BRS 1.2.174

Understanding the meaning of this topic, having given up all other practices and performing only bhakti, one will attain You. However, in what manner should a person do this? In expectation of such a question, this verse is quoted. Tat here means “therefore”, indicating that because of the glories of the Lord mentioned in the previous Bhāgavatam verse (SB 10.14.7), the devotee acts in this way. Ātma-kṛtam vipākam means happiness and suffering that occur during performance of bhakti. dharmasya hy āpavargyasya nārtho ’rthāyopakalpate nārthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ultimate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain. Furthermore, according to sages, one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service should never use material gain to cultivate sense gratification. SB 1.2.9 A secondary, unsought result of bhakti is happiness. The results of aparādhas are suffering. Experiencing both of these results from his bhakti (ātma-kṛtam vipākam), the devotee sees this (susamīkṣamānaḥ) clearly (su for suṣṭhu) and accurately (sam for samyak) as Your mercy. He knows that the happiness and distress that he is experiencing stems from the Lord’s mercy alone. It is just like a father who sometimes makes his son drink milk, and sometimes, bitter juice made from nimba leaves. “I do not know, but the Lord, like a father, knows what is good and bad for me, and thus sometimes He embraces and kisses me and sometimes slaps me. I, His devotee, have no power at all over karma and time. He, alone, by his mercy makes me experience happiness and distress and makes me serve Him.” The devotee considers his situation in this way, in the manner of King Pṛthu: tvan-māyayāddhā jana īśa khaṇḍito yad anyad āśāsta ṛtātmano ’budhaḥ yathā cared bāla-hitaṁ pitā svayaṁ tathā tvam evārhasi naḥ samīhitum My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think is best for me. SB 4.20.31 Revealing himself daily to the Lord, offering respects with mind, words and body, passing his life while not being unduly tormented, the devotee becomes the rightful claimant of mukti, or liberation from saṁsāra (secondary effect), and pada or service (primary effect) at the Lord’s lotus feet (dvandva compound considered as one unit mukti-pade). As remaining alive is the cause of a good son receiving his inheritance, so the devotee remaining alive in this world with steadiness on the path of bhakti is the cause of his receiving freedom from saṁsāra and service to the Lord. In a similar manner, it is said: dṛtaya iva śvasanty asu-bhṛto yadi te ’nuvidhā Only if they become Your faithful followers are those who breathe actually alive, otherwise their breathing is like that of a bellows. SB 10.87.17