The Devotee III

four. Add to that 20 preliminary occupations, and the total is sixty-four
different items for conducting devotional service. One can adopt these sixty-
four items by his body, mind and senses, so that gradually his devotional
service becomes pure. Some of the items are completely separate, and some
are identical, and others appear to be mixed.

Srila Rupa Goswami has recommended that one should live in association
of those of the same mentality. Therefore, it is necessary to form some asso-
ciation of Krishna Consciousness and live together for the cultivation of
Krishna knowledge and devotional service. The most important item for
living in that association is to understand Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Srimad
Bhagwatam mutually. When faith and devotion are developed, they become
transformed into the worship of the deity and chanting of the Holy Name,
and living in a place like Mathura and Vrindaban.

These five items, mentioned after the thirty-nine, are very important and
essential. If one can simply discharge the last mentioned five items, even if
they are not done sufficiently, one can be elevated to the highest perfectional
stage. One may be able to perform one item or many items, according to
one’s capacity, but the principle factor of one’s complete attachment to devo-
tional service makes him advance on the path. There are many devotees in
history who attained the perfection of devotional service simply by discharging
the duties in one item. And there are many other devotees, like Maharaj
Amburish, who executed all the different items.

Some individual devotees who attained perfection in devotional service
by executing only one item are: Maharaj Parikshit, who was liberated in full
perfection simply by hearing. Sukadeva Goswami who became liberated and
perfect in devotional service simply by chanting. Lakshmi, simply by serving
the Lotus Feet of the Lord. King Prithu attained perfection simply by wor-
shipping; Akrura simply by praying; Hanuman only by becoming the servant
of Lord Rama. Arjuna attained perfection simply by becoming a friend to
Krishna, and Bali Maharaj simply by offering whatever he had in his pos-
session.

So far as Maharaj Amburish is concerned, he practically performed all
the items of devotional service: he first of all engaged his mind on the Lotus
Feet of Krishna. He engaged his words, his power of speaking, in describing
the transcendental qualities of the’Supreme Personality of Godhead. He engaged
his hands in washing the temple of the deity, his ears in hearing the words
of Krishna, and he engaged his eyes in beholding the deity of Krishna. He
engaged his touch for rendering service to the devotees, and he engaged his
