Best Policy Is to Abide by the Orders of God
In the midst of complex theological debates and sectarian differences, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a simple yet profound truth: the essence of spiritual life is to abide by the orders of God. This principle is not merely a religious sentiment but the constitutional necessity of the living entity. Just as a subordinate serves a superior, the finite living being finds their true position and happiness only by abiding by the will of the Infinite. Śrīla Prabhupāda terms this the "best policy," advising that instead of arguing or speculating about the Lord's inconceivable plan, one should simply execute His command.
Definition of Real Religion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that religion is not a matter of changing from one faith to another, like Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. Real religion, or dharma, is the universal law of God. It is defined as abiding by the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Any system that does not teach this obedience is considered bogus or cheating religion. The simple truth is that God is great, we are subservient, and our duty is to abide by His orders.
- If you do not know what is God, what is His law, that is another thing. But the religion means to abide by the laws of God, that's all.
- Dharma is one. It cannot be different. Dharma means abiding by the orders of God.
- Bhagavata says, dharmah projjhita-kaitavah atra: "All cheating type of religious system is kicked out, rejected." Actually, it is not required. It is simply bogus. Real dharma is here, to abide by the laws of God. That is real dharma.
Best Policy for Living Entity
The intellect of the conditioned soul is limited and often cannot grasp the intricate plans of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that the best policy is to abide by the orders of the Lord without argument. Even great sages may fail to ascertain the Lord's full plan through philosophical inquiry. However, by acting as an agent of the Supreme Doer and following His instructions, one remains safe and situated in the absolute truth.
- Even the exhaustive philosophical inquiries of sages cannot ascertain the plan of the Lord. The best policy is simply to abide by the orders of the Lord without argument.
- As an agent of the supreme doer, the Supreme Lord, one should abide by the Lord's orders.
- God means the supreme brain, the supreme powerful, and we are teenies, we are subordinate; therefore our position is to abide by the orders of God. That is actually religion. That's all. Less powerful men serves the more powerful. That is the nature.
Good Citizenship and Laws of Nature
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently uses the analogy of citizenship to explain spiritual obedience. A good citizen is one who abides by the laws of the state; similarly, a religious person is one who abides by the laws of God. Those who defy these laws are criminals and are subjected to the threefold miseries inflicted by material nature. Happiness is impossible for the careless soul who refuses to abide by the Lord's commandments, just as peace is impossible for a criminal constantly chased by the police.
- The meaning of religion is to abide by the laws of God, just like a good citizen means who abides by the laws of the state, of the government. Because we have no understanding of God, therefore we do not know what is the laws of God.
- Unless one comes to God consciousness, he cannot be happy. That's a fact. He becomes careless, and without abiding by the laws of God, he becomes criminal, subjected to so many troubles inflicted by the laws of nature.
- When we defy the laws of God, we are put into threefold miseries of life. That is called material existence. And when we abide by the laws of God, then we are happy. We should know this fact.
Highest Yoga: Abiding in Kṛṣṇa
The perfection of abiding by God's order culminates in the practice of bhakti-yoga. Citing the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the highest yogī is one who always abides in Kṛṣṇa with great faith. This intimate union is not a physical merging but a state of constant devotional service. While a common brain cannot conceive how the Lord's contradictory potencies abide in Him, a devotee accepts the Lord's supremacy and worships Him with love, thereby achieving the highest success.
- The Supreme Lord says: Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
- As confirmed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Bhagavad-gita (6.47): Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
- A common brain in the conditioned state cannot conceive of how these inconceivable energies abide in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, how He exists in His innumerable forms as the master of both spiritual and material energies.
Conclusion
Ultimately, to abide by the orders of God is the only way to find reality and peace. Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us that everything abides in the Supreme Lord, from the beginning to the end. The choice is ours: we can abide by His order voluntarily and be happy, or we can defy Him and suffer. Real intelligence, therefore, dictates that we give up all other engagements and surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, abiding in His service eternally.
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 Abiding by God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.