Always Thinking of God - The Essence of the Bhagavad-gītā
At the end of His instructions on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra, Lord Kṛṣṇa summarizes the entire vast body of Vedic knowledge into one simple, powerful directive. He does not ask Arjuna to become a master of void meditation or a brilliant philosophical scholar. Instead, He demands the mind. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the ultimate perfection of human life, and the guaranteed method to transcend all material suffering, is to train the mind to be always thinking of God.
The Most Confidential Instruction
Throughout the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa describes various paths of spiritual elevation. However, at the very end of the Ninth Chapter, and again at the end of the Eighteenth Chapter, He reveals His final, most essential instruction: man-manā bhava mad-bhakto (always think of Me). Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this is not merely a suggestion for Arjuna; it is the supreme occupational duty for every living entity.
- This (always thinking of God) is the most important instruction in all Vedic literature. What Krsna is saying in this connection is the most essential part of knowledge, and it should be carried out not only by Arjuna but by all living entities.
- At the conclusion of the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna directly says: "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me." - Bhagavad-Gita 9.34.
- At the end of the Ninth Chapter He (the Lord) has said, "Just always think of Me." The same instruction is repeated here (in Bhagavad-Gita 18.64) to stress the essence of the teachings of Bhagavad-gita.
- The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-Gita 18.65), man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah: "Always think of Me." It doesn't matter which way one thinks; the very thought of the Personality of Godhead is the basic principle of bhakti-yoga.
The True Meaning of Samādhi
Many people associate yoga with physical postures or attempts to clear the mind of all thoughts. However, the Vedic scriptures define the perfection of yoga as samādhi—a state of unbroken concentration on the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the greatest yogī is not the one who performs gymnastics, but the one whose mind is always thinking of God within the heart.
- One who thinks of the Supreme Lord always, he's the greatest yogi, he is the supermost jnani, and he is also the greatest devotee at the same time.
- The first-class yogi is he who controls his senses and detaches himself from material activities by always thinking of the form of the Lord.
- Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah (Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.1). A yogi is fully absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for he has no other business than to think of the Lord always within the heart.
- The perfection of yoga is reached when you are in samadhi, always thinking of the Visnu form of the Lord within your heart, without being disturbed.
The Purifying Power of the Lord
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is so absolute and pure that any contact with Him brings immense spiritual benefit. Śrīla Prabhupāda offers a profound insight: even if a demon like Kaṁsa is always thinking of God out of intense fear and enmity, the sheer power of that mental absorption purifies him. For the devotee who thinks of Kṛṣṇa with love, the protective and purifying results are limitless.
- Kamsa was attached to bhakti-yoga by dint of fear of his death. Thus bhakti-yoga is so powerful that even becoming an enemy of the Lord and always thinking of Him can deliver one very quickly.
- Bhakti-yoga is so powerful that both demigods and asuras can derive its benefits if they always think of the Personality of Godhead.
- If those who are not devotees always think of Visnu, they become free from all sinful activities. Krsna consciousness is the highest form of thought. Lord Visnu is thought of in this age by chanting Hare Krsna.
- A devotee should expertly manage to think always of the Supreme Lord so that the reactions of suffering cannot touch him. This is the expert management of papa-punya - pious and impious activities.
Perfection Through Pure Devotion
While meditating on the form of the Lord within the heart is an elevated practice, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that spontaneous love is the highest perfection. The gopīs of Vṛndāvana did not need to perform mechanical breathing exercises to remember Kṛṣṇa; because of their intense, unmotivated love for Him, their minds naturally remained always thinking of God.
- Unless a devotee actually develops transcendental love for the Lord, it is not possible for him to think always of the Lord within his heart. Such constant thought of the Lord is the sublime perfection of the yogic process.
- We must always think of Krsna, just like the gopis. The Krsna consciousness of the gopis was perfect because they had no desire other than to try to please Krsna. That is perfection.
- Dhruva Maharaja was a pure devotee and was accustomed to always thinking of the Lord. Reciprocally, the Lord always thinks of those pure devotees who think of Him only, twenty-four hours a day.
- It appears that a devotee who always thinks of Krsna and who always chants His glories in ecstatic love, regardless of his condition, will attain the highest perfection of unalloyed devotional love due to Lord Krsna's extraordinary mercy.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that by utilizing our daily activities to serve Kṛṣṇa—chanting His names, reading His instructions, and worshiping His form—our minds will naturally become attached to Him. By making a conscious effort to always think of God throughout our lives, we successfully execute the final, supreme instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā, ensuring our permanent return to the spiritual world.
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 Always Thinking of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.