Equal to Everyone - The Symptom of a Mahātmā
In the material world, equality is often a political slogan, but in the Vedas, it is a profound spiritual realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the quality of being "equal to everyone" as the symptom of a self-realized soul. Known in Sanskrit as sama-darśana, this vision sees beyond the external coverings of the body to the eternal spirit soul within. Both the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees exhibit this quality, offering their mercy and friendship to all living entities without discrimination.
Equal Vision of Lord
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Lord is like a father who gives equal protection to all his children, regardless of their intelligence or ability. Just as the sun shines on everyone, or a government provides facilities to all citizens, God is impartial. However, he clarifies that while the Lord is equal, the living entities receive different results based on their own actions and degree of surrender.
- Does the father give less protection to the less intelligent son? No. The protection, the family protection, is equal for everyone. This is the conception, bhagavata community, equal right to everyone, even to the animals.
- He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) is also called pradhana because He is the Supreme. He is equal to everyone, but to one who surrenders to Him He is especially favorable.
- Government is equal to everyone, all citizens. But why somebody is going to the university to take his M.A. degree, and why one is going to the prison house to be imprisoned and suffering for so many years.
Qualification of a Devotee
For a practitioner of bhakti-yoga, developing an equal mind is essential. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the Bhagavad-gītā, noting that one who is brahma-bhūtaḥ (situated in Brahman realization) neither laments nor desires and is "equal to everyone" (samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu). This spiritual equipoise allows the devotee to remain undisturbed by material dualities and to offer respect to both the gentle and the ruffians.
- One who is actually situated in Brahman realization has no reason to lament or desire. He is equal to everyone and is thus eligible for devotional service.
- The symptoms of mahatma, great soul. So the first symptom is that he is equal to everyone, sama-cittah. And the next qualification is prasanta. Prasanta means pacified. He's not disturbed by any material anxiety.
- The six Gosvamis are described in this way: dhiradhira jana-priyau. They were popular with both the gentle and the ruffians. A Vaisnava must be equal to everyone, regardless of one's position.
Extending Mercy to All Beings
True spiritual equality is not limited to humanity. Śrīla Prabhupāda rigorously challenges the sectarian view that applies equality only to humans while condoning violence towards animals. He teaches that a self-realized soul sees the spiritual identity of every living being—whether American, Indian, cat, or dog—and treats them with kindness. Ideally, the state should protect all creatures equally.
- If you are actually self-realized soul, in the light of God, then your treatment will be equal to all living entities. Not that "He is animal, he is man, he is black, he is white, he's this, he's Indian, he's American, he's Chinese." No.
- The state would get the best advice without expenditure. They were themselves sama-darsi, equal to everyone, both man and animal. They would not advise the king to give protection to man and instruct him to kill the poor animals.
- We actually see that there are many Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and religionists of other cults who adhere to their religious principles very nicely but are not equal to all living entities.
Preaching Without Discrimination
The practical application of being equal to everyone is the distribution of spiritual knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda exemplifies this by opening the storehouse of love of God to the entire world, not restricting it to a specific caste or nation. This broad-mindedness is the hallmark of a true preacher.
- My sama-darsi is that why only the Hindus shall know Krsna? The world should know Krsna.
- The word maitra, “friendly,” indicates that one who is able to preach the bhakti cult all over the world should be equally friendly to everyone.
Conclusion
Being "equal to everyone" is not a mundane social adjustment but a transcendental qualification. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that when one sees Kṛṣṇa in the heart of every being, prejudice and hatred vanish. This vision is the foundation of real peace and the entry point into the eternal service of the Lord.
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 Equal to Everyone. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.