Constantly Hearing about God

Hearing is the foundation of the bhakti-yoga system. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by constantly hearing the names, forms, and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee becomes purified and attains the transcendental platform. This process of śravaṇam is so powerful that it is recommended as the primary occupation for anyone seeking self-realization in the current age.

Purification and Liberation

The immediate effect of hearing about Kṛṣṇa is the purification of the heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord, dwelling within as the Supersoul, acts as a best friend to the devotee who engages in hearing, cleansing them of accumulated material dirt. This purification makes one a fit candidate for liberation and eventually allows one to understand the transcendental position of the holy name.

• By constant hearing of the holy name, their (persons who have no intelligence or no faith in the subject matter) hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name.
• For one who hears about Krsna, Lord Krsna, who is dwelling in everyone's heart, acts as a best-wishing friend and purifies the devotee who constantly engages in hearing of Him.
• By constantly chanting and hearing the holy names and pastimes of the Supreme Lord, one certainly becomes purified and becomes a fit candidate for liberation.
• One can achieve liberation if one hears the holy name of the Lord constantly, every day with great respect.

The Panacea for Material Existence

Material life is full of diseases, primarily rooted in ignorance and uncontrolled emotions like anger. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites Mahārāja Parīkṣit, identifying constant hearing as the "panacea" or universal cure for these issues. Through the nectar of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, one can check the detrimental force of anger and remain situated in spiritual consciousness, regardless of external circumstances—even if one is sent to hell.

• Srila Pariksit Maharaja said that the constant hearing of the pastimes of the Lord is the panacea for all material diseases.
• The words srutena bhuyasa, "by constantly hearing," are very important in this verse. By constantly hearing about devotional service, one can check the force of anger, which is detrimental to the process of devotional service.
• A devotee is not afraid of going to hell if he has the opportunity to hear the glories of the Lord constantly. This is the advantage of chanting Hare Krsna.
• Smrtya. This remembrance of the Lord can be continued if we hear about Him constantly. It is recommended in this verse (SB 4.22.24): mukundacaritagrya-sidhuna. Sidhu means "nectar.

Cultivating Devotion

Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a gardener to describe the development of love of God. The seed of devotional service (bhakti-latā-bīja) must be watered by the process of hearing and chanting. If this watering is constant, the seed sprouts and grows. This hearing is most effective in the association of saintly persons, where even those desiring impersonal liberation can be converted to the path of personal service.

• The devotee, acting as a gardener, goes on pouring the water (on the seed of taste for devotional service to God) of constant hearing and chanting.
• Santah, saintly persons, or mahatma, they develop by hearing about God constantly. They develop love of God. That is the aim of life. That is the real purpose of human life.
• The cultivation of Krsna consciousness is possible where great devotees live together and constantly engage in hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord.
• In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of the Absolute Truth abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the service of Vasudeva.

The Highest Perfection

To be situated on the transcendental platform means to be constantly engaged in hearing about the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the examples of Mahārāja Pṛthu and the gopīs, who considered constant hearing to be the ultimate goal. Unlike material topics which become stale, the topics of Kṛṣṇa become newer and newer the more one hears them, indicating their spiritual nature.

• Prthu Maharaja concluded that he would simply hear of the glories of the Lord constantly and thus engage his mind upon the lotus feet of the Lord. That is the highest perfection of life.
• Devotees who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
• Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said: O best of devotees, most fortunate Pariksit, you have inquired very nicely, for although constantly hearing the pastimes of the Lord (Krsna), you are perceiving His activities to be newer and newer.
• With one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that constant hearing is the life and soul of a devotee. It is the means to acquire knowledge, the method to check the lower modes of nature, and the end goal of loving attachment to Kṛṣṇa. By hearing from the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam daily, one is assured of reaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Constantly Hearing about God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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