Amṛta - The Nectar of Immortality

In the material world, death (mṛta) is inevitable for everyone. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the soul's constitutional position is amṛta—immortal. The word amṛta also translates as "nectar," implying that eternal life is intrinsically sweet and blissful. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to guide humanity from the temporary platform of death to the eternal platform of amṛta, where one regains their original identity as a servant of the Supreme Lord.

The Goal of Human Life

Modern civilization is largely unaware that immortality is possible. Śrīla Prabhupāda laments that people accept death, old age, and disease as natural, not knowing that the aim of life is amṛtatva. The Vedas instruct that one should not be satisfied with temporary happiness or distress but should strive for the permanent status of eternity.

• Our aim is amrtatva, how to become immortal. That is our aim of life. So we have to achieve that goal of life. We should not be disturbed with this temporary distress and pleasure.
• Amrtatva means immortality. So the modern civilization, they have no idea, either the great philosopher, great politician or great scientist, that it is possible to attain the stage of immortality. Amrtatva. We are all amrta.
• We do not understand even that there is possibility of amrtatvam. But everything is possible. Amrtatvam. Nobody wants to die. That's a fact. Nobody wants to become old man, nobody wants to become diseased. This is our natural inclination.
• There are two important words in this verse (CC Madhya 8.89): bhakti (devotional service) and amrtatva (eternal life). The aim of human life is to attain the natural position of eternal life. This eternal life can be achieved only by devotional service.

The Original Amṛta

The source of all immortality is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that while demigods like Brahmā and Śiva are produced after creation, Lord Viṣṇu existed before it. He is amṛta, deathless and transcendental. For the rebellious demons, the Lord appears as death, but for the devotees, He is the bestower of eternal life.

• Brahma said, "You are the original amrta (indestructible nectar of immortality). As confirmed in the Vedas, amrtam sasvatam brahma. Brahman is the eternal, the supreme origin of everything, who has no birth or death".
• Lord Visnu is addressed as amrta, transcendental. The demigods, including Brahma and Lord Siva, were produced after the creation, but Lord Visnu existed before the creation. He is addressed, therefore, as amrta.
• The Lord is described as amrta, or deathless, because He has no material body.
• The demons repeatedly meet death after death and create a network of involvement in the material world... but for devotees He is amrta, eternal life.

Bhakti: The River of Nectar

How does one access this immortality? Through bhakti, devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes bhakti as amṛta-dhunī, a flowing river of nectar. Unlike material activities which end with the body, devotional service is permanent (amṛta). It is the only process that can save one from the strong influence of Kali-yuga and death.

• All bona fide activities in Krsna consciousness are amrta, or permanent. This is the subject matter of The Nectar of Devotion.
• Bhakti-rasa, however, the mellow relished in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, does not finish with the end of life. It continues perpetually and is therefore called amrta, that which does not die but exists eternally.
• Anyone who attains a human body but does not take to the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is baffled in his opportunity. Amrtadhuni is a flowing river.
• This Kali-yuga so strong that it attacks even the so-called devotees also. Kali-yuga is very strong. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended that if you want to save yourself, if you at all desire to take the position of amrta.

Hari-kathā: The Medicine for Death

The practical application of amṛta is hearing the glories of the Lord, known as hari-kathā. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that talks about Kṛṣṇa are nectar; the more one drinks this nectar through the ears, the more one advances in eternal life. This spiritual sound vibration is the specific medicine to cure the material disease of birth and death.

• Hari-katha, talks about Sri Hari, or Krsna, are amrta, nectar. If one hears them from the right source, he attains amrta (so 'mrtatvaya kalpate). Mrta means "birth and death," and amrta means - the cessation of birth and death.
• A manisinam person, like Maharaja Pariksit, must take to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and fully engage himself in devotional service, hearing, chanting, etc., of the holy name and pastimes of the Lord, which are all hari-kathamrta.
• The words spoken by Krsna and spoken by Krsna's devotees about Krsna, are amrtam, nectar. The more one drinks this amrtam, the more he advances in his eternal life.
• Spiritual life means putting an end to birth, old age, disease and death. Getting amrta, nectar, means getting relief from birth and death.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we are all legally amṛta—eternal servants of God—but we have forgotten this fact. By reconnecting with the Lord through the nectar of devotion, we can reclaim our birthright of immortality. As the Caitanya-caritāmṛta suggests by its very title, the character (carita) of the living force (caitanya) is immortal (amṛta).

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 Amrta. 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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