One who serves Kṛṣṇa alone in His form of Śyāmasundara in pure devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, surpasses the guṇas and becomes qualified for Brahman. The word ‘ca’ in māṁ ca yo’vyabhicāreṇa indicates exclusiveness. Kṛṣṇa had already described this exclusiveness when He said mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etām taranti te: only (eva) by surrendering to Him (bhakti) can one surpass māyā. Thus surpassing the guṇas and realizing Brahman cannot be attained by any other method than bhakti.
One who serves Kṛṣṇa alone in His form of Śyāmasundara in pure devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, surpasses the guṇas and becomes qualified for Brahman. The word ‘ca’ in māṁ ca yo’vyabhicāreṇa indicates exclusiveness. Kṛṣṇa had already described this exclusiveness when He said mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etām taranti te: only (eva) by surrendering to Him (bhakti) can one surpass māyā. Thus surpassing the guṇas and realizing Brahman cannot be attained by any other method than bhakti. One who simply understands the difference of the jīva from the guṇas does not attain perfection of freedom from the guṇas. Having attained that state, one should take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, who is the controller of māyā, who is composed of pure knowledge and bliss, and who is the abode of precious qualities such as omniscience. Since the devotee is serving Kṛṣṇa exclusively, he has no opportunity to serve the modes. Thus he immediately reaches the Brahman platform, where the modes have no power over him. The attitude of devotion and service under the guidance of the guru carries the devotee to perfection and not merely their own ability, like the jñānī, to discriminate between the modes and the soul.