Honeybee Consciousness - Art of Taking Essence
In the garden of material existence, one can choose to act as a fly or as a honeybee. While the fly is attracted to the "sores" of faults and temporary material miseries, the honeybee seeks only the "honey"—the spiritual essence found within every living being, every circumstance, and most importantly, at the lotus feet of the Divine. "Honeybee Consciousness" is not merely a metaphor; it is the Vedic hallmark of a sober, self-realized soul. Through the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we learn that the art of living lies in extracting the nectar of Kṛṣṇa consciousness from the vast forest of material life.
Seeking the Essence
Śrīla Prabhupāda often describes the devotee as one who accepts only the essence. Just as a honeybee visits many flowers to collect a small amount of nectar from each, a person in "Honeybee Consciousness" gathers spiritual value wherever it can be found.
- A learned man takes the essence of knowledge from all places, just as a bumblebee collects honey from each and every flower.
- Maharaja Pariksit was a realist, like the bees who only accept the essence of a flower.
This vision transforms the way we interact with the world. Instead of becoming bogged down by the faults of others or the thorns of material struggle, the honeybee-minded person remains focused on the nectar of spiritual growth.
Vaiṣṇava Vision of Honey and Sores
A powerful distinction is made between the mentality of a common man and that of a Vaiṣṇava. This is the difference between the fly and the bee.
- The difference between a devotee and a nondevotee is this, just like the bee and the fly: the bee always is attracted by the honey and flies go to the open sores.
- A Vaisnava, a sober man, accepts only a man’s glories and not his faults, for flies seek sores whereas honeybees seek honey.
By training the mind to seek "honey" (good qualities and service), the devotee remains blissful even in a world full of "sores" (faults and negativity).
Bee-Mind at the Lotus Feet
The ultimate destination for the honeybee-mind is the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. In Vedic poetry, the Lord’s feet are described as a lotus flower that never withers and is always overflowing with transcendental honey.
- My (Rupa Gosvami) mind is like the bee, and it is after some honey. Kindly, therefore, give my bee-mind a place at Your lotus feet, which are the resources for all transcendental honey.
- Bona fide devotees never leave the lotus feet of the Lord... but all cling to His lotus feet like bees that never leave a honey-soaked lotus flower.
This "honey" is the nectar of prema, or ecstatic love of God, which is the only substance capable of fully satisfying the thirsty soul.
Lessons in Detachment and Simplicity
The behavior of the honeybee also provides a blueprint for a simplified, spiritual lifestyle. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the bee teaches us two vital lessons: how to accept only what is necessary and the danger of hoarding.
- As bumblebees collect honey from many flowers, a little from each, so a sannyasi should beg from door to door but not accept very much food from any particular house.
- From the bumblebee I have learned to be unattached to accumulating money, for although money is as good as honey, anyone can kill its owner and take it away.
By following the honeybee’s example of "taking a little" and remaining unattached to the "hive" of material wealth, one saves time and energy for the real goal: Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Conclusion
Honeybee Consciousness is the art of spiritual selection. In a world of dualities—good and bad, joy and sorrow—the honeybee-minded devotee knows where to find the eternal sweetness. By fixing the "bee of the mind" on the lotus face of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, one’s life becomes a celebration of fragrance, music, and transcendental nectar.
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 Honeybee. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.