Awareness of a Devotee of God
Spiritual awareness is not the result of dry mental exercise but a gift from the Supreme Lord to His surrendered servants. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the awareness of a devotee of God encompasses the totality of existence—the material world, the spiritual world, and the various potencies of the Absolute Truth. By the mercy of the Lord, the devotee is elevated to a platform of "clear consciousness," where they see Kṛṣṇa’s hand in every circumstance and every living being.
Enlightenment and the Vedic Conclusion
A devotee does not need to spend lifetimes in academic study to understand the Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that surrender is the actual cause of enlightenment. When Dhruva Mahārāja was touched by the Lord's conchshell, he immediately became aware of the Vedic conclusion. This awareness allows a devotee to understand the three features of the Absolute: Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.
- Simply surrendering at the lotus feet is the cause of all a devotee's enlightenment and awareness.
- By the mercy of the Lord, as soon as the Lord's conchshell touched his (Dhruva Maharaja's) forehead, he became completely aware of the Vedic conclusion.
- An exalted and pure devotee like Maharaja Ambarisa is in full awareness of Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.
- He (Dhruva Maharaja) was aware that for a very long time he was practically sleeping, and he felt the impetus to glorify the Lord according to the Vedic conclusion.
Fearlessness through Divine Protection
One of the most prominent signs of a devotee’s awareness is their total lack of fear. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the nārāyaṇa-parā devotee as one who is always aware that the Lord protects His servants in all circumstances. Whether facing a curse or traveling through dangerous territory, the devotee remains calm, aware that nothing happens without the desire of the Supreme Lord.
- A devotee, who is called narayana-para, is never afraid of anything because he is always aware of the fact that the Lord protects him in all circumstances. With this conviction, Vidura traveled alone, and he was not seen or recognized by any friend or foe.
- This is the unique position of a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although the King (Indradyumna) was cursed, he welcomed the curse because a devotee is always aware that nothing can happen without the desire of the Supreme Lord.
- A pure devotee is aware that since nothing is unknown to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He need not be informed of a devotee's conveniences and inconveniences.
- Devaki addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Madhusudana. She was aware that the Lord had killed many demons like Madhu who were hundreds and thousands of times more powerful than Kamsa.
Realizing the Absolute and the Self
The awareness of a devotee of God includes a perfect understanding of their own identity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Srīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with this clear consciousness: the devotee is aware that they are qualitatively one with the Absolute while simultaneously remaining an eternal servant. This "oneness and difference" is the foundation of their spiritual vision.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the surrender of the living entity unto the Absolute Person. This surrender is made with clear consciousness and awareness of the devotee's oneness with the Absolute and at the same time, of his eternal position of servitorship.
- A devotee of the Lord shows respect even to an ant, what to speak of the demigods? The devotee is aware that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord and that they are playing different roles only.
- The devotee in the second stage, the madhyama-adhikari, is completely aware of the sastric conclusion and has firm faith in his guru and the Lord. He, therefore, avoiding nondevotees, preaches to the innocent.
- Foolish persons think that when Krsna appears as the son of Vasudeva, He is limited like an ordinary child. But Vasudeva was aware that although God had appeared as his son, God had not entered Devaki's womb and then come out. Rather, God was always there.
Universal and Spiritual Vision
For an advanced devotee, nothing remains hidden. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that by seeing the Lord face to face or in meditation, the devotee becomes aware of everything within the universe. They understand the different potencies of the Lord, His name, qualities, and entourage. This comprehensive awareness makes them disinterested in material planets and focuses their life entirely on the spiritual realm.
- When the devotee sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead by his meditation, or when he sees the Lord personally, face to face, he becomes aware of everything within this universe. Indeed, nothing is unknown to him.
- Maharaja Ambarisa, being a devotee of the Personality of Godhead, was in full awareness of Paramatma, Brahman, maya, the material world, the spiritual world, and how things are going on everywhere. Everything was known to him.
- All the great devotees of the Lord, who flourished in past or present, and all the devotees who will come in the future, are aware of the different potencies of the Lord along with the potency of His name, quality, pastimes, entourage, personality, etc.
- Maharaja Pariksit was already aware of all this information due to his accumulated piety and birth in a high family of devotees, Vaisnavas, and thus he was not at all interested in the material planets.
Conclusion
The awareness of a devotee of God is a divine gift that replaces the "sleep" of material ignorance with the "wakefulness" of spiritual reality. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this awareness is accessible to anyone who sincerely surrenders to the Lord. From seeing the equality of all souls to understanding the highest Vedic conclusions, the devotee’s consciousness becomes a mirror reflecting the unlimited glories of the Supreme Lord.
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 Awareness 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.