there, he frees himself from all material constraints, and his attraction to the Lord becomes unalterable. Then true devotion is born and devotional service begins.

The being who consciously seeks to serve the Lord with devotion in contact with holy beings, obtains to disdain material pleasure, in this world as in the other, through constant remembrance of the Lord's activities. This practice, Krishna consciousness, represents the easiest path to the acquisition of supernatural power; as soon as the being truly establishes himself on the path of devotional service, he finds himself in a position to master the mind.

So one who, rather than obeying the attributes and modes of influence of nature material; virtue, passion and ignorance, cultivates Krishna consciousness, self-denial knowledge, and practices yoga whereby the mind is constantly fixed on devotional service, this one obtains to live in My company in this very life, for I am the Sovereign Person, the Absolute Truth.

The senses represent divine beings, and their natural inclination is to act according to the directives of the Vedas [the original holy scriptures]. Likewise, the mind represents the Sovereign Lord, and its natural duty is to serve. Now, when this inclination is employed in the devotional service offered to the Sovereign Person, without any further motive, then it becomes much more precious than salvation.

By itself, devotional service dissolves the subtle body (ethereal) of the distinct being, just as the fire present in the stomach digests everything we eat.

The pure sage, attached to the activities of devotional service and ceaselessly absorbed in the service of My similar feet -in the lotus, at no time desire to merge into Me. Unwavering, such a sage constantly glorifies My deeds and My entertainments. My devotees ceaselessly contemplate My smiling face and My eyes like the rising sun; they like to admire My multiple spiritual and absolute forms, infinitely benevolent, and to converse pleasantly with Me.

Seeing the lovely, smiling and attractive forms of the Lord, and hearing his very sweet words, the pure sage loses virtually all other forms of consciousness. His senses are freed from all other occupation, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service. Thus, even if he does not desire it, he attains liberation without further effort. Thus, because he completely absorbs his thoughts in Me, the sage does not desire even the most high blessing that can be obtained on the higher planetary systems, including on Satyaloka (the highest planet in our galaxy). Nor does he desire the eight material perfections conferred by the practice of astanga yoga, nor does he aspire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. However, even without desiring them, the holy being enjoys all of these blessings in this very life.

So, adoring Me through steadfast devotional service, I the omnipresent Lord of the universe, the sage renounces any desire to reach the Edenic planets or to be happy in this world, with wealth, children, cattle, house or any other object related to the