Adding Lord Kṛṣṇa to the Zeros of Material Life
In his teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently utilizes the mathematical concept of zero to explain the profound reality of material and spiritual life. Without God consciousness, everything in this material world is essentially a zero, possessing no lasting value. Yet, by connecting our lives to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, we transform our empty material assets into boundless spiritual wealth.
The Valueless Zeros of Material Life
Without the center of Kṛṣṇa, all worldly achievements, wealth, and education amount to nothing. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that no matter how many zeros one accumulates in the form of material opulence, the total value remains zero, as everything will inevitably be left behind at the time of death.
- In other words, unless one is Krsna conscious, all his material possessions are zero, but when this zero is by the side of the Supreme One, it at once increases in value to ten.
- Unless situated by the side of the Supreme One, zero is always zero; one may add one hundred zeros, but the value will still remain zero. Unless one's material assets are used in Krsna consciousness, they may play havoc and degrade the possessor.
- You are going empty-handed. You came empty-handed and going empty-handed. You came with zero and you are going with zero. So whatever you have earned, that is zero.
Adding the Supreme One
While material assets alone are useless for the soul, they gain immense significance when engaged in the service of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda offers the brilliant analogy that just as a zero becomes a ten when a one is placed before it, our material endeavors become profoundly valuable when we add Lord Kṛṣṇa to our lives.
- Krsna is the only fact, and everything zero. Without Krsna, everything zero. Just like one is one, and zero is zero, but when zero is added with one, it becomes ten immediately - ten times. Similarly, this material world is zero, and Krsna is one.
- Zero has no value, but if we bring the number one and place it by the side of zero, the zero becomes ten. So one need not stop whatever one is doing. We never say, "Stop everything material." One simply has to add Krsna.
- We are intoxicated by material assets that are actually no better than zero, but as soon as we add Krsna, these tens and hundreds and thousands and millions of zeros become extremely valuable.
The Illusion of Voidism
Frustrated by the constant miseries of material existence, many philosophers conclude that the ultimate reality must be void or zero. Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly refutes the philosophies of śūnyavāda (voidism) and nirviśeṣavāda (impersonalism), explaining that attempting to make existence zero is an artificial and temporary solace.
- Because I am disgusted with this material varieties, let it be zero, void. That is a temporary solace. We cannot remain without varieties. That is not possible.
- In desperate condition sometimes the philosophy of voidism, impersonalism is followed. To make the things zero. Because this life is so much troublesome, sometimes even one commits suicide to get out of this.
- Buddha's philosophy: zero, sunyavadi; and Sankara's philosophy: nirvisesa-vadi, impersonal. So we defy these, nirvisesa-sunyavadi. But we have got all respect for them.
The Necessity of Spiritual Variety
The living entity is constitutionally active and eternal, meaning a state of absolute zero is impossible to sustain. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the soul constantly seeks ānanda, or spiritual bliss, which can only be experienced through the transcendental varieties of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as variety is the mother of enjoyment.
- Impersonal, without variety, zero, these are not enjoyment. This is all rascaldom. The voidists make everything zero. Why zero? There must be varieties. Variety is the mother of enjoyment.
- These Brahmavadi, these Nirakaravadi, although by austerities and penances they may rise up to the Brahman effulgence, still, they will fall down. Because we are living entities, we want varieties of enjoyment. We are not satisfied in void, in zero.
- We are as living beings, we want varieties. Variety is the mother of enjoyment. We cannot remain in the zero position.
Making Material Desires Zero
The true perfection of the concept of zero is found not in extinguishing our existence, but in eradicating our selfish motives. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that a pure devotee makes all personal material desires zero—a state known as anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam—so that they can actively and favorably engage in the loving service of Kṛṣṇa.
- If you actually want to become a pure devotee, then you have to make this material way of life completely zero. Anyabhilasita-sunyam (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11). Then it will be possible.
- One has to become anyabhilasita-sunyam - any desire, make it zero. Then what to do? I shall become dull and dumb? No. Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam (CC Madhya 19.167), you have to work favorably, as Krsna desires. That's it. That is wanted, that is bhakti.
- This is the topmost devotee: prepared to do anything, without any consideration. That is pure devotee. Anyabhilasita-sunyam anukulyena krsnanusilanam (Brs. 1.1.11). There should be no personal desire. That should be zero.
Conclusion
The philosophy of zero teaches a vital lesson about detachment and spiritual utility. While the impersonalist mistakenly tries to extinguish all existence into a cosmic void, the Vaiṣṇava understands that material things are zero only when disconnected from their source. By making our selfish motives zero and placing the Supreme Lord at the forefront of all our activities, we elevate our temporary material lives into an eternal, blissful spiritual reality.
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 Zero. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.