Explanation of the Atmarama Verse in Srimad Bhagwatam 139

engaged in His devotional service. The nine mystics mentioned in the Eleventh
Canto of Srimad Bhagwatam are understood to have been transcendentalists
from birth by hearing the transcendental qualities of Krishna from Brahma
and Lord Shiva and Narada.

Sometimes one becomes attracted to Krishna and His transcendental
qualities simply by looking upon the beautiful features of His transcendental
Body, and in that case also one gives up the desire for liberation and becomes
engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. The devotee repents his loss
of time in the so-called cultivation of knowledge, and becomes a pure devotee
of the Lord.

There are two kinds of liberated souls even in this material body: the soul
liberated by devotional service, and the soul liberated by the cultivation
of knowledge. The difference is that the liberated soul in devotional service
becomes more and more elevated, being attracted by the transcendental quali-
ties of Krishna, whereas the dry speculators who simply cultivate knowledge
without any connection with devotional service become fallen on account
of their many offences.

This is confirmed in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, Second Chapter.
It is said there, “O my Lord, the intelligence of those who think themselves
liberated without a touch of devotional service is not pure, because, even
though they rise to the highest point of liberation by severe penances and aus-
terity, still, with no center at Your Lotus Feet, they are sure to fall down again
into this material existence.” Bhagavad Gita also confirms this, in the Eight-
eenth Chapter, 54th verse—one who is actually situated in the Brahman reali-
zation has nothing to lament for and nothing to desire. He is equipoised toward
everyone, and thus is eligible for being situated in devotional service.

This same thing is accepted by Bilvamongal Thakur. In his later life, he
lamented that, “I was situated as a monist, to become One with the Supreme
Lord, but somehow or other, I contacted a Naughty Boy, and I became His
eternal servitor.” In other words, those who become self-realized souls by exe-
cuting devotional service can achieve a transcendental body, and by being
attracted to the transcendental qualities of Krishna, they become engaged fully
in pure devotional service.

Anyone who is not attracted to Krishna is understood to be still under
the spell of Maya. Therefore, one who is trying to be liberated by devotional
service is actually liberated from the spell of Maya. In the Eleventh Canto
of Srimad Bhagwatam there are many instances of devotees who became liberated
in this life simply by their engagement in devotional service.
