Parvati: What is the highest worship of all?
Shiva: The worship of Lord Vishnu is the highest worship
Parvati (feeling somewhat dejected): But my lord, I always worship your lotus feet.
Shiva: The worship of Lord Vishnu is the highest worship but even higher than that is the worship of His devoted servitors.
Parvati (again feeling joyful): You are certainly the greatest of the servitors of Lord Vishnu (Vaishnavanam yata Shambu) and so my worship is perfect.In my first days at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in the early 1980s I noted that without exception that if asked the question, "What is your service?" the reply was invariably, "Vaishnava seva."
This thinking was ingrained in the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math to such a degree that the designation of 'pujari,' or 'cook,' or 'preacher,'or 'kirtttan leader,' or whatever one's duty was, was always secondary to this fundamental identification and aspiration of 'servant of the devotees.'
At the same time the devotees understand that their service duty is what constitutes that Vaishnava seva.
(sri- vigraharadhana-nitya-nana, shringaira-tan-mandira-marjanadau, yuktasya bhaktams cha niyunjato pi, vande guroh sri-charanaravindam) Service to the Vaishnava can never be divorced from the service of Lord Krishna because the Vaishnava is always engaged in the service of that Lord.
We should not think that because the service of the devotee is higher then I can neglect the service of the Deity in the temple. The Lord's Deity form has been established in the temple by the very Vaishnava that we wish to serve. He has given us this service charge for the pleasure of his Lord and mercifuly agreed to engage us in this service as his instruments and in this way we are factually connected with the Divinity.
What a wonderful arangement! Then if we serve the Deity in our master's temple very nicely we will begin to understand the reality of the service world. And because it is the order of our master it is certainly and perfectly, Vaishnava seva.
I we understand this truth then we will make wonderful and opulent arrangements for the worship of the Deity and will see that all the activities in the temple are for Their pleasure.
Delicious foodstuffs will be prepared with great joy and offered to Thier Lordships.
The kirttans will be performed with a new sweetness and joy for the Lord's pleasure.
We will rush to see our Lord in the Arati.
The Scripture will be recited even in the absence of others, knowing that Their Lordships are feeling great happiness to hear Their glories.
The cooking pots will be cleaned with great vigour and attention, the floors swept and everything kept spotless so that the temple shines in joyful reflection of the devotees hearts.
Sri Guru will be immensely pleased to see the devotees happily engaged in this way and when he is pleased then we will have realised the real purport of 'Vaishnava seva.'
