matter. We are sure to reach it after leaving our present body if we prepare for it through the practice of devotional service. The latter is the most perfect guarantee of our return to God.
The misunderstanding of the real identity of the incarnate spiritual being can gradually be erased by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, Krishna, and this, through practice of the service of love and devotion offered to his Person in a spirit of detachment
The changing, undulating character of material existence, which comes from the identification of the being with his body of matter, or from believing oneself to be God under the material influence of philosophical speculation, can be dispelled by devotional service, thanks to the mercy of Lord Krishna. In truth, the practice of the loving and devotional service offered to God, Krishna, allows one to acquire pure knowledge, hence rapid detachment from the material concept of existence. The being then awakens to his natural, spiritual condition, even in his present life, and thus escapes the influence of material energy. Only knowledge related to the practice of devotional service can advance us on the path to liberation. Without the practice of devotional service, the development of knowledge for the sole purpose of knowing everything is considered a vain effort, which cannot confer the desired result. Only devotional service succeeds in satisfying the Lord, Krishna, so that his mercy is to be realized in contact with pure beings. Pure beings transcend all material desire, including the fruits of action and philosophical speculation. If we desire to obtain the mercy of the Lord, we must seek the company of our pure devotees, who alone can gradually free us from the factors of instability.
The science of Krishna, also called the science of God, takes on such a subtle character, that all holy beings want to penetrate it and through it, get to know Krishna, God, the Supreme Person better.
The pure truth about the true relationship between us and God is that of Master to subordinates. The Lord is the Supreme Eternal Master, and distinct individual beings from God that we are all, his eternal servants. True knowledge of this relationship calls for the awakening of our sleeping consciousness to this reality, and the process of awakening lies in the loving and devotional service offered to the Lord. This is the only way to God.
The company of a genuine spiritual master may prove to be an absolute necessity when it comes to developing a purely spiritual attachment for direct service to the Lord. The Lord is known as the one who reduces to nothing the sufferings of his pure devotees. The service of love and devotion can be animated by various spiritual feelings, corresponding to the different relationships that unite the Lord to living beings, which we qualify as neutral, active, friendly, parental and loving.. The being established in the practice of spiritual service offered to the Lord in a liberated state clings to one or other of these feelings, and this absorption in the service of absolute