Achieving Peace through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In the modern world, the search for peace is universal, yet it remains elusive for those who seek it through material adjustments or mental speculation. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that true peace is not an artificial imposition but a natural result of spiritual awakening. It is a state of consciousness where the living entity recognizes their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. By understanding God's position as the master of nature and the enjoyer of all sacrifices, and by engaging the mind in His service, one transcends the disturbances of the material world and attains the perfection of serenity.
Undisturbed by the Flow of Desires
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that desires will inevitably come to the living entity as long as they are in the material body, much like rivers flowing into the ocean. However, the secret to peace lies not in satisfying these desires, but in remaining undisturbed by them. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person tolerates these urges without being agitated, maintaining a steady state of equilibrium.
- A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires - that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still - can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.
- We are all trying to achieve peace and freedom from these (three categories) miseries, at least unconsciously, and in the higher intellectual circles there are attempts to get rid of these miseries by ingenious plans and designs.
Formula for Real Peace
There is a specific science to achieving śānti, or peace, which centers on the proper understanding of proprietorship. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that as long as we falsely think we are the masters of material nature, we will suffer. Peace is achieved individually and collectively only when we accept the bare fact that the Supreme Lord is the controller, the owner, and the enjoyer of everything.
- Santi, peace, real peace, can be achieved simply by understanding that God is the proprietor and God is the enjoyer of everything.
- The Lord is the master of material nature, and the conditioned souls are under the stringent rules of material nature. Unless one understands these bare facts, it is not possible to achieve peace in the world either individually or collectively.
- The difference between the two living beings is that the one, the Personality of Godhead, provides for all other living beings, and by knowing Him one can achieve eternal peace.
Devotional Service and the State of Mind
A peaceful mind is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as a "healthy state" which is only possible when one is engaged in transcendental service. This peace is not dependent on external silence but is a self-manifested condition that arises from a loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Without devotion, the mind remains restless, hankering after temporary satisfaction.
- Peace of mind, or in other words the healthy state of mind, can be achieved only when the mind is situated in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
- Krsna consciousness is a self-manifested peaceful condition which can be achieved only in relationship with Krsna.
- Everyone is hankering after peace of mind and self-satisfaction, but these can only be achieved by becoming a pure devotee of the Lord.
Mercy of the Spiritual Master
The path to peace is not one of independent speculation; it requires guidance. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the indispensable role of the spiritual master, whose blessings enable the disciple to fulfill the mission of human life. It is through the mercy of the guru that one learns the method to achieve both spiritual prosperity and peace.
- Krsna said, "By the mercy of the spiritual master and by his blessings, one can achieve peace and prosperity and be able to fulfill the mission of human life."
- The distinction can be made when a human being becomes inquisitive and asks - I do not want to die, nor do I want to suffer. I want to live very happily and peacefully. Is there a chance for this? What is the method or science by which this can be achieved.
Perfection of Life: Becoming Nirguṇa
Ultimately, achieving peace means transcending the modes of material nature to become nirguṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when a devotee reaches the stage of pure love of God, they become immortal, fearless, and perfectly peaceful. This is the highest perfection of life—a transfer from the material struggle to the spiritual world.
- To become nirguna means to achieve eternal peace, fearlessness, religiousness, knowledge and renunciation. All these are symptoms of becoming free from the contamination of the material qualities.
- Upon achieving that stage of transcendental devotional service in pure love of God, a person becomes perfect, immortal, and peaceful.
- Transfer to the spiritual world is the highest perfection of life. In other words, the devotee achieves his constitutional position of immortality and thus becomes completely peaceful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that genuine peace is not a product of political treaties or material accumulation. It is an intrinsic quality of the soul that manifests only when one revives their eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. By controlling the mind through devotional service, accepting the Lord as the supreme controller, and seeking the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, any human being can transcend the miseries of material existence. Achieving this state of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the only method to attain the fearless, immortal, and peaceful platform that every living entity deeply yearns for.
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 Achieving Peace. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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