Text 167] The Lord Instructs Srila Rapa Gosvami 349

TEXT 167

Satfeatsiyas wta-eAtoatgey |
SIRPCATA FRIAR ShSEFST f 69 |

anyabhilasita-stnyam
jfidna-karmady-anavrtam

anuktlyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama

SYNONYMS

anya-abhildsita-sGnyam—without desires other than those for the service of
Lord Krsna, or without material desires (such as those for meat-eating, illicit sex,
gambling and addiction to intoxicants); jfiana—by the knowledge of the philoso-
phy of the monist Mayavadis;* karma—by fruitive activities; adi—by artificially
practicing detachment, by the méchanical practice of yoga, by studying the
Sankhya philosophy, and so on; andvrtam—uncovered; anukdlyena— favorable;
krsna-anusilanam—cultivation of service in relationship to Krsna; bhaktih ut-
tama—first-class devotional service.

TRANSLATION

“(When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all
material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive ac-
tion. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna desires.

PURPORT

This verse is also found in Srila Ripa Gosvami's Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.11).
As we can understand from Bhagavad-gita (9.34 and 18.65), the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead wants everyone to think of Him always (man-mand bhava
mad-bhaktah). Everyone should become His devotee, not the devotee of a
demigod. Everyone should engage in devotional service or arcana Deity worship
in the temple. Man-mand bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mari namaskuru. Everyone
should offer obeisances, from moment to moment, to the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. These are the desires of the Supreme Lord, and one who fulfills His
desires favorably is actually a pure devotee. Krsna wants everyone to surrender
unto Him, and devotional service means preaching this gospel all over the world.
The Lord says openly in Bhagavad-gitd (18.69): na ca tasmadn manusyesu kascin
me priya-krttamah. One should preach the gospel of Bhagavad-gitd for the benefit

“Here jfiana does not refer to perfect knowledge in devotional service. One has to learn the path of
devotional service with full knowledge of the Vedas (bhaktyd Sruta-grhitaya—Bhdg. 1.2.12).
