The transcendental relationship of the devotees to the Lord.

The Lord says: I do not submit to the love of one for whom I remain the Supreme Lord, and who places himself in a subordinate position. He cannot subject Me to his desires.

I respond to the worship of My devotee according to the particular transcendental feeling that animates him. Such is My nature.

Verily, the Lord by His intrinsic nature reveals Himself to each devotee according to his own service of love and devotion. The entertainments of Vrindavana**** have shown that though God is generally worshipped with a feeling of reverence, the Lord is more pleased if the devotee considers Him as his dear son, personal friend or beloved, and serves Him with such natural affection.

In these transcendental relationships, the Lord submits to the love of His devotee. Such pure love for God is not tainted by any trace of unnecessary non-devotional desires and is not related to self-interested action or empirical speculation in any of their forms.

Pure and natural, it arises spontaneously when one reaches the absolute level. Such service of love and devotion is performed in a favourable atmosphere, free from material affection.

The service of love and devotion is the transcendental path par excellence, which leads in the perfect direction.

Devotional service is also the path of developing love for God, in its pure state, without the slightest tinge of self-interest. It is the final stage by which we enter into union and communion with Krishna, God, the Supreme Person, and is practiced by surrendering ourselves to the Supreme Lord, Krishna, and by offering love and devotional service to Him.

Reaching the level of union and communion with God, the Supreme and Absolute Person, enables one to embark on the path of pure devotional service, which alone enables one to approach Krishna, to see Him face to face, and to serve Him with love and devotion, and to remain at the Lord's side for eternity.

Furthermore, let us understand that the being who serves the Lord with pure love and devotion has actually reached the level of liberation, that is, union with God, for without this union it is not possible to serve the Lord.

Because God possesses absolute fullness, the being engaged in his service, in full awareness of God, in turn finds fullness within himself.