Endowed by God - The Source of All Potencies
It is a common human frailty to claim ownership over our abilities and successes. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that whether we are observing the vast mechanics of the universe or the simple functioning of our own senses, absolutely every capability is a specific power endowed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Potency Behind the Cosmic Creation
The material universe does not operate on blind, independent forces. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that from the suspension of massive planets in outer space to the supreme intelligence of the universe's first engineer, all cosmic power is directly endowed by the Lord.
- Not only the earth but many, many millions of planets are floating in the air, and this floating power is endowed upon them by the Lord.
- Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead's energy, dull matter cannot create the cosmic manifestation. Its power does not arise from the material energy itself but is endowed by Sankarsana.
- The material ego springs up from the mahat-tattva, which evolved from the Lord's own energy. The material ego is endowed predominantly with active power of three kinds - good, passionate and ignorant.
- The first created living being is Brahma, who is endowed with perfect knowledge and intelligence by the Lord.
The Senses and Individual Capabilities
As parts and parcels of the Supreme, the living entities possess no independent power. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that our senses are merely borrowed instruments, and whatever limited potency or knowledge we possess is constantly endowed by the Supersoul situated within the heart.
- The living entities are endowed with limited potency although they are part of the Lord.
- The parts and parcels of the Lord are endowed with specific powers for rendering service unto the Lord, just as a big business magnate's sons are empowered with specific powers of administration.
- The senses are instruments, and elements are ingredients, all endowed by the Lord; therefore whatever an individual can do, speak, see, etc., is under the direction of the Lord only.
- The Lord, as the Supersoul of all living beings from Brahma to the insignificant ant, endows all with the required knowledge potent in every living being.
Benedictions and Spiritual Power
God is not an impartial, inactive observer; He is dynamic and reciprocating. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that as the supreme bestower of benedictions, the Lord endows each individual with results and spiritual power strictly according to their degree of surrender and method of approach.
- As a friend, the Lord is always anxious to get back His friend, the individual soul, and bring him back home, back to Godhead. As a witness He is the bestower of all benedictions, and He endows each individual with the result of his actions.
- Elsewhere (in BG 4.11), Krsna also says: Actually, everyone is trying to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead in various ways, but according to their methods of approach, the Supreme Lord endows them with different benedictions.
- When the Lord is fully satisfied with the sincere efforts of the devotee, He may endow him with His loving transcendental service.
- By the parampara system, one can thus be endowed with the original spiritual power coming from the Supreme Personality of Godhead (evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh (BG 4.2)).
The Supreme Endowment of Pure Devotion
The highest gift the Lord can bestow is the awakening of pure love. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that by taking shelter of the holy names—which are endowed with all the Lord's potencies—a sincere soul is eventually endowed with prema and the eternal shelter of the Lord's lotus feet.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in His Siksastaka, declares clearly that the holy name of the Lord has all the potencies of the Lord and that He has endowed His innumerable names with the same potency.
- When one actually attains good qualities, becomes grateful for the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and takes shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, he is endowed with all opulence. Such a person is a brahmana or Vaisnava.
- When that bhava softens the heart completely, becomes endowed with a great feeling of possessiveness in relation to the Lord and becomes very much condensed and intensified, it is called prema (love of Godhead) by learned scholars.
- One who lives in that fashion becomes undoubtedly endowed with the blessing of the Lord by achieving the shelter of His lotus feet. There is nothing to doubt about this eternal truth. Arjuna was His confidential friend, the secret was disclosed to him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda profoundly shifts our perspective from false independence to absolute reliance on the Supreme Lord. The illusion of the material world tricks the living entity into believing they are the proprietors of their strength, intelligence, and senses. However, the Vedic reality is that everything—from the staggering force required to float millions of planets in space, to the minute knowledge required by an ant to find its food—is explicitly endowed by God. Because we are infinitesimal parts and parcels, our potency is naturally limited, and our senses are merely instruments directed by the Supersoul. Recognizing this truth is the dawn of spiritual wisdom. By approaching the Lord through the authorized paramparā and chanting His fully endowed holy names, the sincere soul attracts the ultimate causeless mercy. When the Supreme Personality of Godhead is satisfied, He endows the devotee with the highest opulence: pure, unalloyed prema and the eternal shelter of His transcendental loving service.
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 Endowed by God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.