Acting According to Kṛṣṇa

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently emphasizes that the perfection of human life lies in aligning one's activities with the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To act according to Kṛṣṇa is to move from the platform of mental speculation and material desire to the absolute platform of the soul's eternal function. This article explores how surrendering to Kṛṣṇa's plan, rather than asserting false independence, transforms ordinary actions into liberation and establishes a harmonious relationship between the devotee and the Lord.

Perfection of Surrender

Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the essence of bhakti through the example of Arjuna. Although Arjuna initially had his own personal reasons for refusing to fight, he attained perfection by setting aside his own will and agreeing to act exactly according to the desire of Kṛṣṇa.

• Arjuna said, My dear Krsna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy, and I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.
• 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.
• When Arjuna understood that it was Krsna's plan to reduce the unnecessary increase of population, he agreed to fight according to Krsna's desire. He again took up his weapons-his arrows and bow-to fight under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Reciprocity of the Lord

The Supreme Lord is not an impersonal observer but an active participant who responds to the living entity's approach. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa rewards every soul accordingly, offering spiritual entrance to the surrendered and material facilities to those who maintain material desires.

• In Bhagavad-gita (BG 4.11) the Lord (Krsna) says, ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. "As one surrenders unto Me, I reward him accordingly."
• According to Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.55): One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God.
• As stated in Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.61): The Lord is situated in the core of everyone's heart, and, according to the material desires of the living entity, the Lord offers a particular type of machine - the body - through the agency of the material energy.

Spiritualizing Daily Activities

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is practical and all-encompassing, permeating every aspect of existence including eating, working, and governance. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when we conduct our social, political, and personal affairs according to Kṛṣṇa's direction, the mundane world is spiritualized.

• We have to live. The same thing: we are also working, we are also eating, we are sleeping, we are also marrying - but according to Krsna's direction. Then it is Krsna conscious life and perfect life.
• Politics is the business of the ksatriya. So if you act according to Krsna's direction in politics, then you are surrendered soul.
• Things are prepared according to the order of Krsna, and when Krsna eats, we take the remnants of foodstuff. Therefore we do not fall in the group of vegetarian or non-vegetarian. We are transcendental.

Divine Plan vs. The Illusion of Independence

Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reminds us that our feeling of independence is an illusion, comparing the living entity to a wooden doll controlled by a puppeteer. Recognizing that there is a supreme plan behind all events allows the devotee to remain peaceful and properly situated in reality.

• As a wooden doll that looks like a woman or as an animal made of grass and leaves cannot move or dance independently, but depends fully on the person who handles it, all of us dance according to the desire of the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead. No one is independent.
• 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.
• The Battle of Kuruksetra was fought according to the plan of the Lord (Krsna) so that undesirable persons could get out of the world and a peaceful kingdom under His devotee could be established.

Conclusion

Ultimately, acting according to Kṛṣṇa is the only path to freedom from the bondage of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we are never truly independent; we serve either the dictates of our senses or the order of the Supreme Lord. By voluntarily choosing to act according to Kṛṣṇa's instructions, as found in the Bhagavad-gītā and the lives of great devotees, one aligns themselves with the supreme reality. This alignment transforms one from a struggle against the laws of nature into a blissful participant in the Lord's divine plan.

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