Awe and Veneration - From Reverence to Intimacy
The relationship between the soul and the Supreme Lord is infinitely dynamic. While most religious traditions culminate in the formal, respectful worship of God as the almighty creator, Vedic theology introduces a much deeper spiritual reality. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains how the soul's journey begins with awe and veneration but ultimately transcends this formality to enter into the supreme, confidential intimacy of pure love with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Platform of Reverence
Recognizing the supreme greatness of God is the first vital step in spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a neophyte practitioner must strictly observe rules and regulations, worshipping the Lord with profound respect. This mood of awe and veneration is eternal and serves as the foundation for the residents of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where the majestic feature of the Lord is predominantly adored.
- In the beginning we must treat the Lord with awe and veneration. Later one when we are perfectly on the spiritual platform, we treat Krsna more intimately, and therefore we forget the exalted position of Krsna.
- There are also other planets in the spiritual world, called Vaikuntha planets, and on these planets Lord Narayana is worshiped with awe and veneration. On these planets santa-rasa is prevalent.
- By performing such regulated devotional service in awe and veneration, one may go to Vaikuntha and attain the four kinds of liberation.
- On the platform of dasya-rasa, the greatest quantity of awe and veneration of the Supreme Lord is exhibited. That is, in the dasya-rasa, the greatness of the Supreme Lord is appreciated.
Impediment to Intimate Love
While reverence is purifying, it creates a distance between the lover and the beloved. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that Kṛṣṇa desires spontaneous, informal affection rather than rigid worship. When a devotee is constantly aware of the Lord's majestic opulence, their love is restricted. Thus, on the higher platforms of devotion, awe and veneration are viewed not as assets, but as actual impediments to intimate service.
- Knowing My opulences, the whole world looks upon Me with awe and veneration. But devotion made feeble by such reverence does not attract Me.
- In the five principal transcendental relationships, awe and veneration are sometimes impediments to one’s service to the Lord.
- Dealings in affection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead bring happiness many millions of times greater than dealings with Him in awe and veneration.
- This type of attachment (with awe and veneration) might be characterized by a certain lack of freedom, and it is exhibited in Mathura and in the Vaikuntha planets. In these abodes of the Lord, the spirit of transcendental loving service is restricted.
Intimacy of Vṛndāvana
The supreme realm of Goloka Vṛndāvana is completely devoid of formal respect. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes that the cowherd boys, the gopīs, and Mother Yaśodā are so completely absorbed in pure love that they entirely forget Kṛṣṇa is God. Because their affection is unmixed with awe and veneration, they can playfully wrestle with Him, chide Him, and love Him with absolute, unrestricted freedom.
- Some great devotees of the Lord cannot surpass the boundary of awe and veneration. But other devotees are in such an intense compact of love with the Lord that they forget His exalted position and regard themselves as His equals or even His superiors.
- In Gokula Vrndavana, love is freely exchanged, and although the cowherd boys and damsels of Vrndavana know that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they do not show awe and veneration because of the great intimacy of their relationship with Him.
- Awe and veneration are absent on the platform of fraternity, since this rasa is predominated by confidential service. Therefore sakhya-rasa is characterized by the qualities of three rasas.
- Although on such a platform of love the devotee sometimes appears to predominate over the Lord or transgress regulative principles, such dealings are far more advanced than ordinary dealings through regulative principles with awe and veneration.
Deity Worship and Lord Caitanya's Mercy
In the practical application of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the standard of worship matters greatly. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that worshipping the Deities of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa requires a strict standard of awe and veneration, as one must first approach Them on the level of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. However, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is extremely merciful and accommodates the fallen souls by accepting their service without strict formalities.
- Whatever we are worshiping Radha-Krsna, that is Radha-Krsna in His Narayana form - Laksmi-Narayana. In the beginning we should worship Radha-Krsna in the level of Laksmi-Narayana, with awe and veneration, very strictly following the rules and regulations.
- Radha-Krsna worship is little difficult. We have to worship Him with great awe and veneration. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu has voluntarily come to deliver the fallen souls. Little service, He will be satisfied.
- You simply chant Hare Krsna mantra, and whatever you can, offer Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is very kind. He does not take offense. Radha-Krsna worship is little difficult. We have to worship Him with great awe and veneration.
- When there is friendship, paternal affection and conjugal love, however such awe and veneration are reduced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while approaching the Supreme Lord with awe and veneration is the necessary foundation of religious life, it is not the ultimate destination. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth, Lord Kṛṣṇa, is fully conquered only by spontaneous, unmotivated love. By taking shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and progressively purifying our consciousness, we can transcend the formalities of respectful worship and enter into the supreme, blissful intimacy of 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 Awe and Veneration. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.