Topmost Perfection - Becoming a Pure Devotee of God
The Vedic scriptures describe many goals of life: religiosity (dharma), economic development (artha), sense gratification (kāma), and liberation (mokṣa). However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points to a stage beyond all these, known as the "topmost perfection" of religious principles: becoming a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord. While many people approach God for material benefits, a pure devotee seeks nothing but the opportunity to serve. This article explores the definition of a pure devotee and why attaining this status is the greatest achievement of human life.
Pious vs. Pure
There is a distinct difference between a religious person and a pure devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda often used the example of a person going to church to pray, "God, give us our daily bread." Such a person is undoubtedly pious because they recognize God as the supplier of their needs. However, they are not yet a pure devotee. A pure devotee is anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam—zero in material desires. They do not go to God to liquidate a debt or cure a disease; they go to God to offer their love.
- A man who is going to the church, praying, "God give my daily bread," he is pious, but he's not a pure devotee. But there is chance of his becoming pure devotee in future.
- Even if one does not become a pure devotee of the Lord, if one follows the regulative principles for avoiding sinful life one will remain in goodness and get this opportunity - live next life on a higher planetary system.
Topmost Perfection
Society often honors those who are wealthy, learned, or powerful. Yet, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the highest status is not a material designation like brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, or scholar, but the spiritual status of a devotee. Lord Brahmā himself, after analyzing all Vedic knowledge, concluded that becoming an unalloyed devotee is the "topmost perfection." This is because only pure devotion can liberate the soul from the material world and reinstate it in its eternal position.
- After scrutinizingly examining the whole process, he (Brahma) ascertained that becoming a pure, unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna is the topmost perfection of all religious principles.
- You have to become a pure devotee, not a ksatriya, not a brahmana, that is not required.
Open to Everyone
The beauty of this perfection is its accessibility. It is not reserved for a specific caste, gender, or nationality. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that anyone, from any part of the world, can become a pure devotee simply by engaging in the glorification of the Lord. The process is open to the "distressed, the inquisitive, the penniless, and the seeker after supreme knowledge."
- Anyone can become a pure devotee by engaging himself in the business of glorifying the Supreme Lord (Sankirtana movement).
- Free from all contaminations of material desires, the distressed, the inquisitive, the penniless, and the seeker after supreme knowledge can all become pure devotees.
Conclusion
Becoming a pure devotee is not a cheap sentiment; it is a profound transformation of consciousness where one becomes "zero" in personal ambition and "full" in desire to serve Kṛṣṇa. As Śrīla Prabhupāda states, "To control the senses, that is not very great achievement. The great achievement, how we have become a pure devotee of Krsna."
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 Becoming a Pure Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.