love and the goal

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Here is a related answer from the old texts (expanded by Sri Visnupada for

the second volume of "Questions and Answers"):

 

 

> > Question: Gaura-vigraha-devi dasi, April 17, 1995

>

> Is it always the case that one who is more advanced will give more of

> himself for Krsna’s service, and be more dedicated to his service, than

> one who is less advanced?

> If, for some reason, an advanced devotee doesn’t make full effort, but a

> less advanced devotee endeavors hard and seems to be externally more

> productive, will the spiritual master be more pleased with the less

> advanced devotee?

>

> ¨ Answer: Harikesa Swami, April 18, 1995

>

> The spiritual master is usually more pleased with that person who has

> developed love for Krsna. All these other considerations are not so

> important. The real concern is whether or not love for Krsna is

> developing. That is what really counts. Furthermore, advancement is not

> measured simply on the basis of material, or even spiritual,

> productivity. Rather it is understood in terms of how free one is from

> attachment to material existence, and how much love one has for the Lord.

> A very advanced devotee might just chant Hare Krsna mantra all day long,

> and may not produce anything, according to external vision. But still, he

> is far more advanced than an active neophyte. This does not mean that an

> active beginner is less fortunate. One who is serving Krsna all day long

> with his heart and soul, is certainly advancing rapidly on the path of

> spiritual life. He will get all the spiritual results that normally accrue

> to the really advanced devotees. We do not judge the active neophyte as

> inferior to the less active, advanced devotee. We see each of them

> according to their respective advancement in KŠa consciousness, and we

> respect them both according to the way they are serving Krsna.

> Actually, an advanced devotee offers everything to the Lord, his body,

> mind, words, family, bank balance—everything. As Bhaktivinode Thakur says,

> manasa deho geho jo kichu mor / arpilu tuwa pade,nanda-kisor! Therefore,

> there is rarely an occasion when an advanced devotee is giving less to

> Krsna than a neophyte. Sometimes it might seem that a neophyte is doing

> more physical or mental labor than an older, advanced devotee. But this is

> external, and should not be taken as an indicator of their relative

> positions.