108 THE PATH OF PERFECTION Failure and Success in Yoga 109
yogi simply by participating in Krsna consciousness; no, this is the scendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and
verdict of authorized scripture— Bhagavad-gita. These words are uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.’ Yato bhaktir adhok-
not our creation but are specifically stated by Lord Sri Krsna, the saje. The word bhakti comes from the same root as bhaj. The test
Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. of a first-class religion is whether or not we are developing our
Actually, worship and service are somewhat different. Worship love for God. If we practice religion with some ulterior motive,
implies some motive. I worship a friend or an important man be- : hoping to fulfill our material necessities, our religion is not first
cause if I can please that person, I may derive some profit. Those class but third class. It must be understood that first-class religion
who worship the demigods worship for some ulterior purpose, is that by which we can develop our love of Godhead. Ahaituky
and that is condemned in the Seventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gita apratihata. This perfect religion should be executed without
(7.20): ulterior motive or impediment. That is the yoga system recom-
mended in Srimad-Bhagavatam and in this Sixth Chapter of
kamais tais tair hrta-jfianah Bhagavaa-gita. That is the system of Krsna consciousness.
prapadyante ‘nya-devatah Krsna consciousness is not rendered with some motive in
tam tam niyamam asthaya mind. The devotees are not serving Krsna in order that He supply
prakrtyad niyatah svaya them this or that. For a devotee there is no scarcity. One should
not think that by becoming Krsna conscious, one becomes poor.
‘*Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender No. If Krsna is there, everything is there, because Krsna is every-
unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of thing. But this does not mean that we should try to conduct busi-
| worship according to their own natures.”’ Those who are ness with Krsna, demanding, ‘‘Krsna give me this. Give me
bewildered by lust worship the demigods with a motive; therefore, that.’ Krsna knows better than we do, and He knows our motives.
when we speak of worship, some motive is implied. Service, A child does not make demands of his parents, saying, ‘‘Dear
however, is different, for in service there is no motive. Service is father, give me this. Give me that.’’ Since the father knows his
rendered out of love, just as a mother renders service to her child child’s necessities, there is no need for the child to ask. Similarly,
out of love only. Everyone can neglect that child, but the mother it is not a very good idea to ask God to give us this or that. Why
cannot, because love is present. Bhaj-dhatu is similar in that there should we ask? If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, He knows
is no question of motive, but service is rendered out of pure love. our wants, our necessities, and can supply them. This is confirmed
That is the perfection of Krsna consciousness. in the Vedas. Eko bahtinam yo vidadhati kaman: ‘The single one
This is also the recommendation of Srimad-Bhagavatam almighty God is supplying all necessities to millions and trillions
| (1.2.6): of living entities.’’ Therefore, we should not demand anything of
; God, because our demands are already met. The supplies are
Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo already there. We should simply try to love God. Even cats and
yato bhaktir adhoksaje dogs are receiving their necessities without going to church and
ahaituky apratihata petitioning God. If a cat or dog receives its necessities without
yayatma suprasidati making demands, why should the devotee not receive what he
needs? Therefore we should not demand anything from God but
‘“‘The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by should simply try to love Him. Then everything will be fulfilled,
which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the tran- . and we will have attained the highest platform of yoga.
'
