View source for From Cripple-Minded to Broadminded

In modern parlance, being "broadminded" often implies a liberal or tolerant attitude toward social behaviors. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda redefines this concept through the lens of Vedic philosophy, equating broadmindedness with the Sanskrit term ''mahātmā'' (great soul). A truly broadminded person is not one who merely accepts diverse material views but one whose consciousness has expanded to understand Kṛṣṇa as the cause of all causes. This article explores the distinction between the "cripple-minded" materialist and the broadminded devotee, highlighting the universal compassion that arises from genuine spiritual vision.

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=== Mahatma: A Broadminded Soul ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the word ''mahātmā'' literally means "broadminded." This state is achieved not by mental speculation but by surrendering to the Supreme Lord. When a living entity engages in the service of Kṛṣṇa, their interest becomes identical with the Lord's universal interest, effectively expanding their soul.

* [[Vaniquotes:Mahatma is broad, broader-minded, broader soul, whose soul has become broader. How you can become broader? If you dovetail yourself with the supreme broadest, then you become broader. Otherwise you become smaller|Mahatma is broad, broader-minded, broader soul, whose soul has become broader. How you can become broader? If you dovetail yourself with the supreme broadest, then you become broader. Otherwise you become smaller.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The word mahatma means "broadminded." One who cannot understand Krsna is not broad-minded but cripple-minded. If one becomes broad-minded, then by the grace of Krsna one can understand Krsna|The word mahatma means "broadminded." One who cannot understand Krsna is not broad-minded but cripple-minded. If one becomes broad-minded, then by the grace of Krsna one can understand Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that those who are mahatmas, or those whose minds have been so broadened as to be engaged in the service of Lord Krsna, are under the influence of the internal potency|In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that those who are mahatmas, or those whose minds have been so broadened as to be engaged in the service of Lord Krsna, are under the influence of the internal potency.]]

=== Cripple-Minded vs. Broadminded ===

The opposite of a ''mahātmā'' is a ''durātmā'', or a "cripple-minded" person. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes materialists as cripple-minded because their affection is limited to their own body, family, or nation. Even their altruism is a form of "extended selfishness" because it fails to account for the soul and the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Mahatma means broad-minded. And duratma means cripple-minded, just the opposite word. Duratma. Dura means far away from Krsna consciousness, dura atma|Mahatma means broad-minded. And duratma means cripple-minded, just the opposite word. Duratma. Dura means far away from Krsna consciousness, dura atma.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who cannot understand Krsna, they are cripple-minded. They are not broad-minded. If one becomes broad-minded, then, by the grace of Krsna, he can understand Krsna|One who cannot understand Krsna, they are cripple-minded. They are not broad-minded. If one becomes broad-minded, then, by the grace of Krsna, he can understand Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unless you come to the point of atma, whatever extended selfishness there is, it is selfishness. There is no, I mean to say, broadmindedness. And broadmindedness, when you come to the platform of atma. Isavasyam idam sarvamv|Unless you come to the point of atma, whatever extended selfishness there is, it is selfishness. There is no, I mean to say, broadmindedness. And broadmindedness, when you come to the platform of atma. Isavasyam idam sarvamv.]]

=== Universal Compassion ===

A practical symptom of broadmindedness is the ability to see the spirit soul in every living being. Śrīla Prabhupāda critiques the limited benevolence of those who love humanity but slaughter animals. A Kṛṣṇa conscious person is truly broadminded because they extend their love to all creatures—beasts, birds, and insects—knowing them all to be parts and parcels of God.

* [[Vaniquotes:You love the poor people but not the poor animals. Therefore your love is so limited and defective. And Krsna conscious person not only loves the poor man but he loves the poor animals also - poor beast, insect, ants; he is so upright and so broadminded|You love the poor people but not the poor animals. Therefore your love is so limited and defective. And Krsna conscious person not only loves the poor man but he loves the poor animals also - poor beast, insect, ants; he is so upright and so broadminded.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living entities|Those who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living entities.]]

=== Conclusion ===

To become broadminded is the aim of human life. It requires moving beyond the narrow confines of sectarianism and bodily designations to embrace the service of the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that real success lies in becoming a ''mahātmā'', one who surrenders to Vāsudeva and dedicates their life to the welfare of all living beings.

=== 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:Broadminded|Broadminded]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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