Absorbed in Thought of Kṛṣṇa

The goal of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to train the mind to remain constantly fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when one's thoughts are always absorbed in Kṛṣṇa, that is the perfection of life. This absorption transcends all material conditions and situates the living entity on the platform of liberation, ensuring an eternal association with the Lord.

The Highest Platform of Yoga

Many people strive for perfection through various mystic processes, but Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that full absorption in thought of Kṛṣṇa is the highest platform of bhakti-yoga. According to the Bhagavad-gītā, the person whose mind is always absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s activities is the perfect yogī. This state of samādhi is not an expensive or troublesome achievement; it is simply the art of keeping the consciousness always focused on Kṛṣṇa within the heart. One who attains this steadfast position is considered greater than all other big yogīs.

• A person working in Krsna consciousness is the perfect yogi, because his mind is always absorbed in Krsna's activities. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh.
• It is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita that anyone who is always absorbed in the thought of Krsna is the topmost of all yogis.
• All big, big yogis, there may be, but a person who is always absorbed in thought of Krsna within himself, he is greater than all such big, big yogis.
• Full absorption in thought of Krsna is the highest platform of bhakti-yoga.

Practical Samādhi in Service

Śrīla Prabhupāda defines samādhi as the state of executing regulated activities while being absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa. It is not necessary to stop eating, working, or sleeping; rather, these activities should be performed mechanically while the mind and intelligence are engaged in the Lord's service. By concentrating on distributing books or performing temple service, one naturally attains this state of absorption. This is the secret of the Bhagavad-gītā: the total absorption of the mind and intelligence in the thought of Sri Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day.

• It is not that when one is in samadhi he doesn't eat, work, sleep or enjoy himself in any way. Rather, samadhi can be defined as executing regulated activities while absorbed in the thought of Krsna.
• By fully concentrating on distributing books for Krsna, one is fully absorbed in Krsna. This is samadhi.
• If the mind is engaged in Krsna's service, then the senses are automatically engaged in His service. This is the art, and this is also the secret of Bhagavad-gita: total absorption in the thought of Sri Krsna.
• Here is the chance. You come to the temple, engage in the temple service. Naturally your mind will be absorbed in Krsna. This temple is open not for making a force; just to make this process, nivesita-atma, always absorbed in Krsna thought.

The Ideal Absorption of the Gopīs

The inhabitants of Vṛndāvana provide the most vivid examples of perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The gopīs were always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa, even while engaged in their regular household duties like cleaning floors or washing. Their love was so intense that they were simply thinking of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and qualities, often imitating His postures in His absence. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because their minds were so wonderfully absorbed in Vasudeva, they were automatically accustomed to the highest yogic state without any artificial practice.

• The lady continued, "While engaged in cleaning their houses and washing their floors, they (the gopis) are always absorbed in thought of Krsna."
• Their love for Krsna was so intense that in their regular activities - in sitting, sleeping, traveling, talking, sporting, cleansing, bathing - they were simply absorbed in thoughts of Krsna and paid no attention to bodily necessities.
• Uddhava understood that the gopis of Vrndavana were all simply absorbed in the thought of Krsna and His childhood activities.
• The gopis, having lovingly accepted the Lord, are automatically accustomed to this (absorbed in the lotus feet of Krsna) and do not depend on any yogic practice.

Purification Through Constant Remembrance

Absorption in thought of Kṛṣṇa is the only effective way to cleanse the mind of material contamination. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that being inwardly clean means to be always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa, which purifies the soul and keeps it purified. This process changes the temper of the mind from matter to absolute knowledge. Even great devotees like Prahlada Maharaja and Akrura were constantly rapt in thought of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, which protected them from the dangers of material existence and allowed them to act mechanically while their attention remained fixed on the Lord.

• To be outwardly clean, one should regularly bathe with soap and oil, and to be inwardly clean one should always be absorbed in thoughts of Krsna.
• Prahlada further confirms that if one's mind is always absorbed in thought of Krsna, that very qualification will purify one and keep one purified always.
• Akrura himself was a great devotee of the Lord (Krsna), while going to Vrndavana he began to pray to the Lord. Devotees are always absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, and Akrura was constantly thinking of Lord Krsna's lotus eyes.
• The members of the Yadu dynasty acted automatically for their bodily necessities, but their actual attention was always fixed on Krsna. Their bodily activities were performed mechanically, but their minds were always absorbed in Krsna.

The Preparation for the Final Moment

The ultimate benefit of absorbing the mind in Kṛṣṇa throughout life is the assurance of a spiritual destination at death. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the subject matter which attracts a dying man becomes the foundation of his next life. Therefore, if one is absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa at the time of death, he is sure to return home, back to Godhead, without a doubt. Constant practice is necessary so that at the moment of leaving the material body, the soul is fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s form and pastimes, enabling a direct transfer to the spiritual sky.

• The subject matter which attracts the dying man becomes the beginning of his next life. Therefore, if one is absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, he is sure to go back to Godhead without any doubt.
• One has to think of Krsna with full absorption at the time of death. Then he will certainly return home, back to Godhead, without a doubt.
• The Bhagavad-gita corroborates the fact that one who is absorbed in the thought of the Supreme Lord at the time of death immediately enters the kingdom of God after quitting his material body.
• Always, twenty-four hours, cent percent, he will be absorbed in Krsna and at the time of death at once transferred there. This should be the process of life. Therefore we have taken this movement, Krsna consciousness. Join us. Cooperate with us.

Conclusion

Being absorbed in thought of Kṛṣṇa is the natural and constitutional state of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this absorption is the only purpose of life, as it grants liberation and restores the soul to its original spiritual identity. By engaging in the practical activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, such as hearing, chanting, and temple service, one can easily maintain this focus twenty-four hours a day. This transcendental absorption protects the devotee from the contamination of material activities and the miseries of material existence. Ultimately, those who live and die fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa are guaranteed to reach the eternal kingdom of God and the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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