The Real Miracle - Presenting Kṛṣṇa As He Is
The human mind is often captivated by the unexplained. When something occurs beyond the capacity of the brain to accommodate, it is often labeled a "miracle." Śrīla Prabhupāda addresses this fascination by contrasting the cheap miracles of professional magicians with the profound, scientific reality of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. While the world chases after ash and gold produced by mystics, the devotees of the Lord experience the greatest miracle of all: the transformation of the heart through the pure message of the Bhagavad-gītā.
The Miracle of Purity
When people marveled at the rapid global expansion of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement, they often attributed it to Śrīla Prabhupāda possessing mystic powers. Śrīla Prabhupāda, however, consistently deflected this credit. He explained that his only "miracle" was his strict adherence to the order of his spiritual master and his refusal to adulterate the teachings of Lord Kṛṣṇa. By presenting the philosophy "as it is," the potency of the message itself acted upon the souls of the listeners.
- Practically I have done this. People are giving me credit that I have done miracles, but my miracle is that I carried the message of Caitanya Mahaprabhu: yare dekha tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa (CC Madhya 7.128). So this is the secrecy.
- If there is any miracle, that miracle is that we present things as they are. That's all. Without any adulteration. So that should be the principle. Present as it is. It will be accepted.
- They give me so much credit, that "You have done wonderful, miracle," and I do not know how to play any miracle. But only magic is, that I don't adulterate. That's all.
Magic vs. Spiritual Science
Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warns against "miracle men"—so-called yogis and gurus who perform cheap magic tricks to bluff the innocent public. Producing gold or curing diseases may impress the ignorant, but it has no spiritual value. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a sentimental display of magic; it is a spiritual science. Devotees do not seek to perform miracles; they seek to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the source of all mystic potencies.
- By acting as a professional guru, mystic yogi or miracle man, one may cheat and bluff the general public and gain fame as a wonderful mystic, but all this is considered to be dust, straw and grains of sand within the heart.
- So-called transcendentalists who have no real stock of knowledge they are fond of these miracles, and for the most part, because the innocent public is generally foolish, therefore they accept these rascals of magicians as saintly persons.
- So this Krishna Consciousness is not a miracle, it is science, and because we are Krishna conscious, therefore we know everything.
The Supreme Miracle Man
The ultimate source of all wonder is Kṛṣṇa. Queen Kuntī describes Him as the highest miracle man. From the intricate structure of the atom to the manifestation of the cosmic form, Kṛṣṇa's energies are working in ways that modern science cannot fully comprehend. What appears as a miracle to the limited human brain is simply the natural potency of the Lord.
- Miracles are for the ignorant. Krsna is the highest miracle man. That is stated by Kunti.
- The scientist, they are finding out so many miracles within the atom, but here Vedic information is that within the atom there is God. Find out God. Without God, without the spirit, nothing material can develop.
- It appears like miracle because your brain cannot accommodate how quickly all these things come. You have got poor brain; you cannot accommodate. You are thinking, - I have to paint this, simply painting I have to take so much time.
The Transformation of the Heart
The greatest tangible miracle is the transformation of character. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of the hunter who, by the grace of Nārada Muni, became a compassionate Vaiṣṇava who would not harm even an ant. This change of heart, brought about by chanting the holy names and following the regulative principles, is the true evidence of spiritual potency.
- Narada relieved the half-dead animals, and, getting freed from their dreadful condition, they fled away. Upon seeing Narada execute this miracle, the dark hunter was struck with wonder. After taking Narada to his home, he bowed down again at his feet.
- Now I can see that it is a miracle. Otherwise, your city of New York, one single old man, with only a few books to sell for barely getting eatables, how he can survive, what to speak of introducing God-consciousness movement for saving the humankind?
- We have got so many literatures full of treasure house of knowledge. We have to distribute that. Not bluffing, showing magic or this or that, miracles. No. We are not this. It is a institution for giving knowledge to the human society.
Conclusion
Real spirituality is not about walking on water or creating gold; it is about saving the human society from the cycle of birth and death. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only miracle worth pursuing is the miracle of becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious. By accepting the authorized knowledge of the Vedas and rejecting the jugglery of cheats, one can experience the true wonder of the spiritual soul and its eternal relationship with God.
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 Miracle. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.