The Srimad Bhagwatam 205

edge, then he is free from the influence of the external energy. Just as the Moon
is the reflection of the Sun, and without the existence of the Sun the Moon
cannot illuminate, so this material cosmic manifestation is something like
the reflection of the Spiritual World.

When one is actually liberated from the spell of the external energy, he
can understand the constitutional nature of the Supreme Lord. Devotional
service to the Lord is the only means for attaining Him. And this devotional
service of the Lord can be accepted by everyone and anyone, in any country,
in any atmosphere, and under any circumstance. Devotional Service is above
the four principles of religiousness, or above the understanding of liberation.
Even the preliminary process of executing devotional service is transcendental
to the highest subject matter of liberation in the ordinary course of religious-
ness.

One should, therefore, approach a bona fide Spiritual Master, irrespective
of caste, creed, color, country and place, and he must hear from that bona
fide Spiritual Master everything about devotional service. The real purpose
of life is to revive our dormant love of God. That is our ultimate necessity.
How that love of God can be achieved is explained in the Srimad Bhagwatam.
There is theoretical knowledge and specific, or realized knowledge. The perfect,
realized knowledge, is obtained in realization of the teaching received from
the Spiritual Master.
