104 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 3

PURPORT
anyabhilasita-sinyam
Jfiana-karmady-andvurtam
anukiilyena krsnanu-
Silanam bhaktir uttama
(Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11)

“One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord
Krsna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain through
fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devo-
tional service.” Unalloyed devotees have nothing to ask from the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, but Gajendra, the King of the
elephants, was circumstantially asking for an immediate benediction be-
cause he had no other way to be rescued. Sometimes, when there is no al-
ternative, a pure devotee, being fully dependent on the mercy of the
Supreme Lord, prays for some benediction. But in such a prayer there is
also regret. One who always hears and chants about the transcendental
pastimes of the Lord is always situated on a platform on which he has
nothing to ask in terms of material benefits. Unless one is a completely
pure devotee, one cannot enjoy the transcendental bliss derived from
chanting and dancing in the ecstasy of the sartkirtana movement. Such
ecstasy is not possible for an ordinary devotee. Lord Sri Caitanya Maha-
prabhu showed us how one can enjoy transcendental bliss simply by
chanting, hearing and dancing in ecstasy. This is bhakti-yoga. Therefore
the King of the elephants, Gajendra, said, adhyatmika-yoga-gamyam,
indicating that unless one is situated on this transcendental platform, one
cannot approach the Supreme Lord. The benediction of being able to ap-
proach the Lord can be achieved after many, many births, yet Sr
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has awarded this benediction to everyone, even to
the fallen souls who have no heritage of anything in spiritual life. That is
actually being seen in the Krsna consciousness movement. Therefore the
path of bhakti-yoga is the spotless process by which to approach the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah: only
through devotional service can one approach the Supreme Lord. The
Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (7.1):

mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yufijan mad-asrayah
