Text 9] The Dynasty of Maharaja Nimi 157

PURPORT

Maharaja Nimi did not want to accept a material body, which would be
a cause of bondage; because he was a devotee, he wanted a body by which
he could render devotional service to the Lord. Srila Bhaktivinoda

Thakura sings: Janmaobi more iccha yadi tora

bhakta-grhe jani janma ha-u mora
kita-janma ha-u yathaé tuyé dasa

““My Lord, if You want me to take birth and accept a material body again,
kindly do me this favor: allow me to take birth in the home of Your ser-
vant, Your devotee. I do not mind being born there even as an insignifi-
cant creature like an insect.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also said:

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagadisa kimaye
mama janmani janmanisvare

bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

**O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic
followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery
language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to
You.” (Siksdstaka 4) By saying “life after life” (janmani janmani), the
Lord referred not to an ordinary birth but a birth in which to remember
the lotus feet of the Lord. Such a body is desirable. A devotee does not
think like yogis and jiidnis, who want to refuse a material body and be-
come one with the impersonal Brahman effulgence. A devotee does not
like this idea. On the contrary, he will accept any body, material or spiri-
tual, for he wants to serve the Lord. This is real liberation.

If one has a strong desire to serve the Lord, even if he accepts a ma-
terial body, there is no cause of anxiety, since a devotee, even in a ma-
terial body, is a liberated soul. This is confirmed by Srila Ripa Gosvami:

iha yasya harer dasye
karmana manasé gira

nikhildsv apy avasthasu
Jivan-muktah sa ucyate
