Essential Sincerity of a Devotee of God
In the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, sincerity is the primary qualification for advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that while a devotee may initially lack vast intelligence or perfect behavior, an honest and sincere desire to serve the Supreme Lord invokes the Lord's mercy. This article explores how sincerity establishes a connection with Kṛṣṇa, guarantees divine protection, and serves as the foundation for the relationship between the disciple and the spiritual master.
Foundation of Devotional Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that spiritual perfection is not solely dependent on one's intellectual capacity or immediate moral perfection, but on the sincerity of purpose. If a devotee is sincere in their service, Kṛṣṇa overlooks temporary faults and personally guides them toward the highest platform of devotion.
- A devotee must be very sincere in his devotional service; then, although there may be many things wrong on the devotee's part, Krsna will guide him and gradually elevate him to the highest position of devotional service.
- Anyone who takes to Krsna consciousness in all sincerity, even if he is not very advanced in good behavior, is purified.
- If a devotee is not intelligent enough to make progress on the path of self-realization but is sincere and devoted to the activities of devotional service, the Lord gives him a chance to make progress and ultimately attain to Him.
- If a devotee maintains some material desire and at the same time very sincerely desires to engage at the lotus feet of Krsna, Krsna may directly give him unalloyed devotional service and take away all his material desires and possessions.
Revelation and Guidance
The Supreme Lord is always ready to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa, situated in the heart as the Supersoul, responds directly to the sincerity of the devotee, revealing His form and providing the necessary intelligence to understand Him.
- Although the Lord is not visible in the beginning because of His glaring bodily effulgence, if a devotee sincerely wants to see Him, the Lord is revealed to him.
- The Lord understands the mentality and sincerity of a particular living entity who is engaged in Krsna consciousness and gives him the intelligence to understand the science of Krsna in the association of the devotees.
- To the sincere devotee the internal Guru Krishna dictates, but the thing has to be confirmed by the external Guru then it is all right.
Serving the Spiritual Master
Sincerity is practically exhibited through one's relationship with the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that faithful service to the guru is the hallmark of a pure devotee, and it is through this sincere exchange that initiation becomes meaningful and the disciple receives the strength to follow the regulatory principles.
- Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee.
- Instruction should be given to the faithful devotee who is respectful to the spiritual master, nonenvious, friendly to all kinds of living entities and eager to render service with faith and sincerity.
- If one is sincere, he is initiated, and this stage is called bhajana-kriya.
- When a disciple is perfectly in consonance with the spiritual master, having received his message and executed it perfectly and sincerely, he has a right to ask a particular favor from the spiritual master.
Divine Tests and Protection
While the Lord protects His devotees, He also tests their sincerity to ensure their devotion is unalloyed. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa may withhold material opulence or create challenging situations to test a devotee's love, yet He ultimately guarantees their safety and return to the spiritual world.
- Krishna does not like to see His sincere devotee suffer or become frustrated or depressed. He will not stand idly by in any such case, so do not fear on that account.
- Lord (Krsna) does not offer opulences to His devotee unless the devotee is thoroughly tested. Rather, if a neophyte devotee serves the Lord very sincerely and at the same time wants material opulence, the Lord keeps him from obtaining it.
- If we take shelter of Krsna seriously, there will be no fear of being thrown back into the cycle of so many species of life. A sincere devotee will surely be transferred to the abode of Krsna, as affirmed in the Bhagavad-gita.
- This verse (CC Madhya 19.202) from Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 10.60.24) refers to Krsna’s speaking to Rukmini in His bedroom. Just to test her sincerity, He began to joke with her, presenting Himself as poor, incapable and unfit to be her lover.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sincerity is the dynamic force that propels a living entity from the conditioned state to the liberated platform. As Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates, Kṛṣṇa is not seeking artificial perfection but the honest striving of the heart. Whether manifested in the faithful execution of the spiritual master's orders, the resilience during divine tests, or the simple desire to serve despite personal faults, sincerity guarantees the intervention of the Supreme Lord. It is the key that unlocks the door to the spiritual world, ensuring that the devotee's endeavors are never in vain.
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 Sincerity of a Devotee 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.