Answer
True spiritual enthusiasm in the life of a devotee manifests in multiple ways—it is not limited to just one aspect.
If someone lacks enthusiasm for sādhana—for chanting, reading the books of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and personal spiritual practices—but shows enthusiasm only for service, then although that service is certainly valuable, it may not be complete. In some cases, such enthusiasm for large-scale service can subtly carry motivations of “lording over”—a sense of control, managing resources, giving instructions, and deriving a certain kind of gratification from that position.
Of course, since the service is offered to Krishna, there is benefit. However, what is expected is a balanced practice of devotional life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted us to engage in all aspects of Krishna consciousness:
sādhana (chanting and personal practice)
sevā (service)
study of his books
A healthy spiritual life includes enthusiasm for all of these. There should be eagerness to hear, eagerness to read, eagerness to stand before the Deities, and eagerness to rise early.
In fact, Prabhupāda emphasized that one’s willingness to rise early in the morning is an indication of seriousness in spiritual life. If we are not eager to get up early for devotional practices, it reflects a lack of intensity in our commitment.
I remember from my early days as a brahmacārī, living in a small temple, how this principle was very real. A close friend of mine, who had also joined from college, would remind me whenever I hesitated to wake up after the alarm rang. He would say, “If you are not eager to rise early, it means you are not serious in spiritual life.” That reminder would immediately push me to set aside laziness and get up.
In this way, our seriousness is reflected in our eagerness—especially in practices like attending maṅgala-ārati and beginning the day early with devotion.
These principles that Prabhupāda established—especially rising early and engaging in morning devotional activities—are deeply transformative. They are not just rules, but powerful, uplifting practices that can elevate our consciousness in a profound way.
