The Power of Devotional service

 The Power of Devotional Service to Krishna!

If One Performs even a Little Devotional Service, It Is not Lost

When one begins again, he begins at the point where he has left off.

When I read these following quotes I realised that we may underestimate the power of simple acts of service and devotion, such as paying obeisances, or chanting and dancing during kirtans.  They can seem so insignificant, but they are full of spiritual power.  Encouraging our children to engage in such simple acts of devotional service is also of such immense benefit to their spiritual development!

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Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa is present in the temple Deity, and even if a child comes to offer his respects, he is counted as a devotee. A small child may not know anything, but simply by seeing the Deity, chanting and dancing, he is benefited. Temples are meant to give everyone a chance to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness one step at a time.

sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya

trāyate mahato bhayāt

“A little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bhagavad-gītā 2.40) Even if we do a little on the path of bhakti, it goes to our account. For instance, if we deposit only two dollars in a savings bank, it is kept in our account, and it will increase with interest. Similarly, if one performs even a little devotional service, it is not lost. One may come and join this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, render some service and after a while fall down. However, whatever service has been rendered is to one’s permanent credit. That will never be lost. When one begins again, he begins at the point where he has left off."

"Even by sentiment one comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and discharges the regulative duties, chants Hare Kṛṣṇa, his next life is guaranteed as a human being. Even he does it for some time—he is not perfect—still, his next life is guaranteed. But others, there is no such guarantee. Even if he discharges his so-called duties, material duties, there is no guarantee that he'll become a human being."

(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Nairobi, November 2, 1975

"The time one devotes in a Kṛṣṇa consciousness temple cannot be taken away. It is an asset—a plus, not a minus. The duration of life, so far as the body is concerned, may be taken; however one tries to keep it intact, no one can do it. But the spiritual education we receive in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be taken away by the sun. It becomes a solid asset."

(Easy Journey to Other Planets, Chapter 2)

"In a firm relationship with the Lord, the devotee does not give up the Lord's service under any circumstance. As far as the Lord Himself is concerned, if the devotee chooses to leave, the Lord brings him back again, dragging him by the hair."

(Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 15.154, Purport