Becoming a Father - The Spiritual Responsibility of Parenthood
Parenthood in the material world is often driven by biological instinct and societal expectation. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings elevate the concept of becoming a father to the highest spiritual standard. By analyzing the strict injunctions of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that bringing a child into the world is a grave responsibility that must be tied to the child's ultimate liberation. Furthermore, he reveals the supreme, transcendental perfection of parenthood: the opportunity to become the loving father or mother of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.
The Vedic Injunction for Parents
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets an uncompromising standard for anyone desiring to have children. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly emphasizes the instruction of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva: one must not become a father or mother unless they are fully capable of saving their offspring from the cycle of birth, death, old age, and disease.
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.18), pita na sa syat: one should not become a father unless one is able to protect his child from mrtyu, the path of birth and death. But where is there education about this.
- Pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat... na mocayed yah samupeta-mrtyum: one should not become a father or a mother unless one is able to save his children from the impending clutches of death. That is the duty of the father and mother. How can this be done.
- One should not become father, one should not become mother, if the parents cannot give protection to the children from the danger of birth, death, old age and disease.
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam instructs that no body should become father or mother if they cannot take this responsibility, namely, stopping the repeated birth and death cycle of their children.
Spiritual Family Planning
Modern society approaches family planning mechanically, but Śrīla Prabhupāda introduces "spiritual family planning." This means that if a person is not situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and cannot guarantee the spiritual elevation of a child, they should voluntarily refrain from reproducing, elevating themselves above the breeding habits of animals.
- According to Bhagavata, the spiritual family planning is that one should not become a father or one should not become a mother, unless he is able to maintain their children to the extent of liberation.
- If a person is unable to save his child from the clutches of birth and death, he should not become a father. This is real contraceptive method. Not that have sex like cats and dogs and when the child is there kill it and abortion.
- According to our Bhagavata philosophy, if one is not able to beget nice children, then he should not become father, mother. That is real contraceptive.
- A dog is also becoming a father. The such kind of father-becoming is not recommended in the Vedic civilization. Just become a real father to give the real benefit to the son. Then you become a father. This is called varnasrama-dharma.
The Responsibility of Guardianship
The principle of delivering dependents from death is not restricted to biological parents. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that anyone who assumes a position of authority—whether as a spiritual master, a teacher, or a husband—must possess the spiritual potency to guide their subordinates out of material existence.
- One who cannot deliver his dependent from the path of birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a relative, a father or mother, or a worshipable demigod, nor should such a person become a husband.
- Bhagavata says that, "If you cannot develop the spiritual life of your dependent, then don't become a spiritual master, don't become a teacher, don't become a father, don't become a husband." These things are restricted.
- A guru should not become a guru, a father should not become a father, a mother should not become a mother, nobody should become relatives, kinsmen, if one cannot save his son, his disciple, his friend from the imminent danger of birth and death.
- The first mother and father bring about his (A child) birth into the world; then the spiritual master and the Vedas become his second father and mother.
The Highest Perfection: Becoming the Father of God
While the duty of earthly parenthood is heavy, the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness offers the most joyous and inconceivable perfection: entering into a parental relationship with the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while impersonalists desire to merge into God, pure devotees aspire to become the father or mother of Kṛṣṇa, controlling the absolute controller through pure love.
- When Krsna was a child, He playfully took the shoes of His father, Nanda Maharaja, and put them on His head. People may try very hard to become one with God, but actually we can surpass that - we can become father of God.
- Only a devotee can understand that to become one with God is not a sublime idea. In Vrndavana the devotees want to become the father or mother of God - to control God with love. This fact the Mayavadis, or Advaitavadis, cannot understand.
- Factually the Lord is the father of all living entities, but out of transcendental affection and love between the Lord and His devotees, the Lord takes more pleasure in becoming the son of a devotee than in becoming one's father.
- In the attitude of the denizens of Vrndavana, such as Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasoda, is to be found the ideal transcendental concept of becoming the father and mother of Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the title of "father" carries an immense spiritual weight that modern society largely ignores. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully teaches that true parenthood begins with the vow to deliver one's dependents from the miseries of material existence. By taking this responsibility seriously and raising children in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, an ordinary person fulfills the highest Vedic injunction. Ultimately, through unalloyed devotion, the sincere soul can transcend earthly duties and awaken their eternal, transcendental relationship with Kṛṣṇa, experiencing the unmatched bliss of becoming the loving parent 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 Becoming a Father. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.