Conquering the Unconquerable - The Power of Becoming Submissive
The Absolute Truth is often described as ajita, or the Unconquerable. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while no amount of intellectual strength can force the Lord to appear, He is easily "conquered" by those who adopt a humble heart. The struggle to understand the Divine through mental speculation is a hallmark of the modern age, but the true path is found in the simple act of becoming submissive. This article discusses how submission serves as the crucial test of a disciple and the gateway through which the Supreme Lord reveals His unlimited nature.
Giving Up the Burden of Speculation
The habit of "mental exercise" to understand God is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as an unnecessary burden. He recommends that we throw away the reliance on information supplied by our blunt senses and instead follow the Vedic injunction namanta eva. By becoming submissive, a person acknowledges their insignificant position in the vast creation. This shift allows the practitioner to stop "challenging" the truth and start hearing the message of God as it is presented by authorities like Lord Kṛṣṇa or His representatives.
- After giving up speculation, what should we do? Bhagavatam recommends that we become submissive and hear the message of God submissively.
- Namanta eva: "Just become submissive." Jnane prayasam: "Giving up this endeavor to understand the Supreme by one's limited knowledge and just become submissive."
- Thousands of books are printed and read, and after six months thrown away. This way and that - how can you know the Supreme by speculation on the information supplied by your blunt senses? Give up research - throw it away - just become submissive.
Revelation Through Submissive Service
Spiritual realization is not a result of a meeting or a challenge, but a reveal that happens when the heart is purified. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as soon as a person becomes submissive and hears from authorities, the truth begins to reveal itself from within. This process is practical: it begins with the tongue. By chanting the holy names and honoring remnants of food submissively, the Lord is attracted. This devotional attitude acts as a magnet for Kṛṣṇa's causeless mercy, making Him visible to the soul that has surrendered its pride.
- As soon as you become submissive and hear from authorities, then the whole thing will reveal within yourself. God is the always ready to be revealed to you.
- If you become submissive and if you begin this service, chanting and eating prasadam, then svayam eva sphuraty adah, simply by these two kinds of practices, Krsna will Himself reveal Himself before you.
- He (Supreme Truth) can be known how? That is also described - sevonmukhe hi jihvadau: when you become in a submissive attitude and you chant. Jihvadau means the realization begins from the tongue. God realization begins from the tongue.
Conquering the Lord Through Humility
Although the Supreme Lord is independent and all-powerful, He willingly becomes subordinate to His devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa is conquered by a devotee who gives up the "nonsense process" of limited knowledge and chooses to become submissive. This submission is the crucial test of a spiritual life; without it, even a great scholar remains a "demon" in consciousness. By following the example of the great mahājanas and ācāryas, the disciple enters into a relationship where the unconquerable God becomes a friend, parent, or lover, fully revealing His spiritual energy.
- God is not conquerable, but He becomes conquerable, He is conquered, by a devotee who gives up this nonsense process of understanding Him by his limited knowledge and becomes submissive.
- This is the crucial test - If one does not understand Krsna and become submissive to surrender, he remains a demon, however big scholar he may be.
- Jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva (SB 10.14.3). Just become submissive. Submission means that we cannot understand Krsna, simply just serve, that's all, and develop your dormant love. That is perfect.
- Unless you become submissive, you cannot be a surrendered soul.
Conclusion
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is fundamentally a process of submission. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by becoming submissive and hearing from authoritative sources like the Bhagavad-gītā, we can overcome all natural disturbances and find lasting happiness. When we give up the urge to be "independent" and instead seek the protection of a perfect person, the entire transcendental subject matter is disclosed to us. By choosing to become submissive, we attract the attention of God and achieve the highest perfection of success in this human form of life.
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 Submissive. 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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