View source for Living and Acting According to God

To live and act according to God is the fundamental principle of spiritual life and the definition of true intelligence in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the material world and the physical body operate under the strict supervision of the Supreme Lord, the living entity has a minute independence to choose between serving his own senses or serving the senses of the Lord. Perfection is attained when the soul voluntarily harmonizes his will with the supreme will, acting solely for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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=== Constitutional Position of the Living Entity ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the living entity is never independent; he is eternally a subordinate servant of the Supreme Consciousness. The illusion of the conditioned soul is the false belief that he is the master, whereas a realized soul understands his duty is to act strictly according to the direction of the Lord found in the ''śāstras'' and the heart.

* [[Vaniquotes:A devotee understands what is what and he does according to the direction of God. Therefore he is demigod|A devotee understands what is what and he does according to the direction of God. Therefore he is demigod.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Here the situation is that Krsna is instructing Arjuna. Krsna is the supreme consciousness. I am consciousness, the part and parcel of the supreme consciousness. So my duty is to act according to that supreme consciousness|Here the situation is that Krsna is instructing Arjuna. Krsna is the supreme consciousness. I am consciousness, the part and parcel of the supreme consciousness. So my duty is to act according to that supreme consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Each servant is dancing according to the order of the Supreme. That's all. Nobody is master. So this false conception of becoming master is called maya, illusion. Nobody is master|Each servant is dancing according to the order of the Supreme. That's all. Nobody is master. So this false conception of becoming master is called maya, illusion. Nobody is master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The constitutional position of a living entity, represented by Arjuna, is that he has to act according to the order of the Supreme Lord. He is meant for self-discipline. BG 1972 purports|The constitutional position of a living entity, represented by Arjuna, is that he has to act according to the order of the Supreme Lord. He is meant for self-discipline.]]

=== Material Manifestation and Divine Order ===
The entire cosmic machinery, from the rotation of the sun to the laws of gravity, functions perfectly under the superintendence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that nature is not an independent force but an agent acting according to the Lord's supreme plan and order.

* [[Vaniquotes:Brahma-samhita states, yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrta-kala-cakrah: the sun rotates in its own orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The conclusion is that the sun is not fixed in one place|Brahma-samhita states, yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrta-kala-cakrah: the sun rotates in its own orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The conclusion is that the sun is not fixed in one place.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although sometimes plans appear contradictory, there is a definite plan behind all action. One who is experienced and is favored by the Lord can understand that everything is being done according to the Lord's supreme plan|Although sometimes plans appear contradictory, there is a definite plan behind all action. One who is experienced and is favored by the Lord can understand that everything is being done according to the Lord's supreme plan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The planets are floating because material nature adjusts the air according to the orders of the Supreme Lord. It could be said that these adjustments constitute the law of gravity, but in any case, one must accept that these laws are made by the SPG|The planets are floating because material nature adjusts the air according to the orders of the Supreme Lord. It could be said that these adjustments constitute the law of gravity, but in any case, one must accept that these laws are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]

=== Body and Transmigration ===
The material body is described as a machine awarded by material nature to the living entity based on his past desires and ''karma'', yet sanctioned by the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while we may desire, the fulfillment of that desire through a specific type of body is ultimately orchestrated according to the instructions of the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:The living entity is seated on a machine (the body), and according to the order of the Supreme Lord, he operates the machine. This is the secret of transmigration of the soul from one body to another|The living entity is seated on a machine (the body), and according to the order of the Supreme Lord, he operates the machine. This is the secret of transmigration of the soul from one body to another.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Due to the mode of passion, we desire many things, and according to our desire or anxiety and according to the order of the Supreme Lord, material nature gives us a certain type of body. For some time we play as master or servant|Due to the mode of passion, we desire many things, and according to our desire or anxiety and according to the order of the Supreme Lord, material nature gives us a certain type of body. For some time we play as master or servant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although the living entity is the cause of his various types of bodies, the body is given by material nature according to the order of the Lord|Although the living entity is the cause of his various types of bodies, the body is given by material nature according to the order of the Lord.]]

=== Path of Perfection: Bhakti-yoga ===
Real ''bhakti'', or devotion, means surrendering one's personal agenda to execute the will of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Arjuna, who, despite his initial reluctance to fight, ultimately achieved perfection by agreeing to act according to Kṛṣṇa's desire, demonstrating that true religion is simply obedience to God's order.

* [[Vaniquotes:Arjuna's desire was not to fight, but Krsna's desire was to fight - just the opposite. Arjuna ultimately agreed to Krsna's desire: "Yes," karisye vacanam tava (BG 18.73): "Yes, I will act according to Your desire." That is bhakti|Arjuna's desire was not to fight, but Krsna's desire was to fight - just the opposite. Arjuna ultimately agreed to Krsna's desire: "Yes," karisye vacanam tava (BG 18.73): "Yes, I will act according to Your desire." That is bhakti.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Bhakti-yoga means acting according to the order of the supreme authority|Bhakti-yoga means acting according to the order of the supreme authority.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Actually to become free from the illusory energy is to understand Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and agree to act according to His order. BG 1972 purports|Actually to become free from the illusory energy is to understand Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and agree to act according to His order.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna instructing Arjuna that, "you simply act for Krsna, or God," tad-artham, "not for any other purpose." Don't create your action. Simply act according to the direction of the Lord. Then you will be freed from the reaction of your act|Krsna instructing Arjuna that, "you simply act for Krsna, or God," tad-artham, "not for any other purpose." Don't create your action. Simply act according to the direction of the Lord. Then you will be freed from the reaction of your act.]]

=== Understanding God's Appearances and Names ===
The Supreme Lord is unlimited and appears in various forms and accepts different names based on His transcendental activities and dealings with His devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that God is not a product of human imagination; rather, He reveals Himself and creates forms according to His own sweet will and the needs of the time.

* [[Vaniquotes:God, factually, He has no name. How many names you will remember? But His names are given according to His activities|God, factually, He has no name. How many names you will remember? But His names are given according to His activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:God is all-attractive. Otherwise how He can be God? God cannot be attractive for you and not for me. This is very accurate word. God has no name. That's a fact. But we coin His name according to His dealings. Just like we call God Yasoda-nandana|God is all-attractive. Otherwise how He can be God? God cannot be attractive for you and not for me. This is very accurate word. God has no name. That's a fact. But we coin His name according to His dealings. Just like we call God Yasoda-nandana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:God's body is not made according to your body, but your body is made according to God's body|God's body is not made according to your body, but your body is made according to God's body.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to His need, the Lord sometimes exhibited one form and sometimes many. This was being executed by His internal potency|According to His need, the Lord sometimes exhibited one form and sometimes many. This was being executed by His internal potency.]]

=== Conclusion ===
Ultimately, the distinction between a devotee and a demon lies in the willingness to accept the supremacy of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that while the material world binds those who act independently, those who align their activities with the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are liberated even within this life. By following the path of ''bhāgavata-dharma''—living and acting according to God's order—one transcends the cycle of birth and death and returns to their original position of 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:According to God|According to God]]. 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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