Vaishnava Seva explained by Srila Prabhupada - Compiled by Vishnukanta das

VAISNAVA SEVA

Compilation of important points from Srila Prabhupada's books & lectures by Vishnukanta das

Those who serve Krishna’s devotees are declared to win Krishna’s favor compared to those who serve Him directly.

Krishna is so kind that He keeps His devotees more honorable than Himself. And He recommends to the devotees that mad-bhakta-püjäbhyadhikä: “My dear devotees, take it for granted that if you worship My devotees, that is more than My devotional service.” Krishna recommends—and actually that is the fact, that Krishna is more pleased. It is very natural. Just like one gentleman he has got a little child, and if you try to please that little child, that gentleman automatically becomes pleased. You can please the child with two-cent-worth lozenges, and if the child is laughing and very pleased, his father immediately becomes pleased. But if you want to please the father, you will require at least two hundred dollars. So you can finish two hundred dollars’ business with two cents. Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.8 -- Montreal, July 2, 1968

Krsna Himself serves His devotees.

Lord Krishna seated His friend Sudämä upon the bed. Then the Lord, who purifies the whole world, personally offered him various tokens of respect and washed his feet, O King, after which He sprinkled the water on His own head. He aNecter Of Instructionnted him with divinely fragrant sandalwood, aguru and kuìkuma pastes and happily worshiped him with aromatic incense and arrays of lamps. After finally offering him betel nut and the gift of a cow, He welcomed him with pleasing words. By fanning him with her cämara, the divine goddess of fortune personally served that poor brahmana, whose clothing was torn and dirty and who was so thin that veins were visible all over his body. The people in the royal palace were astonished to see Krishna, the Lord of spotless glory, so lovingly honor this shabbily dressed brahmana. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.20-24

Krishna becomes satisfied with those who serve His devotees.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ancient, eternal Godhead, who is foremost amongst all great personalities, obtained the opulence of His staunch reputation, which purifies the entire universe, by worshiping the lotus feet of those brahmanas and Vaishnavas. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is everlastingly independent and who exists in everyone’s heart, is very pleased with those who follow in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the descendants of brahmanas and Vaishnavas, for He is always dear to brahmanas and Vaishnavas and they are always dear to Him. SB 4.21.38-9

From the personal example of Sri Närada Muni in his previous birth, it is clear that the service of the Lord begins with the service of the Lord’s bona fide servants. The Lord says that the service of His servants is greater than His personal service. Service of the devotee is more valuable than the service of the Lord. One should therefore choose a bona fide servant of the Lord constantly engaged in His service, accept such a servant as the spiritual master and engage himself in his (the spiritual master’s) service.  SB 1.5.23 purport

It is said that the Lord is most pleased when He sees one engage in the service of His devotee. He does not need any service from anyone because He is complete, but it is in our own interest to offer all kinds of services to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These services can be offered to the Supreme Person not directly but through the service of brahmanas and Vaishnavas…Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakur also says, yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù: by satisfying the senses of the spiritual master, one can satisfy the senses of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  SB 4.21.39 purport

The entire Vedas and all shastras glorify the service to devotees of Lord.

Those who serve the Vaisnavas who are always engaged in worshipping Hari and chant the holy name of Hari attain the supreme destination, even if they are sinful. [Brihanaradi Puran]

One should always serve the Vaisnavas with great respect and with every possible means. By serving the Vaisnavas one can cross all miserable conditions. [Padma Puran]

Prahlada Maharaja told Bali Maharaja, "Those who sing the glory of the Vaisnavas early in the morning every day are the greatest devotees in this age of the Kali - they are as good as Sri Krishna." [Dvarka Mahatva]

Sri Krishna told Arjuna, “You should serve and worship only the Vaisnavas. Do not worship any demigod, because there is no need. The Vaisnavas can purify all the demigods and the entire world…Those who serve Me only are not My devotees, but those who are devotees of My devotees, recognize them as the greatest devotees." [Adi Puran]

The Srimad Bhagavatam (5.2.2) states that service to devotees opens the door to liberation. Similarly,

By regular service to the brahmanas and Vaishnavas, one can clear the dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from material attachment and be satisfied. SB 4.21.40