Attaining Salvation - The Absolute Mercy of the Supreme Lord
The quest for liberation from material bondage is the defining characteristic of a civilized human being. However, the path to achieving it is often misunderstood. Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings explain that attaining salvation is not the result of dry empiric speculation, but the direct result of the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Amazingly, this mercy is so absolute and powerful that it is granted not only to loving devotees but even to the most envious demons.
The Ultimate Goal of Human Life
Human life is a rare opportunity specifically meant for self-realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the entire Vedic social structure, known as varṇāśrama-dharma, is designed with this single objective in mind. By following religious principles, a person gradually becomes sober (dhīra) and detached from material sense gratification, thus preparing themselves to cross over the ocean of birth and death.
- The four orders of human society, combined with family welfare activities as they are set forth by the institution of the sanatana-dharma or varnasrama-dharma, are designed to enable the human being to attain his ultimate salvation.
- The system of varnasrama religion sets aside a part of one's life completely for the purpose of self-realization and attainment of salvation in the human form of life.
- Only for man are there different Vedic instructions for attainment of salvation during the human form of existence.
- At present, compared to other countries on earth, India is artificially disturbed. However, Despite the material disturbances the country's culture is such that one can easily attain the goal of life - namely salvation or liberation from material bondage.
The Absolute Nature of the Lord's Acts
In the material world, killing is considered abominable, but when the Supreme Lord kills, it is an act of supreme grace. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is absolute; therefore, His maintenance and His destruction yield the exact same spiritual result. Any demon who is personally killed by the Lord is instantly purified of all material contamination and attains liberation.
- His killing and maintaining are the same because He is absolute. Those who are killed by Krsna immediately attain salvation, which generally takes millions of years to get.
- Factually He (Krsna) was merciful to the opposite party because they would not have attained salvation by dying at home in the ordinary course of life. Here was a chance to see the Lord at the time of death and thus attain salvation from material life.
- Mundane violence and nonviolence have nothing to do with the Lord's acts. A demon killed by Him attains the same result as one who attains salvation after many, many births of penance and austerity.
- When we see partiality in Krsna, this vision is due to His external energy. Otherwise how could His enemies attain salvation after being killed by Him?
Salvation for the Demons
Vedic history is filled with accounts of terrible demons who achieved spiritual perfection simply by virtue of their obsessive enmity toward Kṛṣṇa. Because demons like Kaṁsa and Śiśupāla were constantly thinking of the Lord in fear or hatred, their consciousness was fully absorbed in Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even the witch Pūtanā attained salvation because Kṛṣṇa accepted her poisoned breast milk.
- Krsna's enemies think, "Here is Krsna, my enemy. I have to kill Him." They think of Krsna in His actual form, and thus they attain salvation. Devotees, therefore, who constantly think of Krsna's form, are certainly liberated.
- When Sisupala was killed by the Sudarsana cakra of Krsna as an enemy, his constant remembrance of Krsna dissolved the reactions of his vices, and he attained salvation by becoming one with the body of the Lord.
- Demons like Kamsa, who were famous for killing brahmanas and cows, attained that salvation by merging into the Brahman effulgence.
- It is mentioned in the sastras, the Vedic literatures, that even the demons killed by the Lord attain immediate salvation. Putana, for example, was a demoniac witch who wanted to kill Krsna.
The Superior Salvation of the Devotees
If Kṛṣṇa grants salvation to His worst enemies, the destination of His loving devotees is exponentially greater. While demons typically merge into the impersonal brahmajyoti, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees attain a personal, active salvation (vimukti). Through the mercy of the spiritual master and the chanting of the holy names, devotees return to Vaikuṇṭha to associate directly with the Lord.
- If even only once or even by force one brings the form of Krsna into one's mind, one can attain the supreme salvation by the mercy of Krsna, What then is to be said of those who always think of the lotus feet of the Lord - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.12.39.
- One who always thinks of Krsna must attain vimukti, special salvation as the Lord's personal associate, not necessarily in Vrndavana, but at least in Vaikuntha. This is called sarupya-mukti.
- Ajamila was concerned with his son, but because of his attachment to the name of Narayana, he attained salvation simply by chanting that name.
- As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta, guru-krsna-prasade: by the mercy of the spiritual master and Krsna, one attains the path of salvation, devotional service.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attaining salvation is entirely dependent on one's connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda brilliantly illustrates that Kṛṣṇa's mercy is so absolute that even His fierce enemies achieve liberation simply by maintaining Him as the focal point of their consciousness. For the sincere practitioner, this serves as the ultimate encouragement: if enmity towards Kṛṣṇa guarantees salvation, then rendering loving, unalloyed devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master absolutely ensures eternal, blissful life in 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 Attaining Salvation. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.