Characteristics of a Completely Surrendered Soul
What does a completely surrendered soul look like? Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a clear description of the symptoms and mindset of such a devotee. Far from being weak or passive, a surrendered soul is fearless, debt-free, and immovably fixed in their determination. This article explores the defining characteristics of those who have taken full shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, illustrating their freedom from material obligations and their absolute dependence on the Lord's protection.
Freedom from All Debts
One of the primary characteristics of a completely surrendered soul is liberation from all social and cosmic debts. Ordinarily, a person is indebted to the demigods, sages, ancestors, and family members. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one who surrenders to Kṛṣṇa is immediately absolved of all these secondary obligations.
- He who has completely surrendered himself in the activities of Krsna consciousness is no longer obliged to anyone, nor is he a debtor to anyone, as one is in the ordinary course of activities.
- A pure devotee is a completely surrendered soul unto the Personality of Godhead. He knows the Personality of Godhead as the supreme proprietor and all others as His servitors.
Fearlessness and Protection
A surrendered soul is never anxious about maintenance or protection. They do not flatter the wealthy or powerful for support, because they know the Almighty Lord is their protector. This confidence manifests as a firm hope that Kṛṣṇa will always be kind to them.
- Are the caves of the mountains now closed, or, above all, does the Almighty Lord not protect the fully surrendered souls? Why then do the learned sages go to flatter those who are intoxicated by hard-earned wealth.
- A fully surrendered devotee always hopes that Lord Krsna will be kind to him. This hope is very firm in him.
Unshakable Determination
The intelligence of a surrendered soul is fixed. They cannot be swayed by the arguments of bewildered persons or the allure of the illusory energy. Whether in the face of death, like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, or in simple service, their resolve remains unbreakable.
- O brahmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart.
- Under no circumstances can the words of persons bewildered by the illusory energy of the Lord deviate the intelligence of those who are completely surrendered souls.
Conclusion
The characteristics of a surrendered soul—fearlessness, freedom from debt, and firm hope—are the natural result of taking shelter of the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures that those who hear about such surrendered souls obtain good fortune and eventually the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead.
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 Completely Surrendered. 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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