Question: In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna speaks about devotional service. Does this mean something like church or temple service, or something else?
Answer by Romapada Swami: The scriptures classify nine major limbs of devotional service, one of which is worshipping the Lord, as in a temple or church; this worship can also be performed in one’s own home, for that matter, by following standard procedures of worship as directed by the revealed scriptures. The other eight processes of devotional service are: hearing, chanting and remembering (of the holy names, qualities, pastimes and instructions of the Supreme Lord), serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend and surrendering everything to Him. (Cf. Srimad Bhag 7.5.23-24) One can perform devotional service in any of the above nine ways, but the most important of them are the first two, viz. hearing and chanting. These nine processes, or any one of them, can be considered devotional service.
Krishna also explains the same idea in Bhagavad-gita: ‘Offer everything to Me in love and devotion, always think of Me, worship Me and offer obeisances unto Me and make Me the Supreme goal of your life’ (Cf. Bg 9.26,27,34; 10.9)
