Comprehending the Absolute Majesty of God's Opulence
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead possesses all opulences—wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation—in absolute fullness. By studying his instructions, we can comprehend the Lord's supreme majesty, His maintenance of the cosmic manifestation, and the distinct ways devotees appreciate His opulence.
The Fountainhead of All Riches
The very definition of the word Bhagavān indicates the supreme possessor of all wealth and perfections. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that no living entity or demigod can equal the Supreme Lord, who effortlessly exhibits His infinite opulences throughout the material and spiritual worlds.
- Bhagavan possesses all opulences, the totality of knowledge, wealth, power, beauty, fame and renunciation. When we find someone who possesses these opulences in full, we are to know that he is God.
- Only Krsna can claim this (to possess all riches, all strength, etc.) because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No living entity, including Brahma, Lord Siva, or Narayana, can possess opulences as fully as Krsna.
- He (God) is the source of everyone's opulence, and no one can equal Him in opulence. Being full of all opulences, namely wealth, fame, strength, beauty, knowledge and renunciation, certainly He is the Supreme Person.
The Insignificance of Material Prestige
Deluded by false ego, materialistic individuals proudly consider themselves wealthy and independent. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that all material name, fame, and gain are merely perverted, insignificant reflections of the Lord's original opulence.
- Material name, fame, and gain are only perverted reflections of the substance - the name, fame, and opulences of the Lord.
- Although the living entity is the son of the richest, most opulent person, he has created a bread problem. This is called ignorance.
- If one thinks of a king, he automatically thinks of his secretaries, ministers, military commanders, palaces and so on. Since a king has such opulences, one can simply try to imagine the opulences of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Awe of Vaikuṇṭha versus the Sweetness of Vṛndāvana
The Lord's opulence is perceived differently depending on the spiritual realm and the mood of the devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda distinguishes between the majestic, awe-inspiring opulence in the Vaikuṇṭha planets and the pure, unmixed sweetness of the Lord's pastimes in Vṛndāvana.
- In Mathura and Dvaraka the love for the Lord is mixed with appreciation of His opulence, but in Vrndavana the opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not exhibited.
- Pure devotees are all in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Syamasundara, not as Lord Visnu, Narayana, who is worshiped in Vaikuntha, where the devotees admire His opulence.
- Krsna was not attracted by the opulence or personal beauty of the gopis but by their pure devotional service. Similarly, the gopis were attracted to Krsna as a cowherd boy, not in sophisticated guise.
The Pure Devotee's Transcendental Inheritance
When a soul completely surrenders to the Lord, they are never left bereft. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that a pure devotee is protected by the Lord's opulences and, upon returning to the spiritual world, shares in the divine opulences while eternally rendering humble service.
- A devotee is always protected by all of the Supreme Lord's opulences, of which no one can deprive him (tesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy aham (BG 9.22)). Thus a devotee cannot be defeated by any opponents.
- A person who gives up all fruitive activities and offers himself entirely unto Me (God), eagerly desiring to render service unto Me, achieves liberation from birth and death and is promoted to the status of sharing My own opulences.
- A pure servant of the Lord, although as opulent as the Lord, is still meant to offer respectful obeisances to the Lord in service.
- Sridhara Svami comments, bhagavattvaya bhagavat-saman aisvaryaya. Bhagavattva, becoming as good as the SP of Godhead, does not mean becoming one with Him or equal to Him, although in the spiritual world the servant is equally as opulent as the master.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda definitively establishes that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān, is the original fountainhead of all wealth, fame, strength, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation. All material achievements in this world are merely tiny, perverted reflections of Kṛṣṇa's absolute opulence. While impersonalists erroneously deny the Lord's majestic attributes and materialists foolishly try to imitate them, the pure devotees correctly understand their position as humble servants of the wealthiest Father. In the majestic Vaikuṇṭha planets, devotees revere the Lord in awe of His opulence, but in the highest realm of Vṛndāvana, the devotees' pure love is so intense that the Lord's opulence is completely covered by His sweetness. Ultimately, the Lord is so merciful that anyone who fully surrenders to Him is constantly protected by His opulence in this world, and in the next, is elevated to share in His infinite riches as His eternal, loving servant.
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 God's Opulence. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.