Question: It is mentioned that only after self-realization one attains the stage of understanding devotional service. That one who is in the bodily concept of existence cannot understand the process of devotional service. Nārada-bhakti-sūtra1. Could you kindly elaborate on this?

Jayapataka Swami: I don’t know who translated Nārada-bhakti-sūtra, I don’t know if it is proper translation. But the idea is, that we understand that we are not the body. We are the spirit soul. And devotional service is offered on the platform of the spirit soul to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme spirit. Jīvera svarūpa haya kṛṣṇernitya-dāsa – that the jīva is the eternal servitor of Lord Kṛṣṇa. And devotional service is on the transcendental platform. In the spiritual world, people are in a loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa, and His expansions. In the material world, people falsely identify with the body, and are in a lusty position. So, to really understand devotional service, one should appreciate what the spiritual reality is,because devotional service is offered on the spiritual platform.
06-June-2020  SRI DHAMA MAYAPUR, INDIA