16 Feb 2024
[Shri Phani Kumar asked:- Some people do only theoretical devotion, some people do only practical devotion and some other people do both theoretical and practical devotion. What is the reason for this variation?]
Swami replied:- If the worldly bonds are broken theoretically, the souls do only theoretical devotion. If the worldly bonds are broken practically, the souls do practical devotion only. If the worldly bonds are broken theoretically and practically, the practical devotion associated with theoretical devotion is done by the souls to God. Of course, theory is the source of practice. But in some cases, practical devotion may induce egoistic pride by which the souls forget theoretical devotion. In such case, only practical devotion remains, which cannot please God due to the ego of the soul. God is pleased by the practical devotion when it is associated with theoretical devotion like love, respect, fear, shyness, etc.
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