Religion Means to Abide by Orders of Kṛṣṇa
In a world filled with diverse religious designations and complex theological arguments, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a definition of religion that is both universal and strikingly simple: to abide by the orders of Kṛṣṇa. This principle cuts through sectarian differences, establishing that the essence of spiritual life is obedience to the Supreme Authority. Whether one is a human being or a demigod, or even a natural force like the Pacific Ocean, perfection lies in strictly following the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Definition of Real Religion
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that religion cannot be manufactured by man; it is the law given by God. Just as citizens must abide by the laws of the state, the living entity must abide by the orders of the Supreme Lord. This is dharma. When one understands that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme and agrees to follow His instructions without deviation, one reaches the common platform of real religion. It does not require high education, only a purified mind and the honesty to execute the Lord's will.
- Common platform is not very difficult to understand, because religion means to know God and abide by the orders of God. That is religion.
- The Lord (Krsna) makes all the laws and orders, and these laws and orders are generally called dharma or religion. No one can create any religious formula. Bona fide religion is to abide by the orders of the Lord.
- There is great necessity to propagate God consciousness to the people. It doesn't matter what religion is there. Religion is one. That is God consciousness, to abide by the orders of God.
True Morality and Dharma
Mundane morality is often relative, but spiritual morality is absolute: it means doing whatever Kṛṣṇa asks. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Arjuna, who initially declined to fight because he thought non-violence was dharma. However, because Kṛṣṇa ordered him to fight, abiding by that order became the actual dharma. Thus, a devotee does not act according to social custom or personal sentiment but aligns their morality strictly with the order of Kṛṣṇa.
- Morality means to abide by the orders of Krsna, or God.
- Arjuna, for example, thinking that violence was adharma, was declining to fight, but Krsna urged him to fight. Arjuna abided by the orders of Krsna, and therefore he is actually a dharmi because the order of Krsna is dharma.
- Spiritual morality means to abide by the order of Krsna. That is morality. Whatever Krsna says, if we accept.
Oneness Through Agreement
The concept of "oneness" (kaivalya) is often misunderstood as merging into the Lord's existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true oneness means having no disagreement with Kṛṣṇa. When a devotee voluntarily surrenders their own will to abide by the order of Kṛṣṇa, they are situated in actual oneness. This surrender is not forced; it is a loving agreement that pleases the Lord and brings success to the devotee's life.
- If we simply agree to abide by the orders of Krsna and have no disagreement with Him, we are situated in actual oneness.
- Our philosophy is also the same, kaivalya. But we depend on Krsna. We do not become one with, one with Krsna. That is oneness. If we simply agree to abide by the order of Krsna, there is no disagreement, that is oneness.
- When you agree to abide by the orders of Krsna, then your life is perfect. That is Krsna consciousness, that you have to agree. Krsna does not force; He says, "Do this like this," and if we agree, then we are Krsna conscious.
From Sense Dictation to Kṛṣṇa's Dictation
The fundamental problem of the conditioned soul is the tendency to abide by the dictation of the senses. This disobedience to God is the cause of material entanglement. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only way to reverse this condition is to change one's master. When one stops listening to the demands of the senses and begins to abide by the orders of Kṛṣṇa or His representative, liberation can be attained in a second. This shift in loyalty is the definition of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Our pravrtti is to abide by the dictation of the senses, and when we learn not to abide by the dictation of the senses but to abide by the orders of Krsna or His representative, then your life are successful.
- The conditioned souls within this material world are only a fraction of all the living entities in the creation of God, and because they have disobeyed God - because they did not abide by the order of Krsna - they have been put into this material world.
- Liberation can be attained within a second, provided we abide by the order of Krsna.
Conclusion
To abide by the orders of Kṛṣṇa is the sum and substance of a successful human life. It is the point where religion, morality, and liberation converge. Śrīla Prabhupāda invites everyone to accept this simple process: take instruction from Kṛṣṇa—the real guru—and execute it honestly. By doing so, one not only pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead but also solves all the problems of existence, becoming a candidate for returning home, back to 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 Abide By the Orders of Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.