serving

Maharaja Nabhi was inclined to performing great sacrifices for begetting a son. The son might be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but such a material desire-be it great or insignificant-is brought about by the influence of maya. A devotee does not at all desire anything for sense gratification. Devotion is therefore explained as devoid of material desires (anyabhilasita-sūnya). Everyone is subjected to the influence of maya and entangled in all kinds of material desire, and Maharaja Nabhi was no exception. Freedom from maya's influence is possible when one engages in the service of the great devotees (mahac-carana-seva). Without worshiping the lotus feet of a great devotee, one cannot be freed from maya's influence. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura therefore says, chaḍiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: "Who has been freed from maya's clutches without serving the lotus feet of a Vaisnava?" Maya is aparajita, and her influence is also aparajita. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (7.14):    (More...)