Vivekachudamani 29

vairagyam ca mumuksu tvam tivram yasya tu vidyate | 
tasmin nevarthavantah syuh phalavantah samadayah || 
(Sankaracarya's Vivekachudamani 29) 

Calmness and other practices have their meaning and they bear fruit indeed, only in one who has an intense spirit of renunciation and yearning for liberation. 

As long as we are attached to material enjoyment we will not be able to concentrate on devotional service. To practice both renunciation and devotion and to see them as interdependent. Renunciation and devotional service run along parallel lines, and understanding one facilitates understanding the other. As the scriptures assure us again and again, 

We often use the word “austerity” (tapasya) when speaking of renunciation. “Austerity” means voluntarily accepting trouble for spiritual advancement. In former ages, devotees sometimes performed severe austerities to please Krishna. Dhruva Maharaja, for example, was only a five-year-old boy when he left home to seek the Supreme Lord. When Dhruva met the great sage Narada Muni, Narada instructed him in mystic yoga and devotion. Then, under Narada’s direction, Dhruva went to the forest and practiced austerity. 

During the first month, Dhruva ate only a little fruit every third day. During the second month, he ate fruit every six days. Then he ate grass and leaves, then fasted on water. Throughout this time, he also practiced breath control, becoming so accomplished he could hold his breath for days at a time. Eventually, he attained several yogic perfections, one of which was the power to increase his weight to equal the weight of the entire universe. Completely controlling his mind and senses, he concentrated on Lord Vishnu within his heart. In six months, Dhruva was able to see Lord Vishnu face to face. 

To attain devotion we must practice renunciation, but we should not be frightened to practice devotion. Although renunciation may at first seem painful, it provides us with relief by freeing us from the much greater pain and entanglement that follows any attempt to enjoy matter. If we want to stay free of material life, we have to give ourselves something better to do.