A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When there is suffering given by Krishna, a devotee does not take seriously suffering. A devotee thinks, “It is the favour of Krishna that He has put me into suffering.” They never see suffering as suffering. It is favour of Krishna. That is a devotee’s vision. It is exactly like a son who knows his father well. If the father slaps, the son never protests. He knows that “It is good for me.” Similarly, a devotee is never disturbed when there is suffering given by Krishna.
Srimad Bhagavatam
Although the motive (of a devotee) might be impure, the Lord does not consider the motive; He is concerned with the service. However if a devotee has a particular motive, the Lord directly or indirectly knows it and therefore, He does not leave the devotee’s material desire unfulfilled. These are some of the special favours by the Lord to a devotee.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the preliminary phase of spiritual life there are different kinds of austerities, penances and similar processes for attaining self-realization. However, even if an executor of these processes is without any material desire, he still cannot achieve devotional service and aspiring by oneself alone to achieve devotional service is also not very hopeful, because 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.
Srimad Bhagavatam
It is the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord that He always tries to bring us back home, back to Godhead. God is liberated and He tries to make us liberated, but although He is constantly trying, we refuse to accept His instructions. Nonetheless, He has not become angry.
Srimad Bhagavatam
It is actually the Lord’s mercy that He takes the trouble to rectify our misbehaviour, although faithless persons criticize the Lord’s fatherly vigilance.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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.
