What is pure devotional service to God?

Answer 1

Renunciation also means being exclusively dedicated to the Lord and indifferent to what stands in the way of His service.

PURPORT

The exclusive nature of devotional service has also been described by Srila Rupa Gosvami in the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu (1.1.11):

anyabhilashita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavritam

anukulyena krishnanu-silanam bhaktir uttama

[Madhya 19.167]

"When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Krishna favorably, as Krishna desires."

Pure devotees are so exclusive in their intent to serve the Supreme Lord without any reward that they do not accept any kind of liberation, even though it may be offered by the Supreme Lord. This is confirmed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.29.13).

There is also something called "mixed bhakti," which occurs before the stage of pure devotional service. It is sometimes called prakrita-bhakti, or devotional service mixed with material desires. Srila Prabhupada writes, "When one has even a tinge of personal interest, his devotion is mixed with the three modes of material nature" (Bhag. 3.29.9, purport). Thus mixed devotion can occur in various combinations within the modes of ignorance, passion, and goodness. Srila Prabhupada elaborately explains mixed devotion as follows:

Devotional service in the modes of ignorance, passion, and goodness can be divided into eighty-one categories. There are different devotional activities, such as hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, offering prayers, rendering service, and surrendering everything, and each of them can be divided into three categories. There is hearing in the mode of passion, in the mode of ignorance, and in the mode of goodness. Similarly, there is chanting in the mode of ignorance, passion, and goodness, etc.... One has to transcend all such mixed materialistic devotional service in order to reach the standard of pure devotional service. [Bhag. 3.29.10, purport]

One kind of mixed devotional service is known as jnana-misra-bhakti, or devotional service mixed with empiric knowledge. Srila Prabhupada writes, "People in general, who are under the influence of avidya-sakti, or maya, have neither knowledge nor devotion. But when a person who is a little advanced and is therefore called a jnani advances even more, he is in the category of a jnana-misra-bhakta, or a devotee whose love is mixed with empiric knowledge" (Bhag. 4.9.16, purport).

Narada's definition of bhakti, being "exclusively dedicated to the Lord," refers to pure devotional service in the liberated stage. This has also been noted by Srila Prabhupada in his commentary on the first sutra of the Narada-bhakti-sutra, wherein he says that pure devotional service begins after the brahma-bhuta, or liberated, stage.

A pure devotee is akama, free of material desire. He is conscious of his actual position and derives satisfaction only from serving the Supreme Lord. Srila Prabhupada writes, "Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained this desirelessness as bhajaniya-parama-purusha-sukha-matra-sva-sukhatvam in his Sandarbhas. This means that one should feel happy only by experiencing the happiness of the Supreme Lord" (Bhag. 2.3.10, purport).

In the present sutra Narada Muni states that a pure devotee is "indifferent toward what stands in the way of [the Lord's] service." If a devotee encounters some hindrance in his service to the Lord, he prays to the Lord to please remove it. A good example is Queen Kunti:

atha visvesa visvatman visva-murte svakeshu me

sneha-pasam imam chindhi dridham pandushu vrishnishu

tvayi me 'nanya-vishaya matir madhu-pate 'sakrit

ratim udvahatad addha gangevaugham udanvati

"O Lord of the universe, soul of the universe, O personality of the form of the universe, please, therefore, sever my tie of affection for my kinsmen, the Pandavas and the Vrishnis. O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else" (Bhag. 1.8.41-42).

The supreme examples of devotees who let nothing stand in the way of their service to Krishna are the gopis of Vrindavana. And among all the gopis, the best is Srimati Radharani. Her determination to serve Krishna is beautifully described in this verse from Srila Rupa Gosvami's Vidagdha-madhava (3.9):

hitva dure pathi dhava-taror antikam dharma-setor

bhangodagra guru-sikharinam ramhasa langhayanti

lebhe krishnarnava-nava-rasa radhika-vahini tvam

vag-vicibhih kim iva vimukhi-bhavam asyas tanoshi

"O Lord Krishna, You are just like an ocean. The river of Srimati Radharani has reached You from a long distance -- leaving far behind the tree of Her husband, breaking through the bridge of social convention, and forcibly crossing the hills of elder relatives."

Although pure devotion to Lord Krishna is exclusive, it is not a narrow-minded, sectarian devotion. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all emanations; therefore love for Krishna includes within it love for all living entities. Srila Prabhupada explained this by the homely example of a girl who marries and joins with her husband's family. Just by the act of marrying one man, she automatically becomes intimately related with his family members, who now become her brothers-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and so on. Similarly, when we join with Krishna by rendering Him loving service, we enter into His family, which includes all living beings. Srila Prabhupada describes this in the preface to The Nectar of Devotion:

The basic principle of the living condition is that we have a general propensity to love someone. No one can live without loving someone else.... The missing point, however, is where to repose our love so that everyone can become happy.... The Nectar of Devotion teaches us the science of loving every one of the living entities perfectly by the easy method of loving Krishna. We have failed to create peace and harmony in human society, even by such great attempts as the United Nations, because we do not know the right method.

At the conclusion of the Bhagavad-gita (18.66), Lord Krishna states,

sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma sucah

"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." If one hesitates to take up exclusive devotion to the Lord because of obstacles or fear of being lax in other obligations, Krishna assures us that there is nothing to fear. Srila Prabhupada writes, "The particular words used here, ma sucah, 'Don't fear, don't hesitate, don't worry,' are very significant. One may be perplexed as to how one can give up all kinds of religious forms and simply surrender unto Krishna, but such worry is useless."

Answer 2

Pure worship to GOD is to worship him as he commands in his inspired word.
James 1:27
Matthew 7:21
James 1:5,6,7,8
1 Timothy 6:3,4
Ephesians 4:4,5,6
James 4:17
Colossians 3:16,17
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 11:23-28
Romans 6:1,2,3,4
Ephesians 5:19
Acts 2:38
Mark 16:15,16
Hebrews 11:1; 11:6
John 8:32
Romans 10:17
We are to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be immersed in baptism for remission of sins and then rise to walk in a new life with and for GOD
The Church of Christ only goes by the BIBLE.
We do not add to or take away from God's word.
Warnings against this is found in Deuteronomy 4:2 Proverbs 30:6
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Revelation 22
Christian in PA

Answer 3

Many people will try to give you their thoughts on the matter, and many religious sects from all around the world will try to tell you what you should do. None of these things will be incorrect, but it should be noted that these are the things that are correct for them and them alone.

If it does not come directly from your heart how can it be correct. You should attempt to do your best no matter what it is you choose to do, or what anybody else thinks because this is between you and your God. If whatever you do is done with love and honest intent in your heart you can not go wrong. Remember it the journey that is the most important thing, not the destination.

From the heart and your God will smile down on you like a proud parent.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

For God [The Father] "SO" Loved us that He gave His only son [Jesus Christ the second member of the Godhead gave Himself] so IF i BE-LIVE in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, now my part [john 3:16, 14:15] is IF I BE-LIVE in Him Keep His commandments, not service to God is good but apart from Loving Him enough to keep His commandments [not suggestions] service will not matter, true devotional service is this in 1john 4:7-8 we are told God is Love and IF we love we will love each other, and in Matthew 6:12, and 14-15 we are told to forgive each other our debts [sin is the only dept Jesus paid for] and He is telling us that He forgives us "AS" we forgive others and in verses 14 and 15 we are told about trespasses which are sins done on purpose, if we can FORGIVE each other what a "service" that would be, talk to me [e-mail] free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com bible questions www.bibleinfo.com God bless

Answer 5

If PDS is a particular term ...I could only guess.
As a general expression it must mean no erroneous teachings are included in that person's worship.
It is pure worship, believing and doing what God truly finds acceptable.
He doesn't accept just anything, you know?
Matthew 7:21-23.

Answer 6

On the contrary I've heard Bhakti is the easiest, simplest and very reassuring for the ones who need a lot of assurance. Is meditation gyan yog or raja yog?

Answer 7

Remembering orphans and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unspotted from the world. {James 1:27 nkj.. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.}

Answer 8

There are all kinds of things you can do.

The example of Mother Teresa immediately leaps to mind.

My participation here is one of the wayd I try to serve God. I also volunteer in the local hospital, and donate to worthwhile charities.

Answer 9

John 6:28-29
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Meaning believe in Jesus! There's more to this but I don't want to make it too long.

Answer 10

A religious man looks after other people's bodies and his own soul. A hypocrite looks after his own body and other people's souls.

Answer 11

i mean did not married devotee all the time to God
no family and no money only has God in the heart