View source for How Material Existence Becomes Insignificant through Devotion

The transformative power of devotional service, which renders the formidable obstacles of the material world negligible. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by taking shelter of the Supreme Lord, the vast ocean of birth and death shrinks to the size of a calf's hoofprint. This article further illuminates how deep-rooted material desires, including the attraction to sex life and the pursuit of impersonal liberation, naturally fade into insignificance when one tastes the superior pleasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== Crossing the Ocean of Nescience ===

The material world is often compared to a vast, impassable ocean of tribulation. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that for a sincere devotee who seeks shelter at Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, this terrifying expanse becomes harmless and small. The insurmountable cycle of birth and death is easily crossed, appearing as insignificant as a small puddle of water in a calf's hoofprint.

* [[Vaniquotes:A lotus petal is something like a small boat, & this verse (SB 10.14.58) says that if one takes shelter of the petal boat of Krsna's lotus feet, the great ocean of birth & death becomes as insignificant as the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf|A lotus petal is something like a small boat, and this verse (SB 10.14.58) says that if one takes shelter of the petal boat of Krsna's lotus feet, the great ocean of birth and death becomes as insignificant as the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Anyone who takes shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna enters the boat for crossing over the ocean of nescience. For him, this vast expanse of the material manifestation becomes as insignificant as the water in a calf's hoofprint|Anyone who takes shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna enters the boat for crossing over the ocean of nescience. For him, this vast expanse of the material manifestation becomes as insignificant as the water in a calf's hoofprint.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When a liberated soul thus surrenders unto the lotus feet of the all-pervading Godhead, the ocean of nescience becomes as insignificant to him as the water in the small hoofprint of a calf|When a liberated soul thus surrenders unto the lotus feet of the all-pervading Godhead, the ocean of nescience becomes as insignificant to him as the water in the small hoofprint of a calf.]]

=== Fading of Material Desires ===

One of the most powerful symptoms of advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the loss of taste for material sense gratification. Citing great authorities like Yamunācārya and Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when the mind is filled with the newer and newer desires to serve the Lord, the otherwise formidable attraction to sex life and worldly enjoyment becomes trivial and repulsive.

* [[Vaniquotes:As confirmed by Yamunacarya, since he has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord, there is always a current of newer & newer desires flowing to serve the Lord, so much so that the stagnant desire of sex life becomes very insignificant|As confirmed by Yamunacarya, since he has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord, there is always a current of newer and newer desires flowing to serve the Lord, so much so that the stagnant desire of sex life becomes very insignificant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Narottama dasa sings: When will Lord Nityananda have mercy upon me, and when will all my desires for material enjoyment become insignificant? When shall I be purified by giving up all contaminations of material enjoyment?|Narottama dasa sings: When will Lord Nityananda have mercy upon me, and when will all my desires for material enjoyment become insignificant? When shall I be purified by giving up all contaminations of material enjoyment?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Narottama dasa Thakura says that one who has actually received the causeless mercy of Nityananda, he has no more any material desire. That is the symptom. Samsara-vasana means desire for material enjoyment, when it will become very insignificant|Narottama dasa Thakura says that one who has actually received the causeless mercy of Nityananda, he has no more any material desire. That is the symptom. Samsara-vasana means desire for material enjoyment, when it will become very insignificant.]]

=== Superiority Over Liberation and Mystic Yoga ===

Beyond mere sense gratification, even the high spiritual goals of the non-devotees—such as ''brahmānanda'' (impersonal liberation) and mystic perfection—pale in comparison to the happiness of ''bhakti''. The devotee, situated on the transcendental platform, finds the results of ''karma'', ''jñāna'', and ''yoga'' to be insignificant because they have attained the ultimate shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

* [[Vaniquotes:In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.36), a devotee says: My Lord, O Supreme, simply by understanding You or seeing You, the pleasure which we derive is so great that the pleasure of brahmananda becomes insignificant|In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.36), a devotee says: My Lord, O Supreme, simply by understanding You or seeing You, the pleasure which we derive is so great that the pleasure of brahmananda becomes insignificant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:All of them (karmis, jnanis and yogis) are trying to be materially perfect, but a devotee very easily comes to the platform of nirguna in devotional service, and consequently for the devotee the results of karma, jnana and yoga become very insignificant|All of them (karmis, jnanis and yogis) are trying to be materially perfect, but a devotee very easily comes to the platform of nirguna in devotional service, and consequently for the devotee the results of karma, jnana and yoga become very insignificant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When one becomes captivated by love of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all attraction for mystic power, monistic pleasure, and mundane religious principles becomes insignificant|When one becomes captivated by love of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all attraction for mystic power, monistic pleasure, and mundane religious principles becomes insignificant.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The progression of spiritual life is marked by a shift in values. What the material world considers great—vast oceans of existence, intense sensory pleasures, or the liberation of merging into the light—becomes insignificant to a soul connected to Kṛṣṇa. By taking shelter of the Lord, the devotee is lifted above the influence of ''māyā'', finding a happiness so profound that all other attractions naturally recede, leaving the soul free to engage in eternal service.

=== 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_Insignificant|Becoming Insignificant]]. 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]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Achieving Perfection through Bhakti]]

<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>