View source for Characteristics of God - Recognizing the Supreme Personality

In the age of Kali, it has become a fashionable trend for mundane people to declare themselves to be God, or for naive followers to elevate an ordinary human being to the status of the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda heavily criticizes this foolishness, explaining that the Supreme Truth is a highly scientific subject matter. We do not have to guess who God is. The precise characteristics of God are meticulously detailed in the Vedic scriptures, providing a perfect standard to distinguish the Absolute Truth from cheap imposters.

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=== The Evidence of Scripture ===

If someone claims to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead or an incarnation (''avatāra''), they must be tested. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as a genuine scientific theory must pass rigorous testing, the identity of God is verified through the authorized ''śāstras''. Great ''ācāryas'' like Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī have systematically analyzed these characteristics for our benefit.

* [[Vaniquotes:It is not that anyone is accepted who comes along and says, "I am an incarnation of God." There are characteristics of God given in the sastras|It is not that anyone is accepted who comes along and says, "I am an incarnation of God." There are characteristics of God given in the sastras.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Everything has got a test. But these rascals, without testing, accepting another rascal as God. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, when He was asked that how to accept one God, He said, "Well, there is in the sastra mention, the characteristic"|Everything has got a test. But these rascals, without testing, accepting another rascal as God. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, when He was asked that how to accept one God, He said, "Well, there is in the sastra mention, the characteristic."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We discussed this (characteristics of avatara are there in the sastra) point yesterday and today also, because it is important point, and further we shall discuss tomorrow|We discussed this (characteristics of avatara are there in the sastra) point yesterday and today also, because it is important point, and further we shall discuss tomorrow.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Rupa Gosvami has analyzed the characteristics of Bhagavan. The first Bhagavan is Sri Krsna Himself, but some of His opulences are also bestowed upon Lord Brahma|In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Rupa Gosvami has analyzed the characteristics of Bhagavan. The first Bhagavan is Sri Krsna Himself, but some of His opulences are also bestowed upon Lord Brahma.]]

=== Qualitative Oneness with the Living Entity ===

To understand God, we must first understand ourselves. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals a profound theological truth: the living entity is a minute part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and therefore possesses the exact same characteristics as God. Because we are qualitatively one, the science of self-realization is the perfect stepping stone to grasping the unlimited characteristics of the Supreme.

* [[Vaniquotes:The living entities have all the characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in minute quantity, but the living entity is never equal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead|The living entities have all the characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in minute quantity, but the living entity is never equal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you can analyze the characteristics of the living entity, then you can at least understand what is God, what is the characteristics of God. Therefore the beginning of spiritual education is to understand one's self, this self-realization|If you can analyze the characteristics of the living entity, then you can at least understand what is God, what is the characteristics of God. Therefore the beginning of spiritual education is to understand one's self, this self-realization.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This same characteristic (of God) is also present in the living being, but because he is conditioned by material nature, even the pleasure potency of the Lord is manifested in the conditioned soul as troublesome|This same characteristic (of God) is also present in the living being, but because he is conditioned by material nature, even the pleasure potency of the Lord is manifested in the conditioned soul as troublesome.]]

=== The Supreme Controller Has Nothing to Do ===

In the material world, an important person is recognized by how busy they are; presidents and executives have endless tasks to manage. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out a unique and fascinating characteristic of the Supreme Lord: He actually has nothing to do. Because His multifarious energies are so perfect, the cosmic manifestation runs automatically under His supreme will.

* [[Vaniquotes:Another characteristic of God is that He has nothing to do. In the material world, when a man is considered very important, he always has a great number of things to do|Another characteristic of God is that He has nothing to do. In the material world, when a man is considered very important, he always has a great number of things to do.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Janmady asya is the beginning, yet the four verses in which it is said that the Lord is the root of everything that be, beginning from the creation up to the supreme abode of the Lord, naturally explain the ten characteristics|Janmady asya is the beginning, yet the four verses in which it is said that the Lord is the root of everything that be, beginning from the creation up to the supreme abode of the Lord, naturally explain the ten characteristics.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Vedas state that the Absolute Truth has different potencies. When one understands the characteristics of the potencies of the Absolute Truth, one is aware of the Absolute Truth|The Vedas state that the Absolute Truth has different potencies. When one understands the characteristics of the potencies of the Absolute Truth, one is aware of the Absolute Truth.]]

=== The Forgiving and Auspicious Nature ===

Beyond His immense power and opulence, the Supreme Lord is characterized by His boundless love and auspiciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when a soul sincerely takes up devotional service, the Lord acts as their ultimate protector. One of His most beautiful characteristics is that He completely overlooks any accidental mistakes or offenses committed by a pure devotee.

* [[Vaniquotes:Characteristically, the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take seriously an offense committed by a pure devotee|Characteristically, the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take seriously an offense committed by a pure devotee.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Being a reservoir of all auspicious attributes, Sri Advaita Acarya is all-auspicious for the world. His characteristics, activities and name are always auspicious|Being a reservoir of all auspicious attributes, Sri Advaita Acarya is all-auspicious for the world. His characteristics, activities and name are always auspicious.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Anything about devotional service or the characteristics of the Lord and His devotees must be heard from a devotee, not from a professional reciter. This is advised herein - SB 6.17.40|Anything about devotional service or the characteristics of the Lord and His devotees must be heard from a devotee, not from a professional reciter. This is advised herein - Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.40.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one can perceive the characteristics of the Absolute Truth, we can know that he has understood the substance of the Absolute Truth by the mercy of the Lord|If one can perceive the characteristics of the Absolute Truth, we can know that he has understood the substance of the Absolute Truth by the mercy of the Lord.]]

=== Conclusion ===

We do not need to be bewildered by false incarnations or imperfect mental speculations about the nature of the Divine. Śrīla Prabhupāda reassures us that by submissively hearing the authorized descriptions of the characteristics of God from a pure devotee, our hearts become purified. Through this process, we can perfectly recognize the Supreme Personality of Godhead and reawaken our eternal, loving relationship with Him.

=== 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:Characteristics_of_God|Characteristics of God]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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