Divine Acquirements of a Devotee of God
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a devotee of the Supreme Lord need not separately endeavor for material qualifications or mystic perfections. By the simple yet potent process of surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, all divine attributes naturally manifest within the devotee. This article explores the unique position of a Vaiṣṇava, who, through the power of loving service, acquires the highest qualities, protection, and even the ability to bind the Supreme Lord with love.
Automatic Manifestation of Virtues
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that good qualities are intrinsic to the soul but are covered by material contamination. When one engages in devotional service, these godly qualities, known as guṇāyanam, automatically manifest without extraneous effort.
- A devotee acquires all the good qualities of the demigods; he is gunayanam, the reservoir of all good qualities. His only asset is good behavior, and he is grateful.
- Ultimately it is recommended (in SB 7.11.8-12): Everyone should become a devotee of the Lord, because by becoming a devotee of the Lord one automatically acquires the other qualities.
- We may find some repetition in the descriptions of the qualifications of a devotee, but this is just to give an illustration that a devotee must acquire all these qualifications. Without good qualifications, one cannot be a pure devotee.
Conquering the Unconquerable
The position of a devotee is so exalted that they can acquire rights over the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates this with the example of Arjuna, showing that through love, the devotee conquers the Lord who is otherwise unconquerable.
- Arjuna also, by his devotional service, made Krsna his chariot driver; he ordered the Lord, "Put my chariot here," and the Lord executed his order. These are some examples of how a devotee can acquire the exalted position of conquering the unconquerable.
- When a devotee acquires unparalleled opulences, they are the direct gifts of the goddess of fortune, who resides in the heart of Narayana.
Protection versus Mystic Power
In the material world, yogis perform severe austerities to acquire mystic powers for self-preservation or control. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that a pure devotee, like Prahlāda Mahārāja, depends solely on Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Mystic, and thus does not require separate acquisition of such powers.
- The devotee, he doesn't require to acquire any mystic power. What mystic power Prahlada could attain? He was only five years old. So there was no opportunity of acquiring any mystic power. But he was being protected by the supreme mystic, Krsna.
- Hiranyakasipu thought that Prahlada, being nothing but a small boy with no actual experience, might reply with something pleasing but nothing practical. Prahlada Maharaja, however, being an exalted devotee, had acquired all the qualities of education.
Process of Purification
The acquisition of spiritual qualities is often compared by Śrīla Prabhupāda to the acquisition of habits through association. Just as one might acquire a bad habit through bad company, one acquires the exalted status of a brāhmaṇa and divine qualities by associating with devotees and surrendering to the Lord.
- Just like here we can see, somebody cannot live without smoking. It is practical. But none of our devotees smoke. So it is possible. Because a devotee is associating with the devotees, therefore he is acquiring the quality by association, contamination.
- It is understood that a devotee who is fully surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead has already acquired the position of a brahmana.
Lessons from Historical Narratives
The scriptures contain historical accounts that serve as both inspiration and warning regarding what one acquires. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts Dhruva Mahārāja, who forgot his desire for a kingdom upon seeing the Lord, with Bharata Mahārāja, who acquired a deer's body due to mental attachment at the time of death.
- He (Dhruva) wanted to acquire the throne of his father - or attain an even better position - but when he was actually in the presence of the Supreme Lord, he forgot everything. He said, "My dear Lord, I do not wish to ask any benediction."
- Although Bharata Maharaja acquired the body of a deer, he again left his hearth and home, in this case the Mountain Kalanjara.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the divine acquirements of a devotee are not the result of selfish ambition but of selfless surrender. While the material world operates on the principle of hard labor for temporary gain, the spiritual reality grants the devotee all knowledge, renunciation, and protection as a gift from the Supreme Lord. Whether it is the automatic development of twenty-six good qualities or the protection of Kṛṣṇa in the face of danger, the devotee's only true asset is their unmotivated service attitude.
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 Acquirements of a Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.