Always with Kṛṣṇa - The Highest Perfection of Yoga
The material world is characterized by separation and temporary relationships. We are constantly forced to part with our loved ones, our possessions, and eventually, our own bodies. However, the spiritual reality is entirely different. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the soul is eternally linked with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By purifying our consciousness and learning to keep our minds always with Kṛṣṇa, we can overcome the darkness of material illusion and experience the highest perfection of yoga right now.
The Highest Perfection of Yoga
Many people struggle to control the restless mind, wondering if it is even possible to achieve lasting peace. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the mind can be perfectly controlled, provided it is given a superior engagement. By fixing the mind entirely on the Supreme Lord, one easily bypasses all mechanical meditation practices and becomes the highest of all yogīs.
- Are we to despair the mind's ever being controlled? No, it can be controlled, and the process is this Krsna consciousness. The mind must be fixed always in Krsna. Insofar as the mind is absorbed in Krsna it has attained the perfection of yoga.
- As Lord Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-Gita 6.47): "Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."
- Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. Bhagavad-Gita 12.8 - 1972.
- The yogi who knows that I and the Supersoul within all creatures are one worships Me and remains always in Me in all circumstances. Bhagavad-Gita 6.31 - 1972.
Practical Association in Daily Life
One does not need to abandon their worldly responsibilities to associate with the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda provides the perfect historical example of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, who ruled the entire world yet kept his mind exclusively on Kṛṣṇa. Even an ordinary person working in a factory can achieve this exact same association simply by chanting the holy names during their daily duties.
- Ambarisa Maharaja, he was emperor, very responsible man. But he kept his mind always on the lotus feet of Krsna.
- If you work in your factory, if you chant Hare Krsna, then what is the loss there? But you remain always in touch with Krsna, smartavyah satatam visnur.
- One must simply understand the Supreme Person, Krsna, in terms of His form, name, activities and pastimes. This will keep one always in the association of Krsna.
- We should always remember that if we can keep ourselves always in company with Krsna, we shall attain all perfection. And especially in this age, Krsna has incarnated as the holy name (kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara), - CC Adi 17.22.
Protection from the Darkness of Māyā
The material energy, Māyā, creates an illusion of separation between the soul and God. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Māyā is simply like darkness, and Kṛṣṇa is like the brilliant sun. By consciously choosing to remain always with Kṛṣṇa through the chanting of His names, a devotee steps into the eternal sunshine, where the darkness of material suffering can no longer touch them.
- Somehow or other, we are thinking separate from God. But actually that is not the fact. We are interlinked always with God, with Krsna. But some way or other, there is some difficulty. That is called maya.
- If you keep always with Krsna, you are gudakesa - you will never get darkness. Or maya will not touch you. This is Krsna consciousness.
- You can become immediately out of the scope of maya if you always remain surrendered to Krsna. Maya will not touch you. Just like if you remain always in the sunshine, there is no question of night.
- He (one who becomes Krsna conscious) thinks everything is all the same. "Either you put me in the hell or heaven or this or that, it is all the same." Because he is always with Krsna, chanting Hare Krsna.
The Lord is Never Alone
While impersonal philosophers imagine God to be a solitary, formless void, the Vedic literature reveals that the Supreme Lord is full of vibrant, loving relationships. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully points out that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme enjoyer; therefore, He is never alone. He is always surrounded by His eternal associates, inviting us to regain our constitutional position and join His divine family.
- Any rich man, any powerful man, any king, any lord, oh, he has got so many associates. So how Krsna can be alone? Krsna is never alone. Therefore you will find always Krsna with the gopis, Krsna with the cowherds boy, Krsna with Arjuna.
- The specific mention of the word gavam by Prthu Maharaja is significant because the Lord is always associated with cows and His devotees. In pictures Lord Krsna is always seen with cows and His associates such as the cowherd boys and the gopis.
- Members of the Yadu Dynasty were always in company with the Lord (Krsna) but were unable to recognize Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- We are atomic small, and Krsna is unlimitedly great. That is the difference. Otherwise, so far quality is concerned, Krsna and ourself, the same. As the parts and parcel of Krsna, if we live always with Krsna, then we are in spiritual life.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that the secret to spiritual success is wonderfully simple: never forget Kṛṣṇa. By hearing the Lord's instructions from a bona fide spiritual master and faithfully executing our daily devotional service, our minds become perfectly locked onto the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus, even while navigating the challenges of this temporary world, the sincere devotee is already living in the spiritual sky, always with Kṛṣṇa.
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 with Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.