Sincerity Is the Main Qualification for Spiritual Perfection
In the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, sincerity is the primary currency required to purchase the favor of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that spiritual perfection is not dependent on material qualifications, intellectual prowess, or high birth, but rather on the sincere desire of the living entity to revive their eternal relationship with God. When a person becomes sincere, Kṛṣṇa, who is seated in everyone's heart, immediately acts to guide that soul back to Him. This article explores how sincerity functions as the driving force of devotional service, protecting the devotee from fall down and ensuring their ultimate success.
Reciprocation of the Supreme Lord
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the relationship between the devotee and the Lord is reciprocal. Kṛṣṇa is the original friend of all living entities, and when He perceives that a soul is sincerely seeking the truth, He provides the necessary direction. This guidance manifests internally through the Paramātmā (Supersoul) and externally through the representative of God, the spiritual master. Thus, a sincere person is never cheated; their genuine desire attracts the genuine path.
- A fortunate person is fortified by both Krsna and the spiritual master. He is helped from within by Krsna and from without by the spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from material bondage.
- If he (the living entity) places himself under the guidance of a spiritual master and does everything sincerely, immediately the Lord, who is situated within everyone’s heart, dictates how to serve Him - dadami buddhi-yogam tam.
- The answer to such questions or inquiries (on how to surrender to God) is given herein (SB 2.7.46). God is not present before our eyes but if one is sincere in wanting guidance God will send a bona fide person who can guide one back home, back to Godhead.
- He (the Supreme Lord) is the most sincere friend. Whatever you want from Him, you can get. But the intelligent man does not want anything that is materially contaminated.
Potency of Sincere Chanting
The chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is the most effective method for self-realization in this age, and its efficacy relies heavily on the sincerity of the chanter. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even if one is not perfectly liberated, if they chant with a sincere mood—like a child crying for its mother—the holy name reveals itself. Sincerity bridges the gap between the conditioned soul and the transcendental nature of the name, quickly elevating the practitioner to the platform of love of God.
- As soon as one chants the Hare Krsna Mantra with sincerity and without offence (you know there are ten kinds of offenses to the Holy Name which we are to avoid very, very carefully) his original Krsna consciousness is immediately revived.
- Anyone who sincerely chants this holy name is quickly elevated to the platform of love of God and becomes mad after God. This madness arising from love of God is the highest perfectional stage for a human being.
- If you chant sincerely, even for a moment, it will have great effect. It will save you from the greatest danger - becoming an animal in your next life.
- If Krsna sees that someone is sincerely chanting Hare Krsna, He will help. He is within everyone, and He can understand whether one is sincere or not.
Permanent Credit and Protection
A unique feature of devotional service is that sincere endeavors are never lost, even if the devotee fails to complete the process in one lifetime. Śrīla Prabhupāda offers great encouragement by citing the Bhagavad-gītā, noting that whatever service is rendered sincerely is recorded permanently in Kṛṣṇa's book. Even if a devotee falls down due to the strong influence of māyā, their sincere past activities act as a foundation for their future reinstatement and eventual perfection.
- Maya is very strong, and to begin devotional service is to declare war against maya. Some of the devotees in this Krsna consciousness movement may fall down, but whatever is done sincerely is to their permanent credit. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita.
- Sri Krsna gives an encouraging answer, for He tells Arjuna that even if one sincerely cultivates only 1% worth of spiritual knowledge, he will never fall down into the material whirlpool. That is due to the sincerity of his effort.
- If sometimes one falls down, what is the loss there? He's not a loser. Still he's gainer. Because for the time being, whatever he has done sincerely, serving Krsna, that is credited forever, eternally.
- Even if one falls down sometimes, if one becomes sincere, thinking, "From this time I shall remain Krsna conscious and execute His orders," then Krsna will help him.
Testing by Material Nature
The path of spiritual life is not without its challenges, as the material energy, māyā, often tests the determination of the aspiring devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that as one attempts to exit the clutches of matter, nature may become more stringent to verify the aspirant's sincerity. However, if one remains steady and sincere despite these allurements and difficulties, Kṛṣṇa provides the strength to overcome all obstacles.
- When the conditioned soul tries to get out of her clutches by spiritual advancement of knowledge, material nature becomes more stringent and vigorous in her efforts to test how much the aspiring spiritualist is sincere.
- The material energy, or maya (after becoming more stringent and vigorous to test sincerity of the aspiring spiritualist), will then offer more allurements.
- She (the illusory energy) wants to test, "How much this person is sincere?" So there will be so many allurement offered by the material energy.
Only Qualification for Perfection
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the price for spiritual perfection is not wealth, beauty, or intellectual power, but laulyam—sincere eagerness. The Supreme Lord cannot be conquered by any amount of material ability, but He is easily purchased by the sincere desire of a devotee to serve Him. This simplicity of sincerity makes Kṛṣṇa consciousness accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or past mistakes.
- The Supreme Lord is achieved by devotion; one's devotion and sincere desire to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead are the only qualifications.
- Rupa Gosvami has also said that the price for achieving God's favor is simply one's sincere eagerness to have it - laulyam ekam mulyam.
- The process is simple, but only the sincere party can achieve the desired result.
- But when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal. BG 6.45 - 1972.
Conclusion
In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that sincerity is the cornerstone of all spiritual advancement. It is the quality that transforms mechanical practice into genuine devotion, forcing the Lord to reciprocate with the devotee. Whether one is seeking a spiritual master, chanting the holy name, or struggling against the forces of māyā, maintaining a sincere heart guarantees protection and eventual success. As the quotes illustrate, Kṛṣṇa is ever-willing to help the sincere soul, making sincerity the single most important qualification 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 Sincere. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.