The Pure Spontaneous Love of Worshiping Kṛṣṇa
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the ultimate perfection of human life is to recognize Śrī Kṛṣṇa as the original Personality of Godhead and to engage fully in His loving service. By studying his instructions, we learn how to elevate our consciousness from basic, sometimes materially motivated worship to the highest standard of spontaneous love, perfectly exemplified by the pure devotees of Vṛndāvana.
The Supreme Object of Worship
The Vedic scriptures conclusively establish the supreme position of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is the cause of all causes, the original person, and the ultimate object of worship for all great authorities, including Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.
- I (Brahma) worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Syamasundara, Krsna Himself, with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love. - BS 5.38.
- In Bhagavad-gita (10.8) Krsna tells Arjuna: I am the source of everything; from Me the entire creation flows. Knowing this, the wise worship Me with all their hearts.
- Krsna is the original person. Govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami. It is not that some artist has manufactured a fashionable Krsna, and we worship that. No. Krsna's the original person.
The Simplicity and Universality of Devotion
True spiritual life is not bound by rigid material conditions or excessive wealth. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that worshiping Kṛṣṇa is universally accessible; whether one is in a grand temple or under a tree, the Lord accepts the simplest offering when presented with genuine love.
- A devotee can worship Krsna anywhere, underneath a tree, because Krsna is in everyone's heart, isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati (BG 18.61). So if underneath a tree you think of Krsna and chant Hare Krsna, that is sufficient.
- Decorated with love, Krishna will accept even the humble offering of a leaf, fruit, flower or some water from His devotee. Anyone, anywhere in the world can worship Krishna following this simple formula.
- If the devotee happens to be a very poor man, the Lord will accept even the most meager offering. The worship of Lord Visnu or Krsna is very simple, and it can be executed by anyone in this world.
Watering the Root of the Universe
There is no need to separately endeavor to satisfy the various demigods or parts of the universal body. Śrīla Prabhupāda often uses the analogy of a tree to explain that by worshiping Kṛṣṇa, the root of all existence, a Vaiṣṇava automatically satisfies all living entities.
- By worshiping or satisfying Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, one can satisfy everyone, just as one can water the branches, leaves and flowers of a tree simply by watering its root or as one satisfies all the senses of the body by giving food to the stomach.
- Sarvarhanam acyutejya (SB 4.31.14). Krsna is known as Acyuta (senayor ubhayor madhye ratham sthapaya me 'cyuta (BG 1.21)). By worshiping Acyuta, Krsna, one automatically worships all the demigods.
- If we supply food to the stomach, we do not have to feed the eyes, hands and legs separately. Similarly, if we worship Krsna, the source of everything, no other worship is necessary.
Purifying Material Motives
The Supreme Lord is so merciful that He encourages everyone to approach Him, regardless of their purity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even if one begins worshiping Kṛṣṇa with material desires, the sheer potency of associating with the Lord purifies the heart and eventually awakens unalloyed devotion.
- Even if one approaches Krsna with some ulterior motive, one is considered pious. For instance, Dhruva Maharaja initially worshiped Krsna with a motive, but after attaining perfection in devotional service, his ulterior motive vanished.
- Even if one has many material desires to fulfill, he should take to Krsna consciousness and worship the Supreme Lord Krsna, who is so merciful that He fulfills everyone's desires.
- The advantage of worshiping the Supreme Person is that even if one has desires for material enjoyment, if he worships Krsna he will gradually become a pure devotee and have no more material hankering.
The Congregational Chanting in Kali-yuga
Every age has a prescribed method for spiritual realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that in the Age of Kali, the most authorized and effective way to worship Kṛṣṇa is through the saṅkīrtana movement inaugurated by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself (SB 11.5.32) (Books).
- In Kali-yuga one worships Lord Krsna by chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. To propagate this movement, Lord Krsna personally appeared as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Krsna is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna.
The Topmost Spontaneous Love
The ultimate summit of devotional service is untinged by awe or reverence. Śrīla Prabhupāda glorifies the gopīs of Vṛndāvana, revealing that their spontaneous, selfless love for Kṛṣṇa is the highest form of worship, celebrated by all great ācāryas and the Lord Himself.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "There is no conception of worship better than that which was conceived by the damsels of Vrndavana." What was their conception? They wanted to love Krsna, at any risk. And this is never immoral.
- The highest form of transcendental worship of the Lord was exhibited by the damsels of Vrajabhumi in the form of pure affection for the Lord, and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends this process as the most excellent mode of worship.
- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu said there is no better method of worship than the system invented by the gopis. So gopis' invention of worshiping Krsna was to remain always Krsna conscious, without any material profit. That is the superexcellence of gopis.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda conclusively establishes that worshiping Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate panacea for all material conditioning and the true purpose of human life. By recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the original Personality of Godhead, one realizes that dedicating oneself to His service automatically fulfills all other universal duties, just as watering a tree's root nourishes its branches. This sublime process of bhakti, guided by the bona fide guru, is simple and accessible to everyone, culminating in the congregational chanting of the holy names in this Age of Kali. Whether one approaches the Lord out of distress or pure knowledge, Kṛṣṇa mercifully purifies the worshiper. Ultimately, the sincere Vaiṣṇava aspires for the highest perfection: to worship Kṛṣṇa not out of fear or desire for opulence, but with the unalloyed, spontaneous love exhibited by the gopīs of Vṛndāvana.
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 Worshiping Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.