View source for The Supreme Lord Reciprocates According to Desire

The interaction between the finite living entity and the Infinite Lord is governed by the principle of desire. As the impartial witness, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead facilitates the wanderings of the conditioned soul through various bodies, yet He eagerly awaits the moment the soul turns toward Him. This article explores the mechanics of this reciprocity, illustrating how our specific desires dictate our destination and how surrendering to Kṛṣṇa's desire brings ultimate freedom.

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=== Principle of Reciprocity ===

The fundamental principle of existence is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead responds to the living entities according to their specific desires. Whether one seeks material enjoyment or spiritual service, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that the Lord provides the facility.

* [[Vaniquotes:A devotee is always fully surrendered to the loving service of the Lord, and the Lord is visible to the devotee according to the devotee's desires. He may be present in the form of Lord Rama, Lord Krsna, Lord Nrsimhadeva and so on|A devotee is always fully surrendered to the loving service of the Lord, and the Lord is visible to the devotee according to the devotee's desires. He may be present in the form of Lord Rama, Lord Krsna, Lord Nrsimhadeva and so on.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one is inclined to dictate that the Lord grant something, one receives benedictions according to his desires|If one is inclined to dictate that the Lord grant something, one receives benedictions according to his desires.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Bhagavad-gita declares the Supreme Lord is responsive in proportion to the devotional service rendered by the devotee. Akrura thought that Krsna was like the desire tree in the heavenly planets, which gives fruit according to the desire of the worshiper|Bhagavad-gita declares the Supreme Lord is responsive in proportion to the devotional service rendered by the devotee. Akrura thought that Krsna was like the desire tree in the heavenly planets, which gives fruit according to the desire of the worshiper.]]

=== Material Body as a Machine for Desire ===

The variety of species in the material world, numbering 8,400,000, are not random biological accidents but are specific "dresses" or "machines" awarded to the soul to fulfill specific desires.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to one's desires and activities, material nature places one in various residential quarters. The being himself is the cause of his attaining such residential quarters and his attendant enjoyment or suffering. BG 1972 purports|According to one's desires and activities, material nature places one in various residential quarters. The being himself is the cause of his attaining such residential quarters and his attendant enjoyment or suffering.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to the desire and karma of the individual soul, the Lord, through the agency of maya, creates another body for him. The heart of the body is a mechanical arrangement|According to the desire and karma of the individual soul, the Lord, through the agency of maya, creates another body for him. The heart of the body is a mechanical arrangement.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Soul is one - that is part and parcel of Krsna - but according to karma, according to desire for material enjoyment, we have taken different dresses, and we are wandering all over the universe, according to our karma|Soul is one - that is part and parcel of Krsna - but according to karma, according to desire for material enjoyment, we have taken different dresses, and we are wandering all over the universe, according to our karma.]]

=== Role of the Supersoul and Forgetfulness ===

The living entity is not independent. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Supersoul, situated in the heart, sanctions the desires of the living entity and provides the remembrance or forgetfulness necessary to pursue those desires.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to the desires of the living entity, the Lord makes him remember or forget. If the living entity is demoniac & wants to forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord gives him the intelligence to be able to forget the Supreme Lord forever|According to the desires of the living entity, the Lord makes him remember or forget. If the living entity is demoniac & wants to forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord gives him the intelligence to be able to forget the Supreme Lord forever.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (God) is always with the individual as a friend sitting by the side of a friend, and He gives facilities to all living entities according to their desires|He (God) is always with the individual as a friend sitting by the side of a friend, and He gives facilities to all living entities according to their desires.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (the Supersoul) lives within all of them (the living entities) and witnesses their actions, allowing them to act according to their desires and also giving them the results of their different activities|He (the Supersoul) lives within all of them (the living entities) and witnesses their actions, allowing them to act according to their desires and also giving them the results of their different activities.]]

=== Surrender: Acting According to Kṛṣṇa's Desire ===

The perfection of life is achieved when the living entity abandons the pursuit of personal whims and, as Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes, agrees to act exclusively according to the desire of the Supreme Lord. This state is exemplified by Arjuna and the pure devotees.

* [[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 (Bhagavad-gita 18.73): "Yes, I will act according to Your desire." That is bhakti.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Every plan is made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He is so kind and merciful to His devotees that He wants to give the credit to His devotees who carry out His plan according to His desire. BG 1972 purports|Every plan is made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He is so kind and merciful to His devotees that He wants to give the credit to His devotees who carry out His plan according to His desire.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna does not force a devotee because the devotee acts spontaneously according to the desire of the Lord; in this kind of loving service there is no question of force|Krsna does not force a devotee because the devotee acts spontaneously according to the desire of the Lord; in this kind of loving service there is no question of force.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The dead son immediately replied (to the question of Caitanya that why he was leaving the house of Srivasa) - I am Your eternal servant, a dependent living being. I must act only according to Your desire|The dead son immediately replied (to the question of Caitanya that why he was leaving the house of Srivasa) - I am Your eternal servant, a dependent living being. I must act only according to Your desire.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings in this category clarify that desire is the engine of transmigration and the key to liberation. The material world acts as a facility for those who desire to enjoy separately from the Lord, with the body serving as a vehicle tailored to those desires. Conversely, the spiritual world is attained when one uses that same faculty of desire to please the Lord. As Kṛṣṇa is the supreme controller, He reciprocates with the living entity's intent. Therefore, the highest intelligence is not to suppress desire, but to purify it, choosing to act according to Kṛṣṇa’s desire rather than one’s own.

=== 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_Desire|According to Desire]]. 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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