Perfect Knowledge through Mercy – Enlightened Devotees of God
The transition from material confusion to spiritual clarity is the hallmark of an enlightened devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this enlightenment is a gift from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who resides in the heart of the sincere seeker. Unlike the philosopher who relies on limited mental power, the devotee receives "perfect knowledge" directly from the source of all wisdom. This article examines the definition of spiritual enlightenment, the historical examples of those who achieved it, and the profound shift in consciousness that occurs when a soul is enlightened by the Lord's mercy.
Enlightenment through Surrender and Mercy
The foundational principle of spiritual awakening is that it cannot be forced by scholarly tax on the senses. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that simply surrendering at the lotus feet is the cause of all enlightenment. This process is exemplified by the elephant King Gajendra and even the creator Brahmā, whose heart was enlightened by the Lord. When a devotee seeks the association of pious and enlightened souls, the Lord favors them with "exchanges of thoughts" that further cultivate their spiritual awareness, eventually lifting them to the Brahman platform.
- Simply surrendering at the lotus feet is the cause of all a devotee's enlightenment and awareness.
- Even without going through the Vedic literature, a devotee becomes pure and enlightened by the mercy of the Lord. "Therefore, my Lord," the devotee (Gajendra) says, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
- Exchanges of thoughts in regard to Krsna give pleasure to the Lord, who therefore favors such devotees with all enlightenment.
- O my Lord, my master, I am wandering throughout this material world as a result of my fruitive activities. Therefore I simply seek friendship in the association of Your pious and enlightened devotees.
- The heart of Brahma was enlightened by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is Vedic information given in the Svetasvatara Upanisad - 6.18.
The Symptoms of an Enlightened Devotee
An enlightened devotee is recognized by their complete lack of interest in material engagement. Because their senses—including their hands, legs, ears, and tongue—are fully enlivened by spiritual energy and engaged in the service of the Lord, material activities naturally cease. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that such a person is no longer attracted to the "false things" of the material world, such as economic development or the "snare of Māyā," which is the desire for impersonal salvation. This enlightenment unties the "knot" of spirit and matter, allowing the devotee to distinguish clearly between the two.
- An enlightened devotee no longer has any material activities, nor has he any interest in being materially engaged. This process of purifying the senses and engaging them in the service of the Lord is known as bhakti, or devotional service.
- At that time (when one is actually enlivened by the spiritual energy) his hands, legs, ears, tongue, mind, genitals - everything - engage in the service of the Lord. Such an enlightened devotee no longer has any material activities.
- The pure devotee of Lord Vasudeva, enlightened by the transcendental service attitude, has no attraction for such false things as religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, or salvation, the last snare of Maya.
- This enlightenment perfectly enables the devotee to distinguish spirit from matter because the knot of spirit and matter is untied by the Lord.
Historical Examples: From Hunters to Kings
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based on the subject matter of becoming a fully enlightened devotee. This path is not limited by birth or status. A hunter in the jungle became the most enlightened devotee through the guidance of Nārada Muni, and Lord Siva, though in charge of ignorance, is the most enlightened devotee of the Lord. On the battlefield, Arjuna was enlightened by Kṛṣṇa to see the outcome of the war and free himself from family affection, realizing that everything Kṛṣṇa does is "quite fit." Similarly, Kardama Muni and Devahuti were both spiritually enlightened, demonstrating that family life can also be a platform for God's grace.
- In the Skanda Purana there is a narration that a hunter in the jungle became the most enlightened devotee of the Lord by the guidance of Sri Narada Muni. Therefore devotional service to the Lord can be equally shared by every living being.
- Lord Siva, he is in charge of the modes of ignorance, but he is not ignorant. He is the most enlightened devotee of Lord. He has got a parampara, disciplic succession, which is called Visnu Svami-sampradaya.
- Arjuna, after hearing from Krsna about the outcome of the Battle of Kuruksetra, became an enlightened devotee of the Supreme Lord. He admitted that everything done by Krsna is quite fit.
- He (Arjuna) was not only a great devotee of the Lord but that he was also highly enlightened and had complete control over his mind and senses.
- Both Kardama Muni and Devahuti were spiritually enlightened; she desired from the beginning that first she be pregnant and then she be empowered with the achievement of God's grace and love of God.
Jñāna-dīpa and Perfect Knowledge
Enlightenment is compared to the jñāna-dīpa, a lamp of knowledge. This light is already within the heart, much like fire is hidden within wood, but it must be invoked through devotional service. Because the devotee is enlightened by the Personality of Godhead, their knowledge is "certainly perfect," unlike the speculative knowledge of those who rely on their own limited power. As doubts diminish, the devotee comes to know the path of the Lord and the way to attain Him, leading them eventually "back home, back to Godhead."
- The devotee cannot remain in darkness, and because a devotee is enlightened by the Personality of Godhead, his knowledge is certainly perfect. This is not the case for those who speculate on the Absolute Truth by dint of their own limited power of approach.
- This jnana-dipa (the Lord's given spiritual enlightenment to His devotees) is compared to the fire hidden within arani wood. To perform fire sacrifices, great sages previously did not ignite a fire directly; the fire would be invoked from arani wood.
- The devotee becomes fully enlightened by virtue of his devotional service, and thus he comes to know the path of the Lord and the way to attain Him. As all doubts diminish, he becomes a pure devotee.
- Taking advantage of all the facilities offered him, a human being who has taken birth in the land of Bharata-varsa should become a fully enlightened devotee and go back home, back to Godhead. This is the subject matter of the Krsna consciousness movement.
Conclusion
Perfect knowledge and enlightenment are the natural byproducts of a life dedicated to the service of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions illustrate that this state is achieved not through mental gymnastics, but through the humble submission of the soul to the Supreme Lord. By untying the knot of material attachment, Kṛṣṇa transforms the devotee into an enlightened instrument, capable of distinguishing truth from illusion. Whether through the association of saintly persons or the direct mercy of the Lord, the path of enlightenment is open to all who desire to return to their original, eternal home in the spiritual world.
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 Enlightened Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.