Attention of a Devotee of God
In the practice of bhakti-yoga, where one places their attention determines their destination. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the mind of a devotee must be saturated with thoughts of Kṛṣṇa. This attentive focus is not merely a mental exercise but a state of being where the devotee sees everything—happiness, distress, and even death—in relation to the Supreme Lord. By fixing their attention on the transcendental form and pastimes of the Lord, the devotee conquers the influence of the material world.
The Dangers of Distraction
Even a slight diversion of attention can have serious consequences for a spiritual practitioner. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the famous example of Bharata Mahārāja, who, despite his advancement, became attached to a deer and had to take birth as one. This warns us that until our attention is completely fixed on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, there is always a risk of falling down.
- Maharaja Bharata was undoubtedly a great devotee, but because he turned his attention slightly toward a small deer, he had to suffer two more births, one as a deer and another as the brahmana Jada Bharata.
- The material pangs are inevitable as long as we exist within the material world, but a devotee does not divert his attention to such actions and reactions, which are the results of pious and impious activities.
- Whatever action he (a sannyasi) performs, he performs it as service to the Lord. He does not give serious attention to the fruitive activities or prescribed duties mentioned in the Vedas.
- As for elevation to higher planets, a devotee considers this to be simply hallucinatory. A devotee's attention is concentrated only upon the eternal loving service of the Lord, and therefore the power of death has no influence over him.
Fixing the Mind on Kṛṣṇa
The mahātmā is defined by their undiverted attention. They know perfectly well that Kṛṣṇa is the original cause of all causes. This conviction allows them to withdraw their attention from the temporary manifestations of māyā and focus solely on the eternal. Whether chanting the holy name or hearing the pastimes of the Lord, their mind remains steady.
- The mahatma does not divert his attention to anything outside Krsna because he knows perfectly well that Krsna is the original Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. There is no doubt about it.
- The attention of a pure devotee is so much attracted to glorification of the pastimes, name, qualities, forms, etc., of the Lord that the devotee does not care for mukti.
- His (God's) behavior with the devotees is so exalted that a devotee need not try to divert his attention to any other worship.
- O King (Pariksit), kindly hear me (Sukadeva Gosvami) with great attention. Although the activities of the Supreme Lord (Krsna) are very confidential, no ordinary man being able to understand them, I shall speak about them to you - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.3.
Neophyte vs. Advanced Vision
A common pitfall for the neophyte devotee is to focus exclusively on the Deity (arcā-mūrti) while neglecting the devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this narrow vision is useless. A truly attentive devotee sees the Lord not only in the temple but also in the hearts of others, offering respect to all living entities.
- Any neophyte devotee who simply gives his attention to the arca-murti, the form of the Supreme Lord in the temple, and does not respect other living entities is uselessly worshiping the form of the Lord in the temple.
- The neophyte devotee gives more attention to the Deity in the temple than to other devotees, so Jiva Gosvami warns that this sort of mentality should be corrected.
- These descriptions are in the Vedic literature. Whenever we find that a demigod occupies a position apparently more elevated than that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is just to draw the devotee's attention to that particular demigod.
- Sanatana Gosvami comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Krsna have already been fulfilled, the Lord's sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Krsna and devotional service.
Liberation from Material Pangs
The ultimate result of attentive devotion is liberation. When a devotee faces danger or distress, they do not become disturbed; instead, they see it as an opportunity to fix their attention on the Lord even more deeply. This state of samādhi, achieved through attentive chanting and meditation, releases the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
- The Personality of Godhead, who appears in the mind of the devotee by attentive devotion and meditation and by chanting of the holy name, releases the devotee from the bondage of fruitive activities at the time of his quitting the material body.
- Tat te'nukampam susamiksamanah. When a devotee is in great danger, he sees that danger to be the great mercy of the Lord because it is an opportunity to think of the Lord very sincerely and with undiverted attention.
- This pleasure was certainly material because she (Sati) gave up her body for another body that was also material, but by this example we can appreciate the devotee's pleasure in concentrating his mind and attention on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.
- Because he (Prahlada Maharaja) was engaged in service, he felt transcendentally situated, and naturally his mind and attention became saturated in transcendence. In that condition, he began to offer his prayers.
Conclusion
The quality of our attention is the quality of our devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to cultivate the "rapt attention" necessary to hear the message of the Bhāgavatam and to chant the holy names. By withdrawing our senses from the objects of the world and placing them at the service of Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of the senses, we can attain the perfection of life—eternal, undiverted service to the Supreme Lord.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Attention 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.