Determination - The Unbreakable Vow of Dṛḍha-vrata
The path back to Godhead is fraught with the alluring traps of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that to successfully navigate these impediments and achieve ultimate spiritual perfection, a practitioner must arm themselves with the most crucial internal weapon: unyielding, resolute determination.
The Necessity of Dṛḍha-vrata
Spiritual life is not a casual endeavor; it requires an absolute commitment. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that true determination means making a firm vow to finish the business of material existence in this very life, regardless of any temporary inconveniences.
- Finish this business, this life. One life let me be strict in following the discipline and regulative principles. - This is called tapasya. So "Although it is inconvenient, I must do it to solve my problems." That is firm determination drdha-vrata.
- I must get myself out of this material contamination. That is called sraddha. "In this very life I shall realize." So this sraddha, this belief and this determination, as you make more and more perfect, you make advance. Not as official, but really.
- Every devotee, therefore, should be determined that in this life he will be able to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by that process go back home, back to Godhead. That is the perfection of the highest mission of life.
- If you have got sraddha, "Yes, I want Krsna in this life. I must do anything required," then that determination is called sraddha. Then if you want to develop that determination, then you should associate with sadhu.
Determination in the Mode of Goodness
The quality of one's resolve is dictated by the modes of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that determination in the mode of pure goodness is characterized by unbreakable steadfastness in yoga practice, leading to complete control over the mind and senses.
- O son of Prtha, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and thus controls the mind, life, and the acts of the senses, is in the mode of goodness.
- One should engage oneself in the practice of yoga with undeviating determination and faith. One should abandon, without exception, all material desires born of false ego and thus control all the senses on all sides by the mind (BG 6.24).
- One who is steadily fixed in the Supreme Soul with determination, concentrating one's mind, life and sensual activities on the Supreme, engages in Krsna consciousness. That sort of determination is in the mode of goodness.
- He considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.
The Power of Celibacy
To maintain strong determination, the practitioner must conserve their physical and mental energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly advises that indulging in unnecessary sex life destroys the strength of the mind, resulting in a weak, flickering resolve.
- Determination is increased by celibacy. Brahmacarya is recommended to keep oneself determined. A brahmacari, if he determines something, he executes. He has got that strength of mind.
- The brahmacari system of life is especially advantageous in that it increases the power of memory and determination.
- If semen is not discharged unnecessarily, one becomes extremely strong in memory, determination, activity and the vitality of one's bodily energy.
- In the beginning it was said that without sex life, the determination. Or controlled sex life. If you indulge in sex life, then this determination will not come. Flickering determination. You see? Therefore the sex life should be controlled or given up.
Overcoming Impediments
The material world will constantly test a devotee's sincerity. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true determination means persisting on the spiritual path without agitation, even when faced with apparent failures or the severe onslaughts of māyā.
- Acapalam, determination, means that one should not be agitated or frustrated in some attempt. There may be failure in some attempt, but one should not be sorry for that; he should make progress with patience and determination.
- For making advancement in spiritual knowledge, there may be many impediments, but we should be tolerant and continue our progress with determination.
- Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation.
- Maya is always after this checking process. So we have to fight against the maya, then we come to Krsna consciousness. That fighting determination must be there.
Demoniac Determination
Determination is a powerful force, but when applied incorrectly, it leads to destruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu also possess immense determination, but because their resolve is in the mode of ignorance and aimed at defying God, they are ultimately baffled.
- Hiranyakasipu was proud to declare that he would be able to do everything by the power of his tapasya. He even wanted to make the Vaisnavas' position insecure. These are some of the symptoms of asuric determination.
- Hiranyakasipu's demoniac determination was explained to Lord Brahma by the demigods, who informed him that Hiranyakasipu wanted to overturn all the established principles.
- And that determination which cannot go beyond dreaming, fearfulness, lamentation, moroseness and illusion - such unintelligent determination, O son of Prtha, is in the mode of darkness.
- Those who are always dreaming of lording it over the material world, and whose life, mind and senses are thus engaged, are considered to have determination in the mode of ignorance.
The Guarantee of Perfection
The Supreme Lord recognizes the sincere intent within the heart of His devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that if a person simply remains determined to serve Kṛṣṇa, even if they occasionally stumble, that unyielding resolve alone is enough to secure their ultimate salvation.
- Anyone who determines that "I shall simply serve Krsna," that simple determination will save him. Kevalaya bhaktya.
- If one is determined that "I shall stick to the service of Krsna," maya will not touch. That is kevala bhakti. If sometimes it appears that he has deviated out of past habit, that is excused.
- The Lord says: Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace.
- Our actual duty is to carry out the supreme order of the Personality of Godhead. If we are fixed in our determination to carry out the supreme order of the Lord, we are always secure, regardless of where we are situated, whether in hell or in heaven.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that dṛḍha-vrata, or firm determination, is the indispensable engine of spiritual advancement. In the material world, the conditioned soul is constantly bombarded by the dualities of happiness and distress, and the relentless attacks of māyā. Without an unbreakable vow to transcend this temporary existence, even one who has found a bona fide guru will remain entrapped. This true determination is situated in the mode of pure goodness and requires the strict conservation of vital energy through practices like celibacy (brahmacarya). While the demons also exhibit fierce determination, their resolve is anchored in ignorance and the futile desire to lord over material nature. Conversely, the pure devotee's determination is entirely selfless, focused solely on executing the supreme order of the Personality of Godhead. The absolute beauty of this process is that Kṛṣṇa is so merciful that if a devotee simply maintains their sincere, unyielding determination to serve Him, the Lord considers them saintly and guarantees their safe return back home, back to Godhead, despite any temporary falldowns or material impediments.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Determination. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.