Anxious to See Kṛṣṇa - The Ecstasy of Divine Longing
Throughout the history of the world, philosophers and religionists have debated whether it is possible to see God. In his teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while the Supreme Lord remains invisible to the materially conditioned soul, He readily reveals Himself to those whose hearts are burning with pure, unmotivated anxiety to see Him. This transcendental longing is the very essence of spiritual life and the primary catalyst for the Lord's descent into the material world.
The Cause of the Lord's Descent
A pure devotee has already transcended the miseries of material existence and does not pray for liberation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a true sādhu harbors only one desire: to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To mitigate this intense anxiety and satisfy His devotees, Lord Kṛṣṇa personally descends.
- A sadhu, does not require deliverance, but because he is very much anxious to see the Supreme Lord face to face, Krsna comes not to deliver him from the clutches of matter, from which he has already been delivered, but to satisfy his inner desire.
- Sri Krsna descends for the specific purpose of mitigating the anxieties of the pure devotees, who are very anxious to see Him in His original Vrndavana pastimes.
- He (a great devotee) sarcastically prayed, "I am very anxious to see Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is many millions of times more affectionate than the pitrs (forefathers) in the Pitr-loka, and who is always worshiped by the great demigods and sages."
- All were very anxious to have an audience with the Lord, although because of spiritual contact they were never separated from the Lord.
The Anxieties of Vṛndāvana and Dvārakā
The inhabitants of Kṛṣṇa's supreme abodes exhibit the highest standard of this divine anxiety. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully describes how Mother Yaśodā, the gopīs, and the citizens of Dvārakā were never satiated by seeing Kṛṣṇa; the moment He was out of sight, they became overwhelmingly anxious for His return.
- A friends of Krsna informed Him, "My dear killer of the demon Mura, Your kind and gentle mother is very anxious because You have not returned home, and with great difficulty she has passed the evening constantly sitting on the corridor platform of Your home."
- The gopis were so anxious to see Krsna back home in the evening that they would stand on the path, looking to see Krsna returning with His calves and cows. This is Krsna consciousness.
- The inhabitants of Vrndavana had been anxious to see Krsna and Balarama for a very long time.
- Srila Suta Gosvami affirms in the Bhagavatam that although He (Krsna) was observed by the citizens of Dvaraka every day, they were ever increasingly anxious to see Him again and again.
The Eagerness of Other Great Devotees
This unquenchable thirst for the Lord's visual association is shared by all pure devotees. Whether it was Grandfather Bhīṣma enduring immense physical agony on the battlefield, or the pious wives of the brāhmaṇas abandoning their duties upon hearing Kṛṣṇa was near, their only solace was the anxiety to see Him.
- Even a great devotee like Bhisma met his end by being pierced with hundreds of arrows, but he was so powerful that he waited in that condition to see Lord Krishna before he passed away.
- Krsna's compassion was also exhibited when Grandfather Bhisma was lying on the bed of arrows which had been shot through his body. While lying in this position, Bhisma was very anxious to see Krsna, and thus Krsna appeared there.
- Sukadeva Gosvami said, "When they (wife of brahmanas) heard that Krsna was nearby, they became very anxious to see Him and immediately left their homes." This is an instance of emotional activity caused by the presence of someone who is very dear.
- There were many brahmanas who would come daily to see the Supreme Lord (Krsna) before taking their breakfast; they were anxious to see Him, and He welcomed them.
The Philosophy of Separation vs. Direct Vision
While longing to see Kṛṣṇa is a mark of high devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out a crucial philosophical nuance introduced by Lord Caitanya. Neophytes often demand to see God with their physical eyes, but advanced devotees find that feeling deep, ecstatic anxiety in separation from Kṛṣṇa is an even higher perfection than direct visual contact.
- Generally, neophyte devotees are anxious to see Krsna, or God, but God cannot be seen or known by our present materially blunt senses.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught everyone that one should not be overly anxious to see the Lord (Krsna), but should rather feel separation from Him in ecstasy. It is actually better to feel separation from Him than to desire to see Him face to face.
- One old devotee said, "My dear Lord, when we are away from You we become so anxious to see You again, and there is great misery in our lives. But then, when we do see You, there immediately comes the fear of separation."
- By your constant endeavor to become Krsna conscious, Krsna will reveal to you, "Yes. You are so anxious to see Me? Here I am. Here I am. Yes." You will see Krsna.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to be anxious to see Kṛṣṇa is the supreme symptom of an awakened soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully explains that while we cannot force the Supreme Lord to appear before our materially blunt senses, our sincere, loving anxiety acts as a spiritual magnet. By cultivating this intense eagerness through constant devotional service, and by embracing the ecstatic mood of separation taught by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, a devotee prepares their heart to ultimately receive the most profound benediction: the eternal, blissful vision of 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 Anxious to See Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.