Observing the Pastimes of God's Return
The transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord's return are never mundane occurrences but are instead profound expressions of His reciprocal love and divine independence. Whether the Lord is returning to His eternal abode after concluding His earthly missions, or coming back home to Vṛndāvana in the evening to gladden His devotees, every instance is saturated with spiritual significance and mercy for the conditioned souls. As stated in texts like Bhagavad-gītā 4.9, the Lord's appearance and Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the activities are completely transcendental, meant solely to reestablish religious principles and intimately associate with His pure devotees.
Teachings Overview:
The teachings surrounding the Supreme Lord's return highlight the deeply personal and reciprocal nature of the Absolute Truth. Through His daily returns to Vṛndāvana, His departure to the spiritual world, ceremonial festival returns, and the returning of offerings as prasādam, the Lord constantly engages in loving exchanges that purify and elevate His devotees.
Key Teachings:
- Kṛṣṇa's evening returns in Vṛndāvana gladden the hearts of His eternal associates.
- The Lord's return to the spiritual world intensifies the devotees' feelings of loving separation.
- Festival returns, such as Ratha-yātrā, allow devotees to directly participate in the Lord's pastimes.
- The Lord reciprocates with His devotees' offerings by returning them as purifying prasādam.
The Evening Return of Kṛṣṇa to Vṛndāvana
The daily pastimes of Kṛṣṇa returning home after tending cows in the forest beautifully display the intimate affection of the Supreme Lord. As Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, these evening returns are not mundane physical movements, but transcendental events that completely capture and gladden the hearts of the residents of Vṛndāvana.
Kṛṣṇa's Sweet Return to the Village
"Akrura could understand that both Krsna and Balarama had returned from tending cows in the forest; They had taken Their baths and were dressed with fresh clothing and garlanded with flowers and with necklaces made of valuable jewels."
"Expecting that Krsna must return to them, they (the gopis) simply engaged in chanting the glories of Sri Krsna - Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the intense devotion of the gopīs waiting for Kṛṣṇa's return.
"Krsna is compared to the moon, born in the ocean of the womb of Devaki. When He returns in the evening, it appears that He is fatigued, but He still tries to gladden the inhabitants of Vrndavana by His auspicious presence."
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals how Kṛṣṇa gladdens the residents of Vṛndāvana despite appearing fatigued.
"Very much pleased by the sound of other people's ankle bells, They (Krsna and Balarama) used to follow them as if going to Their mothers, but when They saw that these were other people, They became afraid and returned to Their real mothers."
"When You (Krsna) return home, the milk flowing out of the breasts of Your mother washes Your face of its dust covering, and it appears that You are purified by this milk."
The Lord's Return to His Eternal Spiritual Abode
When the Supreme Lord concludes His manifest pastimes in the material world, He returns to His eternal spiritual residence, evoking intense feelings of separation among His pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda illuminates how this departure is not an abandonment, but a necessary completion of His divine mission that heightens loving attachment.
Departing the Material Sphere
"After thus killing the most formidable demon Hiranyaksa, the Supreme Lord Hari, the origin of the boar species, returned to His own abode, where there is always an uninterrupted festival. The Lord was praised by all the demigods, headed by Brahma."
"By killing the demon Hiranyaksa He (God) fulfilled His promise to kill the demons and always protect the demigods headed by Brahma. The statement that the Lord returned to His own abode indicates that He has His own particular transcendental residence."
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the Lord returning to His abode proves the existence of Vaikuṇṭha.
"The devotees, who could not tolerate even thinking of the Lord's lotus feet being pricked by a thorn, were again put into tribulation by thinking of the Lord's disappearance, for the Lord had to return to His abode after finishing His pastimes."
"To understand clearly why Lord Ramacandra returned, it is mentioned herewith (SB 9.11.22) that the Lord went to that particular place where the bhakti-yogis go."
"When the Lord left the surface of the earth to return to His spiritual abode, the earth's feelings of separation were therefore more acute."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the earth's acute feelings of separation when the Lord returns to His abode.
The Ceremonial Returns of the Deity in Festival Pastimes
The Deity forms of the Lord engage in sacred returns during vibrant festivals like Ratha-yātrā, demonstrating that the Lord's movements are always transcendental. By participating in these sacred festivals, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches, one can directly experience the Lord's presence and receive His boundless blessings.
Festivals of Divine Return
"At the time of the Ratha-yatra festival, Lord Jagannatha goes to the Gundica temple from His original temple and stays there for one week. After one week, He returns to His original temple."
"The next day Lord Jagannatha came out from the temple and, riding on the car, returned to His own abode."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the celebratory return of Lord Jagannātha to His eternal abode.
"Thus Lord Jagannatha returned to His temple and sat on His throne while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to His residence with His devotees."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the conclusion of the Ratha-yātrā festival in Purī.
"When Lord Bharata understood that Lord Ramacandra was returning to the capital, Ayodhya, He immediately took upon His own head Lord Ramacandra's wooden shoes and came out from His camp at Nandigrama."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Lord Bharata's devotion upon learning of Lord Rāmacandra's return.
"When Ramacandra returned to Ayodhya, He was greeted on the road by the princely order, who showered His body with beautiful, fragrant flowers, while great personalities like Brahma, other demigods glorified the activities of the Lord in great jubilation."
Śrīla Prabhupāda details the joyous glorification of Lord Rāmacandra returning to Ayodhyā.
The Reciprocal Nature of the Lord's Return to His Devotees
The Supreme Lord lovingly returns the service and offerings of His devotees with multiplied spiritual rewards, transforming simple gifts into purifying prasādam. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this reciprocal nature is a completely transcendental exchange of love, revealing the Lord's infinite affection for His servants.
Returning Love for Love
"He (God) is the complete whole, and therefore whatever He may eat as offered by the devotee is accepted because of the devotee's love, but again it is returned as prasada for the devotee so that he can be happy by eating."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains how the Lord mercifully returns offerings as purifying prasādam.
"If we offer something to Lord, oh, that is rewarded in many millions of times. So we should not expect. The Lord is always serious to return the service of the servant, of His devotee."
Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the Lord is always serious to return His devotees' service.
"If you do business or if you accept some employment, do so on behalf of the Lord. Whatever you may eat, you may offer the same to the Lord and be assured that He will return the food after eating it Himself."
Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages offering one's work and food for the Lord to reciprocate.
"When Arjuna was shown the virat-rupa of Krsna, he saw it, but he did not want to see it perpetually. He requested the Lord to return to His original form as two-armed Krsna."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes Arjuna's desire for Kṛṣṇa to return to His original, intimate form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kṛṣṇa's evening return affect the residents of Vṛndāvana?
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that despite appearing fatigued, Kṛṣṇa's auspicious presence entirely gladdens the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana upon His evening return.
What is the spiritual reality of the Lord returning to His own abode after pastimes?
Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that the statement of the Lord returning to His own abode indicates that He definitively possesses His own particular, transcendental residence.
How does the Lord lovingly return the offerings made by His devotees?
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord accepts an offering out of the devotee's love, and subsequently returns it as sanctified prasādam for the devotee's true happiness.
Does the Lord notice and return the humble service rendered by His devotees?
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Lord is always exceptionally serious and eager to return the loving service of His servant with multi-millionfold spiritual rewards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pastimes of the Supreme Lord's return are profound displays of His reciprocal love and divine independence. Whether the Lord is returning to His eternal abode, coming home to Vṛndāvana in the evening, or ceremonially returning during sacred festivals, every moment is a perfect manifestation of spiritual bliss. Meditating upon these intimate and cosmic pastimes elevates the consciousness of the practitioner, purifies the heart, and solidly revives their eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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 God's Return. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.