Wanting Kṛṣṇa the Highest Perfection of Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the ultimate goal of human existence is to revive our original desire for Śrī Kṛṣṇa. While everyone is hankering after beauty, power, and pleasure, these are merely reflections of the all-attractive qualities of Kṛṣṇa. By purifying our consciousness through the instructions of the spiritual master and the chanting of the holy name, we can move beyond the desire for material profit and reach the stage where we want Kṛṣṇa and nothing more. This singular determination to possess Kṛṣṇa is the secret to perfect happiness and eternal peace.
The Determination of Mahātmās
A mahātmā, or a great soul, is defined by their exclusive focus on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the choice made by Arjuna before the Battle of Kurukṣetra. While Duryodhana was satisfied with Kṛṣṇa's soldiers, Arjuna wanted only Kṛṣṇa, even though the Lord promised not to fight. This level of determination shows that a pure Vaiṣṇava values the Lord's association above any material advantage or strength.
- Duryodhana thought that, "I shall take Krsna's soldiers," and Arjuna thought, "I shall take Krsna only, even He does not fight." So this is the determination of mahatmas, that they want simply Krsna's friendship.
- They (the mahatmas) only want Krsna and Krsna's association, and nothing else. That is the highest perfection of life.
- They (the mahatmas) only want Krsna's association and nothing else. Such great souls in Krsna consciousness attain the highest perfection of life. In other words, they are the supreme souls.
- A Vaisnava does not desire even liberation, what to speak of dhanam, janam, rupavati bharya. That is real Vaisnava. He wants simply Krsna, to serve Him. That's . . . anyabhilasita . . . So that happiness is perfect happiness. That is real santi.
Reciprocation According to Desire
Kṛṣṇa is known as akhila-rasāmṛta-sindhu, the ocean of all transcendental humors. He reciprocates with His pure devotees in the specific attitude they desire. Whether the sixteen thousand queens wanted Kṛṣṇa as their husband, or the cowherd boyfriends wanted to taste fruit with Him, Kṛṣṇa fulfills every sincere desire for His association. He is so kind that He becomes a son to Devakī or a lover to the gopīs simply to satisfy their intensity of love.
- One devotee may want Krsna as supreme master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still another as his lover. Krsna rewards all the devotees equally, according to their different intensities of love for Him.
- In the transcendental world also, Krsna reciprocates with His pure devotees in the transcendental attitude, just as the devotee wants Him.
- Krsna has to satisfy them all. He does not need any help from these devotees, but because they want to serve Him in a particular way, the Lord reciprocates. These sixteen thousand devotees wanted Krsna as their husband, and therefore Krsna agreed.
- Krsna's cowherd boyfriends said to Krsna, "Krsna, we want to taste that fruit, if You can arrange for it." Krsna immediately said yes.
The Sincerity of Eagerness
The path to Kṛṣṇa is not restricted by material conditions. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that if a person sincerely wants Kṛṣṇa, the Lord responds both from within as the caitya-guru and from without as the spiritual master. This help is available to anyone who develops the necessary eagerness. When the desire for Kṛṣṇa becomes unchecked or apratihatā, even if the Lord uses tactics to remove material possessions that hinder advancement, it is all part of His mercy to help the devotee reach their original position.
- As soon as you become sincere, Krsna responds from within. If you want Krsna, or God, sincerely, then the help will come two ways: from without, from within.
- Apratihata means without being checked. No impediment. If you want to love God, there is nothing throughout the whole world which can check you. Simply you have to develop your eagerness: "Krsna, I want You." That's all.
- If by the asirvada he can get some tenants, this is . . . all these men, they simply want asirvada. They don't want Krsna. They want asirvada so that their nefarious activities may continue peacefully.
- If a sincere devotee wants Krsna above everything but at the same time is attached to material possessions, which hinder his advancement in Krsna consciousness, by tactics the Lord takes away all his possessions.
The Highest Perfection of Life
Wanting Kṛṣṇa is not about imitation or seeking equality with the Lord. It is about a submissive desire to please Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the highest stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is represented by the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, especially the gopīs, who constantly think of Kṛṣṇa and want to see Him happy. To feel that the entire world is vacant without Kṛṣṇa is the peak of devotion, known as vipralambha-sevā. Whether one is eating, sleeping, or even in a hellish condition, the simple desire to remember Kṛṣṇa ensures one's eternal blissful existence.
- Our philosophy is different. We do not wish to become enjoyer. We want to be enjoyed. That is our real position. We want to serve Krsna. We want to offer everything to Krsna.
- They (the gopis, or inhabitants of Vrndavana) wanted to see Krsna very happy. That feeling of happiness, that thinking of Krsna, that is the highest perfection of life. Always, constantly thinking of Krsna.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by the example of His actual life, taught vipralambha-seva, service of Krsna in separation. Tears would come from His eyes like torrents of rain, for He would feel everything to be vacant for want of Krsna.
- There is a path toward liberation in the higher planetary systems and a path toward the hellish planets, but a narayana-para devotee is unafraid wherever he is sent; he simply wants to remember Krsna, wherever he may be.
Conclusion
In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that wanting Kṛṣṇa is the only desire that can bring total fulfillment to the soul. All other hankerings—whether for material opulence, name, or fame—are temporary and lead to further suffering. By following the examples of great mahātmās and the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, we learn to shift our focus from being the enjoyer to being the enjoyed. Kṛṣṇa is the most beautiful and opulent object of our hankering, and He is always prepared to give us His association if we are sincere. When we finally reach the stage where we want Kṛṣṇa and nothing more, we achieve the highest perfection of life and find our eternal home in the spiritual world, where every transaction is based on pure, unalloyed love for the 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 Wanting Kṛṣṇa. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.