Greatness of the Most Insignificant
In the spiritual realm, the logic of greatness is inverted. While the material world rewards those who assert their dominance and importance, the kingdom of God opens its doors to those who realize their own smallness. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the "most insignificant" position is actually the most safe and glorious, for it attracts the mercy of the Supreme Lord. This article explores the greatness hidden within humility, the insignificance of material achievements compared to bhakti, and the vast cosmological perspective that puts our human endeavors into their proper place.
Humility of Exalted
The hallmark of an advanced devotee is the genuine feeling of being "most insignificant." This is not a display of low self-esteem, but a realization of one's dependence on Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda, despite his global achievements, maintained this mood, attributing his success entirely to the inspiration of his spiritual master. He taught that a devotee sees others as respectful and worthy, while viewing themselves as lower than an ant. This humility allows the devotee to serve without the interference of false ego.
- Whatever translation work I have done is through the inspiration of my spiritual master, because personally I am most insignificant and incompetent to do this materially impossible work.
- I am only most insignificant. Why people should respect me? This is Krsna consciousness. I am not worthy anything. That is for person. But others, even he is an ant, must be respectful, must be offering respect to even an ant.
- He (the servant of the servant of Krsna) is most insignificant, and whatever good he does is by the grace of Krsna and the spiritual master.
Insignificance of Material Gain
When one tastes the nectar of devotional service, all other achievements lose their flavor. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that compared to the bliss of serving Kṛṣṇa, even the great goal of liberation (mukti) is "most insignificant." Similarly, the accumulation of mystic powers or the attainment of heavenly planets, which require lifetimes of austerity, appear trivial to a pure devotee. This shift in values occurs because the devotee has found the ultimate treasure, making all other necessities—religion, economic development, and sense gratification—seem worthless by comparison.
- For a devotee who enjoys the transcendental bliss of devotional service, liberation is most insignificant. Therefore pure devotees never desire to achieve liberation.
- When one compares it (love of Godhead) with other necessities (namely religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation), these other so-called necessities seem most insignificant.
- The kingdom of heaven, which he (Bali Maharaja) achieved by dint of his material power, was considered most insignificant in comparison with the kingdom of God.
- In a spiritual relationship, sense gratification is most insignificant. Anyone who desires a relationship of perverted sense gratification with Krsna must be considered less intelligent. His mentality requires to be reformed.
Power of a Small Offering
Kṛṣṇa's greatness is such that He does not need anything from anyone, yet His mercy is such that He accepts even the smallest offering if it is given with love. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even if a devotee offers the "most insignificant things"—a flower, a leaf, or a little water—Kṛṣṇa accepts it with great pleasure because it is saturated with devotion. This principle allows even the most materially destitute person, like Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa, to approach the Lord with confidence, knowing that their insignificance is no barrier to His mercy.
- Krsna said, "If a devotee offers Me the most insignificant things a little flower, a little piece of leaf, a little water but saturates the offering in devotional love, then not only do I gladly accept such an offering, but I eat it with great pleasure".
- You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas I am a most insignificant living being. Therefore please accept a little quantity of food from my house.
- It is not expected that cent per cent population of the world will be such free from all contamination. But even a certain percentage only, even most insignificant, one percent or less than that, millions in one, then the face of the world will change.
A Cosmic Perspective
To crush our false pride, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently zooms out to the cosmic scale. He reminds us that the earth planet itself is "most insignificant" within God's vast creation, which contains unlimited universes. From this vantage point, the political adjustments and territorial struggles of "poor materialists" appear laughable. Even the most powerful demigods like Indra find their power rendered insignificant in the presence of Kṛṣṇa, proving that without the Lord's sanction, no being has any independent standing.
- The poor materialist is busy making political adjustments on a planet which is most insignificant in God's creation.
- There are unlimited Vaikuntha planets in the spiritual sky, and the ratio of these planets to the material planets in the material sky is three to one. Thus the poor materialist is busy making political adjustments on a planet that is most insignificant.
- Lord Krsna immediately cut down Indra's pride by lifting Govardhana Hill as an umbrella to save the residents of Vrndavana. In this way Krsna proved Indra’s power most insignificant in the presence of His own omnipotence.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the realization of being "most insignificant" is the gateway to the highest perfection. As long as one thinks they are important, they remain bound by the false ego and the modes of nature. But when one voluntarily takes the position of an insignificant servant, offering their small capacity to the Supreme Lord, they are elevated to a position greater than the demigods. As Śrīla Prabhupāda notes, even a small percentage of such souls can change the face of the world.
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 Most Insignificant. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.