Antiseptic Touch - How the Soul Becomes Purified in Kṛṣṇa's Presence
In the material world, the living entity's consciousness is constantly exposed to the contamination of the three modes of nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as an iron rod becomes red-hot by constant contact with fire, the soul becomes purified through constant association with the "Supreme Pure," Kṛṣṇa. This article explores the various ways in which becoming purified occurs—from the antiseptic vibration of the holy name to the transformative power of devotional service—showing that no matter how "nasty" or fallen a person may be, they can be restored to their original, distilled purity.
Antiseptic Potency of the Holy Name
The primary method for becoming purified in the current age is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the Lord as "antiseptic" because His name immediately cleanses the heart and intelligence of material infection. He notes that even if one chants without full understanding or out of habit (like Ajāmila calling for his son), the name remains powerful enough to eradicate all sins. This aural reception of the transcendental sound is a prophylactic against the "material disease," ensuring that the devotee remains steady even in a world full of "nasty" influences.
- He (God) is antiseptic in the sense that even an impure thing can become purified just by touching Him. The word "prophylactic" refers to the power of His association.
- A person who chants the holy name of the Lord, even if born in a family of candalas, dog-eaters, does not need reformation. Simply by chanting Hare Krsna, he immediately becomes purified and becomes as good as the most learned brahmana.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra to give everyone a chance to hear Krsna's holy name, for simply by hearing Hare Krsna one becomes purified, CC Antya 20.12: ceto-darpana-marjanam.
Transforming the Senses through Devotional Service
Purification is not a state of inaction but a change in the quality of one's activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the senses, which are naturally active, become purified when they are diverted from material enjoyment to the service of Kṛṣṇa. This is exemplified by the gopīs, whose initial attraction was transformed into the highest spiritual love through association with the Lord. By offering food, flowers, and our very desires to Kṛṣṇa, the "dirty things" within the heart—such as lust and greed—are washed away, and our original svarūpa, or identity, is revived.
- By the practice of bhakti-yoga these senses can become purified, and in the purified state they come directly in contact with the Supreme Lord.
- Krsna is the supreme pure, and if we change our consciousness from material enjoyment to Krsna, we become purified. This is the process recommended by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu as the process of ceto-darpana-marjanam, cleansing the mirror of the heart.
- The gopis came with lust. They became purified with Krsna's association. Gopis actually, superficially, externally, they are, means, nitya-siddha, ever-liberated expansion of Krsna's energy, internal energy.
A Universal Path for Every Living Entity
One of the most encouraging aspects of becoming purified is its universal accessibility. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one does not need to wait for a high birth to become pure; the process is available to everyone, from demigods to animals. Even an "enemy" who constantly thinks of the Lord, or a "thief" attracted to Kṛṣṇa’s ornaments, becomes purified through that association. By following the injunctions of the spiritual master and seeking the association of pure devotees (sādhu-saṅga), the "nasty" qualities of human society are replaced with the "brahmanical" qualities of truthfulness and simplicity.
- Actually, we are seeing practically how by chanting this holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna mantra, how nasty people are becoming purified, Vaisnava, brahmana. Actually nasty.
- By seeing his bodily features when he was in perfect ecstasy, persons very poor in spiritual understanding became purified. In other words, Prahlada Maharaja bestowed upon them transcendental bliss.
- As for purification, no one can be more pure than devotees. Anyone who once utters the name of Visnu immediately becomes purified, inside and outside - yah smaret pundarikaksam.
Conclusion
The science of becoming purified is the "great necessity" of modern society. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while we have learned many bad habits through undesirable companions, we can return to our eternal, pure state by choosing the right association. Whether it is through bathing in the Ganges, eating sanctified prasāda, or submissively hearing the Bhagavad-gītā, the soul gradually sheds its material designations. By identifying ourselves simply as "servants of Kṛṣṇa," the mirror of our heart is cleansed, all material misconceptions vanish, and we become eligible to enter the kingdom of God.
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 Becoming Purified. 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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