Page 37 - BIKC - Eng

ATTITUDES IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE 19

Of course, real devotional service is completely unmotivated,
even by desires for peace and holistic well-being. Only such a
surrendered attitude can bring complete satisfaction to the self.
Those who are most intelligent will, from the beginning of their
practice of Kåñëa consciousness, sincerely endeavor to be pure
devotees of Kåñëa. Such an attitude is always to be encouraged, for
it is the essence of our movement.
Others, however, may consider such an outlook to be utopian.
How is it possible, they will postulate, for those coming from such
sinful backgrounds to consider seriously the prospect of becoming
pure devotees, completely free from all material desires? “Better
be realistic,” they say, “Make some compromise with mäyä, and
continue at some level of Kåñëa consciousness.” Of course,
everyone is encouraged to begin devotional service at whatever
level he finds convenient, and it is not expected that all will take to
it fully from the very beginning. Indeed, the whole system of
varëäçrama-dharma (which forms the basis of Vedic culture) is
meant for the gradual elevation of materially contaminated
persons who are willing to adopt some measure of Kåñëa
consciousness into their lives but are not yet prepared for full
surrender to Kåñëa.
However, Çréla Prabhupäda’s whole mood (and that of Lord
Caitanya and of our entire sampradäya) is that Kåñëa
consciousness is so easily available in this Kali-yuga by the easy
process of chanting Hare Kåñëa, so why not take full advantage of
it, perfect our lives, and go back home, back to Godhead? Çréla
Prabhupäda: “Don’t think that this chanting and dancing will not
lead to the desired goal. It will. It is the assurance of Lord Caitanya
Mahäprabhu that one will get all perfection by this process.” 46
It is with this faith that brahmacärés engage in devotional
activities. True brahmacärés strive for the mood of ahaituky-
apratihatä-bhakti—constant engagement in devotional service
without any personal motive. 47 They are always eager for service
and do not expect any special facilities or respect in return. Such
pure devotional service is the ideal and essence of brahmacäré life.