Establishing Relationship with God - Revision history

Anurag at 07:20, 24 January 2026

2026-01-24T07:20:14Z

Navakishora Mukunda at 12:23, 19 January 2026

2026-01-19T12:23:08Z

Anurag: /* Role of Deity Worship */

2026-01-18T06:26:24Z

Role of Deity Worship

Anurag: Created page with "According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, religion is not a matter of blind faith or sectarian dogma; it is the science of reconnecting the consciousness with its source. The very word ''yoga'' means "to link up." The primary purpose of the human form of life is to revive the eternal relationship between the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This revival is the foundation of true happiness and the prerequisite for returning home, back to Godhead.

2026-01-18T06:25:59Z

Created page with "According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, religion is not a matter of blind faith or sectarian dogma; it is the science of reconnecting the consciousness with its source. The very word ''yoga'' means "to link up." The primary purpose of the human form of life is to revive the eternal relationship between the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This revival is the foundation of true happiness and the prerequisite for returning home, back to Godhead. <div class=..."

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According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, religion is not a matter of blind faith or sectarian dogma; it is the science of reconnecting the consciousness with its source. The very word ''yoga'' means "to link up." The primary purpose of the human form of life is to revive the eternal relationship between the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This revival is the foundation of true happiness and the prerequisite for returning home, back to Godhead.

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=== Definition of Religion ===

In the modern world, religion is often reduced to a social function or a sentiment. However, the Vedic perspective is precise. Religion is that process which effectively connects the soul to God. If a system does not establish this relationship, it cannot be considered true religion.

* [[Vaniquotes:By definition, religion is that which connects us with God. If it is not capable of connecting us with God, it is no religion. Religion means searching for God, understanding God and establishing a relationship with God. This is religion|By definition, religion is that which connects us with God. If it is not capable of connecting us with God, it is no religion. Religion means searching for God, understanding God and establishing a relationship with God. This is religion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The word yoga means "to link up," and the idea is that in yoga we link our consciousness to God. It is a means for reuniting with God or re-establishing our relationship with Him|The word yoga means "to link up," and the idea is that in yoga we link our consciousness to God. It is a means for reuniting with God or re-establishing our relationship with Him.]]

=== Sambandha-jñāna: Knowledge of Relationship ===

The Vedic path is divided into three stages: ''sambandha'' (relationship), ''abhidheya'' (activity), and ''prayojana'' (the ultimate goal). Before one can serve the Lord properly, one must understand their relationship with Him. This knowledge is called ''sambandha-jñāna''. Ignorance consists of forgetting this bond, while knowledge means reestablishing it.

* [[Vaniquotes:Sambandha-jnana refers to establishing one's relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, abhidheya refers to acting according to that constitutional relationship, and prayojana is the ultimate goal of life, which is to develop love of Godhead|Sambandha-jnana refers to establishing one's relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, abhidheya refers to acting according to that constitutional relationship, and prayojana is the ultimate goal of life, which is to develop love of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Removal of ignorance involves the reestablishment of the eternal relationship between the worshiper and the worshipable and the consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the SP of Godhead. BG 1972 purports|Removal of ignorance involves the reestablishment of the eternal relationship between the worshiper and the worshipable and the consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the SP of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Vedanta-sutra establishes the relationship between the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the importance of devotional service in ultimately achieving love of Godhead|Vedanta-sutra establishes the relationship between the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the importance of devotional service in ultimately achieving love of Godhead.]]

=== Role of Deity Worship ===

In the process of ''bhakti-yoga'', specific Deities facilitate different stages of development. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Deity Madana-mohana is the presiding Deity of ''sambandha''. By worshiping Him under the guidance of the spiritual master, the conditioned soul can reawaken their specific relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:To know Krsna is to know one's self, & to know one's self is to know one's relationship with Krsna. Since this relationship can be learned by worshiping the Madana-mohana vigraha, Krsnadasa Kaviraja first establishes his relationship with Him - CC Intro|To know Krsna is to know one's self, & to know one's self is to know one's relationship with Krsna. Since this relationship can be learned by worshiping the Madana-mohana vigraha, Krsnadasa Kaviraja first establishes his relationship with Him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the (Kama-gayatri) mantra klim kama-devaya vidmahe puspa-banaya dhimahi tan no ’nangah pracodayat, Krsna is called Kama-deva, Puspa-bana and Ananga. Kama-deva is Madana-mohana, the Deity who establishes our relationship with Krsna|In the (Kama-gayatri) mantra klim kama-devaya vidmahe puspa-banaya dhimahi tan no ’nangah pracodayat, Krsna is called Kama-deva, Puspa-bana and Ananga. Kama-deva is Madana-mohana, the Deity who establishes our relationship with Krsna.]]

=== Varieties of Relationship ===

The relationship with God is not monolithic. It is flavored by ''rasa'', or transcendental mellow. As one advances in ''prema-bhakti'', their specific relationship—whether as a servant, friend, parent, or lover—becomes manifest. This variety allows for an intimate and personal exchange between the soul and the Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:In bhakti-yoga there is a relationship established between the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the devotee. Such a relationship is established in the transcendental mellows known as dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya|In bhakti-yoga there is a relationship established between the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the devotee. Such a relationship is established in the transcendental mellows known as dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We can become a direct servant of Krsna, or in the highest stages we can become Krsna's father, mother or lover. Krsna is prepared to establish a loving relationship with all living entities|We can become a direct servant of Krsna, or in the highest stages we can become Krsna's father, mother or lover. Krsna is prepared to establish a loving relationship with all living entities.]]

=== Basis of Universal Love ===

Attempts to establish peace and brotherhood on a material platform inevitably fail because they lack the center. Śrīla Prabhupāda argues that real universal love is only possible when we reestablish our relationship with the central point, Kṛṣṇa. Just as watering the root nourishes the whole tree, loving Kṛṣṇa enables one to truly love all living beings.

* [[Vaniquotes:When 1 marries, he automatically establishes a relationship with the spouse's family. Similarly, if we reestablish our original relationship with Krsna, we'll establish our true relationship with everyone else. That is the ground for real universal love|When 1 marries, he automatically establishes a relationship with the spouse's family. Similarly, if we reestablish our original relationship with Krsna, we'll establish our true relationship with everyone else. That is the ground for real universal love.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If we reestablish our relationship, or our original relationship with Krsna, and Krsna is for everyone, therefore I become for everyone. That is real universal love|If we reestablish our relationship, or our original relationship with Krsna, and Krsna is for everyone, therefore I become for everyone. That is real universal love.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is essentially an educational institution meant to train people in reestablishing this lost bond. By breaking the false service to ''māyā'' and accepting the service of the Supreme Lord, one fulfills the true purpose of existence.

=== 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:Establishing_Relationship_with_God|Establishing Relationship with God]]. 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]])

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