CHAPTER FIVE

How to Approach God

Actually, all Vedic literature directs the human being toward the perfect
stage of devotion. The paths of fruitive activities, speculative knowledge and
meditation do not lead one to the perfectional stage, but the Lord actually
becomes approachable by the process of devotional service. Therefore, one
is recommended throughout the Vedic literature to accept the process of
devotional service. Lord Chaitanya quoted in this connection a verse from the
Srimad Bhagwatam, Eleventh Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, in which the Lord
says, “My dear Uddhava, neither philosophical speculation nor Yoga achieve-
ments nor penances can give Me such pleasure as can devotional service pra-
cticed by the living entities.” He can only be achieved by devotional service,
as He is dear only to the devotees. If a person born in the lowest family of
humanity is a devotee, then he becomes freed from all contamination. Devo-
tional service is the only path by which to achieve the Supreme Personality
of God.

This is the only perfection accepted in all Vedic literature. As a poor man

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