These days, so-called spiritual seekers are first entering into the stage of attachment, and later try to enter the stage of inner and aspire to be Sadhakas practising unity, while at the same time, taking on new worldly attachments. At best, they can only be described as half time or part-time devotees. The Bhagavad Gita does not condone such part-time devotion. Gita teaches complete surrender. For this principle of complete surrender the time factor is very important. (DBG, p. 20)
Spiritual seekers should develop sixteen qualities. They should be:
- Full of devotion
- Prepared to enjoy suffering
- Free from attachment to transitory
- Eager to serve the Lord
- With correct conduct
- Charitable
- Having unsullied reputation
- With blemish on his character
- Fully content
- Endowed with good qualities
- Equipped with fruits of learning
- Equipped with all virtues
- Ripe in wisdom
- Self-controlled
- Adorned with commendable social traits
- Complete humility and surrender
- If he has the virtues then he is Mine and I am His. (BU1:1, pp. 56-57)