Why Does Service to the Self-Satisfied (God) Exist?
By: Babhru Dasa (BVKS)
Why is there always so much service opportunity in the sphere of Goloka Vrindavan (spiritual world)? How is it possible that service in the spiritual world never comes to an end? For example, in Goloka it is seen that when one finishes their service, they very 
eagerly accept a new service. For the pure devotee, it is simply painful to be without service. Furthermore, in relation with the material sphere, it is blatantly apparent that Goloka has far superior facilities for rendering service to Sri Krsna.
However, in the material world, we see that one who renders service without God-Consciousness is very happy when their material service is finished. Such persons are much more fond of receiving service than giving. They think happiness is to be had in being the receiver, not the giver. In the spiritual world, the exact opposite is present in its highest resplendent degree. Nobody wants to receive, they only want to give.
Service to Krsna in the material realm is often subject to different external circumstances, which in many cases are unfavorable. Opportunity for service in the material world is limited and the facility for such service is also limited. Or at least we can say that there is more difficulty and challenges in executing service to God in the material world.
Of course, for the advanced devotee, they are completely absorbed rendering service to Krsna within their mind (manasi-seva.) While in the material realm, such exalted souls constantly render service to Krsna internally and are thus factually within the spiritual realm at all times.
By hearing about the pastimes of Krsna, especially those which pertain to His divine aprakata-lilas (unmanifest pastimes occurring in Goloka Vrindavan eternally ie. nitya-lila) we easily notice and become enthralled by all the amazing varieties and unlimited opportunities for rendering service to Krsna that are located therein. Not to mention Krsna is eternally present within that realm. The following is just a short description of such wonderful service:
“Lord Krsna then entered the bathing-room. The servant Saranga took the ornaments from Krsna’s body, and clothed Him in a nicely folded, light, fresh silk garment Lord Krsna sat on a nice seat. Patraka poured scented water from the golden pitcher in his hands as Patri washed the Lord’s lotus feet and then dried them with a towel. Ksuri’s son, named Subandha, then affectionately massaged Lord Krsna’s delicate limbs with Narayana-oil. Slowly and carefully handsome Sugandha then anointed Lord Krsna’s naturally cool limbs with glistening, cooling, yellow butter. The affectionate servant Karpura then anointed Lord Krsna’s beautiful hair with glossy, cool, aromatic dhatri-pulp. As Payoda poured cool water, Raktaka, washed Lord Krsna’s naturally cool splendid, and delicate limbs, scrubbing them with a silk washcloth.
The servants then bathed their master Krsna with delicately scented water from a series of golden pitcher. Golden-complexion Patri then dried Lord Krsna’s beautiful limbs and hair with a soft towel, and dressed Him in fine garments. Lord Krsna then sat down on a nicely cleansed chair in the bathing room. Kumuda and Dhama then combed His tangled hair and scented it with aguru incense. Makaranda then decorated Lord Krsna’s forehead with tilaka marking drawn in gorocana and musk. He anointed the Lord’s body with sandalwood paste, aguru, kumkuma, and musk. Premakanda then placed cankana armlets on Lord Krsna’s arms, and glittering shark-shaped golden earrings on His ears. Ankle-bells whose tinkling sounds are 
more charming than swan’s cooing, he placed on Lord Krsna’s ankles, and necklace of starlike pearls he placed on the sky of Lord Krsna’s chest.” – Sri Govinda Lilamrta
Interestingly enough, as we know, Krsna is completely self-satisfied and fully complete in Himself. In other words, Krsna is the personification and ultimate reservoir of all ecstasy, love, and every other wonderful quality one can possibly think of or appreciate.
“Lord Krishna is the supreme absolute controller, whose form is pure immortality, omniscience and bliss. He is without beginning, the origin of all, the cause of all causes and the source of the eternal Vedas.” –Brahma Samhita, Chapter 5, Verse 1
Therefore, technically speaking, it seems the rendering of service to Krsna would be utterly redundant. So why does Krsna desire to be engage in so many different activities all the while allowing Himself to be served in unlimited quantity by His innumerable pure devotees? What is the real reason for all of these unlimited services and activities to unfold around Him? The plain and simple reason is that service which revolves around Krsna brings about the supreme ecstasy of the soul.
Considering that Krsna is the basis of all knowledge and omniscience He easily understands all truths about Himself and His devotees. Amazingly, the culmination of all knowledge and the highest truth (that Krsna cares about) is the understanding that the bliss Krsna tastes from receiving unlimited services is actually inferior to the quality and quantity of ecstasy that His devotees attain due to their service to Him. This truth is what impels and fuels the unlimitedly increasing activities of the spiritual world. To support this point we can refer to the following references:
“Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to taste the limitless nectarean mellows of the love of one of His multitude of loving damsels [Śrī Rādhā], and so He has assumed the form of Lord Caitanya. He has tasted that love while hiding His own dark complexion with Her effulgent yellow color. May that Lord Caitanya confer upon us His grace.” – CC Adi 4.52
“Whatever pleasure I get from tasting My love for Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, She tastes ten million times more than Me by Her love.” – CC 4.126
“My sweetness is always newer and newer. Devotees taste it according to their own respective love. If I see My sweetness in a mirror, I am tempted to taste it, but nevertheless I cannot.” – CC 4.143-4
“Sri Advaita Acharya says, “Nityananda and I are servants of Lord Caitanya. Nowhere else is there such joy as that which is tasted in this emotion of servitude.” – CC Adi 6.45
Furthermore, it is also understood that Krsna is always saturated in the highest love for His devotees and wants to serve them to the top-most degree. He cares far more about their personal bliss and enjoyment than even His own! Sri Krsna personally declares this truth in the following way,
“O Uddhava! Neither Brahma, nor Shankara, nor Sankarshana, nor Lakshmi [the Goddess of Fortune], nor even My own self is as dear to Me as you.” -Srimad-
Bhagavatam 11.14.15
Understanding the above concepts, we can also ascertain that Krsna would never be satisfied with any level of bliss that His servants have achieved. He always wants them to taste an increasingly higher level of ecstasy and love at every moment. In this way, Krsna constantly meditates upon how to manifest new situations and service opportunities for His unlimited associates to be engaged in. Thus, Krishna perpetuates the ongoing flow of increasingly new and exciting ecstasies which stem from His devotees variegated services.
“The sweetness of Lord Krishna is not to be tasted by those who consider themselves equal to Krishna. It is to be tasted only through the sentiment of servitude. This conclusion of the revealed scriptures is also the realization of experienced devotees.” -Adi 6.103-4
In regard to the above verse, it is also important to note that “service” in Goloka Vrindavan is qualified in a very different way than in the material world or even the Vaikuntha planets wherein Sri Narayan resides.
Service in Vrindavan flows from the spontaneous loving attachment (ragatmika-bhakti) of each of Krsna’s different associates. For example, one can serve Krsna via their relationship with Him as a friend, parent, or conjugal lover. Often times the dealings of these transcendental devotees of Krsna seem to be completely opposite to the servitude which is seen in this material world.
In simple terms, service in the material world is almost always directed to a person who the servitor regards as superior. Such service is often covered and dulled by respect and reverence (aishvarya). Whereas in Sri Goloka, servitors of Krsna often think themselves equal to or superior to Him. Interestingly enough, this is what actually pleases Krsna the most. Why? Because love/service is more intense and intimate when formalities, rules, regulations, awe, and reverence don’t exist.
“Knowing My opulences, the whole world looks upon Me with awe and veneration. But devotion made feeble by such reverence does not attract Me. -CC Adi. 3.16
“Through the mercy of Rāmānanda Rāya, I have understood that ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa is the highest goal of life and that spontaneous love of Kṛṣṇa is the highest perfection.” -CC. Antya 7.2.4
“Lord Kṛṣṇa is worshiped by regulative devotional service, but the highest perfection of devotional service is spontaneous love of Godhead.” – Purport. CC. Antya 7.2.4
In Goloka, Krsna’s associates are completely overtaken by their love which flows spontaneously and uninhibited by the blockades of awe and reverence which an ordinary servitor may feel towards the served. In support of this concept we can refer to the following:
“If one regards Me as the Supreme Lord and himself as a subordinate, I do not become subservient to his love, nor can it control Me. -CC. 1.4.18
“If one cherishes pure loving devotion to Me, thinking of Me as his son, his friend or his beloved, regarding himself as great and considering Me his equal or inferior, I become subordinate to him. -CC. 1.4.21-22
For example, if one is situated in sakhya-rasa (friendly relationship) he considers himself to be on an equal platform with Krsna. In friendly love it would be considered “service” to wrestle with Krsna (winning or losing), make jokes at Krsna’s expense, share food items with Him (some that have already been tasted), play various games with Him etc. All such activities are completely surcharged with the basis of equality and therefore awe and respect have no place to enter.
It is these types of spontaneous love which invoke and manifest different types of ecstasies to appear in and be tasted by His devotees. Factually speaking, the variety of such services and ecstasies which are connected with each of these relationships are incalculable and ever increasing.
Another interesting point to note is that although Krsna is arranging for His devotees to serve Him (keeping their happiness in mind,) Krsna Himself attains His highest possible state of happiness in this way also. In other words, Krsna’s highest ecstasy is in seeing the happiness of His pure and surrendered devotees. In other words, Krsna regards His devotees more dearly than himself. The following verse and commentary from the Siva Purana implies this truth:
“And more than Viṣṇu worship is to worship devotee of Viṣṇu.” – Siva Purana
“Tasmāt parataraṁ. Viṣṇu ārādhanam is the best. And better than the best worship is to worship the devotees of Viṣṇu, Vaiṣṇavas.” -Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, both the servant and the served (Sri Krsna) feel unlimited ecstasy in their selflessly mutual relationship. In a sense, Krsna’s willingness to receive all these services from His devotees is actually His way of rendering service to them. If Krsna gives anything or renders service to His devotee in some way, the devotee actually experiences less ecstasy than when the devotee renders service to Krsna. To support this point we can refer to the following:
“I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahma. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.” -SB. 10.32.22
From the above verse we can see that Krsna Himself declares that He is unable to give His devotees anything which is superior to their own service to Him.
Such wonderful and fully transcendental concepts can only be found within the spiritual realm which is by nature completely based on selfless loving dealings.