Krishna says to this effect: «Material influences affect conditioned souls, but never I, God, the Supreme Person».

In their unmanifested state, the attributes and modes of influence of the material nature are of virtue. When their actions are externalized in the production of diversities related to material existence, they proceed from passion, and in the absence of activities and varieties, they then arise from ignorance. In other words, the disposition to reflection belongs to virtue, activity to passion, and inertia to ignorance.

However, beyond these various manifestations of material nature is pure virtue. When it is dominated by existential power, it is perceived as the transcendental knowledge that predominates the power of bliss, and then it is perceived as love for God, the most intimate.

Pure virtue, the simultaneous and unique manifestation of these three influences, is the main characteristic of the kingdom of Krishna, God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who love the Lord deeply are intimately bound to Him, and Kṛiṣhṇa renders this love to Him similarly.

The spiritual pleasure of devotional service, also called the “service of love and devotion” offered to God, is true independence, which leads to true freedom.

Now in truth, it is when one truly establishes oneself in devotional service that one truly becomes independent and truly free. This is the position of the servant and the servant of God.

In reality, the devotional service offered to Kṛiṣhṇa, God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the expression of the deep feelings one feels for the Sovereign Lord. It is the manifestation of the love we feel for God, the fervent desire and the extreme joy we have to serve him, to please him and to make him happy by satisfying all his desires.

The word «servant» sometimes plunges men into confusion as to the definition, the depth, the scope, the place and the beneficiary of the service rendered, because they cannot understand that this form of service has nothing to do with material servitude, being constantly filled with affection for the recipient of the service, namely God.

Verily, the position of the servant of God is the highest. Those who can comprehend this fact, and who then regain their original nature as eternal servants to the Lord, thus become perfectly independent and truly free.