Text 38] The Glories of Devotional Service 1049
this planet. It is said that on the moon the duration of life is such that our
six months are equal to one day. We cannot even imagine the duration of
life on the highest planet. It is stated in Bhagavad-gita that Brahma’s
twelve hours are inconceivable even to our mathematicians. These are all
descriptions of the external energy of the Lord, or maya. Besides these,
there are other opulences which the yogis can achieve by their mystic
power. They are also material. A devotee does not aspire for all these
material pleasures, although they are available to him simply by wishing.
By the grace of the Lord, a devotee can achieve wonderful success simply
by willing. But a real devotee does not like that. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
has taught that one should not desire material opulence or material repu-
tation, nor should one try to enjoy material beauty; he should simply as-
pire to be absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord, even if he does
not get liberation but has to continue the process of birth and death
unlimitedly. Actually, however, to one who engages in Krsna conscious-
ness, liberation is already guaranteed. Devotees enjoy all the benefits of the
higher planets and the Vaikuntha planets also. It is especially mentioned
here, bhagavatimn bhadram. In the Vaikuntha planets everything is eternally
peaceful, yet a pure devotee does not even aspire to be promoted there.
But still he gets that advantage; he enjoys all the facilities of the material
and spiritual worlds, even during the present life span.
TEXT 38
a afafrnct: | atrdEd
aeeafed at Astatan ote ata: |
yaad ft AT aA
Aa Te get Zafieq —zeil
na karhicin mat-parah santa-ripe
nanksyanti no me ’nimiso ledhi hetih
yesam aham priya atma sutas ca
sakhd guruh suhrdo daivam istam

na—not; karhicit—ever; mat-parah—My devotees; sdnta-ripe—O mother;
nanksyanti—will lose; no—not; me—My; animisah—time; ledhi—destroys;
hetih— weapon; yesam—of whom; aham—I, priyah—dear; atma—self; sutah—
son; ca—and; sakha—friend ; guruh— preceptor ; suhrdah—benefactor; daivam
— Deity; istam—chosen.
