Text 18] The Activities of Lord Rsabhadeva 241

TRANSLATION

Devotees always bathe themselves in devotional service in order
to be relieved from the various tribulations of material existence.
By doing this, the devotees enjoy supreme bliss, and liberation
personified comes to serve them. Nonetheless, they do not accept
that service, even if it is offered by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead Himself. For the devotees, liberation [mukti] is very
unimportant because, having attained the Lord’s transcendental
loving service, they have attained everything desirable and have
transcended all material desires.

PURPORT

Devotional service unto the Lord is the highest attainment for anyone
desiring liberation from the tribulations of material existence. As stated
in Bhagavad-gita (6.22), yam labdhvé cépararm labham manyate na-
dhikam tatah: “Gaining this, one thinks there is no greater gain.” When
one attains the service of the Lord. which is non-different from the Lord.
one does not desire anything material. Mukti means relief from material
existence. Bilvamangala Thakura says: muktih mukulitanjalih sevate
’sman. For a devotee. mukti is not a very great achievement. Mukti
means being situated in one's constitutional position. The constitutional
position of every living being is that of the Lord’s servant: therefore
when a living entity is engaged in the Lord’s loving service. he has
already attained mukti. Consequently a devotee does not aspire for mukti,
even if it is offered by the Supreme Lord Himself.

TEXT 18
WT WARS VAat az
da fra: Baa: wa HAT! |
ARATAS ANA Asa FHraT
afer carta wlafacen a aA eC

rajan patir gurur alarm bhavatam yadiinam
daivam priyah kula-patih kva ca kinkaro vah
