Prasannātmā – The Joy of Becoming Brahma-bhūta
In the material world, happiness is often defined as the satisfaction of desire. However, Vedic philosophy presents a radically different standard. True happiness begins only when material hankering ends. This state is called the brahma-bhūta platform. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that becoming brahma-bhūta is the preliminary goal of human life—to realize "I am not this body, I am spirit soul." The primary symptom of this realization is not a display of magic powers, but a profound and unshakable joyfulness known as prasannātmā.
End of Anxiety
The conditioned soul, or jīva-bhūta, is perpetually plagued by anxiety. This anxiety manifests in two ways: lamenting for what has been lost and hankering for what is yet to be gained. As long as one identifies with the temporary body, fear is unavoidable. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that becoming brahma-bhūta is the cure for this disease. When one realizes their spiritual identity, the basis for fear—attachment to the temporary—is removed.
- In the brahma-bhutah stage one no longer identifies with matter. The first symptom of one's having become established on the brahma-bhutah platform is that one becomes jolly (prasannatma). On that platform, there is neither lamentation nor hankering.
- You possess or not possess, the real disease is anxiety. So when one becomes brahma-bhuta, self-realized, identified with the Absolute Truth, then he has no more anxiety.
- As long as one is absorbed in the thought that he is this material body, he is fearful, and as soon as one is freed from this material conception, he becomes brahma-bhuta (SB 4.30.20), or self-realized, and immediately becomes fearless.
Immediate Elevation
How does one attain this state? Philosophers and jñānīs may spend many lifetimes in speculation and austerity to detach themselves from matter. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda offers a shortcut authorized by the Bhagavad-gītā (14.26). By engaging in unalloyed devotional service, a devotee transcends the modes of nature and attains the brahma-bhūta stage immediately. It is not a question of time, but of agreement to serve.
- Simply we have to agree, "My Lord, from today, I dedicate my life for Your service," you are immediately brahma-bhutah. Immediately, from that moment. It is so nice. Not that you have to take some time how to become brahma-bhutah.
- Anyone who is engaged in devotional service unflinchingly, without any adulteration, he immediately becomes elevated to the brahma-bhutah stage - Immediately.
- A sincere devotee who engages in the service of the Lord automatically becomes situated in the brahma-bhuta stage. The devotee's duty is only to strictly follow the principles of regulated devotional service.
Starting Line, Not the Finish Line
A crucial distinction in Vaiṣṇava philosophy is that becoming brahma-bhūta is not the final destination. For the impersonalist, merging into the spiritual effulgence is the end. But for the devotee, self-realization is merely the qualification to begin serving Kṛṣṇa properly. One cannot serve the Supreme Spirit with a material conception. Therefore, after becoming liberated, the real activity of the soul begins.
- To the impersonalist, achieving the brahma-bhuta stage, becoming one with the Absolute, is the last word. But for the personalist, or pure devotee, one has to go still further to become engaged in pure devotional service.
- When one becomes brahma-bhuta (SB 4.30.20), spiritually realized, one understands that he is not the body and that working in the bodily concept of life is useless and misdirected. Then his devotional service begins.
- Those who realize the self, or become brahma-bhuta, are only preparing themselves for the platform of joyfulness. That joyfulness can be actually achieved only when one comes into contact with Krsna.
Conclusion
The world is searching for peace, but peace is impossible on the material platform because matter is temporary. Real peace comes from the joy of the soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda invites everyone to leave the platform of animals ("I am this body") and rise to the platform of humans ("I am Brahman"). By chanting the holy names and serving the Lord, anyone can instantly taste the freedom and joy of becoming brahma-bhūta.
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 Becoming Brahma-bhuta. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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