112 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 16

material side of the temple. The bricks, stone and wood used in the con-
struction of the temple are spiritual, just as the Deity, although made of
stone, is not stone but the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. The
more one advances in spiritual consciousness, the more he can under-
stand the elements of devotional service. Nothing in devotional service is
material; everything is spiritual. Consequently a devotee is awarded so-
called material opulence for spiritual advancement. This opulence is an
aid to help the devotee advance toward the spiritual kingdom. Thus
Maharaja Citraketu remained in material opulence as a vidyddhara-pati,
master of the Vidyadharas, and by executing devotional service he be-
came perfect within a very few days and returned home, back to God-
head, taking shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Sesa, Ananta.

A karmi’s material opulence and a devotee’s material opulence are not
on the same level. Srila Madhvacarya comments in this way:

anyantaryaminam visnum
updsydnya-samipagah

bhaved yogyataya tasya
padam va prapnuydn narah

By worshiping Lord Visnu one can get whatever he desires, but a pure
devotee never asks Lord Visnu for any material profit. Instead he serves
Lord Visnu without material desires and is therefore ultimately trans-
ferred to the spiritual kingdom. In this regard, Srila Viraraghava Acarya
comments, yathesta-gatir ity arthah: by worshiping Visnu, a devotee can
get whatever he likes. Maharaja Citraketu wanted only to return home,
back to Godhead, and therefore he achieved success in that way.

TEXT 30
amet fafrarad eEr-
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mmdala-gauram Siti-vdsasam sphurat-

kirita-keyiira-katitra-kankanam
