Cc Ādi 6.100
Text
kṛṣṇera samatā haite baḍa bhakta-pada
ātmā haite kṛṣṇera bhakta haya premāspada
ātmā haite kṛṣṇera bhakta haya premāspada
Synonyms
kṛṣṇera-with Lord Kṛṣṇa; samatā-equality; haite-than this; baḍa-greater; bhakta-pada-the position of a devotee; ātmā haite-than His own self; kṛṣṇera-of Lord Kṛṣṇa; bhakta-a devotee; haya-is; prema-āspada-the object of love.
Translation
The position of being a devotee is higher than that of equality with Lord Kṛṣṇa, for the devotees are dearer to Lord Kṛṣṇa than His own self.
Purport
The conception of oneness with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is inferior to that of eternal service to the Lord because Lord Kṛṣṇa is more affectionate to devotees than to His personal self. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (9.4.68) the Lord clearly says: