Various levels of engaging in serving Krishna:

BG 12.8 – 11

Stage 1: Fix the mind constantly upon Krishna and engage all one’s intelligence in serving Krishna.

Result: Always lives on a transcendental plane.

Example: A pure devotee.

But what if one is not able to constantly remember Krishna –

Stage 2: Follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga.

Result: In this way develop a desire to attain Me.  

1. At present our heart is contaminated by material association.
2. Rules and regulations of bhakti yoga are meant to purify the heart.
3. One should follow the rules under guidance of a bonafide spiritual master.
4. Follow morning program.

Example: Brahmacari student living in the temple.

If one is unable to do that then –

Stage 3: Just work for Krishna.

Result: One would come to the perfect stage.

1. One should be sympathetic to the propagation of Krishna consciousness.
2. One can try to help the preachers of Krishna Consciousness.
3. If one cannot sacrifice the results of his activities than at least some percentage to propagate Krishna Consciousness.

Example: Congregation staying outside the temple and are mainly householders.

How one can help?

Every endeavor requires land, capital, organization and labor.

One can contribute in any of the above ways and support the preaching mission.

What if one is not able to sympathize with the activities of Krishna consciousness because of social, familial or religious considerations or because of some other impediments.

Stage 4: Sacrifice the accumulated result of his activities for some good cause.

Result:

1. Mind gets purified.

2. Knowledge develops and one can understand Krishna Consciousness.

Example: Social service, community service, national service, People with charitable disposition, may not be devotees, giving charity for Hospital, school etc.

The objective of ‘Personal Relations’ (PR) department is to preach to powerful people of society. In order to do that:

1. We have to see that person’s inclination and on what stage he best fits in.
2. Whatever stage one is in, we have to connect him to serving Krishna in the best possible way (as described by Srila Prabhupada in BG 12.8-11).
3. Come up with a proper strategy to gradually bring up that person towards higher stages of devotional service.

Even if a person is unfavorable in the beginning, our goal should be to bring him to a favorable disposition and then ultimately to the stage of a practicing devotee.

Engaging one’s life, wealth, intelligence and words in serving Krishna

SB (10.22.35)

etāvaj janma-sāphalyaḿ

dehinām iha dehiṣu

prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā

śreya-ācaraṇaḿ sadā

“It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.”

One can contribute to the Krishna consciousness movement by dedicating his:

1. Life
2. Wealth
3. Intelligence
4. Words