Answer
A devotee should not desire recognition — that should be his inner motto.
We see this beautifully in the life of Madhavendra Puri, in the famous pastime of Gopinath Deity. When the Lord “stole” a pot of sweet rice for him, the pujari later discovered it behind the curtain and, by divine arrangement, found Madhavendra Puri and offered it to him.
Madhavendra Puri was deeply grateful and accepted it as the Lord’s special mercy. But that very night, he quietly left the village. Why? Because he feared that the next day the pujari would announce this miracle, and people would come to glorify him as a great saint. He had no desire for such recognition. He preferred to remain unknown.
The next day, when the pujari shared the incident, people searched for that exalted devotee — but he was nowhere to be found.
This is the standard of pure devotion.
On the other hand, in our conditioned state, even a little recognition can agitate us. But we should reflect: what recognition do we actually deserve? Whatever we are able to do is only by Krishna’s mercy. He is the real doer behind everything.
Institutionally, some appreciation or recognition may be given — that is natural. But in the heart, a devotee should remain free from any desire for it.
Because desire for honor (māna) disturbs the mind. Real peace comes when one becomes akāma — free from selfish desires:
no desire for sense gratification,
no desire for honor or to avoid dishonor,
not even a desire for recognition for one’s service.
The only aspiration should be:
“Let Krishna be pleased. Let Guru be pleased.”
That alone is sufficient. Nothing else is required — no position, no praise, no social acknowledgment.
When one reaches this state, one becomes peaceful. Nothing in the world can disturb such a person.
This is the stage we should all aspire for.
