# Enthusiasm *On the importance of eagerness in devotional service* --- ### Utsāhān > The first qualification is utsāhān—enthusiasm. One must be enthusiastic in devotional service. Without enthusiasm, nothing can be achieved. You must have zeal to serve Kṛṣṇa. — [[spoken/1970/701219sb.sur|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.34–39, Surat, 1970]] --- ### Work with Energy > A devotee works with great energy for Kṛṣṇa. He is not lazy. He is always active in Kṛṣṇa's service. This enthusiasm comes from love. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Not Artificially > This enthusiasm must be natural, coming from understanding Kṛṣṇa. When you understand Kṛṣṇa's greatness, naturally you become enthusiastic to serve Him. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Seeing Success > As soon as you'll see, "Oh, I have done something for Kṛṣṇa..." Devotee does not feel it, but when he sees that another man has become devotee, he becomes very enthusiastic. This is the nature of a devotee. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Eternally Ever-Increasing > Just like when we were chanting here you could feel some ecstasy. Well, this ecstasy grows unlimitedly and infinitely, eternally, if one takes to it. This enthusiasm keeps increasing. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Purity Is the Force > My Guru Mahārāja used to say that "Purity is the force." If you remain pure, then you will have all force, all enthusiasm. If you become impure, then you will become weak. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Sincerity Brings Success > It is not that you will be successful everywhere. Because it is demonic age. But you, more you become yourself sincere, you'll be successful. Enthusiasm comes from sincerity. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Higher Taste > Unless you get a higher taste, you cannot give up the lower taste. When one gets a higher engagement, automatically the lower engagement is given up. This higher taste creates enthusiasm. — [[spoken/1969/690510r1.col|Room Conversation, Columbus, 1969]] --- ### Never Discouraged > A devotee is never discouraged. Even if there are difficulties, he continues with enthusiasm. Because he knows Kṛṣṇa will help him. Kṛṣṇa will see that he is successful. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Sublime and Enlivening > So it is very pleasing and, what is called, encouraging, enlivening. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness is sublime and enlivening. It gives you enthusiasm to continue forever. — [[spoken/1969/690510r1.col|Room Conversation, Columbus, 1969]] --- *10 quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on enthusiasm* [[wiki/quotes|Back to Quotes]]