Becoming Jubilant in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In the material world, happiness is often temporary and mixed with distress, but the spiritual nature is characterized by unadulterated jubilation. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the living entity is constitutionally full of bliss, yet this nature is covered by material identification. When the soul reconnects with its source through Kṛṣṇa consciousness, this dormant jubilation is revived. Whether through the quiet relief of self-realization or the ecstatic dancing of a devotee, becoming jubilant is the natural state of a liberated soul.
Joy of Self-Realization
The first sign of spiritual advancement is the cessation of anxiety. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as long as one identifies with the body, they are bound to be morose and fearful. However, upon attaining the stage of self-realization—knowing oneself to be spirit soul—one immediately becomes jubilant. This state, known as brahma-bhūta, is the foundation of true happiness.
- As soon as one becomes self-realized, he becomes jubilant, jolly. So long one identifies with this body, he is unhappy, full of anxiety.
- As soon as you are self-realized, you become jubilant. In the bodily concept of life we are always full of anxiety and morose. Yes, that is the material condition.
- When one becomes jubilant on account of awakening the modes of goodness by dint of devotional service, at that time he becomes liberated from material contamination and is able to understand the science of God.
Jubilation in Devotional Service
Beyond the neutral peace of liberation lies the active bliss of devotional service. When devotees engage in hearing, chanting, and serving the Lord, they experience deep emotional ecstasy. This jubilation is not passive; it moves the devotee to dance, chant, and appreciate the wonderful activities of Kṛṣṇa.
- When we actually see people come to our center, chant, dance, take prasadam, become jubilant and purchase books, we know that certainly Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always present in such transcendental activities, and He is very pleased and satisfied.
- When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted this verse, Haridasa Thakura, upon hearing the vibration, became jubilant and began to dance while praising its meaning.
- When all the cowherd men had very attentively heard the statements of Gargacarya through Nanda Maharaja, they better appreciated the wonderful activities of Krsna and became very jubilant and satisfied.
Presence of the Lord
The presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so potent that it evokes jubilation even in the non-moving living entities. The scriptures describe how the trees, rivers, and animals of Vṛndāvana became overwhelmed with ecstasy simply by seeing the Lord. This universal jubilation confirms that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate reservoir of all pleasure.
- Upon seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the trees and creepers of Vrndavana became jubilant. Their twigs stood up, and they began to shed tears of ecstasy in the form of honey.
- Thus all the moving and nonmoving living entities of Vrndavana became very jubilant to see the Lord. It was as if friends were made happy by seeing another friend.
- In this atmosphere, all the ten directions became jubilant, as did the waves of the rivers. Moreover, all beings, moving and nonmoving, were overwhelmed with transcendental bliss.
Conclusion
Becoming jubilant is not an artificial imposition but the awakening of the soul's original consciousness. As Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes, we are meant to be happy, but we search for it in the wrong place—the temporary material body. By shifting our focus to the spiritual self and the service of the Supreme Lord, the heavy burden of material anxiety is lifted, replaced by a natural, ever-increasing jubilance that pervades the heart and connects us to the eternal reality.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Becoming Jubilant. 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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