Remain Submissive to Kṛṣṇa
In the pursuit of spiritual perfection, the modern world often emphasizes assertiveness and intellectual dominance. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a counter-intuitive truth: to conquer the unconquerable Supreme Lord, one must "remain submissive to Kṛṣṇa." This submission is not a sign of weakness but the only means to access the unlimited strength and intelligence of the Godhead. This article explores why Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself only to the submissive soul and how this attitude transforms the life of a devotee.
Dynamics of Revelation
Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully independent and autocratic. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that we cannot force Him to appear before us. We cannot treat Him as a servant or an order-supplier. The only way to perceive Him is to wait for His mercy. Just as Arjuna understood the Bhagavad-gītā because he was a submissive friend, we too can receive revelation if we adopt the same mood. If one is against Kṛṣṇa, wanting credit without Him, Kṛṣṇa will not provide the facility to understand.
- We have to wait for that revelation. Not by force. Force will not act. Krsna is not our order-supplier, servant: "Krsna, please come here. I'll see You." No, no. That will not do. You must be submissive, first of all surrender.
- Arjuna is a devotee, and he is submissive, and he is in contact with Krsna as a friend. Therefore Krsna is revealing to him.
- You are a rascal, you are against Krsna, why Krsna will give you facility? If you are against Krsna and you want the credit without Krsna, that's not possible. You must be submissive first of all. Then Krsna will give you all facilities.
Purification through Hearing
The primary method of demonstrating submission is through hearing (śravaṇam). Śrīla Prabhupāda states that simply by hearing the message of Kṛṣṇa sincerely and submissively, one can understand Him. This process is so powerful that if one hears the confidential pastimes of Kṛṣṇa with the gopīs in a submissive spirit, the deep-rooted disease of lust in the heart will be vanquished. It is not about intellectual gymnastics but about a receptive heart.
- If you simply hear sincerely and submissively, then you will understand Krsna. Krsna will reveal to you.
- If one hears the pastimes of Krsna with the gopis, from authorities with submission, then he will be promoted to the platform of transcendental loving service to the Lord and the material disease of lust within his heart will be completely vanquished.
- We should not be puffed up, falsely thinking that our knowledge is great or that we are very learned. We need only become a little gentle and submissive to hear the messages from Krsna.
Prayer of Helpless
A submissive devotee does not claim to know Kṛṣṇa by their own power. Instead, they approach the Lord with a prayer of helplessness. Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages us to pray, "Kṛṣṇa, I am very poor. I have no means to understand You. Please be merciful upon me." This was the mood of Queen Kuntī, who felt that her social position as a woman was an obstacle, yet her humility allowed her to see what great paramahaṁsas could not.
- One should be submissive and say, "Krsna, I am very poor. I have no means to understand You. Please be merciful upon me. Please allow me to understand You and surrender." This is wanted.
- She (Kuntidevi) was so submissive that she prayed, Krsna, You are meant to be understood by the paramahamsas, the most advanced transcendentalists, but I am a woman, so how can I see You.
Distinction from Impersonalists
Submission is the defining characteristic that separates the devotee from the Māyāvādī philosopher. While speculative philosophers try to "beat the śāstras" to squeeze out their own interpretations, the devotee accepts the direct meaning of Kṛṣṇa's words. Even Śaṅkarācārya advised his followers to be submissive to Govinda (bhaja govindaṁ), knowing that grammatical jugglery would not save them at the time of death.
- This submission (to Krsna) marks the difference between Krsna-ites and Mayavadis.
- Sankara advised that do not try to exact favorable conclusions by beating the Sastras, but be submissive to Lord Govinda and worship Him.
Conclusion
To remain submissive to Kṛṣṇa is to be situated in the most perfect stage of yoga. In this state, the devotee is never lost. They are guided from within by the Supersoul and from without by the spiritual master. As Śrīla Prabhupāda assures, by their grace, one gets all the strength required to speak the truth and satisfy the 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 Submissive to Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.