Shloka 8
अभिसन्धाय यो हिंसां दम्भं मात्सर्यमेव वा । संरम्भी भिन्नदृग्भावं मयि कुर्यात्स तामस: ॥ ८ ॥
abhisandhāya yo hiṁsāṁ dambhaṁ mātsaryam eva vā saṁrambhī bhinna-dṛg bhāvaṁ mayi kuryāt sa tāmasaḥ
Devotional service rendered to Me with intent of violence, hypocrisy, or envy—done in anger and with a separatist outlook—is considered bhakti in the mode of darkness (tamas).
It has already been stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter, that the highest, most glorious religion is the attainment of causeless, unmotivated devotional service. In pure devotional service, the only motive should be to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is not actually a motive; that is the pure condition of the living entity. In the conditioned stage, when one engages in devotional service he should follow the instruction of the bona fide spiritual master in full surrender. The spiritual master is the manifested representation of the Supreme Lord because he receives and presents the instructions of the Lord, as they are, by disciplic succession. It is described in Bhagavad-gītā that the teachings therein should be received by disciplic succession, otherwise there is adulteration. To act under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master with a motive to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pure devotional service. But if one has a motive for personal sense gratification, his devotional service is manifested differently. Such a man may be violent, proud, envious and angry, and his interests are separate from the Lord’s.
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Kapila says that deliberately approaching the Lord with violence, hypocrisy, envy, and hostile agitation is a tamasic disposition.
Kapila instructs Devahuti on pure devotional service by contrasting it with degraded, tamasic attitudes—showing what must be avoided on the path of bhakti-yoga.
Avoid envy-driven criticism, hypocrisy in spiritual practice, and angry sectarian hostility; cultivate sincerity, humility, and respect while engaging in devotional acts.