Ardent Desire to Serve and Associate with the Supreme Lord
The path of devotional service is fueled by an intense and purified longing known as ardent desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that unlike material desires which bind the living entity to the temporary world, the ardent desire to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead and associate with Him is the key to liberation and spiritual perfection. This intense eagerness pleases Lord Kṛṣṇa, who reciprocates according to the degree of the devotee's surrender.
Reciprocation of the Supreme Lord
The Supreme Lord is not a static observer but a dynamic participant in the life of His devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when a devotee cultivates a sincere and ardent desire to see or serve the Lord, Kṛṣṇa manifests Himself to fulfill that desire. This principle is evident in the pastimes of great souls like Bhīṣmadeva and the gopīs, whose intense focus on Kṛṣṇa forced the Lord to respond personally.
- Simple bhakti-yoga is enough to bring about perfection. Therefore, the ardent desire of Bhismadeva was to see the person of Krsna, the most lovable object, and by the grace of the Lord, Sri Bhismadeva had this opportunity at the last stage of his breathing.
- Since the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is nondifferent from His personal body, the Lord is always present in His energy, and He manifests Himself on account of the ardent desire of a devotee.
- The gopis worshiped goddess Durga, or Katyayani, but their inner desire was to get Lord Krsna as their husband. Krsna, as Paramatma, could realize the ardent desire of the gopis, and therefore He enjoyed the pastime of vastra-harana.
Drive for Missionary Work
The spreading of Kṛṣṇa consciousness depends upon the enthusiasm and determination of the devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that an ardent desire to cooperate with the spiritual master and push forward the mission—such as through distributing literature or preaching—is the essence of success. Even if a devotee is not yet perfect or commits mistakes, their genuine desire to serve the mission is praiseworthy and effective.
- I thank you very much once more for your ardent desire to cooperate with my missionary work. Krishna will make you happy.
- Neophytes may sometimes commit some offense. There is nothing surprising in this, but their ardent desire to convey the idea of Krishna consciousness is always laudable.
- You have many times said that the Back to Godhead magazine is the backbone of Hare Krsna movement. So it is my ardent desire that the Hindi Back to Godhead should be made a regular monthly.
- With an ardent desire to serve the purpose of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.
Compassion and the Deliverance of Others
A hallmark of a true Vaiṣṇava is the burning desire to see others delivered from material existence. This compassion drives them to work tirelessly for the benefit of fallen souls. Whether it is a father desiring his son to become a devotee or a preacher desiring the salvation of the masses, the Lord always responds favorably to these selfless aspirations.
- The devotees, or Vaisnavas, are the most compassionate, saintly souls, and thus they ardently desire to deliver the fallen living entities. The Supreme Lord always responds to the desires of these Vaisnavas.
- My father never prayed that "My son may become very rich man." He never prayed like that. Actually, his ardent desire that his son may become a Vaisnava. And my Guru Maharaja's training has put me this position.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the quality of one's consciousness is determined by the nature of one's desires. According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, an ardent desire focused on Kṛṣṇa—whether to see Him, serve Him, or bring others to Him—bridges the gap between the material and spiritual worlds. As demonstrated by the lives of great saints and the instructions of the ācāryas, this intensity of purpose is the defining characteristic of a successful spiritual life, ensuring the devotee's return to the eternal abode.
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 Ardent Desire. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.