True renunciation means working for Krishna's satisfaction alone, with no desire for personal gain, even liberation.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Bhagavad-gītā 6.1 [Sāṅkhya Yoga System] — February 13, 1969, Los Angeles 690213BG-LOS ANGELES [40:49 Minutes] Bg-06.01_690213BG-LOS ANGELES Devotee: Chapter Six, Sankhya Yoga. Verse number one: "The Blessed Lord said, 'One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no work.' " Purport. "In this chapter the Lord explains that the process of the eightfold yoga system is a means to control the mind and the senses. However, this is very difficult for people in general to perform, especially in this Age of Kali.
Although the eightfold yoga system is recommended in this chapter, the Lord emphasizes that the process of karma-yoga, or acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is better. "Everyone acts in this world to maintain his family and their paraphernalia, but no one is working without some self-interest, some personal gratification, be it concentrated or extended. The criterion of perfection is to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and not with a view to enjoy the fruits of work. "To act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the duty of every living entity, because we are constitutionally parts and parcels of the Supreme. The parts of the body work for the satisfaction of the whole body. The limbs of the body do not act for self-satisfaction but for the satisfaction of the complete whole. "Similarly, the living entity, acting for satisfaction of the supreme whole and not for personal satisfaction, is the perfect sannyāsī, the perfect yogī.
The sannyāsīns sometimes artificially think that they have become liberated from all material duties, and therefore they cease to perform agni-hotra yajñas, fire sacrifices." Prabhupāda: There are some yajñas to be performed by everyone for purification. So a sannyāsī does not require to perform the yajñas. So by stopping that ritualistic performance of yajña, sometimes they think that they are liberated. But actually, unless he comes to the standard platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there is no question of liberation. Go on. Devotee: "But actually they are self-interested, because their goal is to become one with the impersonal Brahman." Prabhupāda: Yes.
There is demand. The impersonalists, they have got one demand, that to become one with the supreme impersonal being. But a devotee has no demand. He simply engages himself to serve Kṛṣṇa for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa.
They do not want anything in return. That is pure devotion. Just like Lord Caitanya said, na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ kavitāṁ vā jagadīśa kāmaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Śikṣāṣṭaka 4]: [O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.] "I do not want any wealth, I do not want any number of followers, I do not want any nice wife. Simply let me be engaged in Your service." That's all. That is the bhakti-yoga system. When Prahlāda Mahārāja was asked by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, "My dear boy, you have suffered for Me so much, so whatever you want, you ask from Me," so he refused. "My dear Master, I am not doing mercantile business with You, that I will take some remuneration from You for my service." This is pure devotion.
So yogīs or the jñānīs, they are demanding that they should become one with the Supreme. Why one with the Supreme? Because they have got bitter experience by the separation of material pangs. But a devotee has no such thing.
The devotee remains, although separate from the Lord, he is fully enjoying in the service of the Lord. Go on. Devotee: "Such a desire is greater than any material desire. But it is not without self-interest. Similarly, the mystic yogī who practices the yoga system with half-open eyes, ceasing all material activities, desires some satisfaction for his personal self. But the person..." Prabhupāda: Actually the yogīs want some material power.