Accepting Kṛṣṇa As The Supreme Authority

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that the ultimate goal of all knowledge is to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. While the material world encourages independence and mental speculation, the Vedic conclusion is that true peace and fearlessness are achieved only when the living entity recognizes Kṛṣṇa as the supreme controller, enjoyer, and friend. By following the footsteps of great souls like Arjuna, one moves from confusion to enlightenment by accepting the Lord's authority without reservation.

Verdict of Scripture and Authorities

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that accepting Kṛṣṇa is not a whimsical decision but is supported by the highest authorities in Vedic history. All bona fide ācāryas, regardless of their specific philosophical nuances, converge on the point that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Truth, and even the impersonalist Śaṅkarācārya acknowledged Kṛṣṇa's supremacy to guide the common people.

• Everyone accepts Him (Krsna), all the acaryas, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Sankaracarya, Lord Caitanya. So why don't you accept Krsna? Why you're searching after learned man? Here is the best learned man. Simple truth.
• Krsna is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by such authoritative personalities as Vyasa, Devala, Asita, Narada, Madhva, Sankara, Ramanuja, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Jiva Gosvami, Visvanatha Cakravarti, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and all other authorities of the line.
• Even Sankaracarya, who is a impersonalist, he has accepted Lord Krsna as the supreme Narayana. In his comment on Bhagavad-gita he says, narayanah parah avyaktat: "Narayana is beyond this material creation."
• There is a very nice verse by Yamunacarya that there are authentic literatures, there are authentic personalities, and they accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Arjuna's Example of Perfect Discipleship

The Bhagavad-gītā serves as the ultimate manual for spiritual life because it displays the practical application of surrender. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that although Arjuna was Kṛṣṇa's friend, he realized that friendship alone could not solve life's perplexities; he therefore formally accepted Kṛṣṇa as his spiritual master, demonstrating that one must submit to superior authority to gain freedom from anxiety.

• A guru is necessary. In the Bhagavad-gita, when Krsna and Arjuna were talking as friends, there was no conclusion. So Arjuna decided to accept Krsna as his guru.
• Arjuna knew that Krsna was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore he surrendered himself unto Him, accepting Him as his spiritual master. Unless one is a devotee of Lord Krsna's, he cannot possibly understand Bhagavad-gita.
• In the Second Chapter, Arjuna surrenders: "So far we have been talking as friends, but now I accept You as my spiritual master." Anyone following the principle in this line accepts the guru as Krsna, and the student must represent Arjuna.
• Arjuna tells Krsna that he accepts whatever He says to be completely perfect. Sarvam etad rtam manye: I accept everything You say to be true.

Abandoning Mental Speculation

A key theme in Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings is the rejection of mano-dharma, or mental concoction. He asserts that a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not waste time imagining truths but rather accepts the statements of the Supreme Lord as final and absolute, understanding that human logic is limited and flawed.

• A Krsna conscious person doesn't imagine anything. Krsna says that He is the greater than the greatest, we accept it; we don't imagine.
• Speculation comes when you do not accept what Krsna says. If you accept Krsna, what Krsna says, then there is no scope of speculation.
• This practice we should give up: mano-dharma, mental concoction. We should immediately accept Krsna's instruction and be situated in atma-dharma. That is atmarama.
• We shall stick to Krsna consciousness. We shall accept what Krsna says and reject everything. Then we'll be saved.

Personal Relationships with the Supreme

Surrendering to authority does not mean losing one's individuality; rather, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it opens the door to eternal, loving relationships. Whether one accepts Kṛṣṇa as a faithful friend, a beloved son, or a protective husband, these transcendental relationships are the only ones that are free from cheating and disappointment.

• If you accept Krsna as friend, you will never be cheated. If you accept Krsna as lover, you will never be confused.
• Accept Krishna as your husband and He will never cheat you. He is competent to maintain any number of wife with full comforts because He is Omnipotent. So remain busy in the service of your Husband and you will be happy in this life as well as in the next.
• Although here in this material world we try to make our relationship with the Supreme by accepting Him as father, Krsna wants to become the son. He takes pleasure in becoming the son of a devotee.
• If we accept Krsna as friend, master, son or lover, we will never be frustrated. Every living entity has a specific relationship with Krsna, but at present this relationship is covered. As we advance in Krsna consciousness, it will be revealed.

Protection from Illusion

The material energy, māyā, is insurmountable for the conditioned soul, but Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that she releases her grip on those who surrender to Kṛṣṇa. By accepting the Lord's proprietorship and leadership, one is immediately transferred from the ocean of nescience to the platform of safety and spiritual purity.

• Maya is also very strong, and as soon as we try to accept Krsna as the Supreme Lord, maya will whisper in our ear, - No, no. There are many gods. Why are you accepting Krsna.
• If you want to get out of this illusion, maya, then you have to accept the Krsna's formula. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Everything is there in the Bhagavad-gita for guidance if we accept the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
• Simply by accepting the Lord as the supreme proprietor of everything, since He is actually so, one can achieve the highest perfection of life.
• O people! Why are you being captivated by the waves of the ocean of nescience? If you would immediately accept Lord Krsna as your eternal master, there would be no chance of being carried away by the waves of illusion. Then all your sufferings would stop.

Conclusion

Ultimately, accepting Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Authority is the essence of all Vedic wisdom and the only path to genuine happiness. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that refusing to accept this truth leads to perpetual suffering in the material world, whereas submitting to Kṛṣṇa's plan solves all problems of life. It is the intelligence of the living entity to recognize that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme leader, proprietor, and well-wisher, and to mold one's life entirely according to His divine instructions.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Accepting Krsna. 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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