Attraction for Kṛṣṇa - Reawakening Our Dormant Love
The search for pleasure and connection is the driving force behind every action in the material world. However, because our focus is misdirected toward temporary objects, this search always ends in frustration. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that our true, eternal object of affection is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By consciously shifting our focus and cultivating an attraction for Kṛṣṇa, we can successfully transcend the illusions of material life and enter into the eternal realm of spiritual ecstasy.
Natural Object of Affection
The name Kṛṣṇa literally means "the all-attractive." Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that because we are spiritual beings, our original, constitutional position is to be drawn to the Supreme Spirit. The only reason we do not currently feel this attraction is because our consciousness is densely covered by the illusory material energy.
- For all living entities to be attracted toward Krsna is natural, and therefore the Lord's real name is Krsna, meaning He who attracts everyone and everything.
- Due to the material covering, one’s attraction for Krsna is checked. One is not usually attracted by Krsna in the material world, but as soon as one is liberated from material conditioning, he is naturally attracted.
- You are attracted to something for getting some pleasure. So that pleasure is interrupted because we have posed our attraction in some false things. You have to change that attraction to the real thing, Krsna. Then you'll be happy.
- Our relationships with one another can be perfected only when we make our center of attraction Krsna, the all-attractive PG. Constitutionally, we are all eternally related to Krsna, who is the original living being and thus the center of all attraction.
Method of Awakening
Because our attraction for Kṛṣṇa is currently dormant, it must be systematically revived. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the most effective method for this reawakening is kṛṣṇa-kathā—hearing about the Lord's names, forms, and pastimes from authorized sources like the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. This process, combined with the association of pure devotees, acts as a potent spiritual medicine that cleanses the heart.
- First of all, however, we have no attraction for hearing about Krsna, and this is the root cause of our suffering.
- To develop attraction for Krishna is not difficult, you simply have to hear about Krishna, his activities, his name, his form and his teaching in Bhagavad-gita.
- Katha-rati, attraction for krsna-katha. Simply let us hear, let us chant, let us think of Krsna. That will make us very much rapidly progressive on the spiritual path.
- By associating with pure devotees and by hearing them submissively, attachment for material enjoyment becomes slackened, and attraction for hearing about the transcendental activities of the Lord becomes prominent.
Antidote to Material Desire
Artificial renunciation of the material world rarely works because the soul inherently seeks pleasure. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the only sure way to conquer material lust is by experiencing a superior taste. As a practitioner's attraction for Kṛṣṇa increases, the allure of mundane sense gratification, particularly the powerful urge for sex life, naturally and effortlessly fades away.
- When the mind is somehow or other fully absorbed in Krsna, the material part is very soon vanquished, and the spiritual part - attraction to Krsna - becomes manifest.
- If you increase your attraction for Krsna, then naturally you lose attraction for sex. That is Krsna consciousness.
- This is the movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and if you take advantage of it you will see how your attraction to material life diminishes in proportion to your attraction for Krishna, which will increase more and more.
- Vita-raga-bhaya-krodha. Here we have got attraction, material, so we have to withdraw this attraction. How it will be possible? If we become more attracted to Krsna, then this attraction will go away.
Incessant Flow of Devotion
Once the attraction for Kṛṣṇa is fully awakened, it becomes an unstoppable, continuous current of pure devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the famous prayer of Queen Kuntī to illustrate this perfectional stage. In pure bhakti, a devotee's mind is never diverted by material circumstances; their loving attention flows constantly toward the lotus feet of the Lord, just as the river Ganges flows incessantly to the sea.
- Kuntidevi prays that just as the River Ganges flows toward the sea, her attraction will flow incessantly toward Krsna's lotus feet. This is called unalloyed devotion. Thus Kuntidevi prays that her attraction for Krsna will flow without hindrance.
- She (Kunti) does not want to be attracted to anything but Krsna. This is perfection, and this is actually wanted.
- The attraction of Krsna is so intense that one can lose respect for all other means of self-realization and simply surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- By virtue of such attraction (of Krsna), one can give up fruitive activities and all endeavors for liberation and can even abandon the intense desire to achieve success in yoga mystic power.
The Center of All Mellows
The beauty of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that it is not a homogenous, impersonal void, but a realm of unlimited spiritual variety. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate object of love for all types of pure devotees, whether they approach Him in the mood of a neutral servant, an intimate friend, an affectionate parent, or a passionate lover.
- Krsna is the most attractive feature for every kind of devotee. He is therefore called akhila-rasamrta-murti, the transcendental form of attraction for all kinds of devotees, whether the devotee be in the santa-rasa, dasya-rasa or sakhya-rasa.
- Due to the different types of attraction for Krsna, there are different varieties of devotees. Their symptoms are manifested transparently, just like jewels.
- One who wants to return home to serve the Lord directly may be attracted to Krsna as a servant, friend, father or mother.
- There are different kinds of relationships with Krsna, and anyone who is attracted to Krsna by a particular relationship is glorified.
Pinnacle of Conjugal Love
The absolute highest manifestation of attraction for Kṛṣṇa is found in the conjugal love (mādhurya-rasa) of the gopīs of Vṛndāvana. While mundane observers often mistake this for material lust, Śrīla Prabhupāda rigorously defends its pure, spiritual nature. The gopīs, and specifically Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, represent the ultimate perfection of devotion, where their intense attraction to Kṛṣṇa is completely devoid of any desire for personal sense gratification.
- The attraction of the gopis for Krsna and the affection of the members of the Yadu dynasty are both accepted as spontaneous, or raganuga.
- This very fact means that although the attraction of the gopis for Krsna appears to be lusty, it is not in the least bit material.
- Krsna was not attracted by the opulence or personal beauty of the gopis but by their pure devotional service. Similarly, the gopis were attracted to Krsna as a cowherd boy, not in sophisticated guise.
- In the mirror of Radharani's heart, the transcendental features of Krsna appear increasingly new and fresh. In other words, the attraction of Krsna increases in proportion to the understanding of Srimati Radharani. Each tries to supersede the other.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cultivation of an unalloyed attraction for Kṛṣṇa is the supreme purpose of human existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully explains that our current suffering is solely due to placing our natural loving propensity onto the false, temporary objects of the material world. By associating with pure devotees, submissively hearing the glories of the Lord, and actively engaging in devotional service, we can quickly vanquish material lust and revive our original, ecstatic relationship with the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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 Attraction for Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.