or some spiritual profit—to go to the Vai-
kunthas—by My causeless mercy their desires are very easily fulfilled.”

Actually a person who is developing Krsna consciousness and still
has some attachment to material enjoyment will soon be freed from
such a tendency by regularly discharging devotional service under the
instruction of a bona fide spiritual master.

Srila Ripa Gosvami, then, recommends that one should not be at-
tached to material sense enjoyment, but accept everything enjoyable
which is in relationship to Krsna. For example, eating is necessary,
and one wants some palatable dishes to satisfy his sense of taste.
So in that case, for the satisfaction of Krsna rather than for the
satisfaction of the tongue, some palatable dishes may be prepared
and offered to Krsna. Then it is renunciation. Let the palatable
dishes be prepared, but unless they are offered to Krsna one should
not accept them for eating. This vow of rejecting anything which is
