Awakening the Real Constitutional Position through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The foundational philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness clearly establishes the original, spiritual identity of every living being. Through his extensive teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the miseries of material life are simply a result of forgetting this identity and trying to enjoy independently. By engaging in devotional service and chanting the holy names, anyone can become free from illusion and happily return to their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.
The Original Identity of the Soul
The fundamental teaching of the Vedic literature is that the spirit soul is an eternal fragment of the Supreme Lord. Our true nature, as Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently points out, is not to be masters of the material world, but to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead with love and devotion. When this truth is realized, all other philosophical speculations are put to rest, and the soul finds its natural, joyful engagement.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu begins His philosophy from this point, that jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa: "The real constitutional position of all living entities is to serve Krsna." This is constitutional position.
- Confirmed by Lord Caitanya, jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa: that real constitutional position of the living entity, especially of the human being, is to accept servitorship of Krsna.
- Everyone is servant. Every living entity is a servant. As enunciated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa (CC Madhya 20.108-109) - The real, constitutional position of the living entity is eternal servant of Krsna.
- The living entity, his real constitutional position is to serve God. We have several times explained this fact, that the part and parcel of God must be engaged in the service of the Lord.
The Cause of Material Entanglement
Whenever the living entity desires to abandon its service to the Supreme Lord, it is immediately captured by the illusory energy known as māyā. The resultant suffering, as Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies, is not a punishment but a consequence of identifying with the temporary material body. This forgetfulness forces the eternal soul to wander through various species of life, desperately seeking happiness where it cannot be found.
- Actually, in this material existence we are forgetting our real, constitutional position, that we are all eternal servant of the Supreme Lord, Krsna.
- As soon as the living entity forgets his real, constitutional position of eternal servitorship to the Lord and wants instead to enjoy himself by sense gratification, he is captured by maya.
- His (the living entity) forgetfulness of his real constitutional position is maya. Otherwise he is eternally Brahman.
- When we forget our real constitutional position and wish to enjoy the material resources, our material desires manifest, and we associate with varieties of material enjoyment.
The Process of Reinstatement
To cure the disease of material forgetfulness, one must actively take up the process of bhakti-yoga under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. The chanting of the holy names, which Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly emphasizes, acts as a powerful cleansing agent for the polluted mind. As the dust of material desires is wiped away, the soul can finally perceive its true spiritual form and its inseparable bond with the Lord.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is teaching people how to come to the real ego, real constitutional position.
- If you chant this Hare Krsna mantra, the first result will be that you will understand your real, constitutional position, for which many great mystics, sages and saints are meditating, - What I am.
- This vibration of transcendental sound (the Hare Krsna mantra) will cleanse away this dust (due to our manipulation of material activities) and enable us to see clearly our real constitutional position.
- Only when he comes in contact with the bona fide spiritual master can he understand his real constitutional position. He then becomes disgusted with material existence. At that time, he regrets his past experiences in material existence.
True Liberation and Perfection
Liberation is not merely an escape from material miseries, but a positive, active engagement in spiritual life. By shedding all bodily designations, as Śrīla Prabhupāda elaborates, the devotee attains the platform of pure love and unalloyed service. This state of complete surrender is the ultimate perfection of human life and the final goal of all spiritual endeavor.
- As soon as this false ego is eliminated, one is liberated. As confirmed in the Bhagavatam, situation in one's real constitutional position is called mukti, or liberation.
- Liberation means to get out of the blazing fire of this material existence. It is simply change of consciousness, that I am thinking in so many ways. But when you think that you are eternal servant of Krsna, that is your real, constitutional position.
- Real perfection of life is without designation. And that is the real, constitutional position.
- When the conditioned soul attains his real spiritual energy and fully surrenders unto the Lord’s lotus feet, he tries to engage in the Lord’s service. This is the real constitutional position of the living entity.
Conclusion
The supreme goal of human existence is to wake up from the slumber of illusion and recognize our eternal connection with God. This awakening, which Śrīla Prabhupāda dedicated his life to teaching, shifts our focus from temporary worldly pursuits to the everlasting joy of pure devotion. By firmly situating ourselves in our original identity, we become completely free from all anxieties and fully satisfied in serving the Supreme Lord.
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 Real Constitutional Position. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.