Question : What qualities or activities in devotee(s) or disciple(s) pleases the spiritual master or saintly persons the most?
Answer by Romapada Swami :
What pleases saintly persons the most is to see a devotee/disciple developing transcendental Vaishnava qualities — or even their earnest effort to do so.
They are also pleased to see someone sincerely engaging in the *activities* of devotion, such as hearing, chanting, serving the Deities, serving Vaishnavas, observing the regulative principles of devotional service, accepting voluntary austerities for Krishna etc.
But they are especially pleased by the *quality* with which such activities are taken up and executed. Lord Krishna describes in many instances in the Gita, particularly in the 12th chapter, who is very dear to Him: He briefly lists the different grades of activities by which one can gradually reach Him (BG 12.8-11), but after that He repeatedly indicates that the *qualities *of a devotee is what makes them very dear to Him. (see BG 12.13-20)
Particularly, Guru and Krishna are very pleased when someone is non-envious, humble and simple (honest and straightforward). These qualities are particularly attractive to saintly persons because the bearer of such qualities is capable of receiving mercy and instructions from sadhus, which is the foundation for developing all other pleasing qualities and activities.
The Upanishadic story of Satyakama is a classic example: Satyakama did not know to what caste he belonged, because his father was unknown; but the fact that he unhesitatingly disclosed this uncomfortable truth about himself led Gautama Rsi to conclude that he must be a brahmana, and therefore fit for training in the Vedas.
Another quality that very much attracts and pleases saintly persons is when a disciple is very sincere and eager for making spiritual progress.
This theme is a refrain in the Bhagavatam: Suta Goswami is pleased with the sages of Naimisaranya for their sincere inquiries for the ultimate welfare of all;
Sukadeva Goswami is pleased by the mood of detachment, humility and determination with which Maharaja Pariksit surrenders; the Bhaktivedantas, although impartial, bestow their special mercy upon Narada because of his gentle and self-controlled nature (SB 1.5.24, SB 1.5.29);
Kapiladeva is pleased with His mother Devahuti’s uncontaminated desire for self-realization (SB 3.25.7-12);
Lord Caitanya is very pleased by the enthusiasm and determination of Maharaja Prataparudra or Kalidasa to serve Vaishnavas and obtain their mercy, etc.
The symptom of one who is eager to make spiritual progress is that they demonstrate a readiness to progressively give up their material attachments and (mis)conceptions, and are willing to become more and more disciplined by the instructions of the spiritual master. This is illustrated in each of these examples.
In short, saintly persons are very pleased and inclined to readily bestow their mercy upon one who is very humble and simultaneously very enthusiastic to surrender and make spiritual progress.
