# Marginal Qualities (tatastha-laksana)

***1) Anyabhilasita-sunyam***** (devoid of desires)** 

Pure devotional service is not done with any extraneous desire in mind. In other words, there are no selfish motivations or personal agendas. This is not to say that a pure devotee has no desires, because love is full of desire. That desire, however, is a purely spiritual one. Occasionally, a pure devotee may express a desire that seems self-orientated – for example, when one is in a dangerous situation they may desire self-preservation. Since such superficial desires are temporary and not an integral part of one’s being they are not considered to weaken one’s devotion.

***2) Jnana***** (impersonal / dry speculation)**

Pure devotional service harbours no aspirations for useless, speculative knowledge, or the prospect of impersonal liberation. Devotees do pursue knowledge, but study the bhakti-sastra (devotional scriptures) with the sole aspiration to deepen their devotion. 

***3)*** ***Karma***** (ritualistic / fruitive activities)** 

Pure devotional service is not dependent on material, pious actions, and ritualistic observances that lead to improved material situations. When one begins to think that their *bhakti* needs to be fortified by such things, the purity of devotion becomes compromised.