Sambandha-prakarana
The Relationship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Individual Spirit Souls
Introduction by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
In order to show the way the individual spirit souls, who were described in the cit-prakarana chapter, may attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is perfect, complete, eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, in the beginning of this, the fourth chapter, the author describes devotional service and the natural and eternal relationship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the individual souls.
Sutra 31
Devotional service means unwavering love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Here the word 'pare' means 'for the Supreme Personality of Godhead', and 'purna-anuraktih' means 'unwavering love'. The nature of devotional service is described in these words of Taittiriya Upanisad (2.7.1):
"When one understands the Personality of God, the reservoir of pleasure, Krsna, he actually becomes transcendentally blissful."
Bowing at the lotus feet of my master, I, trembling with bliss and love, carefully sprinkle these drops from the blissful ocean of devotional service.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nityananda, to Lord Advaita, who is the husband of Sita, to Haridasa Thakura, who is the best of Vaisnavas, to Gadadhara Pandita...
...To Sri Rupa Gosvami, to his brother Sri Sanatana Gosvami, and to all the exalted devotees of the Lord. Their mercy is the water that has nourished the vine of Lord Krsna's mercy upon me.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Narottama dasa Thakura and all the other preachers of loving devotional service to Lord Krsna. I offer my respectful obeisances to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Svarupa Damodara, Sri Govinda, and all the other dear associates of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
I offer my respectful obeisances to Valmiki Muni, Vasistha Muni, and Narada Muni, who all personally saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Vyasa, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, Suta Gosvami, Lord Siva, Prahlada Maharaja, Uddhava...
...the sages led by Sanaka-kumara, the sages led by Saunaka Rsi, noble hearted King Pariksit, Bhisma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Kapila, Maharaja Dhruva, Maharaja Pracinabarhi...
...the great soul Maharaja Ambarisa, the nine yogendras and all the great devotees of ancient times, devotees expert in devotional service to the Lord.
I pray that by the dust from the feet of these great devotees, who are worshipped by all the worlds, my slow mind will become expert in describing the truth of devotional service.
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Mystic yogis, by the practice of mystic or psychic powers, can do things that ordinary people consider very wonderful and miraculous. Such yogis then exploit the people, claiming that they are God Himself. And millions of foolish people believe such charlatans and blindly follow them. This is very unfortunate.
Siddhaswarupananda - Chris Butler Speaks
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In the Kena Upanisad (4.6) it is said:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the highest object of worship. All living beings yearn to attain Him."
In the Narada-pancaratra it is said:
"Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and, simply by being employed in the service of the Lord, one's senses are purified."
In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29.12) it is said:
"Just as the water of the
In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.25.32) it is also said:
"The senses are symbolic representations of the demigods, and their natural inclination is to work under the direction of the Vedic injunctions. As the senses are representatives of the demigods, so the mind is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mind's natural duty is to serve. When that service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than salvation."
In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.1.11) Srila Rupa Gosvami explains:
"When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favourably, as Krsna desires."
In Sandilya's Bhakti-sutra (1.1.2) it is said:
"Devotional service means intense love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
