Distributing the Fruits of Love of God

The ultimate culmination of all spiritual practice is to awaken dormant love for the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when the creeper of devotion is properly nourished, it yields the supreme fruit of love of God, an experience of bliss so profound that it eclipses all material opulence and desires for liberation. As described in scriptures like the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 9.48, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu descended as the eternal tree of this divine love, producing fruits so large and numerous that they could flood the entire world. However, the Lord did not wish to relish this nectar alone; He inaugurated the saṅkīrtana movement to distribute it freely. Today, the sincere devotees of Lord Caitanya carry forward this great mission, distributing the intoxicating fruit of love of Godhead through the simple yet sublime chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

Teachings Overview

This article explores the sublime nature of the fruit of love of God and its unrestricted distribution. It details how tasting this spiritual fruit transforms the living entity, and emphasizes the duty of devotees to share this gift worldwide.

Key Teachings

• The ultimate goal of devotional service is to relish the eternal fruit of love of Godhead.
• Tasting this fruit completely destroys the desire for sense gratification and mundane religious rituals.
• Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu freely distributed this intoxicating fruit to flood the world with love of Kṛṣṇa.
• Pure devotees carry on this mission by distributing the fruit through the chanting of the holy names.

Relishing the Supreme Perfection

The true measure of spiritual success is not found in mystic powers or economic elevation, but in experiencing pure devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that once a practitioner's devotional creeper is fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord, they can taste the juice of this spiritual fruit, completely forgetting all inferior material pursuits.

The Ultimate Spiritual Attainment

"After attaining this position (of ultimate goal of devotional service), the plant (of devotional service) produces fruit, which is known as the fruit of love of Godhead."

Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the culmination of the devotional plant's growth.

"When the creeper is fixed, then the fruit of the creeper comes into existence, and the gardener who nourished it is able to enjoy this fruit of love, and his life becomes successful."

Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the successful reality of the spiritual gardener.

"There the devotee serves the lotus feet of the Lord, which are compared to a wish-fulfilling tree. With great bliss he tastes the juice of the fruit of love and becomes eternally happy."

Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the eternal bliss found at the Lord's lotus feet.

"He (one who is engaged in devotional service relishes the fruit of love of Godhead) no longer desires to satisfy his senses, and he no longer desires to become one with the Supreme Lord by merging into His effulgence."

Śrīla Prabhupāda points out the total loss of material and impersonal desires.

The Intoxicating Power of Divine Love

The experience of pure love for Kṛṣṇa is not a passive or quiet state; it is overwhelmingly dynamic. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this fruit acts as a powerful spiritual intoxicant that immediately maddens the soul, causing them to spontaneously give up bad habits and dance in ecstasy.

Spiritual Intoxication

"The fruit of love of God is so delicious that wherever a devotee distributes it, those who relish the fruit, anywhere in the world, immediately become intoxicated."

Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the universal, immediate effect of tasting pure devotion.

"The fruit of love of Godhead distributed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu is such a great intoxicant that anyone who eats it, filling his belly, immediately becomes maddened by it, and automatically he chants, dances, laughs and enjoys."

Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the ecstatic symptoms of spiritual madness.

"We have practical experience that anyone who accepts this fruit (of love of Godhead) and sincerely tastes it immediately becomes mad after it and gives up all his bad habits, being intoxicated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s gift, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra."

Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms the practical, transforming power of Lord Caitanya's gift.

"This (Siksastaka 7) is the perfectional stage of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and eating the fruit of love of Godhead, as exhibited by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

Śrīla Prabhupāda connects the highest chanting to relishing this divine fruit.

Lord Caitanya's Universal Distribution

Because the fruits of love growing on the tree of Lord Caitanya were so immense and innumerable, they could not be contained. Śrīla Prabhupāda details how the Lord freely distributed this extraordinary spiritual nectar to everyone, establishing a global legacy of divine mercy.

The Eternal Tree of Mercy

"The fruits of love of Godhead that grew on those branches of the Caitanya tree were so large that they flooded the entire world with love of Krsna."

Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the immense scale of Lord Caitanya's benediction.

"Here (in CC Adi 9.48) the wonderful fruit of love of Godhead distributed by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is described."

Śrīla Prabhupāda points to the scriptural evidence of this unprecedented distribution.

"After describing the Lord's distribution of the fruit of love of Godhead, I now wish to describe the different branches of the tree of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

Śrīla Prabhupāda introduces the network of devotees who expand the Lord's mission.

The Duty of the Devotees

The mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is designed to be carried forward continuously. Śrīla Prabhupāda fervently instructs his followers to take up the responsibility of distributing this divine fruit by chanting the holy names and watering the seed of devotion in the hearts of others.

Carrying on the Mission

"Now I am an old man, and am depending on you to carry on our mission more enthusiastically. The seed is already there. Now water it and let it grow and fruit will come out, fruit of love of Godhead, and you will all enjoy, even in this material world."

Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages his disciples to enthusiastically cultivate the seed.

"I offer my obeisances to all the dear devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the eternal tree of love of Godhead. I offer my respects to all the branches of the tree, the devotees of the Lord who distribute the fruit of love of Krsna."

Śrīla Prabhupāda offers profound respect to the preachers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

"As far as we are concerned, we are most confident of the success of the distribution of the great fruit of love of Godhead through the medium of chanting the maha-mantra."

Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms the supreme efficacy of chanting the holy names.

"The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya take the responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the world. They are like clouds pouring water on the ground that nourishes the fruit of love of Godhead."

Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the preaching of devotees to life-giving clouds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does tasting the fruit of love of God change a person's material desires?

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that relishing this spiritual fruit makes one forget all mundane religious rituals, economic improvements, and desires for sense gratification.

"When the living entity engaged in devotional service relishes the fruit of love of Godhead, he forgets all religious ritual and improvements in his economic condition."

What is the effect of eating the fruit distributed by Lord Caitanya?

Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that this fruit is such a great intoxicant that anyone who tastes it immediately becomes maddened, giving up bad habits to automatically chant and dance.

"The fruit of love of Godhead distributed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu is such a great intoxicant that anyone who eats it, filling his belly, immediately becomes maddened by it, and automatically he chants, dances, laughs and enjoys."

How are the followers of Lord Caitanya supposed to assist in this mission?

Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that devotees must take the responsibility to distribute this nectarean service worldwide, acting like clouds pouring water to nourish the fruit of love of God.

"The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya take the responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the world. They are like clouds pouring water on the ground that nourishes the fruit of love of Godhead."

What is the most effective medium for distributing this fruit today?

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the greatest confidence for successfully distributing this love is through the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

"As far as we are concerned, we are most confident of the success of the distribution of the great fruit of love of Godhead through the medium of chanting the maha-mantra."

Conclusion

The process of bhakti-yoga culminates in an experience of joy so profound that it permanently transforms the practitioner's consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the ultimate fruit of the devotional creeper is pure love of God, a divine intoxicant that frees the soul from all mundane entanglements and bad habits. By the causeless mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, this supreme spiritual perfection is no longer hidden but is being actively distributed across the globe. By sincerely chanting the holy names and supporting this great preaching mission, any soul can taste this nectarean fruit and achieve the ultimate, eternal success of life.

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 Fruits of Love of God. 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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