Sage Narada states that whoever you are or whatever you do, it all becomes futile without devotion towards the Lord.

You may be born as the son of noble parents who do great things. You may be chanting ‘Gayathri’ in the next ‘Janma’ and you may be performing Yagas in the subsequent lifetime. Even if you are blessed with these three lifetimes, without service to the Lord, they are wasted.

Performing Vedic duties and living like Devas are futile for the man who hasn’t turned to the Lord.

Advice from the Guru, spiritual practices, studying Scriptures, introspection, clear intellect, power of discrimination – without devotion what use they all have?

Yoga, Samkhya, Sannyasa, Vedas – none of these can help you if you do not serve the Lord.

The purpose of all actions is to seek joy in the Self and if it is still unavailable, they don’t serve their purpose.

The dearest ‘Self’ in every one is none other than the Lord. Any thing that can not please the Lord is futile.