By opulence, the inclination to perform sevā is awakened. By sweetness, loving devotion is performed. Sevā and prīti are different. If any service is performed unfavorably, can that activity be called bhakti? No. If one serves another person and if the person who is served becomes happy, then this service rendered is called sevā. Cāṇūra and Mūṣṭika fought with Kṛṣṇa and made Him happy. They rendered service to Kṛṣṇa. But, because it was unfavorable, this service cannot be called bhakti. So, sevā is the service rendered by body, mind, and words. Although sevā may bring happiness to Kṛṣṇa, if it is unfavorable, then it cannot be called bhakti. And those activities that may seem unfavorable, but whose ultimate aim is to bring happiness to Kṛṣṇa—are called bhakti. Śrīdāma wrestled with Kṛṣṇa and climbed on His shoulders. He said, “Where will You go now, son? Now You have to carry me on Your shoulders!” Kṛṣṇa then had to carry Śrīdāma like a horse. Externally, this may seem that Śrīdāma is accepting service from Kṛṣṇa, but this is not the truth. By this, Kṛṣṇa is also pleased.
December 24, 1994 Mathurā