Constantly Remembering God

The ultimate goal of all Vedic cultivation is to reach the stage of nārāyaṇa-smṛti, or constant remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that whatever spiritual path one follows—whether it be mystic yoga, philosophical speculation, or ritualistic duties—the success of that endeavor is judged by whether it leads to the remembrance of the Lord. Without this remembrance, all other activities are considered incomplete.

The Perfection of All Endeavors

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that spiritual disciplines are means to an end, and that end is nārāyaṇa-smṛti. One may perform severe austerities, study complex philosophy, or discharge strict religious duties, but if these activities do not result in the constant remembrance of the Personality of Godhead, they have not achieved their highest perfection.

• By discharge of religious duties, one can achieve the highest perfection, provided one is able to reach the stage of narayana-smrti, or constant remembrance of the Personality of Godhead.
• By cultivation of mystic powers, which ultimately helps the performer to reach any planet of the universe or beyond one can achieve the highest perfection, provided one is able to reach the stage of narayana-smrti, or constant remembrance of God.
• By the speculation of empiric philosophy, which discerns matter from spirit one can achieve the highest perfection, provided one is able to reach the stage of narayana-smrti, or constant remembrance of the Personality of Godhead.

True Samādhi (Trance)

In the yoga system, the goal is samādhi, often misunderstood as a void or cessation of thought. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that samādhi actually means constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord. When a devotee is situated in this trance, they are protected from the onslaught of the material modes of nature. This unceasing meditation is the surest way to reach the supreme destination.

• According to the opinion of devotees, constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord is called samadhi, or trance. If one is constantly in trance, there is no possibility of his being attacked or even touched by the modes of material nature.
• He who meditates on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Partha (Arjuna), is sure to reach Me.
• In the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that a person who is totally engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and who constantly remembers Him at every step, easily obtains the mercy of the Lord by entering into His personal contact.

Surpassing Liberation

While many transcendentalists aspire for mokṣa (liberation), a pure devotee seeks something higher. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Dhruva Mahārāja, who desired only the benediction of constantly remembering the Lord's lotus feet. This stage is known as pañcama-puruṣārtha, the fifth goal of life, which transcends the four standard goals of religion, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation.

• Dhruva Maharaja wanted a benediction which surpasses even the highest purusartha, liberation. He wanted the benediction that he might constantly remember the lotus feet of the Lord. This stage of life is called pancama-purusartha.
• He (Kuvera) knew that for Dhruva Maharaja there was nothing desirable within the three material worlds. He knew that Dhruva would ask for nothing but to remember the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord constantly.
• This program of constant remembrance can be disturbed by many things, but Dhruva Maharaja's life would be so pure, as assured by the Lord Himself, that Dhruva would never forget Him.

Purification and Protection

The power of the Lord's name and remembrance is absolute. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because the Lord is nondifferent from His name, constant remembrance purifies the devotee internally and externally. This practice automatically nullifies the reactions of past sinful activities and transforms distress into an opportunity for deeper remembrance.

• Constant remembrance of the Lord's name, fame, qualities, and so on automatically nullifies the reactions of all vices and invokes the blessings of the Lord.
• If you constantly remember the Supreme Lord, so you become automatically purified, internally and externally. Because the Lord is absolute, so if we chant the Lord's holy name, the name is also Lord. He has no difference between His name and Himself.
• For a devotee, distress is an opportunity to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly.

The Method of Remembrance

How does one achieve this state? Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that remembrance follows the processes of hearing (śravaṇam) and glorifying (kīrtanam). One must first hear about the Lord to have the material to remember. Additionally, adhering to the scriptural injunction smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇuḥ ("one should always remember Viṣṇu") ensures that one remains on the spiritual path.

• One should first of all hear about the Lord. When one has perfectly and scrutinizingly heard, one must glorify His acts and deeds, and thus it will become possible to remember constantly the transcendental nature of the Lord.
• The sastra recommends, smartavyah satatam visnuh: Lord Visnu should be remembered always, constantly. Vismartavyo na jatucit: Visnu should never be forgotten. That is the spiritual way of life.
• Constant remembrance of the lotus feet of the Lord is possible only when one engages in His active service.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that constant remembrance of God is the essence of bhakti-yoga and the panacea for all material miseries. By engaging the senses in the service of the Lord and keeping the mind fixed on His lotus feet, the devotee attains the highest success, surpassing even the liberation desired by the mystics and philosophers.

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