CC Madhya 22.145 (1975)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 145
- jñāna-vairāgyādi--bhaktira kabhu nahe 'aṅga'
- ahiṁsā-yama-niyamādi bule kṛṣṇa-bhakta-saṅga
SYNONYMS
jñāna—the path of knowledge; vairāgya-ādi—the path of renunciation and so on; bhaktira—of devotional service; kabhu—at any time; nahe—not; aṅga—a part; ahiṁsā—nonviolence; yama—controlling the senses and the mind; niyama-ādi—restrictions and so on; bule—roam; kṛṣṇa-bhakta-saṅga—in the association of a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
"The path of speculative knowledge and renunciation is not very essential for devotional service. Indeed, good qualities such as nonviolence and mind and sense control automatically accompany a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
PURPORT
Sometimes a neophyte devotee or ordinary person thinks highly of speculative knowledge, austerity, penances and renunciation, thinking them the only path for advancement in devotional service. Actually this is not a fact. The path of knowledge, mystic yoga and renunciation has nothing to do with the pure soul. When one is temporarily in the material world, such processes may help a little, but they are not necessary for a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. In the material world, such activities end in material enjoyment or merging into the effulgence of the Supreme. They have nothing to do with the eternal loving service of the Lord. If one abandons speculative knowledge and simply engages in devotional service, he has attained his perfection. The devotee has no need for speculative knowledge, pious activity or mystic yoga. All these are automatically present when one renders the Lord transcendental loving service.