Most Fortunate Souls
In material life, fortune is calculated by wealth, beauty, or high birth. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a different standard: true fortune is measured by one's connection to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He teaches that the "most fortunate" souls are those who have awakened their dormant relationship with Kṛṣṇa, either through the association of a pure devotee or by direct engagement in devotional service. From the eternal associates in Vṛndāvana to the practicing devotees of the modern age, this article explores the hierarchy of spiritual luck.
Receiving Seed of Devotion
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the journey of fortune begins with a rare encounter. He cites Lord Caitanya's teaching that living entities are wandering throughout the universe, and out of millions, only the "most fortunate" one comes in contact with a bona fide representative of the Lord. This meeting is the turning point of existence because it is through the guru that one receives the bhakti-latā-bīja, the seed of devotional service. Without this contact, the soul remains trapped in the cycle of birth and death, regardless of their material position.
- Lord Caitanya advised Rupa Gosvami on the bank of the Ganges at Prayaga, that only the most fortunate souls can obtain the seed of devotional service, by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead and His bona fide representative.
- Among all the living entities wandering throughout the universe, one who is most fortunate comes in contact with a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus gets the opportunity to execute devotional service.
- A guru must be a direct representative of Krsna who distributes the instructions of Krsna without any change. Thus only the most fortunate persons come in contact with the guru.
- The seed of devotional service is received by a most fortunate person. Those who are cultivating bhakti in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are the most fortunate people in the world.
Intimate Associates
The perfection of this fortune is seen in the eternal residents of Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the position of the gopīs, who are described as the "most fortunate women in the universe" because they could dance hand-in-hand with Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, he points to the parental affection of Nanda Mahārāja and Mother Yaśodā, who enjoyed the supreme fortune of embracing the Lord as their child. Even personalities like Rohiṇī and the demigods consider themselves most fortunate simply to have a relationship with the Lord or to touch the dust of His lotus feet.
- In the rasa dance, the Lord showed His favor to the most fortunate gopis by placing His arms on their shoulders and dancing with each of them individually. No one can compare with the gopis, who received the causeless mercy of the Lord.
- The gopis, however, soon began to feel very proud, thinking themselves to be the most fortunate women in the universe due to being favored by the company of Krsna.
- The most fortunate Nanda and mother Yasoda placed their sons on their laps and began to embrace Them to their full satisfaction.
- Balarama said, "The principal deities of all planets engage in His service and consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Krsna on their helmets."
Fortune of Hearing and Chanting
For those of us in the material world, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures that the same fortune is accessible through the process of hearing and chanting. He states that any intelligent person who tries to understand the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa or who chants the holy names is "most fortunate." Developing a taste for hearing about Kṛṣṇa is not an ordinary achievement; it signifies that one has been chosen by the Lord. Even if one is not a scholar, the simple act of chanting with faith places one in the category of the most fortunate souls.
- Any intelligent person who tries to understand the pastimes of Radha and Krsna is most fortunate. The songs that tell of those pastimes are the greatest songs in the world.
- I see that you have acquired a taste for hearing talks regarding Krsna. Therefore you are extremely fortunate. Not only you but anyone who has awakened such a taste is considered most fortunate.
- You are undoubtedly the most fortunate and pious because you have chanted three holy names of the Lord - Hari, Krsna and Narayana.
- Only the most fortunate can hear these four nectarean sounds - Krsna's words, the tinkling of His ankle bells and bangles, His voice and the vibration of His flute. If one does not hear these sounds, his ears are as useless as small conchshells with holes.
Intelligence vs. Misfortune
Śrīla Prabhupāda draws a sharp contrast between the devotees and the non-devotees. He cites Rāmānanda Rāya to explain that while empiric philosophers taste only dry knowledge, devotees taste the nectar of love, making them "most fortunate." He warns that the "most unfortunate" situation is to be interested in worldly news while neglecting the Bhagavad-gītā. True fortune, therefore, is not a matter of luck but of intelligent choice—the choice to accept the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and reject the dry speculation of the material world.
- Ramananda Raya concluded, "The unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees regularly drink the nectar of love of Krsna. Therefore they are the most fortunate of all."
- One who is not very expert in argument and logic based on the revealed scriptures but who has firm faith is considered a second-class devotee. He also must be considered most fortunate.
- One who has taken to Krsna consciousness is to be considered the most fortunate because he has found the way to act so that his life will be perfect.
- The most unfortunate situation is that the karmis will agree to hear a bunch of newspaper which is ten times more in volume than Bhagavad-gita, but if they are requested to read Bhagavad-gita, they will not agree.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that fortune is not random. It is the result of accumulated piety and the causeless mercy of the Lord. Whether one is a simple householder, a learned scholar, or a child in Gurukula, the status of being "most fortunate" is available to anyone who sincerely takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa. By appreciating the value of this contact with the Supreme, one ensures that their life is successful and their future is bright.
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 Most Fortunate. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.