Joyful by discharging devotional service

Expressions researched:
"joyful, by executing devotional service" |"joyful, by discharging devotional service" |"joy in devotional service" |"joyful by discharging devotional service" |"devotional service is joyful" |"joyful in your mind by executing devotional service" |"devotional service and are always joyful"

BG Chapters 7 - 12

In every state devotional service is joyful. One can execute devotional service even in the most poverty-stricken condition.

BG 9.2, Purport: The process of devotional service is a very happy one (susukham). Why? Devotional service consists of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ [SB 7.5.23], so one can simply hear the chanting of the glories of the Lord or can attend philosophical lectures on transcendental knowledge given by authorized ācāryas. Simply by sitting, one can learn; then one can eat the remnants of the food offered to God, nice palatable dishes. In every state devotional service is joyful. One can execute devotional service even in the most poverty-stricken condition. The Lord says, patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam: He is ready to accept from the devotee any kind of offering, never mind what. Even a leaf, a flower, a bit of fruit, or a little water, which are all available in every part of the world, can be offered by any person, regardless of social position, and will be accepted if offered with love. There are many instances in history. Simply by tasting the tulasī leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, great sages like Sanat-kumāra became great devotees. Therefore the devotional process is very nice, and it can be executed in a happy mood. God accepts only the love with which things are offered to Him.

SB Canto 3

In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, First Canto, it is stated that one becomes joyful by discharging devotional service. In that joyful attitude, one can understand the science of God, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness; otherwise it is not possible.

SB 3.26.72, Purport: In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, First Canto, it is stated that one becomes joyful by discharging devotional service. In that joyful attitude, one can understand the science of God, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness; otherwise it is not possible. The analytical study of the elements of material nature and the concentration of the mind upon the Supersoul are the sum and substance of the Sāṅkhya philosophical system. The perfection of this sāṅkhya-yoga culminates in devotional service unto the Absolute Truth.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya

Persons who have been thoroughly cleansed by devotional service and are always joyful, being situated in elevated consciousness, and who are pleased to perform all details of devotional service, have in their pure hearts the transcendental ecstasy of attachment.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 14: Persons who have been thoroughly cleansed by devotional service and are always joyful, being situated in elevated consciousness, who are very much attached to the studies of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, who are always cheerful in the association of devotees, who have accepted the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate shelter of their lives, and who are pleased to perform all details of devotional service, have in their pure hearts the transcendental ecstasy of attachment. When that ecstatic state of being is enriched with love of Kṛṣṇa and the transcendental experience, one gradually attains to the mature oneness of spiritual life. Such spiritual life is not possible for those who are not situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service. This fact is further corroborated in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu wherein it is said: "It is very difficult for the nondevotee to understand the taste of devotional service. Only one who has completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and whose life is merged in the ocean of devotional service can understand this transcendental pleasure."

Renunciation Through Wisdom

Only when the jīva casts away his mundane characteristics can he experience transcendental joy in devotional service.

Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.4: In his essay entitled "Yoga," Śrī Aurobindo does not recommend destroying desire but rather changing its character. It is a perennial truth that the jīva is by nature an eternal servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The jīva has no other identity, whether he is conditioned or liberated. His position is similar to that of a citizen of a country: he is always subject to the government laws, whether he is in or out of jail. When he is inside the jail, all his activities are painful, but as a free citizen he feels content in everything he does. It is merely a matter of changing his character. Similarly, even when the jīva refuses to serve the Supreme Energetic, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and instead serves His illusory energy, māyā, he remains a servant of the Lord. But in that condition he is ignorant of the bliss of devotional service to the Lord. Only when the jīva casts away his mundane characteristics can he experience transcendental joy in devotional service. Still, in no situation does the jīva ever give up his inherent nature as Kṛṣṇa's eternal servant, for he emanates from the Lord's marginal potency.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

By Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement you become engladdened, you become joyful, by discharging devotional service. And the knots, you will be no more interested with this rascal life of material existence.

Lecture on SB 1.2.21 -- Los Angeles, August 24, 1972: So by Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, if people take to it seriously and become advanced... The same process, śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [SB 1.2.17], simply hearing about Kṛṣṇa, as we are doing. Then, gradually, we come to the platform of goodness, and the lower modes of material nature, namely ignorance and passion, cannot disturb us. We become situated in goodness. And then, gradually, this stage comes, evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti yogataḥ [SB 1.2.20]. You become engladdened, you become joyful, by discharging devotional service. And the knots, you will be no more interested with this rascal life of material existence. Bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiḥ.

Unless one becomes jubilant, joyful, by executing devotional service, he cannot understand what is Kṛṣṇa. It is not possible.

Lecture on SB 1.2.30 -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972: So long we have got bodily vision, there cannot be any equality. That is not possible. When one sees only to the spiritual existence of a living entity, there is question of seeing equally, equal vision, universal brotherhood. That is possible. Not on the bodily platform. That is not possible.

So after acquiring this knowledge, the life of devotional service begins.

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā

na śocati na kāṅkṣati

samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu

mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām

[Bg. 18.54]

That is required. And in that stage of devotional life, one can understand what is Kṛṣṇa. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ [Bg. 18.55]. That is tattvataḥ understanding. In another place it is said, in the Bhagavad-gītā, uh, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ [SB 1.2.20]. Unless one becomes jubilant, joyful, by executing devotional service, he cannot understand what is Kṛṣṇa. It is not possible. To understand superficially Kṛṣṇa, that "He..., He appeared in Mathurā in His uncle's prison house...," that is also nice. But one should try to understand Kṛṣṇa in fact. That fact can be revealed by devotional service. You cannot challenge Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa will reveal. Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. If we become sevonmukha, if we try to serve Kṛṣṇa as eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa will reveal Himself, what He is. You cannot understand Kṛṣṇa by speculation, by mental speculation. That is not possible.

General Lectures

Unless you become joyful in your mind by executing devotional service. When you are fully joyful in your mind by executing devotional service. How one can become joyful? Simply by executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Not otherwise. It is not possible.

Lecture -- Boston, April 25, 1969: Although I am a sannyāsī—I have no interest with family life, neither we are expected to take part in this man and woman relationship—but still, purposely I have married so many couples, boys and girls, just to see them happy. Without happiness, without being in good mood of mind, you cannot prosecute Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is also stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

evaṁ prasanna-manaso

bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ

bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ

mukta-saṅgasya jāyate

[SB 1.2.20]

Prasanna-manaso. Unless you become joyful in your mind by executing devotional service... Evaṁ prasanna. Prasanna means joyful. Manasa, manasa means mind. When you are fully joyful in your mind by executing devotional service... Evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ. How one can become joyful? Simply by executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Not otherwise. It is not possible.