Becoming a Master - The Illusion of Material Existence
The fundamental cause of suffering in the material world is the living entity's rebellion against their constitutional position. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the soul is eternally a servant, but under the spell of illusion, it falsely attempts to become the supreme controller, leading to a frustrating and endless struggle for existence.
The Material Disease
The desire to dominate is the driving force behind all worldly activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies that the entire struggle for existence, from the animal kingdom to human society, is driven by the unnatural ambition to lord over others and avoid rendering service.
- Everyone is trying to become the master. Nobody is trying to become a servant. Ask anyone that "Why you are working so hard?" - No, I shall get so much money, I shall become very wealthy.
- Everyone, individual to individual, nation to nation, society to society, religion to religion, so-called religion - everyone is trying to become the master.
- In the material world, because we have forgotten the real master, every one of us is trying to become master. This is material disease. Not only in one life, but life after life.
- One does not know that this consciousness, that "I shall become the master," is the cause of his suffering. This philosophy has to be understood. Because constitutionally we are all servants.
The Illusion of Control
Despite immense effort to acquire power and wealth, no one in the material world actually achieves independence. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that those who refuse to serve Kṛṣṇa simply become forced servants of the illusory energy, māyā, while falsely thinking they are in control.
- Either I become president or minister or head of the family, head of the community, society - whatever I may be, my position is servant, but I'm thinking that I have become master. This is called illusion.
- The bondage is that mastership mentality. He's servant, but he's thinking falsely that he's master. Just like your President Nixon. He thought, "Now I have become master of America, I'm president." He forgot that he's servant.
- As soon as you become master, you will be kicked. But that is also false position. We cannot become master; we are servant. But instead of serving Krsna, we are serving maya. That is our position.
- It is our constitutional position to serve someone, but when we do not serve Krsna, we serve maya. In any case, we cannot become master.
Mastering the Senses
The only true mastery a living entity can legitimately achieve is control over their own mind and senses, becoming a gosvāmī. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this is only possible when the senses are actively engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord.
- The living entity can take one of two positions in this world. He may become a servant of his senses, or he may become master of them.
- Instead of becoming servant of the senses, you have to become master of the senses. That is called gosvami. If you remain servant of the senses, then you are go-dasa.
- This has to be purified: not to become the servant of the senses, but to become servant of the master of the senses. Then you also become master of the senses. That purificatory process is called devotional service, bhakti.
- Why not becoming the servant of the Supreme instead of serving on the servant of the senses? You cannot become master. Actually, you become master of the senses when you are actually servant of Krsna; otherwise it is not possible.
The Perfection of Servitorship
Real liberation (mukti) does not mean merging into God to become the supreme, but rather fully accepting one's subordinate position. By humbly serving Kṛṣṇa and respectfully addressing others as master, the devotee finds true eternal happiness.
- Servant is declaring to become master; therefore suffering. And as soon as we accept that "I am not master; I am servant," then there is no suffering. Very simple philosophy. That is mukti. Mukti means just come to the right platform.
- The Vaisnava philosophy teaches that we can remain in our natural position but act as a servant of God. That is perfect. But if the servant tries to become the master, that is artificial.
- We teach to address amongst the devotees, "Prabhu," "Prabhu," "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be simply spoken by the lips; it should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu, master, not he should try to become master.
- You are not master, you are servant. Cultivate this knowledge. Don't try to become a master, falsely. That will never be successful. Remain servant of Krsna, you'll be happy.
Conclusion
As Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully concludes, the attempt to become the master of the material world is a futile and exhausting endeavor that only tightens the bonds of conditional life. Because the soul is constitutionally an eternal servant, the absolute necessity for service cannot be erased; it can only be misplaced. When the living entity rejects the loving service of Kṛṣṇa, they are immediately forced to serve the harsh dictates of māyā and their own unyielding senses, all while foolishly maintaining the illusion of independence. The ultimate solution and the true definition of liberation is to abandon this artificial mastership mentality. By accepting one's natural position as a servant of God and cultivating humility by viewing others as prabhu (master), the soul becomes a true gosvāmī—a master of the senses—and attains eternal, peaceful existence.
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 Master. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.