Change of Heart - Melting the Steel-Framed Consciousness
The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is a profound transformation of consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a genuine change of heart is the definitive proof of advancement in bhakti-yoga, marking the transition from material exploitation to pure, unmotivated service.
Melting the Steel-Framed Heart
A conditioned soul's heart is hardened by lifetimes of material desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that if one chants the holy names without experiencing a softening of the heart and ecstatic symptoms, it indicates that the heart is steel-framed and blocked by offenses.
- By discharging regulated devotional service one must manifest the change of heart. If there is no such change, the heart must be considered steel-framed, for it is not melted even when there is chanting of the holy name of the Lord.
- Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on end.
- Just like stone or steel does not melt very easily, similarly, anyone's heart which does not change after chanting Hare Krsna mantra regularly, then it is to be understood that it is steel-framed, made of stone or iron.
- If a person does not cry or exhibit bodily changes after chanting the holy name of God without offense, it is to be understood that he is hardhearted and that therefore his heart does not change even after he chants the holy name of God, Hare Krsna.
The Real Symptoms of Change
Emotional displays alone do not prove spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a real change of heart must be practically manifested through a noticeable detachment from material enjoyment and a spontaneous reluctance to perform non-devotional activities.
- The test of the real change of heart that takes place when one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is that one becomes detached from material enjoyment. This is the real change.
- With the progress of devotional service, the reaction of change in the heart is exhibited by gradual detachment from the sense of material enjoyment by a false sense of lording it over the world and an increase in service attitude.
- The change (of heart) must be manifested in terms of one’s real activities.
- The desired change of heart referred to above is visible in the reluctance to do anything not congenial to the devotional way. To create such a change of heart, conclusive discussion about Sri Krsna and His potencies is absolutely necessary.
The Power of Kṛṣṇa's Name and Words
The transcendental vibration of the Lord's holy name is the most potent agent for transformation. As Śrīla Prabhupāda points out, the sublime words and names of Kṛṣṇa have the unparalleled power to instantly melt misunderstandings and purify the deepest layers of material contamination.
- As Sukadeva Gosvami began his prayer by discussing the word yat-kirtanam, so also Lord Caitanya recommended that simply by glorifying the Lord's holy name, a tremendous change of heart can take place.
- Lord Caitanya recommended that simply by glorifying the Lord's holy name, a tremendous change of heart can take place by which the complete misunderstanding between the human nations created by politicians can at once be extinguished.
- After the extinction of the fire of misunderstanding (a tremendous change of heart can take place by which the complete misunderstanding between the human nations created by politicians can at once be extinguished), other profits will follow.
- Pure devotional service, and the mature stage of Visnu worship is suggested herein (SB 2.3.24) in relation to the change of heart.
Changing the World Leaders
The miseries of the modern world are largely due to corrupt and materially absorbed leadership. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that if the leaders of human society receive the message of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and undergo a change of heart, the entire global atmosphere will be radically transformed into one of peace and spiritual prosperity.
- The mass of people in general are tools in the hands of the modern politicians and leaders of the people. If there is a change of heart of the leaders only, certainly there will be a radical change in the atmosphere of the world.
- We are confident that if the transcendental message of Srimad-Bhagavatam is received only by the leading men of the world, certainly there will be a change of heart, and naturally the people in general will follow them.
- If the leadership of world affairs is entrusted to the devotees of God, for which a worldwide organization under the name and style of ISKCON has been started, by the grace of the Almighty there can be a change of heart in human beings all over the world.
- The devotees of the Lord are able authorities to effect such a change (a change of heart in human beings) by purifying the dust-worn minds of the people in general.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a superficial adjustment of habits, but a profound revolution of the inner self. A heart that remains unaffected by the chanting of the holy names is diagnosed as steel-framed, trapped by the callousness of material desires and offenses. However, when the transcendental vibration of the mahā-mantra successfully penetrates the consciousness, the resulting change of heart is undeniable: the practitioner develops a profound disinterest in material sense gratification and an overriding eagerness to serve the Supreme Lord. This internal transformation is the exact remedy required for a suffering world. If the leaders of human society can be induced to experience this change of heart through the teachings of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the destructive misunderstandings born of political rivalry will be immediately extinguished, paving the way for a unified, spiritually awakened global society.
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 Change of Heart. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.