Our Most Intimate Friend
The search for intimacy is a fundamental drive of the living entity. We seek connection in family, society, and friendship, yet we often find ourselves unsatisfied or betrayed. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that this longing for closeness is actually a misplaced desire for our eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa is not a distant, abstract force; He is, in fact, "our most intimate friend," waiting for us to revive the relationship that transcends time and space. From the philosophical union of yoga to the personal exchanges of Vṛndāvana, this article explores the depth of intimacy available to the soul.
Highest Yoga: Union through Love
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the conclusion of the sixth chapter of Bhagavad-gītā to establish the standard of perfection. While many yogis perform gymnastics or meditation to attain powers, Kṛṣṇa declares that the yogi who worships Him with faith and love is "most intimately united" with Him. This union is not a merging of existence, but a binding of hearts. The phrase "most intimately united" signifies a connection so deep that the devotee constantly abides in Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa abides in the devotee. This state of constant remembrance is the pinnacle of all yoga systems.
- As the Lord Himself recommends in Bhagavad-gita (BG 6.47): Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
- Sri Krsna concludes His discourse in this way: "And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."
- As Krsna confirms in Bhagavad-gita (BG 6.47): "Of all yogis, he who abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."
Universal Well-Wisher
Beyond the specific practice of yoga, there is a universal truth regarding Kṛṣṇa's position. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that Kṛṣṇa is the "most intimate well-wishing friend" of all living entities. He is not a competitor or a judge, but the eternal proprietor who seeks our welfare. Unfortunately, the conditioned soul forgets this and tries to find intimacy in temporary relationships, which often lead to enmity. Real peace and prosperity can only ensue when the world recognizes Kṛṣṇa as the common center and most intimate friend of all. Even great kings like Mucukunda realized that while they were puffed up with power, the Lord was sitting within their hearts as their true friend all along.
- When people know that the Supreme Lord, Krsna, is the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor and the most intimate well-wishing friend of all living entities, peace and prosperity will ensue all over the world.
- People are always fearful because they have forgotten or rejected Krsna. We have forgotten that we are Krsna's eternal servants, His eternal parts and parcels, and that we have a most intimate relationship with Him.
- Mucukunda continued, "Assisted by many commanders, puffed up by power, I could not trace out Your Lordship, who always sit within my heart as the most intimate friend. I did not care for You, this was the fault of my so-called exalted material condition."
Exemplars of Friendship: Arjuna and Vṛndāvana
The potential for this relationship is fully realized in the lives of Kṛṣṇa's pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda points to Arjuna as the prime example; the Bhagavad-gītā was spoken to him specifically because he was Kṛṣṇa's "most intimate friend" and therefore qualified to understand the mystery of God. In Vṛndāvana, this intimacy deepens further. The cowherd boys do not care for Kṛṣṇa's divinity; they play with Him as an equal. The gopīs and Nanda Mahārāja treat Him as their beloved or son. In these relationships, the awe and reverence of Godhead are covered by the sweetness of intimate love.
- Arjuna was a most intimate friend of Sri Krsna, and thus Sri Krsna explained to him the essence of all scriptures, in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita.
- Cowherd boys never cared to know who Krsna was, but they played with Him as a most intimate and lovable friend.
- Brahma said, "I am simply surprised with the fortunate position of Maharaja Nanda, mother Yasoda and the cowherd men and gopis, because You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, are existing here as their most intimate lovable object."
Confidential Associates of Lord Caitanya
In the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this theme of intimacy continues with His confidential associates. Devotees like Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Gadādhara Paṇḍita are described as "most intimate" because they understood the Lord's internal mood and mission. To know the mind of the Lord is a privilege reserved for those who have completely dedicated themselves to His service. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that anyone claiming to know the philosophy must have heard it from such intimate sources in the disciplic succession.
- Anyone else who claims to know it must have heard it from him, for he was the most intimate companion of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- Svarupa Gosani is the most intimate associate of the Lord. He therefore knows all these topics well.
- The most intimate devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, namely Gadadhara Pandita, accepted tridanda-sannyasa and also accepted Madhava Upadhyaya as his tridandi-sannyasi disciple.
Conclusion
Intimacy with the Supreme is not a theoretical concept; it is the reality of our existence, currently covered by illusion. Kṛṣṇa is our "most intimate master, friend, father, or son." By turning our attention toward Him through the process of yoga—specifically bhakti-yoga—we re-establish this broken link. As Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us, for one who acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the Lord becomes the most intimate friend, looking after his comfort and guiding him back home.
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 Intimate. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.