Which is Most Important: Service, Pastimes, or Philosophy?
One of my associates has a doubt. He wants to know which is more important: Krishna's pastimes, Krishna's teachings, or service to Krishna.
If a person doesn't know Krishna's pastimes, how he can develop love for Krishna?
If he doesn't know the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita, how can he understand the goal of life?
And, if he doesn't do any service, how will he ever develop the mode of surrender?
Among the devotees here there are some who work very hard to do services like cooking, cleaning, etc. They do not know so much philosophy or about Krishna's pastimes.
And there are those who know more philosophy and who are always read for kirtan and dancing, but are not ready to work hard.
What is the most important?
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Replies
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Recently I read an article posted on ISKCON Desire Tree that illuminated well for me the mood with which to read Bhagavad Gita.
https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-potency-of-bhagavad...
We should approach Krishna by any means, right? There are so many arms of devotional service by which to reach him, most important are sravanam and kirtanam, but then, follow our heart, right?
What do you think?
Your servant,
Diogo
Hare Krishna dear Hamangini Mataji, please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In one place Srila Prabhupada says if one is engaged with Deity worship:cooking, washing, cleaning, sewing of course after completing 16 rounds, whole day then he/she is considered as if he/she is studying all Vedas for 24 hours.
When we serve to Krishna with devotion, He says that He will give intelligence from within with which we will be able to understand Him.
In order to gain knowledge we read and listen Srimad Bhagavatam early mornings, and evenings.
Srimad Bhagavatam is complete with philosophy and with the pastimes of the Lord.
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There should be balance. as there are 9 types of services and Maharaja Ambarisha set an example using all those services.
With tongue he used to chant the Holy Names, to taste Prasadam
with legs used to come to the Temple
with nose smell the flavor of flowers offered to the Lord
with eyes to look to the Lord
with head to bow down before the Lord
...
In this way we should read also, chant, do service according to our nature.
Someone may have good intelligence but weak body so he can study nicely and preach nicely. If someone is physically strong he can carry heavy stuffs, guard for Krishna...if someone is expert in taking care of cows or doing business he can do that and please Krishna. if someone can take care of children and make them Krishna Conscious then she can do that in order to please Krishna.
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More important is not the type of service but the consciousness with which we perform that. If we do that for prestige or for other material things then even if it's massive preaching Krishna won't be pleased. But if one is washing pots to make Krishna and His Devotees happy then his service is considered the best.
Your servant,