View source for Critical Importance of Becoming Absorbed in Kṛṣṇa

The mind is the central pivot of the living entity's existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the Vedic principle that whatever the mind is absorbed in at the time of death determines the soul's next body. This psychological law makes the practice of controlling the mind a matter of life and death. This article explores the consequences of material versus spiritual absorption, illustrating how fixing the mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the only path to safety and perfection.

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=== Mechanism of Destiny ===
The classic example of the power of absorption is the history of King Bharata. Although he was a great devotee, he became affectionately attached to a small deer. Because his mind was fully absorbed in thinking of the animal at the moment of death, he had to accept the body of a deer in his next life. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses this incident to warn us that nature is impartial; if our mind is absorbed in material objects, family, or pets, we must return to the material world to fulfill those attachments.

* [[Vaniquotes:Actually the mind of the King was absorbed in the body of the deer, and consequently - like those bereft of Krsna consciousness - he left the world, the deer, and his material body and acquired the body of a deer. However, there was one advantage|Actually the mind of the King was absorbed in the body of the deer, and consequently - like those bereft of Krsna consciousness - he left the world, the deer, and his material body and acquired the body of a deer. However, there was one advantage.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When a living entity is accustomed to think of a particular subject matter or become absorbed in a certain type of thought, he will think of that subject at the time of death|When a living entity is accustomed to think of a particular subject matter or become absorbed in a certain type of thought, he will think of that subject at the time of death.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:To become absorbed in the transcendental name, quality, form and activities of the Supreme Person, Vasudeva, means to change the temper of the mind from matter to absolute knowledge|To become absorbed in the transcendental name, quality, form and activities of the Supreme Person, Vasudeva, means to change the temper of the mind from matter to absolute knowledge.]]

=== Danger of Material Absorption ===

For the conditioned soul, the mind is easily captured by the glittering allure of the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda specifically cautions householders against becoming too absorbed in family life and sexual affection. If one forgets their real duty of spiritual cultivation and remains absorbed only in temporary relationships, they risk gliding down into lower species. Even the demigods, when absorbed in thoughts of material enjoyment, must undergo austerities to regain their standing.

* [[Vaniquotes:Husband & wife should execute religious life, spiritual cultivation. That is the purpose of becoming householder. Grhastha-asrama. Not that I become attracted by wife & I become absorbed in simply sex relation & forget my real duty, KC. That is dangerous|Husband and wife should execute religious life, spiritual cultivation. That is the purpose of becoming householder. Grhastha-asrama. Not that I become attracted by wife and I become absorbed in simply sex relation and forget my real duty, Krsna consciousness. That is dangerous.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They (the little creatures playing in small pools) are like foolish men who, not caring for the nearing day of their death, become absorbed in the so-called enjoyment of family life|They (the little creatures playing in small pools) are like foolish men who, not caring for the nearing day of their death, become absorbed in the so-called enjoyment of family life.]]

=== True Samādhi ===
The perfection of yoga is called ''samādhi'', which Śrīla Prabhupāda defines simply as becoming absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa. This is not a void or artificial silence, but a dynamic state of love. Whether it is Dhruva Mahārāja concentrating on the Deity, or the ''gopīs'' constantly thinking of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, this divine absorption burns away all material desires. In this state, the devotee sees everything in relation to Kṛṣṇa and remains untouched by the dualities of the world.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you become absorbed in thought of Krsna, that is samadhi|If you become absorbed in thought of Krsna, that is samadhi.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Dhruva Maharaja) concentrated his mind on the arca-vigraha, the worshipable Deity of the Lord, which exactly represents the Supreme Lord, and thus thinking constantly of that Deity, he became absorbed in trance|He (Dhruva Maharaja) concentrated his mind on the arca-vigraha, the worshipable Deity of the Lord, which exactly represents the Supreme Lord, and thus thinking constantly of that Deity, he became absorbed in trance.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Only persons who engage in the practical activities of devotional service in full Krsna consciousness can become absorbed in full samadhi|Only persons who engage in the practical activities of devotional service in full Krsna consciousness can become absorbed in full samadhi.]]

=== Conclusion ===
Thus, the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the art of training the mind to be absorbed in the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that we do not need to stop thinking, but rather purify our thoughts. By constantly hearing about Kṛṣṇa, chanting His holy names, and serving His mission, our absorption naturally shifts from matter to spirit, guaranteeing a return to the spiritual world at the end of life.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Becoming Absorbed|Becoming Absorbed]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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