View source for Associate with God to Become Godly

In the material world, we are shaped by our association. If we associate with drunkards, we become drunkards; if we associate with scholars, we become educated. Śrīla Prabhupāda applies this universal principle to the highest goal of life: to become Godly. He explains that the living entity, being part and parcel of God, has the potential to manifest divine qualities. However, these qualities are currently covered by material contamination. The solution is simple yet profound: keep in constant touch with the Supreme Lord. Through this association, specifically through the sound vibration of the holy name, the soul is gradually purified and restored to its original, godly nature.

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=== Mechanism of Transformation ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently uses the analogy of an iron rod in a fire to explain how a finite soul can attain divine qualities. Iron is cold and dark by nature, but when placed in fire, it becomes hot and luminous. Eventually, it acts exactly like fire. Similarly, when we keep our consciousness submerged in God, we take on His qualities. This does not mean we become God, but we act with His potency and purity.

* [[Vaniquotes:You put one iron rod in the fire. It become warm, warmer, at last red hot. When it is red hot, it is no longer iron rod; it is fire, by association with the fire. Similarly, if you remain always, constantly, in association with God, then you become godly|You put one iron rod in the fire. It become warm, warmer, at last red hot. When it is red hot, it is no longer iron rod; it is fire, by association with the fire. Similarly, if you remain always, constantly, in association with God, then you become godly.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Associate with God means you gradually become godly. This is the meaning of chanting the holy name of God|Associate with God means you gradually become godly. This is the meaning of chanting the holy name of God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one becomes Krsna conscious, then he becomes qualified with all godly attributes. That I have explained, that if you be in touch with God, then you become godly. That is the test|If one becomes Krsna conscious, then he becomes qualified with all godly attributes. That I have explained, that if you be in touch with God, then you become godly. That is the test.]]

=== Sound Incarnation ===
How can we associate with God in this age? We cannot see Him with our physical eyes. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that God is present in His name. The "sound incarnation" is the most accessible form of the Lord. By vibrating the transcendental sound, we are directly touching God, and this contact cleanses the heart of all material dross.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you associate with this transcendental incarnation, sound incarnation of God, then you will be gradually godly. You will be godly. You can become godly with God's association, not by any other material, extraneous thing. No|If you associate with this transcendental incarnation, sound incarnation of God, then you will be gradually godly. You will be godly. You can become godly with God's association, not by any other material, extraneous thing. No.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you simply keep yourself touch with God by this vibration of transcendental sound, gradually you become godly|If you simply keep yourself touch with God by this vibration of transcendental sound, gradually you become godly.]]

=== Godly Means Servant ===
There is a crucial distinction between the desire to become God (which is demonic) and the desire to become godly. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines "godly" as "servant of God." To be godly means to have no other interest than the satisfaction of the Supreme. It involves developing the qualities of serenity, purity, and devotion, which are characteristic of the Lord's eternal associates.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Mayavadis are trying to become God, but that is impossible. Let them try to become godly. Godly means "servant of God." That will make them perfect|The Mayavadis are trying to become God, but that is impossible. Let them try to become godly. Godly means "servant of God." That will make them perfect.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Simply by saying that "I am in commune with God," no. There is test. The test means if he is always in touch with God, he'll become, in his characteristics, godly. One of the qualification is serenity|Simply by saying that "I am in commune with God," no. There is test. The test means if he is always in touch with God, he'll become, in his characteristics, godly. One of the qualification is serenity.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:To become a demigod or to become godly, whatever one's occupation, one must satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead|To become a demigod or to become godly, whatever one's occupation, one must satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]

=== Training and Rules ===
Becoming godly is not a cheap sentiment; it requires discipline. Just as one must follow the rules of a university to become a scholar, one must follow spiritual rules to become godly. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the rules and regulations of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are designed to train the character of the devotee. Without this training and "good society," the natural tendency is to degrade into a demon.

* [[Vaniquotes:There are so many rules and regulations just to train a man to become godly. They are not superstitious or superfluous|There are so many rules and regulations just to train a man to become godly. They are not superstitious or superfluous.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This is very essential, to have good society. A man may be very innocent, and if he is given chance for good society, he becomes a godly man. And if he's given inferior society, then he becomes a demon|This is very essential, to have good society. A man may be very innocent, and if he is given chance for good society, he becomes a godly man. And if he's given inferior society, then he becomes a demon.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Not only one child. We have got hundreds of children in Dallas, they are being trained up. They are being trained up. They are becoming godly from the very beginning of life|Not only one child. We have got hundreds of children in Dallas, they are being trained up. They are being trained up. They are becoming godly from the very beginning of life.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The human form of life is a rare opportunity to change our destiny. Śrīla Prabhupāda starkly contrasts the two paths: "Don't become dog. Just become god, or godly." If we live for the senses, we risk sliding down the evolutionary scale. But if we live for Kṛṣṇa, engaging in His service and chanting His names, we are elevated. We become "perfect," not by becoming the Supreme, but by becoming His pure, empowered, and godly instruments. This perfection is available to everyone—men, women, and children—who sincerely takes to the process of association with the Divine.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Becoming Godly|Becoming Godly]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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