The Relationship We Cannot Break

In the material world, every relationship eventually ends—either through separation, disagreement, or death. But Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that there is one relationship that exists beyond time and body. It is the only bond that cannot be destroyed, even if we try to ignore it.

Forgotten, Not Lost

We may think we are alone or disconnected, but Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that our connection with the Supreme Lord is constitutional. It is woven into the very fabric of our existence. We may forget it, but we can never remove it.

• Our relation with Him is eternal; it can neither be broken nor vanquished. It may be forgotten for the time being, but it can be revived also by the grace of the Lord.

The Definition of Illusion (Maya)

What does it mean to be in illusion? It simply means we are acting out of character. Just as a man with amnesia forgets his family, the soul has forgotten its eternal family with Kṛṣṇa.

• We have forgotten our relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So we have to connect it again. That is called yoga. Because we are now disconnected somehow or other, now we have to connect it again.

The Cause of All Problems

Śrīla Prabhupāda diagnoses the world's misery not as political or economic, but as relational. When we cut ourselves off from the source of pleasure, we suffer, just as a hand suffers when severed from the body.

• The cause of the distress of a living entity is forgetfulness of his relationship with God. And the cause of happiness is knowing Kṛṣṇa to be the supreme enjoyer.

Conclusion

We do not need to invent a new religion or create a new truth. We simply need to wake up to the relationship that has been waiting for us all along.

Dive Deeper into Srila Prabhupada's Vani

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