Vaiṣṇavas Are Desire Trees
The material world is characterized by scarcity and limitation, where every endeavor is checked by the laws of nature. In contrast, the spiritual realm is defined by the kalpa-vṛkṣa or desire tree, which yields whatever one desires. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while we cannot access the trees of Vaikuṇṭha directly, the pure devotee serves as a living desire tree in this world, fulfilling the deepest spiritual longings of the conditioned souls by connecting them to Kṛṣṇa.
Spiritual Reality of the Desire Tree
In the material world, our experience of nature is limited; a mango tree can only produce mangoes. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that in the spiritual abode of Goloka Vṛndāvana, the trees are known as kalpa-vṛkṣa, or wish-fulfilling trees. These trees are fully spiritual and personal, capable of yielding whatever the devotee desires, whether it be fruit, flowers, or even prepared food like samosas, proving that the spiritual world is free from the laws of material scarcity.
- In the spiritual world of Vrndavana the buildings are made of touchstone, the cows are known as surabhi cows, givers of abundant milk, and the trees are known as wish-fulfilling trees, for they yield whatever one desires.
- Desire tree means just like here in this material world you go to the mango tree. You get mangoes. But you cannot get samosa. (laughter) But desire trees there are. In the spiritual planets there are desire trees.
- In the spiritual world, if we take a mango from a tree and at the same time desire grapes, the tree will supply them. This is called a "desire tree." These are some of the actualities of the spiritual world.
Ripened Fruit of Wisdom
The metaphor of the desire tree also extends to the Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Vedas are considered a kalpa-taru because they contain knowledge covering every aspect of human existence, from material necessities to spiritual realization. Within this vast tree of knowledge, he identifies Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as the ripened fruit, offering the sweetest and most mature essence of Vedic wisdom for the benefit of all humanity.
- The Vedas are compared to the desire tree because they contain all things knowable by man. They deal with mundane necessities as well as spiritual realization.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is the desire tree of Vedic wisdom. Veda itself means "the aggregate of knowledge." And whatever knowledge is required for human society is perfectly presented in Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- O expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad-Bhagavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Gosvami.
Embodiment of Compassion
The most profound application of this concept is found in the person of the pure devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes a Vaiṣṇava as vāñchā-kalpa-taru, a desire tree who can fulfill the desires of everyone. Unlike a tree that is passive, he notes that the Vaiṣṇava is actively compassionate; they carry the seed of devotional service and distribute it freely, fulfilling the deepest spiritual needs of the fallen conditioned souls.
- I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord who can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and who are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
- Just like a desire tree, a Vaisnava can fulfill all the desires of anyone who takes shelter of his lotus feet.
- All glories to Sri Madhavendra Puri, the storehouse of all devotional service unto Krsna! He is a desire tree of devotional service, and it is in him that the seed of devotional service first fructified.
Supreme Desire Tree
Ultimately, the Lord Himself is the original desire tree. Whether appearing as Nṛsiṁhadeva, Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead reciprocates with the desires of His devotees. He fulfills the ambitions of those who take shelter of Him, contrasting sharply with the limited and conditional rewards offered by worldly benefactors.
- O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You (Visnu) are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree (vancha-kalpataru).
- Like a desire tree, the Lord fulfills the desires of one who takes shelter of Him, but one who does not take such shelter is distinct from the surrendered soul.
- You (Nrsimha-deva) offer Your benedictions according to the level of one's service, exactly as a desire tree delivers fruits according to one's desires and makes no distinction between the lower and the higher.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the "Desire Tree" is more than a mythological concept; it is a description of the spiritual nature itself. In the material world, we are limited by scarcity and frustration, but in the realm of spirit, every desire can be fulfilled. This fulfillment comes to us through the agency of the Vaiṣṇava. By taking shelter of the devotee—the living desire tree—we are connected to the Supreme Lord and the repository of all wisdom, the Vedas, ultimately achieving the fruit of love of 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 Desire Tree. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.