Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 67
मत्सेवया प्रतीतं ते सालोक्यादिचतुष्टयम् । नेच्छन्ति सेवया पूर्णा: कुतोऽन्यत् कालविप्लुतम् ॥ ६७ ॥
mat-sevayā pratītaṁ te sālokyādi-catuṣṭayam necchanti sevayā pūrṇāḥ kuto ’nyat kāla-viplutam
わたしへの奉仕によってサーローキヤ等の四種の解脱は自ずと得られるが、愛の奉仕に満ち足りたわたしの帰依者はそれすら望まない。まして時に崩れ去る他のはかない幸福など言うまでもない。
Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura has estimated the value of liberation as follows:
FAQs
This verse says that although the four liberations (sālokya, etc.) come automatically through service to Viṣṇu, devotees who are fulfilled by bhakti do not even desire them, preferring loving service itself.
In the context of protecting Ambarīṣa Mahārāja and instructing Durvāsā Muni, the Lord emphasizes that He is bound by His devotee’s service, and that true devotees seek only devotion—not even liberation.
Use spiritual practice (hearing, chanting, service) as the primary aim, and treat status, achievements, and even spiritual “results” as secondary—because time erodes worldly gains, while devotion deepens one’s relationship with God.