1. Only bhakti is required

    Nobody can captivate Krsna by material possessions — money, manpower, beauty, education, austerity, and mystic power. Krsna says, bhaktya mam abhijanati. He doesn’t say, “If one is a rich man, he can have My favor.” No. Krsna is not a poor man like me. If somebody gives me money, I benefit. He’s self-sufficient. Only bhakti, love, is required. Bhakti means “to serve Krsna without any purpose.” Everywhere this is the statement of the sastra that bhakti should be unalloyed.

    If we have love for Krsna, then we don’t require money or strength or education or austerity. Krsna says, patram puspam phalam toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchati. He doesn’t require anything from us. Because we are part and parcel of Krsna, He wants to see that everyone obeys and loves Him. That is His aspiration.

    From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.9 – March 1, 1977, Mayapur