1. The Devotee Should Not be a Mercantile Man

    Krsna does not require any big paraphernalia. He only wants how you are a sincere devotee. That’s all. And that devotional service can be discharged in any condition. Ahaituky apratihata. It cannot be checked by the material circumstances. This is the process of Krsna consciousness. And you see the five-years-old boy, how he was protected from all kinds of dangers and he refused to take any benediction. He refused.

    The devotee should not be a mercantile man: ‘If you give me something, then I shall give you something.’ That is business. A devotee is not like that. He understands that he is eternal servant of Krsna, his duty is to serve Krsna.

    In the material world a servant works when money is paid, wages. A devotee is not like that. A devotee serves Krsna out of duty. That is God consciousness, Krsna consciousness, that ‘It is my duty.’ And then Krsna takes the responsibility, ‘It is My duty to protect this devotee.’ This reciprocation is called Krsna consciousness. There is no question of
    business transaction. Then he will be protected.

    Krsna is nobody’s servant, but everyone is Krsna’s servant. If everyone becomes Krsna’s servant, then everyone is protected by Krsna. Krsna is protecting. Krsna is God, so He is protecting everyone, He is giving food everyone, but especially inclined to the devotees. Samah sarvesu-bhutesu.

    Srila Prabhupada; Lecture, 25 May 1975, Honolulu