Attracting Kṛṣṇa - The Power of Pure Devotional Service
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is completely self-sufficient and fully satisfied within Himself. Therefore, the question arises: how can a tiny, insignificant living entity possibly capture His attention? Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings reveal the beautiful science of transcendental magnetism, explaining that while Kṛṣṇa attracts everyone in the universe, He Himself is uniquely and irresistibly attracted by the pure, unalloyed love of His devotees.
The Supreme Magnetism of Devotion
Devotional service is not merely a set of mechanical rituals; it is a dynamic, spiritual energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that this energy, known as bhakti-rasa, is the only medium capable of capturing the Supreme Lord. When a devotee engages their mind and senses in serving Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day, the Lord cannot forget them, and He naturally reciprocates with their loving submissiveness.
- Bhakti-rasa itself is sufficient to produce a feeling of liberation because it attracts the attention of the Supreme Lord, Krsna.
- Srila Rupa Gosvami has stated that devotional service attracts even Krsna. Krsna attracts everyone, but devotional service attracts Krsna. The symbol of devotional service in the highest degree is Radharani.
- If a devotee is continuously in love with Lord Krsna and his mind is always fixed upon Him, that devotional attitude will prove to be the only means of attracting the attention of the Lord.
- This is the process: if one works for Krsna twenty-four hours a day, Krsna cannot forget him. By becoming submissive, he can attract the attention of God.
Sincerity Over Material Opulence
A common illusion is the belief that God can be impressed by worldly achievements or physical beauty. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Kṛṣṇa is completely indifferent to the artificial grooming of the material body or the sophistication of city life. Instead, He is deeply attracted by spontaneous affection, just as He was captivated by the uneducated cowherd boys of Vṛndāvana and the hunchbacked woman in Mathurā.
- Krsna is never attracted by the artificial grooming of the material body.
- Krsna was attracted to the hunchbacked woman not for her beauty but for her service; as soon as she rendered service, she immediately became the most beautiful woman.
- These cowherd boys, uneducated, without any town life, cow-men, they are Krsna's best friend. Unsophisticated, no education, but love intense - that is perfect. That attracted Krsna.
- Krsna was not attracted by the opulence or personal beauty of the gopis but by their pure devotional service. Similarly, the gopis were attracted to Krsna as a cowherd boy, not in sophisticated guise.
Humility and Deep Affection
The Supreme Lord is the master of the universe, yet He is conquered by humility. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that approaching Kṛṣṇa with a meek heart—thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street—is the greatest qualification. When a devotee calls out to the Lord with earnest sincerity and deep affection, completely devoid of material envy or pride, Kṛṣṇa is immediately drawn to them.
- By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas.
- Such are the qualifications of a pure devotee. Materially one may be very opulent, experienced, influential and educated, but if one still thinks himself lower than straw in the street, one attracts the attention of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or Lord Krsna.
- At that time Sri Advaita was earnestly worshiping Him. Advaita attracted Him with His loud calls.
- The offerings of devotees attracted to Krsna in parental love are always sincere. A mother likes to offer something to her child with affection and love; there is no question of envy.
The Pinnacle of Conjugal Love
The highest realm of spiritual exchange is found in the conjugal love of Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the very personification of the Lord's internal pleasure potency (hlādinī-śakti). Her exquisite beauty, artistic qualities, and unalloyed devotion possess the supreme power to attract and conquer Kṛṣṇa, representing the absolute perfection of transcendental love.
- Srimati Radharani's affection, Her exquisite beauty and good behavior, Her artistic dancing and chanting and Her poetic compositions are all so attractive that they attract the mind of Krsna, who attracts the mind of everyone in the universe.
- She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord.
- Krsna and Radharani are both transcendentally qualified, and both of Them attract one another. Yet in that transcendental attraction, Radharani is greater than Krsna, for the attractiveness of Radharani is the transcendental taste in conjugal love.
- In this way, Srimati Radharani is ornamented and decorated with various ecstatic symptoms, which attract the mind of Sri Krsna.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the only way to successfully attract the Supreme Personality of Godhead is by cultivating a pure, unmotivated service attitude. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that Kṛṣṇa is not moved by the temporary allurements of material wealth, intellect, or physical beauty. By following the sublime examples set by the residents of Vṛndāvana, maintaining genuine humility, and constantly engaging in devotional service, any sincere soul can attract the merciful attention of the Lord and achieve the highest perfection of life.
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 Attracting Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.