A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Picture Quotes
Devotional service is dependent on the mercy of Krishna and His Devotees. Unless we surrender to the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to come to the platform of pure devotional service. By his own efforts a bee cannot taste the honey within a bottle. The bottle must be opened by a superior. If the bee simply licks the outside of the bottle, thinking “Now I am tasting honey,” Then he is in illusion. Similarly, no one can enter into devotional service unless the door is opened by a devotee.
Picture Quotes, Radhanath Swami
Whatever devotional service we may have, we do it for seeking the shelter of the Lord, not for our mental or physical enjoyment.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Picture Quotes
When transcendental devotional service, by which love for Krishna is attained is executed by the senses, it is called Saadhana Bhakti, or the regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice. — Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya Lila, 22.105.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Picture Quotes
Devotional Service is just like a seed sown in the heart of a living entity and if he goes on hearing & chanting, that seed fructifies, just as the seed of a tree fructifies with regular watering. Thus the spirtitual plant of devotional Service grows gradually.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Nectar of Devotion, Picture Quotes
Krishna does not agree to award devotional service to merely anyone. Krishna can easily offer a person material happiness or even liberation, but He does not agree very easily to award a person engagement in his devotional service. Devotional service can in fact be attained only through the mercy of a pure devotee. — The Nectar of Devotion, Page 14.
Bhakti Charu Swami, Picture Quotes
Always remember why you have joined ashrama or ISKCON. The real purpose of doing so is to be engaged in devotional service.