The Submissive Request to Kindly Hear About Kṛṣṇa
Submissively hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the foundational principle of all devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that when one approaches the Absolute Truth with humility, embracing the attitude to "kindly hear," the heart is immediately cleansed of material contamination. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.17, Kṛṣṇa, who is situated within the heart, acts as the best-wishing friend and purifies the desires for material enjoyment for those who have developed the urge to hear His messages. Throughout the Vedic scriptures, great sages, pure devotees, and even the Lord Himself engage in this transcendental etiquette—requesting others to kindly hear with attention, thereby setting the standard for receiving and distributing transcendental knowledge.
Teachings Overview
The humble request to kindly hear about Kṛṣṇa is an essential component of spiritual realization. It is through this attentive and submissive aural reception that dormant spiritual consciousness is awakened, bringing immense pleasure to the Supreme Lord. By hearing from pure devotees and avoiding those who recite professionally, the conditioned soul can easily attain the perfection of life.
Key Teachings
- Attentively hearing about Kṛṣṇa purifies the heart and awakens dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Devotees display supreme compassion by humbly begging even the most reluctant individuals to hear the holy names.
- Pure devotees and scriptural authorities request the audience to hear confidentially and without envy.
- One must strictly hear from the lips of pure devotees and avoid professional reciters.
The Purifying Process of Kindly Hearing
Hearing the transcendental pastimes and instructions of the Lord is not a passive activity but an active spiritual engagement. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when a person submissively hears, the Lord within the heart becomes deeply pleased and begins to clear away all material impediments.
Awakening Dormant Consciousness
"If you kindly hear about Krsna and your heart becomes purified, the original dormant Krsna consciousness is immediately awakened."
"If you kindly hear sri-krsna-sankirtana, if you cannot chant Sri Krsna, the holy name of Krsna, you are so reluctant, or if you cannot because to chant Hare Krsna mantra, that also requires little fortune."
Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages the simple act of aural reception.
"Krsna is very strict. But the devotees are very lenient. Krsna doesn't want to speak even with demons. But the devotees are so kind, they go to the demons and pray, Kindly hear. Kindly hear about Krsna."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the supreme compassion of pure devotees.
"Krsna is within your heart. If you kindly continue to hear about Him, as you are doing, then Krsna will be very much pleased, "Oh, this person is now interested in me." Because nobody's interested in Krsna. So Krsna is also silent to them."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains how the Lord reciprocates with our hearing.
Great Authorities Presenting Transcendental Knowledge
Before distributing the highest confidential truths, great authorities and scriptural narrators often establish a mood of respect. By noting how these exalted personalities request the audience's attention, Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the gravity of the subject matter being discussed.
Appealing for Attentive Audiences
"O King (Pariksit), kindly hear me (Sukadeva Gosvami) with great attention. Although the activities of the Supreme Lord (Krsna) are very confidential, no ordinary man being able to understand them, I shall speak about them to you - SB 10.13.3."
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the confidentiality of Kṛṣṇa's activities.
"O King, in this way people in Dvapara-yuga worshiped the Lord of the universe. In Kali-yuga they also worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the regulations of the revealed scriptures. Kindly now hear of that from me."
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the progression of authorized worship.
"Lord Brahma, the supreme person within this universe, said: My dear Priyavrata, kindly hear attentively what I shall say to you. Do not be jealous of the Supreme Lord, who is beyond our experimental measurements."
"The great sages said: Dear King, we have come to give you good advice. Kindly hear us with great attention. By doing so, your duration of life and your opulence, strength and reputation will increase."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the material and spiritual benefits of hearing.
Devotees Petitioning the Supreme Lord to Kindly Hear
In moments of deep realization, devotion, or separation, pure souls often direct this same submissive plea to the Supreme Lord. As Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, the devotees know that the Lord is the ultimate well-wisher who is always eager to listen to the sincere petitions of His parts and parcels.
Offering Sincere Submissions to Kṛṣṇa
"Dear Lord, kindly hear our one petition. You have already said that You will derive happiness from our happiness. This is Your own statement."
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the reciprocal happiness between the Lord and devotees.
"He said, "My Lord, kindly hear me. I am a cripple-minded householder, the most fallen of men, but somehow, by my good fortune, I have received the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are rarely to be seen.""
"My dear Lord, kindly hear My true submission. My home is Vrndavana, and I wish Your association there. But if I do not get it, then it will be very difficult for Me to keep My life."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the profound separation felt in Vṛndāvana.
"O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead! Kindly hear my third reason. There are countless universes and fathomless transcendental Vaikunthas."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the vastness of the spiritual and material creations.
"Taking My words as defamation, Lord Krsna has left Me. I know that He is gone, but kindly hear My prayers in praise: 'You are the satisfaction of My eyes. You are My wealth and My life. Alas, please give Me your audience once again.'"
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the intense prayers of the gopīs in separation.
Exchanging Philosophical and Confidential Truths
Transcendental dialogue often requires deep analytical focus and absolute humility from both the speaker and the receiver. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that whether discussing literary ornaments or the mysteries of the Lord's pastimes, requesting the audience to "kindly hear" ensures the message is received properly.
Preparing to Receive Deep Instruction
"Actually You are speaking through my mouth, and at the same time You are listening. This is very mysterious. Anyway, kindly hear the explanation of the process by which the goal can be attained."
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals how the Lord inspires the speaker from within.
"My dear sir, in this verse there are five faults and five literary ornaments. I shall state them one after another. Kindly hear Me and then give your judgment."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the scholarly exchange of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
"Not only is there the fault avimrsta-vidheyamsa, but there is also another fault, which I shall point out to you. Kindly hear Me with great attention."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the intricate rules of Sanskrit poetry.
"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied to Prakasananda Sarasvati, "My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the ideal humility of a perfect disciple.
"Vyadhi, disease, is described in the Lalita-madhava: Radharani said, My dear Lalita, kindly hear Me. I cannot bear suffering the fever of separation from Krsna, nor can I explain it to you. It is something like gold melting in an earthen box."
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the intense symptoms of spiritual separation.
The Standard of Vaiṣṇava Etiquette
The phrase "kindly hear" serves as a standard element of protocol among transcendentalists, friends, and servants of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that regardless of one's position or the nature of the information being shared, polite and submissive address facilitates harmonious relationships in devotional service.
Respectful Dealings in Devotional Service
"Kasi Misra said, "My dear Lord, the King has done this without reservations. Kindly hear his statement.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out the respectful mediation between devotees.
""I have written some commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam," he (Vallabha Bhatta) said. "Would Your Lordship kindly hear it.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the etiquette of presenting literary works to the Lord.
"Vallabha Bhatta said, "I have tried to describe elaborately the meaning of Krsna's holy name. Kindly hear the explanation.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the desire to share spiritual realizations.
"The Lord concluded, "Now, therefore, please reduce the fixed number of times you chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra." Haridasa Thakura replied, "Kindly hear my real plea.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the intimate loving exchanges between the Lord and His pure devotee.
"The cowherd boys said, "O earthly gods, kindly hear us, who are ordered by Lord Krsna and Balarama. We hope you know Them both very well, and we wish you all good fortune. Krsna and Balarama are tending cows nearby, and we have accompanied Them.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the respectful behavior of Kṛṣṇa's cowherd friends.
Hearing Pastimes Exclusively from Pure Devotees
The source of transcendental knowledge is just as important as the message itself. Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly instructs that one should only hear from the lips of pure devotees who have dedicated their lives to the Lord, completely avoiding professional reciters who treat the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as a means of livelihood.
Accepting the Right Source of Knowledge
"I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) have given a synopsis of the madhya-lila, the middle pastimes of the Lord. Now, O devotees, kindly hear the synopsis of the final pastimes of the Lord, known as the antya-lila."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the authorized transition of spiritual subject matters.
"I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami) offer my obeisances unto the feet of all who hear or read this discourse. Kindly hear with attention the conclusion of all these statements."
Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages submissive attention from the readers.
"I have described the meaning of the fourth verse. Now, O devotees, kindly hear the explanation of the fifth verse."
Śrīla Prabhupāda guides the reader through structured philosophical truths.
"You all kindly hear from the lips of the pure devotee. Don’t hear from those who are professionally engaged in reciting the glories of Krsna for maintaining their livelihood."
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against hearing from professional reciters.
"O Danavas and Daityas! O Dvimurdha, Tryaksa, Sambara and Satabahu ! O Hayagriva, Namuci, Paka and Ilvala! O Vipracitti, Puloman, Sakuna and other demons! All of you, kindly hear me attentively and then act according to my words without delay."
Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that even authoritative commands begin with requesting attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can we awaken our dormant spiritual consciousness?
Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that by kindly hearing about Kṛṣṇa, the heart is purified and our original, dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is immediately awakened.
Does Kṛṣṇa reciprocate with our desire to hear about Him?
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that because Kṛṣṇa is within the heart, He becomes very pleased when we kindly continue to hear about Him.
Are the Lord's pure devotees more lenient than Kṛṣṇa Himself?
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while Kṛṣṇa does not associate with demons, the pure devotees compassionately approach even the most fallen souls to beg them to kindly hear.
From whom should we avoid hearing transcendental topics?
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that we must exclusively hear from pure devotees and reject those who are professionally engaged in reciting the glories of Kṛṣṇa for a livelihood.
Conclusion
The act of submissively requesting one another to kindly hear transcendental subject matters is central to the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As Śrīla Prabhupāda so clearly delineates, this respectful exchange purifies the heart and draws the direct attention and pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By honoring the etiquette of hearing strictly from authorized, pure Vaiṣṇavas rather than professional reciters, the sincere seeker is guaranteed to reach the ultimate spiritual destination without difficulty.
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 Kindly Hear. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.