Why Should Kṛṣṇa Enjoy? – The Disease of Envy of Kṛṣṇa
The question, why should Kṛṣṇa enjoy? is the seed of material existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies this specific envy as the root cause of our separation from the spiritual world. In the spiritual sky, everyone serves Kṛṣṇa, accepting Him as the central enjoyer. In the material world, however, the conditioned soul wants to imitate Kṛṣṇa, desiring to be the center of attention and enjoyment. This deep-seated envy blinds the living entity to the truth, leading to a life of delusion and repeated birth in demoniac species.
The Root of Material Existence
The mentality of the conditioned soul is defined by the desire to compete with God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this envy manifests as a refusal to accept Kṛṣṇa’s position as the all-in-all. Instead of serving the Lord, the envious soul wants to become the Lord, fantasizing about having their own "society of gopīs" to enjoy. This delusion is the essence of māyā and the beginning of material life.
- This is the beginning of material life - to be envious of Krsna. "Why should Krsna be the enjoyer?" they think. "I shall also be the enjoyer. Why should Krsna enjoy the gopis? I shall become Krsna and make a society of gopis and enjoy." This is maya.
- Dvesa means "envy." When one becomes envious of Krsna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one thinks, "Why should Krsna be the all and all? I'm as good as Krsna."
- The illusory energy is manifested in the duality of desire and hate. Due to desire and hate, the ignorant person wants to become one with the Supreme Lord and envies Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Barrier to Knowledge
Envy acts as a thick curtain that hides the true meaning of the scriptures. Even the most erudite scholars are unable to understand the Bhagavad-gītā if they harbor envy toward Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares their approach to "bees licking on a bottle of honey"—they may taste the glass, but they cannot taste the honey within. The Sanskrit word anasūyave (non-envious) is the key; without this qualification, one's commentaries are useless and even poisonous.
- Those who are envious of Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead have no bona fide access to the great literature (of Bhagavad-gita). The nondevotee's approach to the teachings of the Gita is something like bees licking on a bottle of honey.
- Even the most erudite scholars write on Bhagavad-gita very inaccurately. Because they are envious of Krsna, their commentaries are useless.
- The Sanskrit word anasuyave in this verse (BG 9.1) is also very significant. Generally the commentators, even if they are highly scholarly, are all envious of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Historical Manifestations: Śiśupāla and Kaṁsa
The history of the Vedic period provides graphic examples of those consumed by envy of Kṛṣṇa. Śiśupāla, though a cousin of Kṛṣṇa, dedicated his life to insulting Him. Similarly, Kaṁsa lived in constant fear and enmity, thinking of Kṛṣṇa always as his enemy. While their constant concentration on Kṛṣṇa led to a form of liberation, their attitude was demoniac, distinguishing them from the loving service of the devotees.
- King Sisupala was the monarch of the Cedi Kingdom, and although he happened to be a cousin of Krsna's, he was always envious of Him. Whenever they would meet, Sisupala would try to insult Krsna and call Him ill names as much as possible.
- There are some who are demonic; they also think of Krsna, but enviously, just like King Kamsa, Krsna's uncle. He was also thinking of Krsna always, but he thought of Krsna as his enemy.
- From the very beginning of his childhood, when he could not even speak properly, Sisupala, began blaspheming the Lord, and he continued to be envious of Sri Krsna until death. Similarly, his brother Dantavakra continued the same habits.
The Fate of the Envious
Kṛṣṇa is the supreme friend, but He is also the chastiser of the envious. He clearly states that those who are envious are cast eternally into hellish conditions. However, for those like Arjuna who are "never envious," Kṛṣṇa reveals the most secret wisdom. Surrender to Kṛṣṇa is the only means to escape the hellish destiny reserved for the envious and to find relief from the miseries of material existence.
- Those who are envious of Krsna, Krsna says, "I put them eternally in the hellish condition of life." So if you want to save yourself from the hellish condition of life, you must take to Krsna consciousness and surrender unto Him.
- Those who are envious of My form, who are cruel and mischievous and the lowest among men, are perpetually cast by Me into hellish existence in various demoniac species of life.
- The Supreme Lord said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most secret wisdom, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.
Conclusion
The cure for the material disease is simple but challenging: we must stop envying Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions illuminate that as long as we harbor the question, why should Kṛṣṇa enjoy?, we remain bound by māyā. The path to perfection lies in becoming anasūyave—free from envy—and accepting our constitutional position as servants of the Supreme Enjoyer. By giving up the futile attempt to imitate God, we can enter into the confidential realm of devotional service, where real happiness and knowledge await.
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 Envious of Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.